Astronomical anniversaries

Lots of birthdays and anniversaries to celebrate this week. 446 years ago Galileo, the famous Italian astronomer and mathematician was born. He advanced the science considerably, but another notable scientist Nicolaus Copernicus was not his contemporary as many people might think. Copernicus was generations before him in fact. This week also marks the discovery of the planet Pluto, 80 years ago, by Clyde Tombaugh. This required a very careful method that took quite a while. But does Pluto have seasons? In fact it does, although the climate is not what you would think in terms of our experience on Earth. Also, what to see in the night sky this week.

Lots of birthdays and anniversaries to celebrate this week. 446 years ago Galileo, the famous Italian astronomer and mathematician was born. He advanced the science considerably, but another notable scientist Nicolaus Copernicus was not his contemporary as many people might think. Copernicus was generations before him in fact. This week also marks the discovery of the planet Pluto, 80 years ago, by Clyde Tombaugh. This required a very careful method that took quite a while. But does Pluto have seasons? In fact it does, although the climate is not what you would think in terms of our experience on Earth. Also, what to see in the night sky this week. [audio:st20100215.mp3]