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Galileo improves the Dutch Perspective Lens
In 1609, Galileo heard about the Dutch Perspective Lenses, which were early telescopes. After hearing how they were made and designed, he built his own with improvements to the original design, without ever seeing a Perspective Lens. He then presented his design to the Venetian Senate. -
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Very Early Astronomy
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Galileo is put on trial by the Roman Inquisition for heretical writings.
In 1633 Galileo published his book on the Copernican model of the solar system. He dedicated this book to the current Pope. His teachings, however, were labeled heretical, and he was called to appear in front of the Inquisition in Rome. -
Galileo Dies
Galileo dies after spending the remainder of his life after the trial in house arrest. -
Saturns rings and its moon, Titan, are discovered.
Dutch scientist Christian Huygen discovers saturns rings and the moon Titan. -
Isaac Newton builds the first reflecting telescope.
Isaac Newton reasoned that building a telescope out of mirrors would work better than with lenses, and in 1668 built the world's first reflecting telescope. -
Saturn's rings are discovered to be split
Cassini discovers that there is a split in Saturn's rings, and because of this discovery the split between rings is now known as the Cassini division. -
The speed of light is measured.
The speed of light is measured in France by Danish astronomer Ole Romer. -
The largest refracting telescope is built
The largest refracting telescope is built at the Yerkes Observatory in Wisconsin. -
The theory of relativity is published
Albert Einstein publishes his theory of relativity. -
The Hooker 100-inch reflecting telescope is built.
The Hooker 100-inch reflecting telescope is built in at the Mount Wilson observatory in California. -
Karl Jansky detects radio radiation from space.
American engineer Karl Jansky detects the first sign of other forms of EM radiation from space. -
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Early Space Exploration and Astronomy
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Explorer 1 is launched
The first U.S. Satellite to orbit the Earth, Explorer 1, was launched. -
Yuri Gagarin becomes the first man in space.
Russian Cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin becomes the first man in space. -
John Glenn orbits the Earth.
John Glenn becomes the first American to orbit the Earth. -
The first noncrash landings on the moon occur
Luna 9 and Surveyor 1 land on the moon succesfully, and begin to transmit data. -
Apollo 11 lands on the moon.
Armstrong and Aldrin come of off Apollo 11 and become the first men on the moon. -
Venera 7 lands on Venus.
Russian vessel Venera 7 becomes the first vessel to softland on Venus. -
Pioneer 10 is launched.
The U.S. Satellite pioneer 10 is sent out, and is the first satellite destined for Jupiter. -
The first images of Mercury are sent to Earth
American satellite Mariner 10 transmits the first images of Mercury. -
Uranus' rings are discovered
James Elliot discoveres the rings of Uranus. -
Pluto's moon, Charon, is discovered.
James Christy and Robert Harrington discover Pluto's moon, Charon. -
Voyager 1 sends back the first images of Saturn and its rings.
US satellite Voyager 1 sends back the first images of Saturn and its Rings from space. -
Period: to
Recent Astronomy and Space Exploration
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Challenger explodes
US space shuttle Challenger explodes after liftoff, leading to further increases in rocket and aeronautic safety. -
Voyager 2 nears Neptune
US satellite Voyager 2 comes within 3000 miles of Neptune, and sends back photos. -
Hubble enters orbit.
Hubble space telescope is put into orbit around Earth by US space shuttle Discovery. -
The Vatican admits they were wrong about space.
The Vatican under pope John Paul II formally announces that they were wrong about space, and that they wrongly imprisoned Galileo. -
Shoemaker Levy hits Jupiter.
Space comet Shoemaker Levy breaks apart and falls into Jupiter. -
Galileo reaches Jupiter
US space probe Galileo reaches Jupiter and drops an atmospheric probe, which functioned for 56 minutes. -
Pathfinder lands on Mars.
US Mars station Pathfinder lands on Mars, and deploys the Sojourner rover. -
Construction begins on the ISS
Construction begins on the first internation space station, the ISS, which is still in operation. -
Endeavor makes the last service call on Hubble.
US space shuttle Endeavor makes the last Hubble service call in STS-135. -
Flowing water is found on Mars.
NASA find evidence that flowing water currently exists on Mars.
