On June 22, 1978, Pluto’s moon Charon was discovered by United States Naval Observatory astronomer James Christy (born September 15, 1938).
Category Archives: Solar System
Viking 1 Entered Mars Orbit on June 19, 1976
On June 19, 1976, NASA’s Viking 1 Orbiter was inserted into Mars orbit. Both Viking 1 and Viking 2 spacecraft were consisting of an orbiter and a lander.
Guide for an ultimate stargazing experience: eclipses, meteor showers, and the Milky Way
Busy days don’t leave much time to stare at the sky in awe. But once in a while, in the midst of looking forward, it may be time to look around – or up – at your surroundings and appreciate the view. Beyond a seemingly inky nightscape with only the occasional cloud, aircraft, or spattering …
Pioneer 10 became the first spacecraft to pass beyond the orbit of Neptune on June 13, 1983
On June 13, 1983, Pioneer 10 became the first spacecraft to pass beyond the orbit of Neptune. So, it is the first spacecraft to pass beyond all the solar system planets.
Venera 4 was launched on June 12, 1967
On June 12, 1967, the Soviet Union launched Venera 4, which means “Venus 4” in English, a probe in the Soviet Venera program for the exploration of the planet Venus. It became the first successful probe to perform in-place analysis of the environment of another planet.
Einstein’s general theory of relativity was proven on May 29, 1919, during a solar eclipse
On May 29, 1919, Einstein’s General Theory of Relativity, which was just four-year-old at the time, was put to its first test during a total solar eclipse. Albert Einstein’s prediction of the bending of light by the gravity of the Sun, one of the components of his general theory of relativity, could be tested by …
Earth passed through the tail of Halley’s Comet on May 19, 1910
On May 19, 1910, the Earth passed through the tail of Halley’s Comet. Prior to the date, using spectroscopy, astronomers detected cyanogen, a very deadly poison in the comet’s tail. This caused panic. French astronomer Camille Flammarion (26 February 1842 – 3 June 1925) even claimed that life on Earth would end because of this.
Neptune’s Moon Nereid was discovered on May 1, 1949
On May 1, 1949, Neptune’s Moon Nereid was discovered by the Dutch astronomer and planetary scientist Gerard Kuiper, who is the eponymous namesake of the Kuiper belt. Nereid is also named Neptune II because it is the second moon of Neptune to be discovered. It is also the last satellite of Neptune to be discovered …
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Halley’s Comet made the closest approach to Earth on April 11, 1986
On April 11, 1986, with about 63 million kilometers (39 million miles), Halley’s Comet made its closest approach to Earth on its outbound journey (while moving away from the Sun).
The first moon in orbit around an asteroid [243 Ida] was discovered on March 23, 1994
On March 23, 1994, a photo was released showing the first moon discovered be in orbit around an asteroid, 243 Ida. Today’s (March 23) story of what happened this day in Science, Technology, Astronomy, and Space Exploration history.
