Astronomy and Space 2019 – Highlights *new*

We've had another year of exploration and discoveries, achievements and celestial delights, celebrations and farewells. Here are my choices of notable events in astronomy and space in 2019.

Astronomy and Space 2019 – Highlights

Geraldyn M. Cobb died in March. [Jerrie Cobb 1961]

Her New York Times obituary says:

Quote

A seasoned pilot, she held world records for speed, altitude and distance. She had undergone rigorous physical and psychological examinations and emerged in the top 2 percent of all those — mostly men — who were tested.

But in 1961, as she seemed on the verge of becoming the nation’s first female astronaut, the door was slammed shut.

NASA wasn't interested in the 13 women pilots (known as the Mercury 13) who'd passed the rigorous tests that the Mercury astronauts did.

Comet 2I/Borisov is the first identified comet from another star. It was discovered by telescope maker and amateur astronomer Gennady Vladimirovich Borisov.

The two images were taken by the Hubble Space Telescope, one capturing the comet appearing near a background galaxy and the other soon after its closest approach to the Sun. [Credits: NASA, ESA and D. Jewitt (UCLA)]

Great photo. I enjoy watching the science channel. Mike Rowe narrates the space segments. I caught the show on Jupiter and then last night they discussed looking for planets like Earth. We are the center of the universe in one way. So far we can tell, we are unique on a very unique planet in a huge universe.

An artist’s concept of the 20 newly discovered moons orbiting Saturn. These discoveries bring the planet’s total moon count to 82, surpassing Jupiter for the most in our solar system. Image via the Carnegie Institution for Science. (Saturn image is courtesy of NASA/JPL-Caltech/Space Science Institute. Starry background courtesy of Paolo Sartorio/Shutterstock.)

Credit: EarthSky