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

_______________________________ 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

_____________________________ Wiktionary's word of the day:

factitious: 1. Created by humans; artificial. 2. Counterfeit, fabricated. https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/factitious

___________________________ 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