1st April 1960 Launch of TIROS 1
TIROS 1 (Television Infrared Observation Satellite) was the first successful weather satellite to orbit the Earth and send back weather reports. Due to a power problem TIROS 1 stopped working on June 15th 1960.
Monday 31 March 2014
Astronomy Scrapbook Tuesday 1st April 2014
On This Day
1st April 1960 Launch of TIROS 1
TIROS 1 (Television Infrared Observation Satellite) was the first successful weather satellite to orbit the Earth and send back weather reports. Due to a power problem TIROS 1 stopped working on June 15th 1960.
1st April 1960 Launch of TIROS 1
TIROS 1 (Television Infrared Observation Satellite) was the first successful weather satellite to orbit the Earth and send back weather reports. Due to a power problem TIROS 1 stopped working on June 15th 1960.
Sunday 30 March 2014
Astronomy Scrapbook Monday 31st March 2014
On This Day
31st March 1862 Discovery of Sirius B
The American telescope maker Alvan Clark was testing a new 18.5 inch refractor for the Dearborn Observatory when he discovered a companion star to Sirius. Sirius B is a white dwarf and is often known as the "Pup".
On This Day
31st March 1862 Discovery of Sirius B
The American telescope maker Alvan Clark was testing a new 18.5 inch refractor for the Dearborn Observatory when he discovered a companion star to Sirius. Sirius B is a white dwarf and is often known as the "Pup".
On This Day
31st March 1966 Launch of Luna 10
The Russian Moon probe Luna 10 entered orbit around the oon and sent back data until May 30 1966 when its batteries failed.
On This Day
31st March 1972 Failed Launch of Venus mission
The Russian Venus mission Kosmos 482 failed to escape Earth orbit, it was possibly similar to Venera 8 which was launched 4 days earlier. Kosmos 482 re entered the Earth's atmosphere on April 3rd 1972 when parts of the craft crashed just outside Ashburton New Zealand.. No one was injured.
Wednesday 26 March 2014
Astronomy Scrapbook Thursday 27th March 2014
Eye in the Sky
March 27th Moon close to Venus
The waning crescent Moon is less than 3 degrees to the north of Venus in the twilight dawn.
On This Day
March 27th 1964 Launch of Ariel 2
The UK satellite Ariel 2 known to the Americans as UK-C was successfully launched. The satellite measured galactic radio noise and the ozone layer around the Earth.
March 27th Moon close to Venus
The waning crescent Moon is less than 3 degrees to the north of Venus in the twilight dawn.
On This Day
March 27th 1964 Launch of Ariel 2
The UK satellite Ariel 2 known to the Americans as UK-C was successfully launched. The satellite measured galactic radio noise and the ozone layer around the Earth.
Tuesday 25 March 2014
Astronomy Scrapbook Wednesday 26th March 2014
On This Day
26th March 1964 First LEM mock up seen.
First full scale Lunar Excursion Module (LEM) mock up shown to the press by NASA and Grumman. The LEM was the lander portion of the Apollo spacecraft.
26th March 1964 First LEM mock up seen.
First full scale Lunar Excursion Module (LEM) mock up shown to the press by NASA and Grumman. The LEM was the lander portion of the Apollo spacecraft.
Monday 24 March 2014
Astronomy Scrapbook Tuesday 25th March 2014
On This Day (1)
March 25th 1811 Discovery of Great Comet of 1811
The comet was discovered March 25, 1811 by the French astronomer Honore Flaugerues in the now-defunct constellation of Argo Navis. It was visible to the naked eye for around 260 days, a record it held until the appearance of Comet Hale Bopp in 1997. In October 1811, at its brightest, it was magnitude zero.
On This Day (2)
March 25th 1961 launch of Korabl-Sputnik 5
Also known as Votosk -3KA No. 2 and in the west as Sputnik 10, Korabl-Sputnik which means Ship Satellite. It carried the mannequin Ivan Ivanovich and a dog named Zvezdochka which means Starlet. Launched at 05.54 on March 25th it returned to Earth on the same day at 07.40. The success of the mission was the final step required to get approval for a manned mission.
On This Day (3)
March 25th 1969 First Live Trans - Pacific TV Link Up.
The first live trans Pacific TV link up is made from Japan to the US using the satellite Relay 2.
March 25th 1811 Discovery of Great Comet of 1811
The comet was discovered March 25, 1811 by the French astronomer Honore Flaugerues in the now-defunct constellation of Argo Navis. It was visible to the naked eye for around 260 days, a record it held until the appearance of Comet Hale Bopp in 1997. In October 1811, at its brightest, it was magnitude zero.
On This Day (2)
March 25th 1961 launch of Korabl-Sputnik 5
Also known as Votosk -3KA No. 2 and in the west as Sputnik 10, Korabl-Sputnik which means Ship Satellite. It carried the mannequin Ivan Ivanovich and a dog named Zvezdochka which means Starlet. Launched at 05.54 on March 25th it returned to Earth on the same day at 07.40. The success of the mission was the final step required to get approval for a manned mission.
On This Day (3)
March 25th 1969 First Live Trans - Pacific TV Link Up.
The first live trans Pacific TV link up is made from Japan to the US using the satellite Relay 2.
Saturday 22 March 2014
Astronomy Scrapbook Sunday 23rd March 2014
On This Day (1)
March 23rd 1779 discovery of M64
The English astronomer Edward Pigott discovered a galaxy which would become number 64 on the list of Messier objects and is often referred to as the 'Black eye Galaxy'
On This Day (2)
March 23rd 1964 first meeting of ESRO
The first meeting of the ESRO (European Space Research Organisation) couincil held its first meeting following the ratification by eight countries (UK, France, West Germany, Spain, Switzerland, Denmark, Sweden and the Netherlands) of the convention.
On This Day (3)
March 23rd 1965 first manned Gemini mission
The first two man Gemini mission Gemini 3 was launched with astronauts Gus Grissom and John Young. The mission lasted nearly 4 days.
March 23rd 1779 discovery of M64
The English astronomer Edward Pigott discovered a galaxy which would become number 64 on the list of Messier objects and is often referred to as the 'Black eye Galaxy'
On This Day (2)
March 23rd 1964 first meeting of ESRO
The first meeting of the ESRO (European Space Research Organisation) couincil held its first meeting following the ratification by eight countries (UK, France, West Germany, Spain, Switzerland, Denmark, Sweden and the Netherlands) of the convention.
On This Day (3)
March 23rd 1965 first manned Gemini mission
The first two man Gemini mission Gemini 3 was launched with astronauts Gus Grissom and John Young. The mission lasted nearly 4 days.
Friday 21 March 2014
Astronomy Scrapbook Saturday 22nd March 2014
Eye in the Sky
22nd March Venus at western elongation
Our nearest planet Venus reaches greatest western elongation. Venus is 47 degrees to the west of the Sun and can be seen in the morning sky before sun rise.
On This Day
22nd March 1868 birth of Alfred Fowler
Alfred Fowler 22 March 1868 – 24 June 1940 was an English astronomer who worked in spectroscopy and was one of the first people to work out the temperature of sunspots and that they were cooler than the rest of the Sun.
22nd March Venus at western elongation
Our nearest planet Venus reaches greatest western elongation. Venus is 47 degrees to the west of the Sun and can be seen in the morning sky before sun rise.
On This Day
22nd March 1868 birth of Alfred Fowler
Alfred Fowler 22 March 1868 – 24 June 1940 was an English astronomer who worked in spectroscopy and was one of the first people to work out the temperature of sunspots and that they were cooler than the rest of the Sun.
Thursday 20 March 2014
Astronomy Scrapbook Friday 21st March 2014
On This Day (1)
21st march 1684 discovery of Saturn moon Tethys.
The Italian/French astronomer Cassini discovered Tethys a medium size moon of Saturn which is about 1060 km across. Tethys is named after the Titan Tethys from Greek mythology
On This Day (2)
21st March 1684 discovery of Saturn moon Dione
Cassini discovered not one but two moons on this day, not only did he discover Tethys but also the moon Dione. This moon is slightly larger at 1140 km. Dione is named after the Titan Dione.
On This Day (3)
21st March 1928 death of E W Maunder
Edward Walter Maunder (12 April 1851 – 21 March 1928) was an English astronomer who studied sunspots and discovered the sunspot minimum from 1645 until 1715 which is now referred to as the Maunder Minimum.
21st march 1684 discovery of Saturn moon Tethys.
The Italian/French astronomer Cassini discovered Tethys a medium size moon of Saturn which is about 1060 km across. Tethys is named after the Titan Tethys from Greek mythology
On This Day (2)
21st March 1684 discovery of Saturn moon Dione
Cassini discovered not one but two moons on this day, not only did he discover Tethys but also the moon Dione. This moon is slightly larger at 1140 km. Dione is named after the Titan Dione.
On This Day (3)
21st March 1928 death of E W Maunder
Edward Walter Maunder (12 April 1851 – 21 March 1928) was an English astronomer who studied sunspots and discovered the sunspot minimum from 1645 until 1715 which is now referred to as the Maunder Minimum.
The Maunder Minimum
Wednesday 19 March 2014
Astronomy Scrapbook Thursday 20th March 2014
Eye in the Sky (1)
Spring Equinox
At precisely 16.57 UT the center of the Sun crosses the celestial equator.This is the Spring Equinox (Equinox means Latin for equal night). The Sun moves from the southern hemisphere to the northern hemisphere.
Eye in the Sky (2)
Beta Leonids at Maximum
With activity from February 14th - April 25th the Beta Leonids peak tonight with a low maximum of between 3-4 meteors per hour. This shower was first observed by E R Blackeley of Dewsbury, Yorkshire England in 1895.
Spring Equinox
At precisely 16.57 UT the center of the Sun crosses the celestial equator.This is the Spring Equinox (Equinox means Latin for equal night). The Sun moves from the southern hemisphere to the northern hemisphere.
Eye in the Sky (2)
Beta Leonids at Maximum
With activity from February 14th - April 25th the Beta Leonids peak tonight with a low maximum of between 3-4 meteors per hour. This shower was first observed by E R Blackeley of Dewsbury, Yorkshire England in 1895.
Tuesday 18 March 2014
Astronomy Scrapbook Wednesday 19th March 2014
On This Day
19th March 1799 birth of William Rutter Dawes
An English astronomer and clergyman, he observed double stars, and Mars in particular. An optical phenomena 'Dawes Limit' is named after him. This is a formula to express the resolving power of a telescope.
19th March 1799 birth of William Rutter Dawes
An English astronomer and clergyman, he observed double stars, and Mars in particular. An optical phenomena 'Dawes Limit' is named after him. This is a formula to express the resolving power of a telescope.
Monday 17 March 2014
Astronomy Scrapbook Tuesday 18th March 2014
Eye in the Sky (1)
18th March Mars, Moon and Spica
The waning gibbous Moon is only 1 degree from Spica, the brightest star in Virgo. Mars is 4 degrees to the upper left of the Moon.
Eye in the Sky (2)
18th March
Delta Mensid maximum
The Delta Mensides are active between March 14-21 and was discovered in 1969 by the radio meteor system at Adelaide Observatory in Australia. with the maximum occurring on March 18th. It is a weak shower with rate of 2 meteors per hour.
Eye in the Sky (3)
18th March
Eta Virginids maximum
The Eta Virginids are active between February 24-March 27 and was first detected between 1961 and 1965 at the radio meteor project at Havana, Illinois USA. Another weak shower with a rate of 2 meteors per hour.
On This day
March 18th 1965 First Space Walk
Alexi Leonov a Russian cosmonaut became the first person to make a space walk. The space walk lasted 12 minutes and 9 seconds.
18th March Mars, Moon and Spica
The waning gibbous Moon is only 1 degree from Spica, the brightest star in Virgo. Mars is 4 degrees to the upper left of the Moon.
Eye in the Sky (2)
18th March
Delta Mensid maximum
The Delta Mensides are active between March 14-21 and was discovered in 1969 by the radio meteor system at Adelaide Observatory in Australia. with the maximum occurring on March 18th. It is a weak shower with rate of 2 meteors per hour.
Eye in the Sky (3)
18th March
Eta Virginids maximum
The Eta Virginids are active between February 24-March 27 and was first detected between 1961 and 1965 at the radio meteor project at Havana, Illinois USA. Another weak shower with a rate of 2 meteors per hour.
On This day
March 18th 1965 First Space Walk
Alexi Leonov a Russian cosmonaut became the first person to make a space walk. The space walk lasted 12 minutes and 9 seconds.
Sunday 16 March 2014
Astronomy Scrapbook Monday 17th March 2014
On This Day (1)
17th March 1846 death of Friedrich Bessel
Bessel a German astronomer is best remembered for being the first person to work out the distance to a star. He discovered in 1838 the distance to 61 Cygni by using the parallax method.
On This Day (2)
17th March 1899 discovery of Saturn moon Phoebe
W H Pickering discovered Phoebe on the 17th March 1899 from photographic plates taken on 16th Aug 1898. The moon is roughly spherical with a diameter of 213 km. Phoebe was named after one of the original female Titans or Titanesses from Greek mythology
17th March 1846 death of Friedrich Bessel
Bessel a German astronomer is best remembered for being the first person to work out the distance to a star. He discovered in 1838 the distance to 61 Cygni by using the parallax method.
On This Day (2)
17th March 1899 discovery of Saturn moon Phoebe
W H Pickering discovered Phoebe on the 17th March 1899 from photographic plates taken on 16th Aug 1898. The moon is roughly spherical with a diameter of 213 km. Phoebe was named after one of the original female Titans or Titanesses from Greek mythology
Astronomy Scrapbook Sunday 16th March 2014
On This Day
16th March 1750 birth of Caroline Herschel
Sister of the famous William Herschel, although she acted as her brothers assistant, she was also a very good astronomer she discovered numerous comets as well as the galaxy M110.
16th March 1750 birth of Caroline Herschel
Sister of the famous William Herschel, although she acted as her brothers assistant, she was also a very good astronomer she discovered numerous comets as well as the galaxy M110.
Astronomy Scrapbook Friday 14th March 2014
On This Day (1)
14th March 1879 birth of Albert Einstein
What does one say about Albert Einstein his formula E = mc2 is probably the "the world's most famous equation"
On This Day (2)
14th March 1881 fall of Middlesbrough Meteorite
Seen to fall near a railway line near Middlesbrough in North East England the meteorite due to its shape is classified as a text book example of an Oriented meteorite.
On This Day (3)
14th March 1986 Giotto closest approach to Halleys Comet
The Giotto space craft was designed to investigate Halley`s Comet. It`s closest approach to it to within 596 km of the nucleus and sending back its famous photograph
14th March 1879 birth of Albert Einstein
What does one say about Albert Einstein his formula E = mc2 is probably the "the world's most famous equation"
On This Day (2)
14th March 1881 fall of Middlesbrough Meteorite
Seen to fall near a railway line near Middlesbrough in North East England the meteorite due to its shape is classified as a text book example of an Oriented meteorite.
On This Day (3)
14th March 1986 Giotto closest approach to Halleys Comet
The Giotto space craft was designed to investigate Halley`s Comet. It`s closest approach to it to within 596 km of the nucleus and sending back its famous photograph
Wednesday 12 March 2014
Astronomy Scrapbook Thursday 13th March 2014
On This day (1)
March 13th 1781, discovery of Uranus
The planet Uranus was discovered this day by the astronomer William Herschel from his garden in the city of Bath, England. Uranus had actually been seen before. Sir John Flamsteed actually observed it at least 6 times and cataloged it as 34 Taurus!!
On This Day (2)
March 13th 1855 birth of Percival Lowell
American business man and astronomer who believed that there were canals on Mars he built the Lowell observatory at Flagstaff Arizona to search for them. On building the Lowell observatory astronomers chose for the first time a remote, elevated place for good seeing conditions. He also started the search for the planet Pluto.
March 13th 1781, discovery of Uranus
The planet Uranus was discovered this day by the astronomer William Herschel from his garden in the city of Bath, England. Uranus had actually been seen before. Sir John Flamsteed actually observed it at least 6 times and cataloged it as 34 Taurus!!
On This Day (2)
March 13th 1855 birth of Percival Lowell
American business man and astronomer who believed that there were canals on Mars he built the Lowell observatory at Flagstaff Arizona to search for them. On building the Lowell observatory astronomers chose for the first time a remote, elevated place for good seeing conditions. He also started the search for the planet Pluto.
Tuesday 11 March 2014
Astronomy Scrapbook Wednesday 12th March 2014
On This Day (1)
12th March 1835 birth of Simon Newcomb
Simon Newcomb was a Canadian-American astronomer who was involved in timekeeping. During the American Civil war he became professor at the United States Naval Observatory in Washington. In 1877 he became Director of the Nautical almanac Office.
On This Day (2)
12th March 1964 US/Australia agreement for building a tracking station at the Orraral Valley.
Agreement was reached between the U.S. and Australian governments for the construction of a space tracking station in the Orraral Valley near Canberra in Australia. It was home to a 26 meter antenna. The main requirement of the station, was to be able to quickly switch from supporting one satellite to another.
The station supported the Apollo-Soyuz link up in 1975, it also provided telecommunications support for shuttle missions until its closure in 1985.
12th March 1835 birth of Simon Newcomb
Simon Newcomb was a Canadian-American astronomer who was involved in timekeeping. During the American Civil war he became professor at the United States Naval Observatory in Washington. In 1877 he became Director of the Nautical almanac Office.
On This Day (2)
12th March 1964 US/Australia agreement for building a tracking station at the Orraral Valley.
Orraral Valley in 1969
Agreement was reached between the U.S. and Australian governments for the construction of a space tracking station in the Orraral Valley near Canberra in Australia. It was home to a 26 meter antenna. The main requirement of the station, was to be able to quickly switch from supporting one satellite to another.
The station supported the Apollo-Soyuz link up in 1975, it also provided telecommunications support for shuttle missions until its closure in 1985.
Monday 10 March 2014
Astronomy Scrapbook Tuesday 11th March 2014
On This Day
11th March 1811 birth of Urbain Le Verrier
French mathematician who co discovered the planet Neptune in 1846. He calculated where the new planet Neptune should be. After failing to convince the Paris observatory to search for the undiscovered Neptune he wrote to the Berlin observatory where Neptune was discovered on September 23rd 1846. John Couch Adams in England also calculated its position but he was unable to convince the Royal Greenwich Observatory to search for it.
11th March 1811 birth of Urbain Le Verrier
French mathematician who co discovered the planet Neptune in 1846. He calculated where the new planet Neptune should be. After failing to convince the Paris observatory to search for the undiscovered Neptune he wrote to the Berlin observatory where Neptune was discovered on September 23rd 1846. John Couch Adams in England also calculated its position but he was unable to convince the Royal Greenwich Observatory to search for it.
Sunday 9 March 2014
Astronomy Scrapbook Monday 10th March 2014
On This Day
10th March 1977 Discovery of Rings around Uranus
The planet Uranus was discovered in 1781 by William Herschel. In 1789 Herschel thought he had detected a faint ring system around the planet. But this was never confirmed. Nearly 200 years after its discovery a faint ring system was discovered around Uranus. On March 10th 1977 The planet was observed by the Kuiper airborne observatory to pass in front of the star SAO 158687 and the star winked several times before and after Uranus passed in front of the star. Thus confirming the existence of the rings. In 1986 when the Voyager 2 space craft passed by Uranus photographs of the ring system were sent back.
10th March 1977 Discovery of Rings around Uranus
The planet Uranus was discovered in 1781 by William Herschel. In 1789 Herschel thought he had detected a faint ring system around the planet. But this was never confirmed. Nearly 200 years after its discovery a faint ring system was discovered around Uranus. On March 10th 1977 The planet was observed by the Kuiper airborne observatory to pass in front of the star SAO 158687 and the star winked several times before and after Uranus passed in front of the star. Thus confirming the existence of the rings. In 1986 when the Voyager 2 space craft passed by Uranus photographs of the ring system were sent back.
Saturday 8 March 2014
Astronomy Scrapbook Sunday 9th March 2014
On This Day
9th March 1934 birth of Yuri Gagarin
Yuri Gagarin was born in a small town north of the Russian city of Smolensk He was the first person to fly into space in his Vostok space craft on 12th April 1961. He died in a flying accident in 1968
9th March 1934 birth of Yuri Gagarin
Yuri Gagarin was born in a small town north of the Russian city of Smolensk He was the first person to fly into space in his Vostok space craft on 12th April 1961. He died in a flying accident in 1968
Friday 7 March 2014
Astronomy Scrapbook Saturday 8th March 2014
On This Day (1)
8th March 1807 birth of English telescope maker Thomas Cooke
One of the greatest of all telescope makers, he started what would become the largest telescope in the world, the 25 inch Newall refractor, it was completed after his death . In addition to telescope he also built steam cars in the 1860s.
On This Day (2)
8th March 1964 End of radio experiments between Jodrel Bank and Zimenski Observatory
Joint US/UK/USSR space communications experiments between Jodrel Bank and Zimenski Observatory came to an end today.
Photo telegrams were bounced between the observatory's via the ECHO-2 balloon. During the past 9 days 34 tests were carried out.
8th March 1807 birth of English telescope maker Thomas Cooke
Thomas Cooke 1807-1868
One of the greatest of all telescope makers, he started what would become the largest telescope in the world, the 25 inch Newall refractor, it was completed after his death . In addition to telescope he also built steam cars in the 1860s.
On This Day (2)
8th March 1964 End of radio experiments between Jodrel Bank and Zimenski Observatory
Jodrel Bank
Joint US/UK/USSR space communications experiments between Jodrel Bank and Zimenski Observatory came to an end today.
Zimenski Observatory Novgorod, Russia
Photo telegrams were bounced between the observatory's via the ECHO-2 balloon. During the past 9 days 34 tests were carried out.
Echo 2
Thursday 6 March 2014
Astronomy Scrapbook Friday 7th March 2014
On This Day (1)
7th March 1625 death of Johann Bayer
The German lawyer who was also a celestial cartographer whose most famous work was the Uranometria which was first published in 1603. It was the first atlas to cover the entire sky and was based on the earlier work undertaken by Tycho.
On This Day (2)
7th March 1792 birth of John Herschel
The son of the famous William Herschel, John Herschel was not only an astronomer but was an accomplished mathematician, chemist, photographer and botanist. His astronomical career included cataloging the southern sky from South Africa, he also named 7 of the moons of Saturn and 4 moons of Uranus.
7th March 1625 death of Johann Bayer
Orion in Uranometria
The German lawyer who was also a celestial cartographer whose most famous work was the Uranometria which was first published in 1603. It was the first atlas to cover the entire sky and was based on the earlier work undertaken by Tycho.
On This Day (2)
7th March 1792 birth of John Herschel
The son of the famous William Herschel, John Herschel was not only an astronomer but was an accomplished mathematician, chemist, photographer and botanist. His astronomical career included cataloging the southern sky from South Africa, he also named 7 of the moons of Saturn and 4 moons of Uranus.
Wednesday 5 March 2014
Astronomy Scrapbook Thursday 6th March 2014
On This Day
6th March 1787 birth of German optician Joseph Fraunhofer.
Born in Bavaria, Germany, Fraunhofer invented the spectroscope in 1814, he discovered the dark absorption lines known as Fraunhofer lines in the spectrum of the Sun. He also made excellent optical glass and achromatic telescope objectives.
6th March 1787 birth of German optician Joseph Fraunhofer.
Born in Bavaria, Germany, Fraunhofer invented the spectroscope in 1814, he discovered the dark absorption lines known as Fraunhofer lines in the spectrum of the Sun. He also made excellent optical glass and achromatic telescope objectives.
Tuesday 4 March 2014
Astronomy Scrapbook Wednesday 5th March 2014
On This Day
5th March 1979, discovery of Jupiter moon Thebe
Voyager 1 discovered The Moon Thebe the day after Metis was discovered on photographic images taken as the probe flew past Jupiter. It was named in 1983 after the nymph Thebe daughter of Zeus. The moon is irregularly shaped, measuring approximately 116×98×84 km
5th March 1979, discovery of Jupiter moon Thebe
Voyager 1 discovered The Moon Thebe the day after Metis was discovered on photographic images taken as the probe flew past Jupiter. It was named in 1983 after the nymph Thebe daughter of Zeus. The moon is irregularly shaped, measuring approximately 116×98×84 km
Monday 3 March 2014
Astronomy Scrapbook Tuesday 4th March 2014
On This Day (1)
4th March 1923 birth of astronomer Patrick Moore
Patrick Moore was probably the best known populariser of astronomy in the UK, he presented the BBC TV programme the Sky at Night from 1957 until 2013. In 2001, he was knighted for "services to the popularisation of science and to broadcasting".
On This Day (2)
4th March 1979 discovery of Jupiter moon Metis
Discovered by the Voyager 1 probe , it was named Metis in 1983 after the first wife of Zeus. Metis is the innermost of the Jovian moons and has an irregular shape and measures 60×40×34 km across.
4th March 1923 birth of astronomer Patrick Moore
Patrick Moore was probably the best known populariser of astronomy in the UK, he presented the BBC TV programme the Sky at Night from 1957 until 2013. In 2001, he was knighted for "services to the popularisation of science and to broadcasting".
On This Day (2)
4th March 1979 discovery of Jupiter moon Metis
Metis photographed by Voyager 1
Discovered by the Voyager 1 probe , it was named Metis in 1983 after the first wife of Zeus. Metis is the innermost of the Jovian moons and has an irregular shape and measures 60×40×34 km across.
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