Media Inquiries Public Inquiries 202-633-1000 Every 120 years or so, Venus crosses over the face of the Sun, as seen from Earth.  On June 8, such a transit will take place.

David DeVorkin, a curator in the National Air and Space Museum's Space History Division, is available to discuss this rare and wonderful astronomical occurrence. DeVorkin is trained in astronomy, physics and the history of science, holding degrees from the University of California-Los Angeles, San Diego State, Yale University and the University of Leicester. From work experience at those institutions, as well as the Lick and Yerkes Observatories, where he was night operator of the two largest refracting telescopes in the world, DeVorkin gained an intimate appreciation for the nature of classic observing techniques in astronomy in traditional observatory settings. He has written and edited eight monographs in the history of astronomy and the space sciences, and has written some 100 articles for a wide range of journals. DeVorkin has been with the Museum since 1981.

To interview DeVorkin on this or other astronomy topics, please call the number(s) above.