Historical Events tagged with "celestial bodies"
Turns out history loves a label—battles, breakthroughs, and the occasional disaster, all neatly tagged for your browsing pleasure. Because sometimes you just need every weird invention in one place.
Discovery of Jupiter's Irregular Moons Announced
Scott S. Sheppard and his team announced the discovery of a dozen irregular moons orbiting Jupiter, expanding the known range of the planet's satellites. Found using advanced telescopes in the southern hemisphere, these moons highlight the diversity of celestial bodies in Jupiter's gravitational influence. The findings further advance our understanding of planetary formation and satellite dynamics in our solar system.
Continue ReadingPhilae Lander Touches Down on Comet 67P
The European Space Agency's Philae lander, launched from the Rosetta probe, successfully landed on the surface of comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko. This historic event marked the first time a probe landed on a comet, enabling extensive research of its surface and composition. The landing occurred after a complex descent that took several hours, allowing scientists to gather vital data about the early solar system. Philae's unique instruments were designed to analyze the comet's surface, which could provide insights into the origins of water and organic molecules on Earth.
Continue ReadingDiscovery Images of Dwarf Planet Eris Captured
Images of the dwarf planet Eris were successfully taken using the powerful CCD camera of the Samuel Oschin Telescope at Palomar Observatory. These images revealed a distant celestial body located in the scattered disc region of the solar system, which is beyond Neptune. The discovery of Eris, initially designated 2003 UB313, has implications for our understanding of celestial bodies in the outer solar system. Observational studies began in 2003, but the confirmed imaging occurred in 2005, leading to its recognition as a significant trans-Neptunian object.
Continue ReadingFirst Identification of Substellar Mass Object
Gliese 229B became the first substellar mass object to be unquestionably identified, marking a significant advancement in the understanding of celestial bodies. Discovered near the star Gliese 229 in the constellation Lepus, its classification as a brown dwarf opened new avenues in astrophysics. This breakthrough was attributed to a team of astronomers led by Michael L. Wild, who employed advanced observational techniques to confirm the object's properties, distinguishing it from typical stars.
Continue ReadingGalileo Probe Discovers Asteroid Moon Dactyl
NASA's Galileo spacecraft conducted a flyby of asteroid 243 Ida, revealing Dactyl, its first known moon, through detailed images captured during the encounter. The probe, part of the Galileo mission aimed at exploring Jupiter and its moons, approached Ida at a distance of about 3,000 kilometers. The discovery was significant, as it not only expanded our understanding of asteroids but also initiated further studies into the relationship between asteroids and their moons.
Continue ReadingInternational Agreement Governing Outer Space
The Outer Space Treaty came into force, establishing international norms for the use of outer space. Ratified by over 100 countries, it emphasizes that space exploration shall be carried out for the benefit of all mankind. Provisions include the banning of nuclear weapons in space and preventing the appropriation of celestial bodies. This treaty laid the groundwork for future space law and cooperation among nations in their exploration of outer space.
Continue ReadingClyde Tombaugh Discovers Pluto
Clyde Tombaugh, an American astronomer, made a groundbreaking discovery while examining photographs taken in January. Working at the Lowell Observatory in Arizona, he was searching for a ninth planet beyond Neptune. His meticulous analysis of photographic plates ultimately led to the identification of a new celestial body, which would later be named Pluto, marking a significant milestone in astronomy.
Continue ReadingDiscovery of Himalia, Jovian Moon by Perrine
Charles Dillon Perrine discovered the Jovian moon Himalia at California's Lick Observatory. Using a powerful telescope, he observed this distant celestial body, which is one of the larger moons of Jupiter. Observations conducted during the clear night sky of December allowed Perrine to identify and catalog this significant find in the realm of astronomy, enhancing understanding of Jupiter's moon system.
Continue ReadingCarl Gustav Witt Discovers Near-Earth Asteroid Eros
Carl Gustav Witt discovered 433 Eros, the first near-Earth asteroid, on August 13, 1898, while working at the Berlin Observatory. This significant discovery added to the understanding of celestial bodies close to Earth and marked a major advancement in astronomy. Eros, named after the Greek god of love, was initially located at a distance of approximately 22 million kilometers from Earth. This finding opened new avenues for research into asteroids and their compositions, orbits, and potential for future exploration.
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