This week we’re replaying some of our favorite shows about planets and stars and galaxies and the people who have studied them.
Guillaume Le Gentil, The 18th Century Astronomer With the Worst Luck
In 1769, Captain James Cook and his crew observed the transit of Venus from Tahiti, a big deal for astronomers. His French colleague Guillaume Le Gentil had spent years preparing to do the exact same thing, and had much worse luck on his expedition.
Caroline Herschel Discovered Comets And Became A Star
Here’s the story of an astronomer who definitely made her mark on the sky: Caroline Herschel, the first woman to discover a comet.
Cincinnati Built An Observatory Any Stargazer Could Use
In 1843, Cincinnati dedicated an observatory that was open to the public, the first of its kind in the U.S., one called the “birthplace of American astronomy.”
What Was July 4th Like Before The Fourth Of July?
Before Independence Day rewrote July 4th, one of the most prominent happenings associated with the day was an astronomical event in 11th Century China.
The Hubble Telescope’s First Space Photo Was Kind Of Blurry
The story of an important if not technically perfect image: the first picture ever taken from the Hubble Space Telescope.
Painting by Ferdinand Bol, London, National Gallery via Wikicommons
