The transit of the planet Venus across the sun is a very rare occurrence. Indeed it has only happened seven times since the telescope was invented in the early 17th century. On 5/6 June, however, the phenomenon should be visible from locations in the Pacific, as the planet makes its stately, six-and-a-half-hour progress across the face of the sun. Although the last transit occurred in 2004, the next won't happen until 2117.
Among the best places from which to watch it (you'll need to wear 'eclipse shades') are the higher slopes of the Mauna Kea volcano in the heart of the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island. This is the site of the Mauna Kea Observatory, one of the finest in existence, and home to the world's most powerful telescope. But Mauna Kea is a good base even outside the observatory, because at this altitude - 4,200 metres - you're above the cloud that sometimes clings to the mountain. Astronomy Tours (www.astronomytours.co.uk) is offering an eight-night tour
to see the transit from the Mauna Kea volcano, from £3,699 per person.
For those more taken by the romantic connotations of the event, few hotels are more redolent of the goddess of love than the Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora (www.fourseasons.com/borabora; doubles from about £670). The transit should be visible from here if the skies are clear.
Pictured: Observatories on the peak of Mauna Kea mountain