March 13

William Herschel, a German-born British musician-turned-astronomer, was conducting telescopic surveys of the night sky in Bath, England. On the evening of March 13, 1781, he observed what he initially believed to be a comet. Further observations revealed the object followed a nearly circular orbit, distinguishing it from comets and confirming its planetary nature. Herschel proposed the name 'Georgium Sidus' in honor of King George III, though the name 'Uranus' later gained acceptance. This discovery was the first addition to the known planets since antiquity. It expanded humanity’s understanding of the solar system and propelled Herschel to international scientific fame.

In February 1930, astronomer Clyde Tombaugh captured faint images suggesting a new planet beyond Neptune. After meticulous analysis of these photographic plates, Lowell Observatory publicly revealed on March 13 that the object was indeed a previously unknown planet, later named Pluto. This discovery expanded our understanding of the solar system’s outer regions and captivated scientific and public imagination worldwide. The find showcased the power of telescopic photography and patient observation in revealing celestial bodies. Pluto held its planetary status for decades before being reclassified in 2006, but its discovery remains a landmark achievement in astronomy.

Launched in March 1969, Apollo 9 was the third crewed mission in NASA’s Apollo program and the first to carry the Lunar Module, nicknamed ‘Spider.’ During ten days in Earth orbit, astronauts James McDivitt, David Scott, and Rusty Schweickart performed critical tests of docking procedures, life support systems, and the Lunar Module’s engines. On March 13, 1969, the crew splashed down safely in the Atlantic Ocean, proving that the Lunar Module could operate independently from the Command Module. These successful trials were essential for the subsequent Apollo 11 mission, which would land humans on the Moon. Apollo 9’s achievements marked a vital step toward fulfilling President Kennedy’s goal of lunar exploration.

On March 13, 1989, NASA launched Space Shuttle Discovery on mission STS-29 from Kennedy Space Center. The primary goal was to deploy the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite-4 (TDRS-4) into geosynchronous orbit, enhancing continuous communication capabilities for orbiting spacecraft. This marked Discovery's eighth spaceflight and the first Shuttle launch following the Challenger disaster. During the five-day mission, crew members also conducted biomedical and microgravity experiments to study the effects of weightlessness on living organisms. The successful deployment of TDRS-4 expanded NASA's orbiting communication network, enabling improved data transmission for satellites and future Shuttle missions. Discovery landed safely at Edwards Air Force Base on March 18, concluding a 5-day, 5-hour mission. STS-29's achievements laid the groundwork for advancements in satellite communications and mission planning.

On March 13, 2003, a study published in the journal Nature unveiled that the enigmatic footprints at Ciampate del Diavolo, located near Lake Albano in Italy, date back approximately 350,000 years. Multidisciplinary analysis, including stratigraphy and radiometric dating, confirmed these impressions were made by prehistoric hominids walking across volcanic ash. The discovery represents some of the earliest known direct evidence of upright, bipedal locomotion in the Middle Pleistocene. By examining footprint depth and spacing, scientists inferred details about the walkers' speed, weight, and group dynamics. This landmark finding provided valuable insights into the behavior and evolution of early human ancestors. It also underscored the importance of volcanic deposits in preserving delicate traces of ancient life. The Ciampate del Diavolo site remains a pivotal reference for paleoanthropological research.