Historical Events tagged with "sun"
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.
NASA launches the Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph
NASA successfully launched the Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph (IRIS) space probe from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California to study the Sun's interface region. This mission aims to better understand solar dynamics and the elusive mechanisms that drive solar flares and coronal mass ejections, phenomena that greatly influence space weather and potentially impact Earth.
Continue ReadingRare Astronomical Event: Venus Transit
The first Venus transit in over a century captivated astronomers worldwide. This astronomical phenomenon occurred when Venus passed directly between the Earth and the Sun, appearing as a small black dot moving across the solar disk. This transit lasted several hours, with the most notable visibility across parts of North America, Europe, and Asia, providing a unique opportunity for scientific observation and public engagement in astronomy. The last similar event had been observed in 1882, making this a highly anticipated occasion for both professionals and enthusiasts.
Continue ReadingPierre Janssen Discovers Helium in Solar Spectrum
French astronomer Pierre Janssen, while observing the solar spectrum during a total solar eclipse in Guntur, India, discovered a new element. Upon analyzing the light emitted by the sun, he identified a spectral line that did not correspond to any known element at the time, which was later confirmed to be helium. This unexpected discovery was significant, expanding our understanding of elemental composition in celestial bodies.
Continue Reading