Elisa Neckar, Author at Astronomy.com

A close-up image shows printed black alphanumeric characters arranged in sparse vertical columns on lined, light green computer paper. To the left of the columns, the word "Wow!" is written vertically in bright red ink, with a red line circling a specific vertical sequence of characters—"6EQUJ5"—nearby. A few other numbers within the columns are circled in red or black ink, creating clear contrast against the light paper.

Alien Life, Today in the History of Astronomy

Aug. 15, 1977: The Wow! Signal arrives

A black-and-white photograph shows a thick, brightly glowing white streak curving diagonally from the upper-right corner down toward the lower-left against a pitch-black background. The brilliant white band features smooth, brush-like streaks and jagged, feathery edges that taper outward along its inner curve, creating stark contrast with the surrounding dark void.

Robotic Spaceflight, Today in the History of Astronomy

Aug. 14, 1959: Explorer 6 images Earth

An orbital photograph shows the curved, cloud-covered surface of Earth stretching diagonally across the lower half of the frame under a pitch-black sky. A thin, glowing green band outlines Earth's horizon, while a bright streak of light flashes over the atmosphere near the center. In the upper right and lower left corners, metallic spacecraft structures and solar panel arrays extend into the frame, lit brightly against the dark expanse of space.

Today in the History of Astronomy

Aug. 13, 2011: Perseids from space

A high-angle photograph shows a cone-shaped space capsule resting on a wheeled platform in the center of a museum hall, surrounded by black metal barricades. The capsule's metallic, tarnished exterior displays shades of gold, brown, and grey with a bright blue reflection visible in one of its small square windows. Bright sunlight streams across the carpeted floor, while visitors view the display from the foreground and framed space photographs hang on the grey stone wall in the background.

Human Spaceflight, Today in the History of Astronomy

Aug. 12, 1946: President Truman establishes the National Air Museum

A black-and-white portrait shows a bearded man sitting at a dark wooden desk in the center of the frame, facing slightly to the left. On his desk in the foreground are an open book, a small globe, inkwells, and writing utensils. Behind him, a bookcase filled with books stands on the left, while a plain wall with a small thermometer and a floral-patterned sofa complete the background.

Today in the History of Astronomy

Aug. 11, 1877: Asaph Hall discovers Deimos

A tall, white spacecraft topped with a large dish antenna extends vertically through the center of the frame above an open cargo bay. The background is sharply divided, with the bright, curved blue-and-white surface of Earth filling the upper left and the deep black of space on the right. Direct sunlight brightly illuminates the vehicle's metallic gold foil and white structural panels, creating high contrast against the dark void.

Robotic Spaceflight, Today in the History of Astronomy

Aug. 10, 1990: Magellan enters venusian orbit

A large, complex silver spacecraft composed of stacked spherical tanks, cylindrical parts, and extended landing legs stands in the center of an indoor display room. The scene is brightly lit, highlighting the metallic sheen of the structure against smooth grey flooring and light blue-grey walls. White relief sculptures and a sign with Cyrillic text appear on the wall in the background to the left and rear.

Robotic Spaceflight, Today in the History of Astronomy

Aug. 9, 1976: Luna 24 blasts off

A complex, octagonal satellite wrapped in black panels and gold foil dominates the upper portion of the frame inside a large, dark circular testing chamber. Near the bottom left, a person wearing a white lab coat and blue surgical cap kneels while touching one of the satellite’s rectangular panels. A intense white light shines from the center of the structure, creating sharp highlights and high contrast against the dark background.

Today in the History of Astronomy

Aug. 8, 1989: The Hipparcos satellite launches

A close-up black-and-white image displays a highly textured, bumpy grey surface filled with small, rounded grain-like structures. Near the center, a long, segmented tube-like feature curves gently across the surface alongside a few larger, pale, irregular fragments. The scene is brightly lit from the upper left, casting subtle shadows that emphasize the rough, uneven terrain.

Today in the History of Astronomy

Aug. 7, 1996: NASA announces martian life

A wide-angle photograph shows a robotic rover positioned on the right side of a dusty, rocky reddish-orange landscape, angled slightly toward the viewer. The detailed vehicle, covered in intricate machinery, thick tires, and a tall camera mast, sits on uneven, cracked ground. In the background, a vast, pale orange sky fades over distant, hazy hills stretching toward the horizon under bright, diffuse sunlight.

Robotic Spaceflight, Today in the History of Astronomy

Aug. 6, 2012: Curiosity lands on Mars

A medium close-up photograph shows a man wearing a dark cap and a light-colored suit inside a dimly lit cabin. Bright light illuminates the right side of his smiling face, while the rest of the scene remains in deep shadow. In the background, a row of warm orange lights glows to his right, and a metallic interior surface with a small instruction panel is visible above him.

Human Spaceflight, Today in the History of Astronomy

Aug 5, 1930: The birth of Neil Armstrong

A high-angle, black-and-white photograph shows a large plume of water bursting upward from an explosion in the upper left section of the open sea. On the right side, a small boat moves away from the splash, leaving a long, bright white wake across the dark, rippling water. The image features strong contrast between the dark grey ocean surface and the pale, frothy water from both the blast and the boat's trail.

Today in the History of Astronomy

Aug. 4, 1972: Extreme space weather detonates mines