It was the transit of the planet Venus which, until this week, nobody alive had ever seen.

Transits happen when a planet orbiting between the Earth and the Sun passes between us and the Sun. This can only happen with Mercury and Venus.

Mercurian transits happen every half dozen years but transits of Venus are rare, happening in pairs after 115 years and then eight years later.

The last one fully visible from the Island was in 1283. The next transit, in 2012, will only be totally visible from the Pacific so this was the Island's last proper chance until 2117.

The Astronomical Society's Howard Parkin was one of a dozen members, joined by two members of the public, who gathered to watch the event at the observatory, near Foxdale.

'From an astronomical point of view it was very exciting, it was quite a dramatic occasion,' said Howard. 'We really felt quite nostalgic about it because the last time it was seen was so long ago and it has only been seen six or seven times in history.'

After the early parts of the transit, from around 6.19am, the fog moved in and many members set out for different parts of the Island to view, with varying success. Howard headed to the top of the Laxey Wheel but didn't have much luck because of the clouds.

But he was rewarded on his return to the observatory for the final stages at around noon.

'Just as it was exciting at the beginning it was sad at the end because we won't see it fully again for so long,' said Howard.

He was pleased TT visitors were able to enjoy the spectacle.

'Last year we arranged an eclipse of the sun for TT week and this year we arranged a transit of Venus,' joked Howard.

'We are working on next year.'