The Dunlap Institute for Astronomy and Astrophysics and the Institute for History and Philosophy of Science and Technology are holding a full day symposium about the Transit of Venus which may be of interest to HAA members and those with some astronomy background. It appears to be a fairly comprehensive program, it doesn’t seem particularly well suited to someone completely new to astronomy. (However review the program at the link below and see if this will be a good fit for you.) This is a FREE event running on Saturday April 28, 2012 from 10am to 5pm (with breaks).

Doctors Mike Reid, Ralph Chou, James Graham and others will be discussing various aspects associated with the transit. It includes how to view safely, historical events, science learned from transits, how it affects current exo-planet searches and more. It will also include a tour of astronomical instruments on display at the Institute for the History and Philosophy of Science and Technology.

More information, including location and a full schedule of seminars and events can be found:
Transit of Venus Symposium