Passage de Vénus photographic sequence (1874)

Passage de Vénus is a photographic sequence from the 1874 transit of Venus, often cited as the oldest film. It was captured by Jules Janssen in Japan using his 'photographic revolver', though modern studies suggest surviving plates may be practice models.

Episodes

Background and detail

Background. The 1874 transit of Venus took place on 9 December 1874 (01:49 to 06:26 UTC), the first of a pair of 19th-century transits, the second occurring in 1882. As with previous transits, it offered an opportunity for improved measurements and observations. In 1874, Janssen invented the Revolver of Janssen, or Photographic Revolver, the instrument that originated chronophotography. Passage de Vénus is a series of photographs of the transit, listed by IMDb as the first film.

Production and Authenticity. The photographs were purportedly taken in Japan by Janssen and Brazilian engineer Francisco Antônio de Almeida. However, a 2005 study concluded that extant plates made with the revolver are likely practice shots using a model. If any plates from the actual eclipse survived, their whereabouts are unknown, casting doubt on the authenticity of the surviving sequence as a direct record of the event.

People involved

Sources

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