Monday, December 15, 2025
On this date in 1923, physicist John Dyson was born. Dyson is best known for his speculative work on extraterrestrial civilizations. One of his theories proposed that a highly advanced civilization would be able to construct a giant shell around their host star to capture 100% of the star’s energy. A ‘Dyson Sphere’ was featured in a 1992 episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation.
Tuesday, December 16, 2025
On this date in 1962, NASA launched the Explorer 16 satellite from Wallops Island, Virginia. Explorer 16 collected data to study micrometeoroids – small pieces of rock and dust that can damage spacecraft. The data Explorer 16 collected was used to determine the material thickness needed to resist damage from micrometeoroids in future satellites.
Wednesday, December 17, 2025
On this day in 1919, seismographer Albert F. Porta predicted the world would end. He proposed that a conjunction of six planets on this date would create a magnetic current which would pierce the Sun and thereby engulf the Earth in flames. Porta’s prediction was shared world-wide leading to panic. Also on this date in 1919, the world did NOT end as he predicted.
Thursday, December 18, 2025
On this date in 1958, the United States launched their first communications satellite. The Signal Communication by Orbiting Relay Equipment (SCORE) transmitted the first known voice recording from space. The transmission was a pre-recorded Christmas greeting from then President Eisenhower.
Friday, December 19, 2025
Today, the Moon reaches its new moon phase. While not visible during new moon, this marks the beginning of the last lunar cycle of 2025.
Saturday, December 20, 2025
On this date in 1900, the comet Giacobini-Zinner was first observed by French astronomer Michel Giacobini. In 1985, comet Giacobini-Zinner would be the first comet to be visited by a space probe. This comet is also the progenitor of the annual Draconid meteor shower, visible each year in October.
Sunday, December 21, 2025
On this date in 2015, the private aerospace firm SpaceX successfully landed the first stage booster of their Falcon-9 rocket for the first time. SpaceX continues to pioneer reusability in rocket which has helped them to quickly become one of the leading forces in spaceflight.
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