March 13th in Astronomy and Space Science
![]() | 1781 | British astronomer William Herschel discovers the planet Uranus. |
![]() | 1855 | American astronomer Percival Lowell born. From a wealthy Massachusetts family (his brother was the president of Harvard), Lowell's fascination with the planet Mars led him into astronomy. He published three books about Mars and its perceived canal system, founded Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona, and was instrumental in the discovery of Pluto. |
![]() | 1986 | European Space Agency (ESA) space probe Giotto flies past comet Halley. Closest approach to the comet is 596 km (370 miles) and a wealth of data is returned. However, several instruments are damaged by dust particles from the comet, including a large chunk 14 seconds before closest approach which deflects the spacecraft's course by 0.9°. |