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Period: 400 to
Discovery of Planets
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Jan 1, 1032
Venus
In 1032, the transit of Venus was first observed by the Persian astronomer Avicenna, who concluded that Venus is closer to Earth than the Sun, and found out that Venus was sometimes below the Sun.
Did you know? Sometimes Venus was a mistaken for a UFO!
A highly rendered video about Venus.
Amazing! -
Jan 1, 1100
Mercury
The Andalusian astronomer Abū Ishāq Ibrāhīm al-Zarqālī described Mercury's geocentric orbit as being not being circular like the other planets, but the shape of an oval.
Hear it straight from NASA itself.
Why does NASA crash satellites into the planet!?
Mariner10 Voyage! -
Mars
The only occultation of Mars, or the passing of one stellar object in front of another, by Venus was seen by Michael Maestlin at Heidelberg.
But here's a video of...Martians?!
A past liveable atmosphere?! -
Saturn
Galileo first saw Saturn's rings in 1610 as they require at least a 15-mm-diameter telescope to see clearly.
Here's a documentary about Saturn's awe-someness!
And Saturn's rings are even wider than we ever thought possible!
Cassini's Revolutionary Findings! -
Uranus
Sir William Herschel expanded the known boundaries of the Solar System for the first time in history by discovering Uranus.
Uranus is known for being turned on its side; does its magnetic field have anything to do with it?
Here's a video of what would happen if you freefalled into Uranus!
Sounds! -
Neptune
John Adams and Urbain Le Verrier were given joint credit for the discovery of Neptune. At least, until Adams was reevaluated and seen not as deserving of the title!
Learn more about Saturn's ring make-up
Or perhaps, watch a video about Cassini's voyage around the rings.
Wow! -
Does Pluto Count??
Pluto was discovered by Clyde Tombaugh and considered the ninth planet. But when Eris was discovered, the International Astronomical Union updated the definition of the word "planet" which excluded Pluto.
Here's more about Pluto, including why it's not considered a planet
Closer..to the EDGE!
http://tinyurl.com/p68f4lq -
Jupiter
In 499, Aryabhata, a mathematician–astronomer of Indian mathematics and astronomy, used a geocentric model to estimate Jupiter's orbit around Earth as 11 plus years.
A Quick run-down of Jupiter!
Some Easy Facts about Jupiter
Voyager l's approaach to Jupiter
