Today in the History of Astronomy | Page 7 of 30 | Astronomy.com

A black-and-white photograph shows three men in suits standing indoors and interacting in front of a white fireplace mantle. The man in the center holds two small, rolled documents while smiling toward the man on the left, who wears glasses and a lighter-colored suit, as the man on the right looks on with a smile. The indoor setting is brightly lit, with part of a flag visible on the far left and potted plants resting on the mantle in the background.

Human Spaceflight, Today in the History of Astronomy

July 29, 1958: NASA is founded

A grainy, black-and-white photograph shows a solid dark circle positioned slightly to the left of the center. A soft, hazy halo of light surrounds the circle, creating a high contrast against the dark, textured background. A few tiny, bright flares burst out along the right and upper-left edges of the central dark circle.

Today in the History of Astronomy

July 28, 1851: The first photo of a total eclipse

An overhead view shows a white and grey space shuttle floating horizontally in the center of the frame against a solid black background. Its large, open cargo bay doors reveal a textured, cylindrical white module inside, with a long, thin robotic arm extending over the bay. Bright, direct sunlight from the upper right casts deep shadows across the shuttle’s body, highlighting the details of its wings, cockpit windows, and rear engines.

Human Spaceflight, Today in the History of Astronomy

July 27, 2005: NASA grounds the space shuttles

Three square panels set side-by-side against a black background show a bright object glowing in shades of red and orange over three consecutive days. The object’s central bright white core grows larger from the first panel to the second, and then elongates into a bright, sweeping tail pointing toward the upper-left in the third panel. White text and labels are visible above each panel and in a larger block beneath them.

Today in the History of Astronomy

July 26, 2000: Comet LINEAR disintegrates

A color photograph shows a gold medal hanging from a blue-and-white striped ribbon, centered against a solid white background. The circular, textured gold medal features an engraved tree in the middle and is adorned with alternating red and green gems around its outer edge. The ribbon above it is arranged into a neat bow with a circular pleated rosette at the center.

Today in the History of Astronomy

July 25, 1920: The birth of Chushiro Hayashi

A color photograph shows a man in a grey suit standing on the right, speaking into a microphone facing a large, shiny metallic container labeled "HORNET + 3." Inside the container, three smiling men in blue jumpsuits look out through a large rectangular glass window adorned with a circular presidential seal. The indoor scene is brightly lit, showcasing the gleam of the silver metal structure against a dark blue floor.

Human Spaceflight, Today in the History of Astronomy

July 24, 1969: Apollo 11 returns home

An illustration shows a long, cylindrical space observatory floating diagonally across the center of the frame against a dark blue, star-filled nebula. The silver and gold observatory features an open circular cap on one end and two large, green rectangular solar panels extending outward like wings. A large, crescent-lit blue planet hangs in the upper left corner, while a bright star glows intensely behind the right solar panel, casting a strong light across the scene.

Robotic Spaceflight, Today in the History of Astronomy

July 23, 1999: Chandra X-Ray Observatory launches

A monochromatic ink drawing shows a small, winged cherub sitting on a grassy shore on the left and looking through a long telescope pointed toward the sky. In the background, a flat-topped mountain rises behind a coastal town with several sailing ships anchored in the harbor. In the upper sky, a figure rides a chariot pulled by two winged serpents beneath simple diagrams of celestial bodies.

Today in the History of Astronomy

July 22, 1826: Fr. Giuseppe Piazzi dies

Human Spaceflight, Today in the History of Astronomy

July 21, 1998: Alan Shepard dies

A wide, black-and-white photograph shows a gritty, rock-strewn ground extending across the frame, divided vertically by two thin, dark lines. In the lower right corner, a portion of a smooth, circular metallic spacecraft foot and its dark shadow rest on the dirt. The scene is lit by harsh sunlight from the upper right, casting sharp, dark shadows behind the numerous small rocks and pebbles.

Robotic Spaceflight, Today in the History of Astronomy

July 20, 1976: Viking 1 lands on Mars

A stark, high-contrast photograph captures a solid black circle perfectly centered against a jet-black background. A bright, glowing ring of white light radiates outward from behind the dark circle, creating a soft, hazy halo with faint streaks extending into the surrounding darkness.

Today in the History of Astronomy

July 19, 418: A solar eclipse/comet combo

A black-and-white photograph shows a person in a gleaming, metallic space suit and helmet standing inside a large, circular opening of a technical structure. The individual stands centrally, holding a small rectangular case in one hand and a hose in the other, positioned on a metal grate floor. The scene is brightly lit with sharp contrast, highlighting the reflective surfaces of the suit against a complex background of machinery, frames, and deep shadows.

Human Spaceflight, Today in the History of Astronomy

July 18, 1915: The birth of John Glenn