2013 Event Planet Pluto receives names for its fourth and fifth moons; the International Astronomical Union names them Kerberos and Styx 1972 Event Orbiting Astronomical Observatory 4 (Copernicus) launched 1968 Event Orbiting Astronomical Observatory 2 launched into Earth orbit 1966 Event OAO 1, 1st orbiting astronomical observatory, launched 1941 Birthday Malcolm Longair, born in Dundee Scotland, astronomer, physicist, chairman of the Gemini Board, President, Royal Astronomical Society 1891 Event Astronomical Society of France is inaugurated 1891 Event William Huggins describes astronomical application of spectrum 1889 Event Astronomical Society of Pacific holds 1st meeting in San Francisco 1820 Event Royal Astronomical Society founded in England 1786 Event Harvard University organizes 1st astronomical expedition in U.S. 1662 Event Flamsteed sees solar eclipse, 1st known astronomical observation 1641 Death Jeremiah Horrocks, English astronomical prodigy, dies at 22 1638 Event Lunar eclipse is 1st astronomical event recorded in U.S. 1497 Event Nicolaus Copernicus 1st recorded astronomical observation, 1436 Birthday Regiomontanus, Johannes Muller, prepares astronomical tables
