Space / Astronomy

  1. Home
  2. Education
  3. Space / Astronomy

On This Date in History - January 11

From , former About.com Guide

See More About:

Lunar Prospector

Lunar Prospector

NASA

Daily Extra :

Astronomy & Space Word of The Day

shepherd satellite: (Also 'shepherd moon') A satellite which constrains the extent of a planetary ring through gravitational forces.

Who Was Born Today?:

1865: Johannes Franz Hartmann in Erfurt, Germany
1926: Lev Stepanovich Demin, Russia, cosmonaut, Soyuz 15

Who Died Today?:

Today in History:

1610: Galileo Galilei discovered Jupiter's moon Ganymede. Jan 4 thru 15, 1601, Galileo Galilei points his newly developed telescope at the sky and observes craters and mountains on the Moon, moving spots on the Sun, four moons revolving around Jupiter, the phases of Venus, and the almost innumerable stars of the Milky Way. These days are called by some the most important days in the history of astronomy

1787: Uranus' moons Titania and Oberon discovered by William Herschel.

1975: Soyuz 17 carries 2 cosmonauts to space station Salyut 4

1978: Soyuz 27 links with Salyut 6 and Soyuz 26 (1st time 3 spacecraft link)

1996: Space Shuttle STS 72 (Endeavour 10), launches into space

1997: Telstar 401 Satellite Fails

1998: Lunar Prospector - USA Lunar Orbiter arrived at the Moon. It is designed for a low polar orbit investigation of the Moon, including the mapping of surface composition and possible ice deposits, the measuring of magnetic and gravity fields, and the study of lunar outgassing events. This data could help scientists plan a potential lunar base and develop theories of the formation of the Moon, Earth and Solar System. Its mission is scheduled to last one to three years.

Featured Astronomy Image of the Week

Check out the former Astronomy Picture of the Day. See what surprises await you this week.
Related Resources to This Date In History
Related Resources to This Date In History

Explore Space / Astronomy

About.com Special Features

A Smarter Future

Tips that will help finance your education, excel in the classroom, and advance your career. More >

How to Ace the GRE

Being well prepared is the first step; here are more essential suggestions. More >

Space / Astronomy

  1. Home
  2. Education
  3. Space / Astronomy
  4. Events & Calendars
  5. Calendars of Events
  6. This Date In History
  7. On This Date in History - January 11>

©2009 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company.

All rights reserved.