The recorded history of Mars observation dates back to the era of the
ancient Egyptian astronomers in the 2nd millennium BCE. Detailed
observations of the position of Mars were made by Babylonian
astronomers, and ancient Greek philosophers and Hellenistic astronomers
developed a geocentric model to explain the planet's motions. Indian and
Islamic astronomers estimated its size and distance from Earth. The
first telescopic observation of Mars was by Galileo Galilei in 1610. The
first crude map of Mars was published in 1840. When astronomers
mistakenly thought they had detected the spectroscopic signature of
water in the Martian atmosphere, the idea of life on Mars became
popular. During the 1920s, the range of Martian surface temperature was
measured; it ranged from −85 °C (−121 °F) to 7 °C (45 °F). The
planetary atmosphere was found to be arid with only trace amounts of
oxygen and water. Since the 1960s, multiple robotic spacecraft have been
sent to explore Mars. The planet has remained under observation by
ground and space-based instruments and the discovery of meteorites on
Earth that originated on Mars has allowed laboratory examination of the
chemical conditions on the planet.
Read more: <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Mars_observation>
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Today's selected anniversaries:
1198:
After Lotario de Conti was elected as Pope Innocent III, his
first act was the restoration of the papal power in Rome.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope_Innocent_III>
1811:
The German Coast Uprising, the largest slave revolt in United
States history, took place in Louisiana.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1811_German_Coast_Uprising>
1979:
The oil tanker Betelgeuse exploded at the offshore jetty of the
Whiddy Island Oil Terminal off Bantry Bay, Ireland, killing
approximately 50 people.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whiddy_Island_Disaster>
2004:
RMS Queen Mary 2 (pictured), at the time the longest, widest
and tallest passenger ship ever built, was christened by her namesake's
granddaughter, Queen Elizabeth II.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RMS_Queen_Mary_2>
2011:
In Tucson, Arizona, US, Jared Lee Loughner opened fire on an
outdoor public meeting, killing six people and injuring twelve others.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_Tucson_shooting>
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Wiktionary's word of the day:
factitious:
1. Created by humans; artificial.
2. Counterfeit, fabricated.
<https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/factitious>
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Wikiquote quote of the day:
There is a certain indolence in us, a wish not to be disturbed, which
tempts us to think that when things are quiet, all is well.
Subconsciously, we tend to give the preference to "social peace," though
it be only apparent, because our lives and possessions seem then secure.
Actually, human beings acquiesce too easily in evil conditions; they
rebel far too little and too seldom. There is nothing noble about
acquiescence in a cramped life or mere submission to superior force.
--A. J. Muste
<https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/A._J._Muste>