The Price of Prestige

148 chapter five

By 1882 there were enough trained and well- equipped astronomers

around the world to render most expeditions redundant. Astronomers

could have observed the transit in their respective countries and shared

the data rather than exchange expeditions (Chapman 1998 ). The editors

of the London Times took a less cynical view: “There are people who tell

us there are sure and easier ways of ascertaining this distance [the astro-

nomical unit], but we can hardly suppose all the astronomers of the world

in a league for no other purpose than to set up scientific picnics at the pub-

lic expense” (December 14 , 1882 ).

The observations of the 1882 transit did not determine the value for

the astronomical unit. The solution of “the noblest problem in astron-

omy” was finally resolved through modern technology. The “first race to

space” was thus concluded without a clear winner. The specter of inter-

national expeditions of astronomers crisscrossing oceans and continents

in hope of establishing the value of the elusive solar parallax was to make

way for a new era of scientific competition. Instead of transit observations

astronomers focused on other forms of Big Science: gigantic telescopes,

satellites, and ultimately space travel. Yet the core logic of Big Science as

a form of conspicuous consumption remains visible and influential de-

spite these technological advancements.

Conclusions

The most salient feature across the TOV races is that despite great up-

heavals, there was very little change in the behavior of all major actors.

The striking similarities, across both space and time, suggest that the

core motivation was not affected by the processes of change that took

place during this extended period. TOV funding was not reduced even

when scientific and technological advances demonstrated the futility of

the transit method. Competitiveness did not wane once the Seven Years’

War ended. Races continued despite the fact that it was almost impossible

to identify any discernable strategic benefits to the entire endeavor. The

race was gladly embraced by new entrants such as Germany, Italy, and the

United States. Moreover, competitive behavior does not seem to vary with

regime type or the identity of political and scientific leaders. In short, the

TOV example suggests that the allure of Big Science is structural.

Furthermore, it is difficult to identify material benefits that resulted

from participation in transit observation. In fact, the only case of a tan-

gible benefit resulting from a transit expedition was Cook’s 1769 voyage to