chronology

2015    Year calculated from

Pre-Scientific Era    Sources are listed at bottom.

Before CHRIST (BC)
DATE            EVENT    Topic    Source        Colour index B.C.
YEARS    YEAR    MONTH    DAY                    Egyptian Culture
AGO                                Greek and Roman
Mesopotamia: the oldest known civilization between approximately 5 000 to 1596 B.C.    Civilization    Civilization v1, pp.17 – 23.        Arabic
6727    4713    January    1    At noon (12h00) on this date is Day One of the Julian Day Calendar used by Astronomers. This calendar was created in 1583 (See 1583) and backdated to this day    Calendar    Calendar, pp.284 – 5.        Chinese Culture
Egypt: Predynastic Era approximately 4 000 to 3 100 B.C.    Civilization    Civilization v1, pp.23 – 4.        Korean Culture
6255    4241            Start of Egyptian Calendar and 1st known date    Calendar    Calendar, p.21.        Polynesian Culture
6018    4004    October    23    On this date, according to James Ussher (1581 – 1656), God created the World.    Calendar    Calendar, p.331; Faber, p.71.        America’s
5514    3500            Invention of the wheel (Wheeled transport appears in Mesopotamia)    Milestone Event    Mapping Time, p.145.        Indian Culture
5514    3500            Construction of Newgrange (Ireland)    Observatory    Cambridge, pp.2 – 3.        Important non-scientific events
5214    3200            Invention of writing by the Sumerians    Milestone Event    Mapping Time, p.145.        Celestial Event
5014    3000            Construction of Stonehennge (England)    Observatory    Cambridge, pp.4 – 5.        Milestone Events
5014    3000            Egyptian Religious Calendar    Calendar    Cambridge, pp.24 – 25.
5014    3000            Egyptian Administrative Calendar    Calendar    Cambridge, pp.24 – 25.
5128    3114            Current Maya Great Cycle Begins    Calendar    Calendar Time Line
Egypt: Old Kingdom approximately 2 700 to 2 200 B.C.    Civilization    Civilization v1, p.24.
4371    2357            Early Chinese Calendar by Emperor Yao    Calendar    Calendar Time Line
India: Indus Civilization approximately 2 500 to 1 500 B.C.    Civilization    Civilization v1, p.111.
4114    2100            Sumerian 360 day Calendar    Calendar    Calendar Time Line
Egypt: Middle Kingdom approximately 2 050 to 1 800 B.C.    Civilization    Civilization v1, p.25.
Hittite Civilization approximately 2000 to 1 200 B.C.    Civilization    Civilization v1, p.33.
Greek: Minoan (Aegean) civilization approximately 2 000 to1 200 B.C.    Civilization    Civilization v1, p.46.
Greek: Mycenaean (Aegean) civilization approximately 2 000 to1 380 B.C.    Civilization    Civilization v1, p.48.
1699    1700            Old Babylon: Venus Records (place value numerical system)    Mathematics    Cambridge, pp. 23 -24
China: Shang Dynasty approximately 1 700 to 1 122 B.C.    Civilization    Civilization v1, p.125.
Egypt: New Kingdom approximately 1 570 to 1 090 B.C.    Civilization    Civilization v1, p.25.
India: Aryan Invasion and Early Verdic Age 1 500 to 1 000 B.C.    Civilization    Civilization v1, p.113.
Egypt: Period of Decadence 1 090 to 332 B.C.    Civilization    Civilization v1, p.25.
Greek: Homeric Age (Greek Dark Ages) approximately 1 150 to 750 B.C.    Civilization    Civilization v1, p.50.
China: Chou Dynasty approximately 1 122 to 221 B.C.    Civilization    Civilization v1, p.126.
Brahmanism: Approximately 1000 B.C.    Religion    Civilization v1, p.114.
2914    900            Babylonian ‘Enuma Anu Enlil’ takes definitive form (Contains 7 000 omens)    Astrology    Cambridge, pp.26 – 28.
Hinduism: Upanishads composed between 800 and 600 B.C.    Religion    Civilization v1, p.115.
Greek: Hellenic Age approximately 750 to 336 B.C. (Golden Age centred in Athens about 600 B.C.)    Civilization    Civilization v1, p.50.
Rome: According to Myth the Roman Empire was founded 753 B.C. by thebirth of the twin brothers Romulus and Remus    Civilization    Civilization v1, p.79.
2714    700            Systematic Babylonian records    Catalogue    Cambridge, pp.26 -28.
2014                Greek Cosmology 600 – 300 BC    Cosmology    Cambridge, pp.29 – 37.
2614    600            Thales of Miletus (c.625 – c.547 BC) – nature more intelligable than the superficial appearance of endless variety suggest.    Cosmology    Cambridge, p.29.
Confusius (551 479 B.C.)    Religion    Civilization v1, p.128.
Buddism: Gautama called Buddha “The Enlightened One” (563? – 483 B.C.)     Religion    Civilization v1, p.116.
2014                Pythagoras (c570 – 480 BC): Geometry    Mathematics    Discoveries, p.66.
2564    550            Anaximander of Miletus (c.610 – c.545 BC) – explains forms of heavenly bodies.    Cosmology    Cambridge, p.29.
Rome: Early Republic 509 to 133 B.C.    Civilization    Civilization v1, p.81.
2464    450            Babylonian identify Metonic Cycle    Cosmology    Cambridge, p.27.
2464    450            Greek recognize sphericity of Earth    Cosmology    Cambridge, p.31.
2446    432            Meton (Athenian Astronomer) discover the Metonic Cycle    Observation    Calendar, p.34.
2414    400            Plato (427 348/7 BC) poses problems of Planets    Cosmology    Cambridge, p.30.
2364    350            Eudoxus of Cnidus (c.400 – c.347 BC) – model of spheres    Cosmology    Cambridge p.34
2364    350            Aristotles world Picture (384 – 322 BC)    Cosmology    Cambridge, p.23
2014                Euclid (356 – 323 BC): Geometry    Mathematics    Discoveries, p.66.
Greek: Hellenistic Era (Alexander the Great) approximately 336 to 200 B.C.    Civilization    Civilization v1, pp.69 – 77.
2314    300            First use of zero in Babylon c.300 BC    Mathematics    Discoveries, p.74.
2294    280            Aristarchus (c.310 – 230 BC) – distances of the Sun and Moon    Observation    Cambridge, p.38; Discoveries, p.70.
2277    263            Liu Hui: Calculated Pi more precisely than Archimedes.    Mathematics    Discoveries, p.68.
2264    250            Archimedes (c.287 – c.212: Pi, squaring the circle. (Look 263 BC, Lui Hui)    Mathematics    Cambridge, p.37; Discoveries, p.68.
China: Han Dynasty approximately 202 to A.D. 220    Civilization    Civilization v1, p.134.
2214    200            Erastothenes (c.276 – c.195) – size of the Earth / deduced the tilt of the Earth’s axis of rotation.    Observation    Cambridge, p.39. / Calendar, p.35.
2214    200            Appolonius – eccentres, epicycles, deferents    Cosmology    Cambridge, p.39.
2178    164            Halley’s Comet (September to November)    Celestial Event    Cambridge, p.27
2174    160            Horoscopium, precurser to Astrolabe used by Hipparchus of Nicaea, c.160 BC.     Instrument    Discoveries, p.82.
Rome: Late Republic 133 to 30 B.C.    Civilization    Civilization v1, p.86.
2134    120            Hipparchus – models for Sun, Moon. Star catalogue. Presession    Cosmology / Catalogue    Cambridge, pp.40 -41.
2060    46    January    1    Julian Calendar introduced. Calendar was off by 80 days. 46 BC had 445 days.    Calendar    Cambridge, p.108. / Calendar, p.45.
2059    45            Known as the “Year of Confusion”.  See 46 BC.    Calendar    Calendar, p.45.
Rome: Pax Romana 30 B.C. to A.D. 180    Civilization    Civilization v1, p.91.

EVENT    Topic
BIRTH OF JESUS CHRIST    Religion
The true date of Christ’s birth is unknown but by tradition it is celebrated on December 25th. This event is the central point of our Calendar. Note that Christ was not born in the year zero. There is no such year in our Calendar. One year before Christ is 1BC, and one year after is 1AD. Therefore the 2nd millenium ended in the year 2000, and the 3rd millenium started in 2001, contrary to popular opinion

ANNO DOMINI (AD) After CHRIST also known as Commom Era (CE)

1st Century
DATE            EVENT    Topic    Source        Colour index 1st Century
YEARS    YEAR    MONTH    DAY                    Egyptian Culture
AGO                                Greek and Roman
2014    1                            Arabic
1965    50                            Chinese Culture
1915    100                            Korean Culture
Polynesian Culture
America’s
Indian Culture
Important non-scientific events
Celestial Event
2nd Century
DATE            EVENT    Topic    Source        Colour index 2nd Century
YEARS    YEAR    MONTH    DAY                    Egyptian Culture
AGO                                Greek and Roman
1914    101                            Arabic
1885    130            Ptolemy – Almagest, Planetary hypotheses, Tetrabiblos    Cosmology    Cambridge, pp.42 – 43.        Chinese Culture
1815    200                            Korean Culture
Polynesian Culture
America’s
Indian Culture
Important non-scientific events
Celestial Event

3rd Century
DATE            EVENT    Topic    Source        Colour index 3rd Century
YEARS    YEAR    MONTH    DAY                    Egyptian Culture
AGO                                Greek and Roman
1814    201                            Arabic
1765    250                            Chinese Culture
1715    300            c. 300 the Maya discover zero    Mathematics    Calendar Time Line        Korean Culture
Polynesian Culture
America’s
Indian Culture
Important non-scientific events
Celestial Event
4th Century
DATE            EVENT    Topic    Source        Colour index 4th Century
YEARS    YEAR    MONTH    DAY                    Egyptian Culture
AGO                                Greek and Roman
Medieval Christendom    Civilization            Arabic
1694    321            Sunday / Seven Day week formulated    Calendar    Calendar Time Line        Chinese Culture
Rome: 330 Constantinopel (Istanbul) created by Emperor Constantine (To become the capital of theByzantime Empire)    Civilization    Civilization v1, p.169.        Korean Culture
1690    325            Council of Nicea formulate Easter    Calendar    Calendar Time Line        Polynesian Culture
Rome: In 395 the empire officially split into East (Byzantine) and West Roman Empires. The Byzantine Empire (Easter Europe and the Middle East) continue until 1261; Western Empire (Western Europe) decline into turmoil until A.D. 800.    Civilization    Civilization v1, p.148.        America’s
1615    400                            Indian Culture
Important non-scientific events
Celestial Event
5th Century
DATE            EVENT    Topic    Source        Colour index 5th Century
YEARS    YEAR    MONTH    DAY                    Egyptian Culture
AGO                                Greek and Roman
1614    401                            Arabic
1516    499            Aryabhata Indian Calendar (365d 8h 36m 0s)    Calendar    Calendar Time Line        Chinese Culture
1515    500            India introduces decimal system with the zero, c. 500.    Mathematics    Discoveries, p.74.        Korean Culture
Polynesian Culture
America’s
Indian Culture
Important non-scientific events
Celestial Event

6th Century
DATE            EVENT    Topic    Source        Colour index 6th Century
YEARS    YEAR    MONTH    DAY                    Egyptian Culture
AGO                                Greek and Roman
1514    501                            Arabic
1465    550                            Chinese Culture
1415    600                            Korean Culture
Polynesian Culture
America’s
Indian Culture
Important non-scientific events
Celestial Event
7th Century
DATE            EVENT    Topic    Source        Colour index 7th Century
YEARS    YEAR    MONTH    DAY                    Egyptian Culture
AGO                                Greek and Roman
Inca: Civilization originated before Christ but start to spread by 600 A.D. (Equador to Chile)    Civilization    Civilization v1, p.373.        Arabic
Mayan: Civilization reached its height between 600 and 1200 A.D. (Mexico and Guatemala)    Civilization    Civilization v1, p.366.        Chinese Culture
1393    622            Monammad flees Mecca / Start of Muslim Calendar    Religion / Calendar    Calendar Time Line        Korean Culture
1383    632            Death of Mohammad    Religion            Polynesian Culture
1315    700                            America’s
Indian Culture
Important non-scientific events
Celestial Event
8th Century
DATE            EVENT    Topic    Source        Colour index 8th Century
YEARS    YEAR    MONTH    DAY                    Egyptian Culture
AGO                                Greek and Roman
1314    701                            Arabic
1282    733            Kanaka arrives in Bagdad / Teach Hindu Mathematics and Astronomy    Mathematics / Cosmology    Calendar Time Line        Chinese Culture
1215    800            Holy Roman: Charlemagne crowned Emperor by the Pope on Christmast day 800. Feudalism now entrenched in Western Europe.    Civilization    Civilization v1, p.231.        Korean Culture
Polynesian Culture
America’s
Indian Culture
Important non-scientific events
Celestial Event

9th Century
DATE            EVENT    Topic    Source        Colour index 9th Century
YEARS    YEAR    MONTH    DAY                    Egyptian Culture
AGO                                Greek and Roman
1214    801                            Arabic
1139    876            First use of zero in Eurasia.    Mathematics    Calendar Time Line; Discoveries, p.74.        Chinese Culture
1115    900                            Korean Culture
Polynesian Culture
America’s
Indian Culture
Important non-scientific events
Celestial Event

10th Century
DATE            EVENT    Topic    Source        Colour index 10th Century
YEARS    YEAR    MONTH    DAY                    Egyptian Culture
AGO                                Greek and Roman
1114    901                            Arabic
1065    950                            Chinese Culture
1015    1000                            Korean Culture
Polynesian Culture
America’s
Indian Culture
Important non-scientific events
Celestial Event
11th Century
DATE            EVENT    Topic    Source        Colour index 11th Century
YEARS    YEAR    MONTH    DAY                    Egyptian Culture
AGO                                Greek and Roman
Astrolabe [revolving starmap] enters West (Look 160 A.D.)    Instrument    Cambridge, p.64.        Arabic
1009    1006            Supernova visible to the naked eye    Celestial Event            Chinese Culture
961    1054            Supernova visible to the naked eye recorded in Chinese annals. (Crab Nebula)    Celestial Event    Cambridge, p.307.        Korean Culture
1055            Ottoman Turks: The Seljuk turks qonquer modern day Bagdad. Start of a mighty Islam Empire to last until 1917.    Civilization     Civilization v1, p.191.        Polynesian Culture
1095            Crusade: The first of seven crusades against the Ottoman Turks was in 1095. The last crusade was in 1212.    Civilization     Civilization v1, p.254.        America’s
915    1100                            Indian Culture
Important non-scientific events
Celestial Event
12th Century
DATE            EVENT    Topic    Source        Colour index 12th Century
YEARS    YEAR    MONTH    DAY                    Egyptian Culture
AGO                                Greek and Roman
Greek and Arabic scripts translated to European languages    Cosmology    Cambridge, p.72.        Arabic
895    1120            Cairo Observatory; 1120 – 25    Observatory    Cambridge, p.56.        Chinese Culture
815    1200                            Korean Culture
Polynesian Culture
America’s
Indian Culture
Important non-scientific events
Celestial Event
13th Century
DATE            EVENT    Topic    Source        Colour index 13th Century
YEARS    YEAR    MONTH    DAY                    Egyptian Culture
AGO                                Greek and Roman
Aztec: Rise of empire around 1200. Create capital Tenochtitlan at present day Mexico City in 1325. Cortez finally destroyed the Aztec    Civilization     Civilization v1, p.371.        Arabic
New Quadrant (combination of quadrant and astrolabe) invented by Jacob ben Mahir (c.1236 – c.1304)    Instrument    Cambridge, p.81.        Chinese Culture
756    1259            Maragha Observatory (Astronomer Nasir al-Din al-Tusi 1201 – 74)    Observatory / Astronomer    Cambridge, p.58.        Korean Culture
1260            Mongolian Empire: Birth of Temujin (1162) who became known as “Ghenghis Khan” (1206). Mongolians dominant force in Asia 1260 – 1360.     Civilization     Civilization v1, p.338.        Polynesian Culture
1261            Byzantium: Constantinople conquered by Palaeologus if Nicaea. This is the end of the Byzantium (East Roman Empire)    Civilization     Civilization v1, p.175.        America’s
716    1299            Glass lenses invented by Alexandro di Spina    Instrument    Discoveries, p.92.
Cross staff invented by Levi ben Gerson (1288 – 1344)    Instrument    Cambridge, p.81.        Indian Culture
Important non-scientific events
Celestial Event

14th Century
DATE            EVENT    Topic    Source        Colour index 14th Century
YEARS    YEAR    MONTH    DAY                    Egyptian Culture
AGO                                Greek and Roman
714    1301                            Arabic
Hundred Years War: Large scale disruption in Europe due to warfare. 1337 – 1453.    Political    Civilization v1, p.384.        Chinese Culture
665    1350                            Korean Culture
615    1400                            Polynesian Culture
America’s
Indian Culture
Important non-scientific events
Celestial Event

15th Century
DATE            EVENT    Topic    Source        Colour index 15th Century
YEARS    YEAR    MONTH    DAY                    Egyptian Culture
AGO                                Greek and Roman
Arabic
443    1420            Samarkand Observatory  (Astronomer Ulugh Beg 1394 – 1449)    Observatory / Astronomy    Cambridge, p.58.        Chinese Culture
594    1421            Chinese Expedition sail around the world 1421 -3. Explore and map all the continents except Europe. Very Controversial claim.    Expedition / World Event    1421
545    1470            Invention of the Printing Press    Milestone Event    Calendar Time Line        Korean Culture
1457            Ottoman Turks invades Constantinople. (Leads to struggle over spice trade and eventualy culminate in Voyages of Discovery).    Civilization     Civilization v1, p.324.        Polynesian Culture
542    1473            Nicholas Copernicus (1473 – 1543) born in Torun, Poland     Astronomer    Cambridge, p.90.        America’s
595    1474            Peurbach (1423 – 61) – “Theoricae novae planetarium” (New theory of the Planets)    Cosmology    Cambridge, pp.88 – 89.        Indian Culture
Voyages of Discovery: Christopher Columbus reach West Indies. 12 October 1492.    World Event    Civilization v1, p.475.        Important non-scientific events
1493            Bull of Demarcation: Pope devided world in two halfs so as to avoid conflict between Spanish and Portuegese ambitions.    Civilization     Civilization v1, p.475.        Milestone Events
Voyages of Discovery: Vasco Da Gama sail to India. 1497 – 99.    World Event    Civilization v1, p.476.        Celestial Event
Renaissance: Height of Renaissance 1500 – 1530.    Civilization     Civilization v1, p.410.

Beginnings of Scientific Era

16th Century to 1582 (Pre-Gregorian Calendar)
DATE            EVENT    Topic    Source        Colour index 16th Century    Pre-Calendar Reforms
YEARS    YEAR    MONTH    DAY                    Important non-scientific events
AGO                                South Africa: Political
Aztec: Hernando Cortez conquer Aztec. 1521.    Civilization    Civilization v1, p.477.        South Africa: Astronomy
Protestant Reform: Luther breaks away from Catholic Church. 1521.    Religion    Civilization v1, p.434.        Astronomy (excluding South Africa)
Inca: Francisco Pizarro conquer Inca. 1531.    Civilization    Civilization v1, p.477.        Science (excluding Astronomy)
484    1531            Comet that later became known as Halley’s Comet    Celestial Event    Cambridge, pp.172 – 174.        Milestone Events
1543: The year SCIENCE began – Copernicus and Vesalius (Statement made with Poetic License)                Celestial Event
472    1543            Andreas Vesalius (1514 – 64) “Fabrica” (On the Fabric of the Human Body)    Milestone / Medical Science    Faber, p.5.
472    1543            Copernicus – “De revolutionibus” (On the Revolutions of Heavenly Spheres)    Cosmology / Astronomer    Cambridge, p.90.
469    1546    December     14    Tycho Brahe (1546 – 1601) born in Skaane (now in Sweden)     Astronomer    Cambridge, p.98.
451    1564    February    15    Galileo Galilei (1564 – 1642) born in Pisa.     Astronomer    Cambridge, p.122.
444    1571    December     27    Johannes Kepler (1571 – 1630) born in Weilder Stadt near Stuttgart     Astronomer    Cambridge, p.115.
443    1572            “””Tycho’s Nova”””    Celestial Event    Cambridge, pp.101 – 104.
440    1575            Istanbul Observatory 1575 – 80 (Astronomer Taqi al-Din)    Observatory / Astronomer    Cambridge, pp.56 -58.
439    1576            Tycho Brahe Observatory at Hven 1576 – 97    Observatory    Cambridge, p.104.
438    1577            Tycho Brahe finds comet to be celestial    Celestial Event / Cosmology    Cambridge, pp.101 – 104.
425    1590            Microscope invented by Hans and Zacharias Janssen    Science    Discoveries, p.110.

In 1582 the Gregorian Calendar was instituted in Catholic Country’s. Between 1582 to 1752 all of Europe implemented the Gregorian Calendar. The exception was Germany who partially accepted the Calendar in 1700 and fully in 1775. Russian only accepted the Calendar in 1917. Thus the dates given below is indicated in the Month column as either Julian Calendar (JC) of Gregorian Calendar (GC)     Calendar

16th Century from 1582 (Julian and Gregorian Calendar runs concurrently)
DATE            EVENT    Topic    Source        Colour index 16th Century    Calendar Reforms
YEARS    YEAR    MONTH    DAY                    Important non-scientific events
AGO                                South Africa: Political
433    1582    Octorber (GC)    15    Gregorian Calendar (10 days omitted from Calendar / 5 – 14 October 1582)    Calendar    Cambridge, p.108. / Calendar, pp.267 – 82.        South Africa: Astronomy
432    1583            Julian Day Calendar. Justus Scalinger (1540 – 1609) implement a new Calendar that counts a day at a time and backdated to noon on 1 January 4713 BC (a date he calculated as the Creation of the Earth) Astronomers use this Calendar.    Calendar    Calenda,r pp.284 -5.        Astronomy (excluding South Africa)
431    1584            Between 1582 – 84 most Catholic countries accept and switched over to Gregorian Calendar    Calendar    Calendar p.vi        Science (excluding Astronomy)
419    1596            Kepler – “Cosmographic Mystery”    Cosmology    Cambridge Chronology        Milestone Events
Celestial Event

17th Century / 1st Half /1601 – 1650 (Julian and Gregorian Calendar runs concurrently )                Colour index 17th Century    1st Half /1601 – 1650
DATE            EVENT    Topic    Source        Important non-scientific events
YEARS    YEAR    MONTH    DAY                    South Africa: Political
AGO                                South Africa: Astronomy
414    1601    October (JC)    24    Tycho Brahe die in Prague (1546 – 1601)    Astronomer     Cambridge, p.98.        Astronomy (excluding South Africa)
413    1602            Tycho Brahe’s star catalogue published    Catalogue    Cambridge, p.104.        Science (excluding Astronomy)
411    1604            Kepler’s Nova    Celestial Event    Cambridge, pp.198 – 201.        Milestone Events
408    1607            Comet that later became known as Halley’s Comet    Celestial Event    Cambridge, pp.172 – 174.        Celestial Event
406    1609            Kepler – “New Astronomy”: First two laws    Science    Cambridge, p.119.
406    1609            Galileo’s first telescopic observations    Observation    Cambridge, p.123.
405    1610    January (GC)    7    Galileo’s first observation of Jupiter. Discover 4 Moons (This event was to have far reaching results. It helped to inaugurate science as a discipline and helped to overturn accepted worldviews of the time.)    Milestone / Observation / Science / Cosmology    Cambridge, p.125.
405    1610            Galileo – “Starry Messenger”    Cosmology / Journal    Cambridge, p.130.
404    1611            Kepler design “astronomical telescope”    Telescope    Cambridge, p.142; p.164.
402    1613            Galileo – “Letters on Sunspots”    Cosmology    Cambridge, p.130.
Thirty Years War: 1618 – 1648.    Political    Civilization v1, p.458.
396    1619            Kepler’ – “The Harmony of the World”: Third Law    Science    Cambridge, p.120; p.143.
389    1626            Christoph Schneider publish “Rosa Ursina” on sunspots between 1626 – 30    Cosmology    Cambridge, p.129.
388    1627            Kepler – “Prutenic Tables” also known as “Rudolphine Tables”    Catalogue    Cambridge, p.130.
385    1630    November (GC)    15    Kepler dies at Regensburg (1571 – 1630)    Astronomer     Cambridge, p.115.
384    1631    November    7    Transit of Mercury: 1st Transit to be predicted (by Kepler) Observed by Pierre Gassendi    Celestial Event
384    1631    December    6    Transit of Venus: 2nd Transit to be predicted (by Kepler)     Celestial Event
383    1632            Galileo – “Two Great World Systems”    Cosmology    Cambridge, p.130.
383    1632            Mechanical Calculator invented by Wilhelm Schickard (1592 – 1635)    Mathematics    Discoveries, p.128.
378    1637            Analytical Geometry (combining geometry and algebra) invented by Rene Descartes (1596 – 1650)    Mathematics    Discoveries, p.132.
376    1639    December    4    Transit of Venus    Celestial Event
375    1640            Gascoine’s micrometer    Instrument    Cambridge, p.164.
373    1642    January (GC)        Galilei dies (1564 – 1642)    Astronomer    Cambridge, p.122.
373    1642    December (JC)    25    Isaac Newton born at Lincolnshire, England (1642 – 1727)    Astronomer    Cambridge, p. 159.
371    1644            Descartes – “Principles of Philosophy”    Cosmology    Cambridge Chronology

17th Century / 2nd Half /1651 – 1700 (Julian and Gregorian Calendar runs concurrently)
DATE            EVENT    Topic    Source        Colour index 17th Century    2nd Half /1651 – 1700
YEARS    YEAR    MONTH    DAY                    Important non-scientific events
AGO                                South Africa: Political
363    1652            1652 Dutch Colonists arrive to settle at the Cape    History: South Africa            South Africa: Astronomy
356    1659            Christiaan Huygens (1629 – 95) elucidates Saturns rings    Observation    Cambridge, p.150.        Astronomy (excluding South Africa)
355    1660            Royal Society of London founded    Society    Cambridge, p.145; p.257.        Science (excluding Astronomy)
352    1663            James Gregory (1638 – 75) designs reflector    Telescope    Cambridge, p.152.        Milestone Events
351    1664            Record of Comet (South Africa)    Celestial Event            Celestial Event
350    1665            Start of Scientific Publications. “Philosophical Transactions” of the Royal Society of London.    Milestone / Journal    Cambridge, p.256.
349    1666            Paris Academy of Sciences founded    Society    Cambridge, p.166.
349    1666            Great Fire of London
348    1667            Paris Observatory founded    Observatory    Cambridge, p.166.
348    1667            Mira’s Period identified by Ismael Boulliau (1605 – 94)    Observation    Cambridge, p.201.
347    1668            Newton designs his telescope    Telescope    Cambridge, p.152.
343    1672            Cassegrain designs his telescope    Telescope    Cambridge, p.152.
343    1672            Newton shows white light’s composition. Publish ‘New Theory about Light and Colors’    Science    Cambridge, p.261.
340    1675            Greenwich Observatory founded    Observatory    Cambridge, p.178.
339    1676    September (JC)    19    Observation started at Greenwich Observatory    Observatory    Cambridge, p.178.
338    1677            Edmond Halley visit St Helena Island to catalogue stars to solve longitude problems.  Too cloudy    Observation    Cambridge, p.251.
336    1679            “””Connoissance des Temps”” founded. First year-book dedicated to astronomy.”    Journal    Cambridge p.257.
336    1679            Binary system invented by G.W.F. von Leibniz (1646 – 1716)    Mathematics    Discoveries, p.142.
333    1682            Comet that later became known as Halley’s Comet    Celestial Event    Cambridge, pp.172 – 174.
330    1685            Father Tachard, French Jesuit Priest, sets up observatory near the Castle on Cape Town. (Longitude problem)    Astronomer / Expedition    Astr SA, pp. 20 – 22.
328    1687            Johannes Hevelius dies (1611 – 87)    Astronomer    Cambridge, p.143.
328    1687            Newton – “Principia” (Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy)    Cosmology    Cambridge, p.162; p.235.
325    1690            Hevelius – Star Catalogue    Catalogue    Cambridge Chronology
325    1690            Jonn Flamsteed observe Asteroid Ceres but does not recognize it as such. (mistook it as a star)    Observation    Cambridge, p.191.
320    1695    June (JC)    8    Christiaan Huygens dies in The Hague (1629 -95)    Astronomer    Cambridge , p.129; p.150.
320    1695            Halley (c.1656 – 1742) recognizes that the comets of 1531, 1607 and 1682 may be the same comet and thus be periodic He predicts the return of the comet in 1758    Science    Cambridge, pp.172 – 174.
315    1700            Gregorian Calendar (see 1582) Potestant Germany partially accept the Calender reforms (full acceptance 1775)    Calendar    Calendar p.vi

18th Century / 1st Half / 1701 – 1752 (Julian and Gregorian Calendar runs concurrently)
DATE            EVENT    Topic    Source        Colour index 18th Century    1st Half / 1701 – 1752
YEARS    YEAR    MONTH    DAY                    Important non-scientific events
AGO                                South Africa: Political
314    1701    January (GC)    12    Gregorian Calendar (see 1582) Holland with its colony at the Cape (South Africa) changes over to the Gregorian Calendar.    Calendar    Can’t find proof but look at http://www.crystalinks.com/gregorian_calendar.html; http://www.brainyhistory.com/events/1701/january_12_1701_39298.html        South Africa: Astronomy
310    1705            Peter Kolbe (1705 – 1713) was appointed as the first official Astronomer in S.A.    Astronomer    Astr SA, pp.26 – 28.        Astronomy (excluding South Africa)
303    1712            First efficient steam engine developed by Thomas Newcomen (1663 – 1729) [Look 1765]    Mechanical    Discoveries, p.158.
294    1721            Halley’s papers on symmetric star systems    Cosmology    Cambridge Chronology        Science (excluding Astronomy)
290    1725            Flamsteed (1646 – 1719) – “British Catalogue” to help solve Longitude problem    Catalogue    Cambridge, p.179.        Milestone Events
288    1727    March (JC)    20    Isaac Newton dies (1642 – 1727)    Astronomer    Cambridge, p.159.        Celestial Event
287    1728            James Bradley (1693 – 1762) identified large mistakes made in earlier observations relating to the accurate positions of stars due to ‘the aberration of light’    Science    Cambridge, p.206.
287    1728            Newton – “Systems of the World”        Cambridge, p.211; p.215.
286    1729            Achromatic lens designed by Chester Moor Hall (1703 – 71) (but did not persue idea. Look Dollond 1758)    Instrument    Cambridge, p.152.
286    1729            Bradley’s paper on the aberration of light (see 1728)    Science    Cambridge, p.213.
280    1735            Classification of flora by Carl von Linne (known as Linnaeus, 1707 – 78)    Biology    Discoveries, p.150.
277    1738    November (GC)    15    Wilhelm Friedrich Herschel (1738 1822) born at Hanover     Astronomer    Cambridge p.231.
273    1742            Bradley Astronomer Royal at Greenwich (1742 – )    Astronomer    Cambridge, p.206.
273    1742    January (JC)    14    Edmond Halley dies (1656 – 1742)    Astronomer    Cambridge,  p.151.
265    1750     (GC)    16    Caroline Lucretia Herschel (1750 – 1848) born at Hanover     Astronomer    Cambridge,  p.232.
265    1750            Thomas Wright (1711 – 86) – “An Original Theory or New Hypothesis of the Universe” (Inspire Kant, Look 1755)    Cosmology    Cambridge, p.218; p.228; Discoveries, p.152.
264    1751    April (GC)    19    Abbe De La Caille (1713 – 62; also known as Lacaille) arrive at Cape Town. (Arc of the Meridian)    Astronomer / Expedition    Cambridge p.251; Astr SA, pp28 – 43.
263    1752    September (GC)    14    Gregorian Calendar (see 1582) Great Britain and American colonies implements the Calender reforms (11 days omitted from Calendar / 3 – 13 September 1752)    Calendar    Calendar p.vi

18th Century / 2nd Half / 1753 – 1800 (Gregorian Calendar)
DATE            EVENT    Topic    Source        Colour index 18th Century    2nd Half / 1753 – 1800
YEARS    YEAR    MONTH    DAY                    Important non-scientific events
AGO                                South Africa: Political
262    1753            Dolland designs the divided object-glass micrometer    Instrument    Cambridge, p.219.        South Africa: Astronomy
262    1753    March    8    Lacaille leave Cape Town. (Arc of the Meridian)    Astronomer    Astr SA, p.43; Warner – Astr, p.50.        Astronomy (excluding South Africa)
260    1755            Inspired by Wrights book [Look 1750] Emmanuel Kant (1724 – 1804) through the power of reason figures out very accurately the shape of the Universe.     Cosmology    Discoveries, p.152.
259    1756            Tobias Mayer(1723 – 62) observe Asteroid Ceres but does not recognize it as such. (mistook it as a star)    Observation    Cambridge, p.191.        Science (excluding Astronomy)
258    1757            De La Caille publish positions of nearly 400 of the brightest of the southern stars, so establishing the framework for Southern Hemisphere Astronomy.    Catalogue / Science    Cambridge p.251.        Milestone Events
258    1757            Michell argues that most double stars are binary    Cosmology    Cambridge Chronology        Celestial Event
257    1758            John Dollond (1706 – 61) patents Achromatic lens    Instrument    Cambridge, p.152.
256    1759    January    21    Return of Halleys comet (look 1695) first noticed by Charles Messier.    Celestial Event    Cambridge, p.173.
254    1761            Trial begins of John Harrison’s (1693 – 1776) H4 Chronometer    Instrument / Expedition    Cambridge, p.181.
254    1761            Transit of Venus    Celestial Event
254    1761            Mason and Dixon observe Transit of Venus from Cape Town    Astronomer / Expedition    Astr SA, p.43.
253    1762            Lacaille dies    Astronomer    Cambridge p.251.
252    1763            Lacaille observations of 10 000 stars published posthunously    Publication    Cambridge p.251.
303    1712            James Watt (1736 – 1819) greatly improves on the steam engine developed by  Newcomen  [Look 1712]    Mechanical    Discoveries, p.158.
248    1767            Nautical Almanac founded by Nevil Maskelyne (1732 – 1811)    Catalogue    Cambridge, p.180.
246    1769            Transit of Venus    Celestial Event
243    1772            Wales and Bayly, (Captain Cooks 2nd voyage) made observations in order to determine the distance to Antartica.    Astronomer / Expedition    Astr SA, p.43.
American Revolution: 1775 – 83    Political    Civilization v2 p.73.
240    1775            Gregorian Calendar (see 1582) Potestant Germany fully accept and implement the Calender reforms (partial acceptance 1700)    Calendar    Calendar p.vi
234    1781            Charles Messier’s (1730 – 1817) final catalogue of nebulae    Catalogue    Cambridge, p.238.
234    1781    March    13    Uranus discovered by William Herschel using 7-foot reflector    Observation / Astronomer / Telescope    Cambridge, p.187; Faber, p.44.
232    1783            First hot-air balloon flight by the Montgolfier brothers    Flight    Space, p.43; Discoveries, p.162.
232    1783            Goodricke (1764 86) [and Edward Pigott 1753 – 1825] suggest Algol is an eclipsing binary.    Observation    Cambridge, p.203.
232    1783            William Herschel sweeps for nebulae 1783 – 1802    Observation    Cambridge, p.310.
230    1785            Mechanical Loom invented by Edmund Cartwright (1743 – 1823). This invention coupled with the steam engine led to the Industrial Revolution, an event that radically changed the World and all those who live on it.    Mechanical    Discoveries, p.164.
230    1785            William Herschel’s cross-section of Galaxy    Observation    Cambridge, p.310.
230    1785            William Herschel pioneer use of statistics in Astronomy    Science    Cambridge, p.240.
226    1789    April        Lalande (1732 – 1807) urges French Estates-General to adopt a uniform physical standard of measurement [Look 1840]    Standard Weights and Measures    Measure, p.447.
French Revolution: Phase 1 – Storming Bastille etc. 1789 – 91    Political    Civilization v2 p.79.
226    1789            William Herschel’s 40-foot reflector completed    Telescope    Cambridge, p.243.
225    1790            Madrid Observatory established in Spain    Observatory    Cambridge, p.246.
French Revolution: Phase 2 – Reign of Terror. 1791 – 97    Political    Civilization v2 p.73.
223    1792            Calendar of Reason: France (1792 – 1806)    Calendar    Calendar Time Line
223    1792    June        J Delambre (1749 – 1822) and P Mechain (1744 – 1804) re-measure the Paris Arc of the Meridian in order to establish the decimal system. [Look 1840]    Expedition / Standard Weights and Measures    Measure, p.1.
223    1792    March    7    John Frederick William Herschel born at Slough (1792 – 1871)    Astronomer    Cambridge, p. 248.
219    1796            First Vaccination by Edward Jenner (1749 – 1823) [Look 1881]    Medical    Discoveries, p.170.
219    1796            Pierre-Simon de Laplace (1749 – 1827) – “Exposition du systeme du monde”    Cosmology    Cambridge, p.184; Discoveries, p.172.
217    1798            William Herschel examine light from bright stars through a prism    Observation    Cambridge, p.290.
216    1799            First Battery invented by Allesssandro Volta (1745 – 1827)    Science    Discoveries, p.174.
216    1799            Laplace – “Traite de macanique celeste” Vol 1    Cosmology    Cambridge, p.184.
Napoleon: 1799 – 1815.    Political    Civilization v2 p.92.
215    1800            “””Monatliche Correspondenz”” founded by Frans Xaver von Zach (1754 – 1832) [Monthly Journal]”    Journal    Cambridge p.257.

19th Century / 1st half / 1801 – 1850
DATE            EVENT    Topic    Source        Colour index 19th Century    1st half / 1801 – 1850
YEARS    YEAR    MONTH    DAY                    Important non-scientific events
AGO                                South Africa: Political
214    1801    January    1    Ceres discovered by Guiseppe Piazzi (1746 – 1826)    Observation    Cambridge, p.190.        South Africa: Astronomy
214    1801    March        Pallas discovered by H.W.M. Olbers (1758 – 1840)    Observation    Cambridge, p.190.        Astronomy (excluding South Africa)
213    1802            William Hyde Wollaston (1766 – 1828) refines Newtons 1672 experiments on light    Experiment    Cambridge, p.262.        Science (excluding Astronomy)
212    1803            William Herschel confirms binary stars    Observation    Cambridge Chronology        Milestone Events
211    1804            Train: High pressure steam engine invented and combined with the trolley. Invented by Richard Trevithick (1771 – 1833)    Mechanical    Discoveries, p.176.
209    1806            Cape Colony becomes British Territory    History: South Africa            Celestial Event
208    1807            Vesta discovered    Observation    Cambridge, p.191.
208    1807            Juno discovered    Observation    Cambridge, p.191.
203    1812            Olbers speculate that comets shapes were due to material ejected from the nucleus.    Observation    Cambridge, p.279.
201    1814            Joseph Fraunhofer (1787 – 1826) maps lines in Solar spectrum 1814 -15    Science    Cambridge p.262.
Industrial Revolution: 1815 – 70    World Event
200    1815            First Geological map produced by William Smith (1769 – 1839)    Geology    Discoveries, p.180.
199    1816            William Herschel knighted    Astronomer    Cambridge, p.231.
198    1817            Fraunhofer publish Solar spectrum     Publication    Cambridge p.262.
197    1818            Frierich Wilhelm Bessel (1784 – 1864) – “Fundamenta astronomiae”    Cosmology    Cambridge, pp.208 – 9)
195    1820            Astronomical Society of London Founded (Becomes Royal Astronomical Society 1831)    Society    Cambridge p.257.
195    1820    October     20    Order of Council to establish the Royal Observatory at the Cape of Good Hope.  [Hereafter referred to Cape Observatory] First Observatory in the Southern Hemisphere [which also made it first permanent scientific establishment in Southern Hemisphere.]    Observatory    Warner – Astr, p.2.
195    1820            Sir George Everest visit the Cape. Suggestions on the Arc of the Meridean Project.    Expedition    Warner – Astr, p.50
194    1821    August    12    Fearon Fallows (1789 – 1831) arrives at Cape Town to establish the Cape Observatory – first ‘Astronomer Royal at the Cape of Good Hope’ (1821 – 1831)[sometimes referred to as H.M. Astronomer, hereafter referred to as “director”]     Observatory    Warner – Astr, p.6
193    1822    August    25    Wilhelm Friedrich Herschel dies at Slough (1738 – 1822)    Astronomer    Cambridge, p.231.
192    1823            “””Astronomiche Nachrichten””  founded by Heinrich Schumacher. He became the “”Postmaster General of Astronomy””, passing information on to everybody. It became easier to just publish.”    Journal    Cambridge p.257.
191    1824            9 1/2 inch Dorpat refractor mounted. This instrument was the largest of its kind in the world, build by Fraunhofer and installed at Dorpat Observatory [now Tartu in Estonia]    Telescope    Cambridge, p.217.
190    1825    February    22    John Skirrow arrived as Clerk-of-Works to supervice construction of the Cape Observatory    Observatory    Warner – Astr, p.16.
189    1826            Herschel receives the Royal Society Gold Medal for double star Observations     Astronomer
188    1827            Ohm’s law: The interrelationship of voltage, resistance and current discovered by Georg Simon Ohm    Science    Disvoveries, p.196.
188    1827            RAS starts “Monthly Notices”    Journal    Cambridge, p.259.
188    1827            Cape Observatory: 1st building completed.    Observatory    Warner – Astr, p.21
187    1828    October         Cape Observatory: 1st instruments installed: Dolland transit circle (1828 – 1855)    Observatory / Instrument    Warner – Astr, p.23
187    1828    October         Cape Observatory: 1st instruments installed: Jones mural circle (1828 – 1839)    Observatory / Instrument    Warner – Astr, p.23
187    1828    October     29    Cape Observatory: Official opening ceremony    Observatory    Warner – Astr, p.23.
186    1829            Timeball designed by Captain Robert Wauchope and tested at Portsmouth    Service    Cambridge, p182.
184    1831            John Herschel receives Knighthood of the Royal Hanoverian Guelphic Order    Astronomer    Astr SA, p.51.
184    1831            Astronomical Society of London (1820) receives Royal Charter and becomes Royal Astronomical Society (RAS)    Society    Cambridge, p.257.
184    1831    July    25    Fallow dies of scarlet fever. Buried in Observatory grounds    Astronomer    Warner – Astr, p.29.
183    1832    March    22    Thomas Henderson (1789 – 1844)  Director of Cape Observatory (1832 – 1833)    Astronomer    Warner – Astr, p.32.
182    1833            Charles Lyell: “Principles of Geology” Book challenged the concept that the Earth is static (never changing)    Geology    Faber, pp.71 – 8.
182    1833            First operational Timaball enters service at Greenwich.    Service    Cambridge, p.182; Warner – Astr, p.47.
182    1833            John Herschel – “Treatise on Astronomy”    Cosmology    Cambridge, p.198.
182    1833            Cape Observatory: Henderson starts a time service.    Service    Warner – Astr, p.32.
182    1833    May        Henderson resigns as Director of Cape Observatory.    Astronomer    Warner – Astr, p.34.
1834 – 1838 Great Trek    History: South Africa
181    1834            Henderson appointed Astronomer Royal of Scotland (1834 – 1844)    Astronomer    Warner – Astr, p.36.
181    1834    January    7    Maclear (1794 – 1879) arrive at Cape Town – Director (1834 – 70)    Astronomer    Warner – Astr, p.41; p.49.
181    1834    January    15    John Herchel arrive at Cape Town (Approx 10 days after Maclear) Set equipment up at Feldhausen (1834 – 38)    Observatory / Astronomer    Warner – Astr, p.41.
180    1835            C.P.Smyth (1819 -1900) 1st assistant director at Cape Observatory. (1835 – 1845)    Astronomer    Warner – Astr, p.49.
180    1835    September    1    14 ft Herschel telescope installed at Cape Observatory  (used 1835 – 1850’s). Maclear observe Halley’s Comet    Telescope
179    1836            Time Service: Time Ball installed at Cape Observatory    Observatory    Warner – Astr, p.47.
179    1836    June    15    Charles Darwin dine with John Herschel (Darwin later requested and was buried next to John Herschel in the church at Slough, England)    Astronomer    Astr SA, p.63.
178    1837            First Daguerrotype photo made by Louis Jacques Daguerre (1787 – 1851)    Photography    Discoveries, p.206.
178    1837            Wilhelm Struve (1793 – 1864) announces parallax of Vega (Struve’s announcement was first, beating Bessel [61 Cygni] and Thomas Henderson[Alpha Centauri]).     Observation    Cambridge, p.219.
178    1837    December    9    Bradley Zenith Sector on loan to Cape Observatory to help with Arc Meridian Project (1837 – 50)    Telescope / Expedition    Warner – Astr, p.56 – 57.
178    1837            Maclear measures the baseline (Arc of the Meridian)    Expedition    Warner – Astr, pp.50 – 58; Astr SA, pp.57 – 60.
177    1838            Bessel announces parallax of 61 Cygni    Observation    Cambridge, p.215; p.219.
177    1838    March    11    John Herschel close down Feldhausen Observatory and leave the Cape.    Observatory    Warner – Astr, p.53.
177    1838            Maclear (1838 – 1847) re-measure Arc of Meridian    Expedition    Warner – Astr, pp. 50 – 53.
177    1838            John Herschel appointed Baronet    Astronomer    Cambridge, p.248.
176    1839            Pulkova Observatory founded; 15-inch refractor    Observatory / Telescope    Cambridge, p.272.
176    1839            First Calotype photo made by William Henry Fox Talbot (1800 – 77)    Photography    Disvoveries, p.206.
176    1839    March    14    John Herschel give talk to Royal Society in which he uses terminology that became commonly used: Terms are “photography”; “hypo”; “positive”; negative”    Astronomer / Photography    Moore, p.51.
176    1839    July        Greenwich Mural Circle arrive to replace the problematic Jones Mural Circle (1839 – 1855) [Cape Observatory]    Instrument    Warner – Astr, p.56.
176    1839    October     22    William Mann (1817 – 73) arrive at Cape Town [Cape Observatory]    Astronomer    Astr SA, p.68; Warner – Astr, p.55.
175    1840    January    1    Decimal system. France the first country in the world to accept the decimal system    Milestone / Standard Weights and Measures    Measure, p.345.
175    1840            Maclear acquire more land for the Cape Observatory    Observatory    Warner – Astr, p.59.
174    1841            Cape Observatory: Magnetic and Meteorological Observatory added    Observatory / Services    Warner – Astr, p.59 – 60.
173    1842            Wooden Bridge built over liesbeeck river that greatly improved access to the Cape Observatory    Observatory    Warner – Astr, p.59.
173    1842            Corona and prominences observed during solar eclipse    Observation    Cambridge Chronology
173    1842            Christian Doppler (1803 – 53) propose that the colour of starlight would be affected by the velocity of the star.    Science    Cambridge, p.293.
172    1843            Heinrich Schwabe (1789 – 1875) announces sunspot cycle.    Science    Cambridge, p.265.
171    1844            Charles Darwin “On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection”    Biology    Discoveries, p.212.
171    1844            Bessel argues Sirius and Procyon has unseen companions. Look 1862    Observation    Cambridge, p.305.
171    1844            Tempory dome at Cape Observatory for Dollond 3-inch telescope    Observatory / Telescope    Warner – Astr, p.63.
171    1844    November    23    Henderson, previous director and now Astronomer Royal for Scotland dies.    Astronomer    Warner – Astr, p.36.
170    1845            Le Verrier (1811 – 77) predicts the existance of Neptune    Science    Cambridge, p.192.
170    1845    February        “””Leviathan of Parkstone”” reflector completed at Birr Castle (William Parsons, third Earl of Rosse 1800 – 67)”    Telescope    Cambridge p.253.
170    1845    April        Drawing of M 51.Spiral structure of nebula recognised (Earl of Rosse)    Science    Cambridge p.255.
170    1845            First Daguerrotype photo of Sun taken by J.L.B. Foucault (1819 – 68) and A Fizeau (1819 – 96)    Astro-photography    Cambridge, p.271.
170    1845            Smyth appointed Astronomer Royal for Scotland and leave Cape Town.    Astronomer    Warner – Astr, p.36.
169    1846            Supposed resolution of Orion Nebulae    Observation    Cambridge, p.255.
169    1846    September    23    Neptune (and satellite) discovered at Berlin Observatory by J.D. Galle and H.L. d’Arrest.    Observation    Cambridge, p.195
168    1847            Harvard 15-inch refractor completed    Telescope    Cambridge, p.282.
W. Struve’s layered model of the Galaxy    Cosmology    Cambridge, p.311.
168    1847            John Herschels “Results of Astronomical Observations made During the Years 1834, 5, 6, 7, 8 at the Cape of Good Hope”    Publication    Cambridge p.252
168    1847            Mann appointed assistant director at Cape Observatory (1847 – 1872)    Astronomer    Warner – Astr, p.62.
168    1847            Permanent dome at Cape Observatory for Dollond 3-inch telescope    Observatory / Telescope    Warner – Astr, p.63.
Marx and Engels publish “Communist Manifesto” 1848.    Political
1848: Year of the Revolutions    Political
167    1848    January    9    Caroline Herschel dies at Hanover (1750 – 1848)    Astronomer    Cambridge, p.232.
166    1849            Benjamin Gould (1824 – 96) establish “Astronomical Journal” in U.S.A.    Journal    Cambridge p.259.
166    1849            Dome at Cape Observatory for Mertz 7-inch Telescope    Observatory / Telescope    Warner – Astr, p.63.

19th Century / 2nd half / 1851 – 1900
DATE            EVENT    Topic    Source        Colour index 19th Century    2nd half / 1851 – 1900
YEARS    YEAR    MONTH    DAY                    Important non-scientific events
AGO                                South Africa: Political
165    1850    May    1    Bradley Zenith Sector returned to England    Instrument    Warner – Astr, p.56 – 57.        South Africa: Astronomy
163    1852            Sir Edward Sabine (1788 – 1883) announces sunspots linked with magnetic storms    Science    Cambridge, p.265.        Astronomy (excluding South Africa)
163    1852    October     9    Mann visit U.K. (1852 Oct – 1853 Dec)  to learn to use the Airy Transit Circle.    Astronomer    Warner – Astr, p.65.        Science (excluding Astronomy)
162    1853            Cape Observatory: time service: Time Ball service extended to Signal Hill and Simon’s Town    Observatory    Warner – Astr, p.64.        Milestone Events
160    1855    January    27    Airy Transit Circle installed. Replaced both Dollond Transit Circle and Greenwich Mural Circle.(Cape Observatory)    Observatory / Instrument    Warner – Astr, p.66.        Celestial Event
159    1856            Norman Pogson (1829 – 91) define and publish magnitude scale of stars.    Science    Cambridge, p.297.
159    1856            First silver on glass astronomical mirrors. Method developed by Justus von Liebig (1803 – 73) in 1853.    Instrument    Cambridge, p.275.
158    1857            James Clerk Maxwell (1831 – 79) shows Saturns rings made of particles.    Observation    Cambridge, p.282.
157    1858    June        Donati’s Comet. Extremely bright comet    Celestial Event    Cambridge, p.277.
157    1858            Warren De La Rue (1815 – 89) photographs sunspots by collodion process.    Astro-photography    Cambridge, p.271.
156    1859            The Refrigerator invented by Ferdinand Carre (1824 – 94)    Mechanical    Discoveries, p.218.
156    1859            Wilhelm Tempel finds nebulosity around Merope in Pleiades    Observation    Cambridge, p.319.
156    1859            Le Verrier notice the anomalous advance of the perihelion of Mercury.The solution lay in Einstein’s General theory published in 1915.    Observation    Cambridge, p.339.
156    1859            Robert Bunsen (1811- 99) and Gustav Kirchhoff (1824 – 87) associate elements with spectral lines in laboratory [spectral analysis]    Experiment    Cambridge, pp.263 – 64; Disvoveries, p.220.
156    1859    September    1    Solar Superstorm: Aurora’s over equator – telegraph lines malfunctioning    Celestial Event    SciAm Aug 08, pp.60 – 67
156    1859            “””Bonner Durchmusterung”” (1859 – 63) F.W.A. Argelander (1799 – 1875) publish position of stars as determined by Bonn astronomers.”    Journal    Cambridge, p.259.
155    1860            Maclear receives the Knighthood for his work on the Arc Meridian    Astronomer    Astr SA, p.66.
American Civil War: 1861 – 65    Political
154    1861            Kirchhoff’s map of solar spectrum with elements identified. 1861 – 62    Science    Cambridge, pp.263 – 64.
153    1862            A. J. Angstrom (1814 – 74) shows hydrogen present in solar atmosphere    Observation    Cambridge, p.264.
153    1862            Alvan Clark observes companion of Sirius. Look 1844    Observation    Cambridge, p.305.
152    1863            “””Astronomische Gesellenschaft”” founded”    Journal    Cambridge p.259.
151    1864            James Clerk Maxwell (1831 – 79): “Theory of Electromagnetism”.    Science    Infinity, pp. 22 – 23.
151    1864            Donati examines light of comet with spectroscope    Science    Cambridge, p.279.
151    1864    August    29    William Huggins (1824 – 1910) shows a nebula to be formed of gas    Science    Cambridge, p.293.
150    1865            Time Service: Time Ball installed at Port Elizabeth and operated electronically from Cape Observatory (+/- 750 Km)    Instrument    Warner – Astr; p.64.
149    1866            Giovanni Schiaparelli (1835 – 1910) links August meteors with comet.    Observation    Cambridge, p.281.
148    1867            Alfred Nobel (1833 – 96) invents Dynamite    Science    Discoveries, p.230.
148    1867            Maclear receives Lalande Medal from the French Academie of Science for re-measuring the Arc of the Meridian    Astronomer    Astr SA, p.66.
147    1868            Angelo Secchi (1818 – 78) describes four types of stellar spectra.     Science    Cambridge, p.290.
147    1868            Norman Lockyer coin term “Chromosphere” for a layer of the Sun.     Terminology    Cambridge, p.268.
147    1868            Edwin Stone (1831 – 97) elected to Royal Society    Astronomer    Warner – Astr, p.74.
146    1869            Norman Lockyer knighted for his work on Spectroscopy.    Astronomer    Cambridge, p.268.
146    1869            Dimitri Ivanovich Mendeleyev (1834 – 1907) “Periodic Table”    Science    Infinity, p.21; Discoveries, p.232.
146    1869            The last speculum metal mirror telescope to be made was installed at the Melbourne Observatory. It was a Grubb of Dublin 48-inch telescope .    Telescope    Cambridge, p.276.
146    1869            Stone receives Gold medal from Royal Astronomical Society    Astronomer    Warner – Astr, p.74.
146    1869            Maclear receives Royal Society Gold Medal for the re-measuring the Arc of the Meridian    Astronomer    Astr SA, p.66.
146    1869    May    18    Gill takes photo of Moon (Astrophotography)    Astro-photography    Astr SA, p.73; Warner – Astr, p.82.
145    1870            C.A. Young (1834 – 1908) observes reversing layer during solar eclipse    Observation    Cambridge, p.269.
145    1870            Maclear (age 76) and Mann retire    Astronomer    Astr SA, p.67.
145    1870    October     13    Edwin Stone (1831 – 97) Director of Cape Observatory (1870 -1879)    Astronomer    Warner – Astr, p.74.
144    1871    May    11    John Herschel dies at Kent (1792 – 1871)    Astronomer    Cambridge, p.248; Astr SA, p.66.
144    1871            Stone work on methedology to measure speed of sound    Science    Warner – Astr, p.76.
143    1872            Bacteria discovered by Ferdinand Julius Cohn (1828 – 98)    Biology    Discoveries, p.234.
143    1872            Henry Draper (1837 – 82) photographs spectrum of Vega    Science / Astro-photography    Cambridge, p.288.
143    1872    February        Aurora visible from Cape Town    Celestial Event
142    1873            Gregorian Calendar (see 1582) Japan implements the Calender reforms     Calendar    Calendar p.vi
142    1873            Nevill (1849 – 1940) Elected as Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society    Astronomer
142    1873    April     30    Mann dies    Astronomer    Astr SA, p.70; Warner – Astr, p.75.
142    1873    June    21    W.H. Finley (1849 – ): Chief assistant at Cape Observatory (1873 – 1897)    Astronomer    Warner – Astr, p.75.
141    1874    April     16    Total Solar Eclipse in Namaqualand. Stone observed it and with his Browning Spectroscope which was the first ever scientific spectroscopic observations in Southern Africa.    Celestial Event / Science    Warner – Astr, p.75 – 76.
141    1874    April         During the eclipse expedition Stone took magnetic equipment along and produced the first set of magnetic observations of Namaqualand.     Celestial Event / Science    Warner – Astr, p.76.
141    1874            7-inch Mercz telescope receive a new mounting    Instrument    Warner – Astr, p.76.
141    1874    December    9    Transit of Venus (not visible in South Africa)    Celestial Event    Astr SA, p.134.
141    1874            John Goodricke (1764 – 86) discovers that Delta Cephei is a variable star. (Cepheid Variable stars – Look Leavitt 1908)    Observation    Cambridge, p.314.
139    1876            Four-stroke internal combustion engine developed by Nikolaus August Otto (1832 – 91)    Mechanical    Discoveries, p.238.
139    1876            Dry gelatine plates used in photography    Astro-photography    Cambridge Chronology
139    1876            Nevill publish the first book on the Moon in English: “The Moon, and the Conditions and Configuration of its Surface”    Astronomer    Astr SA, p.133.
139    1876    February    12    Observations initiated at Cape Observatory to monitor sunspots by taking two photo’s per day with a Dallmeyer photoheliograph. Interest waned after a while     Observation / Asro-photograpy    Warner – Astr, p.77.
138    1877            Deimos and Phobos, the two moons of Mars discovered by Asaph Hall (1829 – 1907)    Observation    Cambridge, p.282.
137    1878    December        Stone appointed Radcliffe Observer at Oxford.     Astronomer    Warner – Astr, pp.77 – 78.
136    1879    May        Stone complete the Catologue of Southern Hemisphere Stars. “Catalogue of 12,441 stars for the epoch 1880; from observations made at the Royal Observatory, Cape of Good Hope, during the years 1871 to 1879.”    Catalogue    Warner – Astr, p.79.
136    1879    May     27    Stone sail for England to take up post of Radcliffe Observer    Astronomer    Warner – Astr, p.79.
136    1879    June        David Gill (1843 – 1914) Director of Cape Observatory (1879 -1907)     Astronomer
136    1879    July    14    Maclear dies.  (Buried in Cape Observatory. Grounds)    Astronomer    Warner – Astr, p.71.
135    1880            Stone publish the Catologue of Southern Hemisphere Stars. Receives Lalande Medal    Catalogue    Warner – Astr, p.79.
135    1880            Dun Echt Heliometer installed at Cape Observatory    Telescope    Warner – Astr, p.88.
135    1880            Henry Draper (1837 – 82) takes first photograph of Orion Nebula    Astro-photography    Cambridge, p.271.
134    1881            Luis Pasteur develop his “germ theory of disease” and takes vaccination a step further. [Look 1796]    Biology    Discoveries, p.242.
134    1881            “””Astronomische Gesellenschaft’ help to publish “”Astronomishe Nachrichten”””    Journal    Cambridge, p.259.
133    1882            Stone was appointed as Astronomer in Charge to co-ordinate the British Transit of Venus Observations. (I am not sure of the exact date of appointment but it should be between 1879 and 1881; CL)    Astronomer
133    1882    September    8    Finlay discover the “Great comet of 1882”. (C/1882R1)    Celestial Event    Warner – Astr, p.88.
133    1882            Gill takes photo of Comet (Astrophotography)     Astro-photography    Warner – Astr, pp.88 – 89; Astr SA, pp.75 – 76
133    1882    December    1    Natal Observatory (1882 – 1911) established; Director Nevill [Neison] (1849 – 1940)     Observatory / Astronomer    Astr SA, p.135.
133    1882            8 inch Grubb & 3 inch T&S Transit telescope installed Natal Observatory    Telescope    Astr SA, p.135.
133    1882    December    6    Transit of Venus    Celestial Event
130    1885            Nova S Andromedae encourages opposition to “island universes”    Cosmology    Cambridge Chronology
128    1887            Radio invented by Guglielmo Marconi (1874 – 1937)    Radio    Discoveries, p.256.
128    1887            E.C. Pickering  initiates study of spectroscopic binaries    Observation    Cambridge, p.299.
128    1887    April         Carte Du Ciel (CDC) inaugurated. In 1885 the director of the Paris Observatory, Admiral E.B. Mouchez (1821 – 92) conceived the idea of a photograpic star chart. A meeting was held in April 1887 attended by 56 astronomers from 19 nations. Due to problems the results were only published in 1964.    Catalogue / Astro-photography    Cambridge p.260.
128    1887            7 inch Repsold Heliometer installed at Cape Observatory    Telescope    Warner – Astr, p.90.
126    1889            The precurser to what became Boyden Observatory was started in Arequipa, Peru. Conditions proved to be less than perfect.    Observatory
126    1889            Astrographic Refractor installed at Cape Observatory    Telescope    Warner – Astr, pp.92 – 93.
125    1890            Draper Catalogue Published. First to list the spectral type and magnitudes of stars (10 000 stars listed)    Catalogue    Cambridg, p.298.
125    1890            Lockyer – “Meteoritic Hypothesis”    Cosmology    Cambridge, p.308.
125    1890            Stone publish the Radcliffe Catalogue    Catalogue    Warner – Astr, p.79.
123    1892            “””Astrophysical Journal”” founded by George Ellery Hale (1868 – 1938)”    Journal    Cambridge, p.260.
121    1894            AW Roberts (1857 – 1938) Elected as Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society    Astronomer
120    1895    November    8    Wilhelm Rontgen: Discover X-Ray’s    Physics    Infinity, pp.24 – 25; Discoveries, p.260.
120    1895            36-inch Crossley reflector installed at Lick Observatory. This telescope first demonstrated the suitability for silver-on-glass reflectors for taking photographs of nebula.    Telescope    Cambridge, p.276.
119    1896    March    1    Henri Bequerel: Discover “Uranium Rays”, now known as “radioactivity.    Physics    Infinity, pp.26 – 27.
119    1896            R.T.A. Innes arrive Cape Town     Astronomer    Astr SA, p.95.
118    1897            Psychoanalysis and psychotherapy: Sugmund Freud (1856 – 1939)    Psychology    Discoveries, p.262.
118    1897            Yerkes 40-inch refractor completed    Telescope    Cambridge Chronology
118    1897    May    9    Stone dies at Oxford England.    Astronomer    Warner – Astr, p.79.
117    1898            Marie (1867 – 1934) and Pierre (1859 – 1906) Curie begin their famous studies that led to an understanding of radioactivity.    Physics    Discoveries, p.264.
117    1898            AW Roberts Elected as Fellow of the Royal Society of England    Astronomer
117    1898            Astronomische Gesellenschaft’ help to publish “Astronomishe Jahrsberig” which abstracted every publication concerning Astronomy. Look 1969     Journal    Cambridge p.259.
117    1898    October     25    S.S. Hough (1879 – 1923) Chief assistant at Cape Observatory (1898 – 1907)    Astronomer    Warner – Astr, p.109.
1899 – 1902 Anglo Boer War    History: South Africa
116    1899            David Gill reduced and publish “Catalogue of 1905 stars for the equinox 1865.0 from observations made at the Royal Observatory, Cape of Good Hope, during the years 1861 to 1870, under the direction of Sir Thomas Maclear”.    Catalogue
116    1899            Gill Publish “Catalogue of 2798 Zodiacal stars for the epoch 1900, arranged for differential observations of the planets”     Catalogue
116    1899            Gill publish “A Catalogue of 8560 Astrographic Standard Stars between Declination -40deg and -52deg for the Equinox 1900 from observations made at the Royal Observatory, Cape of Good Hope, during the years 1896-99, under the direction of Sir David Gill. With Appendices.”    Catologue
115    1900    May    24    Gill knighted    Astronomer    Warner – Astr, p.106.

20th Century / 1st half / 1901 – 1950
DATE            EVENT    Topic    Source        Colour index 20th Century    1st half / 1901 – 1950
YEARS    YEAR    MONTH    DAY                    Important non-scientific events
AGO                                South Africa: Political
114    1901            Victoria Telescope (Cape Observatory)    Telescope    Astr SA, p.79.        South Africa: Astronomy
114    1901    May        Reversable Transit Circle that was designed by Gill installed at Cape Observatory    Telescope    Warner – Astr, p.101.        Astronomy (excluding South Africa)
114    1901            Max Planck (1858 – 1947) postulates the Quantum theory    Physics    Cambridge, p.301; Infinity, pp.30 -31.
114    1901    August    14    First powered flight (controversial) made by Gustav Weiskopf (1874 – 1927) at Bridgeport, Connecticut, USA    Flight    Discoveries, p.274.        Science (excluding Astronomy)
113    1902    December    14    First powered flight (controversial) made by Wilbur Wright (1867 – 1912), assisted by his brother Orville (1871 – 1948)    Physics    Discoveries, p.274; Faber, p.236.
112    1903    April     1    Transvaal Meteorological Department (1903 – 1909) start operations. Innes move from Cape Town to Johannesburg     Observatory    Astr SA, p.92.        Milestone Events
112    1903            R.T.A. Innes (1861 – 1933) Director of Tvl Meteorological Department (1903 – 1923)    Astronomer    Astr SA, p.92.        Celestial Event
111    1904            International Union for Co-operation in Solar Research founded. With Carte du Ciel (1887) this was one of the first ever International co-operations and helped to pave the way for the founding of the IAU in 1919.    Society    Cambridge, p.261.
110    1905            Hertzsprung (1873 – 1967) – of Hertzsprung-Russel diagram – suspects existence of a class of ‘giant’ stars    Cosmology    Cambridge, p.308.
110    1905    January    17    Official opening of Transvaal Meteorological. Opened by Lord Milner.  Innes 1st director    Observatory    Astr SA, p.92.
110    1905            Gill’s Reversable Transit Circle at Cape Observatory becomes operational after a long delay.    Telescope    Warner – Astr, p.101.
110    1905            Albert Einstein (1879 – 1955) publish “Special Theory of Relativity”    Physics    Cambridge, p.339.
109    1906            J.C. Kapteyn’s (1851 – 1922) Plan of Selected Areas. This was a call for international co-operation to collect data on Galaxy structure.    Cosmology    Cambridge, p.312.
109    1906    October    3    Gill leave S.A. for London due to ill health    Astronomer    Warner – Astr, p.106.
109    1906            H.E. Wood starts work at Transvaal Meteorological Department    Astronomer    Astr SA, p.102.
108    1907            Gill elected President of the British Association    Astronomer    Warner – Astr, p.107.
108    1907    October    3    Reunert Telescope (Tvl Meteorologic) known as 9-inch untill 1924. First observation on 3 Oct    Telescope    Astr SA, p.96.
108    1907            S.S. Hough (1879 – 1923): Director of Cape Observatory (1907 – 1923)    Astronomer    Warner – Astr, p.109.
108    1907    June    30    J.K.E. Halm: Chief assistant at Cape Observatory (1907 – 1927)    Astronomer    Warner – Astr, p.112.
107    1908            Mt Wilson 60-inch reflector completed (largest telescope in the world 1908 – 1917)    Telescope    Cambridge, p.276.
107    1908            Henrietta Leavitt (1868 – 1921) publish the ‘period-luminosity’ relationship for Cepheid Variable stars.    Science    Cambridge, p.314.
107    1908            Hough became 1st President of the Royal Society of S. Africa (Was previously known as the South African Institurion)    Astronomer    Warner – Astr, p.113.
107    1908            Gill receives second Gold Medal from the Royal Astronomical Society.    Astronomer    Warner – Astr, p.107.
106    1909            Gill elected President of the Royal Astronomical Society (1909 – 10)    Astronomer    Warner – Astr, p.107.
106    1909            Name change: Transvaal Meteorological Department to Transvaal Observatory (1909 – 1912)    Observatory
106    1909            Franklin Adams Telescope (Gift to Tvl Observatory)    Telescope    Astr SA, p.97.
1910 Union of South Africa    History: South Africa
105    1910            Installation 4 inch heliostat at Cape Observatory for Solar Photography (1910 – ?)    Telescope
105    1910            Halley’s Comet    Celestial Event
104    1911            Ernest Rutherford (1871 – 1937) proposes a model of the atom.    Physics    Cambridge, p.301; Discoveries, p.290.
104    1911            Closure of Natal Observatory due to lack of funds    Observatory    Astr SA, p.135
103    1912            Cape Astronomical Association; 1st Astronomical Soc in SA    Society
103    1912            Franklin Adams “Twin Telescope” (Gift to Tvl Observatory)    Telescope    Astr SA, p.98.
103    1912    April     1    Name change: Transvaal Observatory to Union Observatory (1912 – 1961)    Observatory    Astr SA, p.98.
103    1912            Continental Drift Theory proposed by Alfred Wegener.
102    1913            Niels Bohr (1885 – 1962) proposed model of the atom    Physics    Cambridge, p.301.
102    1913            Norton Russel (1877 – 1957) [Hertzsprung-Russel diagram] presents for field stars (stars not in clusters) He correlated absolute magnitude with spectral type.    Science    Cambridge, p.299.
World War One: 1914 – 1917    Political
101    1914    January    24    Gill dies    Astronomer    Warner – Astr, p.107.
101    1914            Slipher announces large radial velocities of spiral nebula    Cosmology    Cambridge, p.326.
101    1914            Harlow Shapley’s (1885 – 1972) theory of pulsating stars    Cosmology    Cambridge, p.306.
101    1914            W.S. Adams and Arnold Kohlschutter establish method of spectroscopic parallaxes    Science    Cambridge, p.300.
100    1915            Continental Drift Theory proposed by Alfred Wegener. “The Origin of Continents and Oceans”    Geology    Discoveries, p.292.
100    1915            Einstein publish “General Theory of Relativity”    Physics    Discoveries, p.298.
100    1915    July        Innes discover Proxima Centauri. Took second photograph in July. Publish it in circular of” Union Observatory Circular” in ?    Observation    Astr SA, p.94.; Conversation Ian Glass
100    1915            Einstein explain Mercury’s strange perihelion, using his “General Theory of Relativity”.    Physics    Cambridge,p.196.
99    1916            Van Maanen claims evidence of rotation in M 101    Observation    Cambridge, p.327.
Russian Revolution: 1917     Political
98    1917            Gregorian Calendar (see 1582) Russia implements the Calender reforms (and do so again in 1940)    Calendar    Calendar p.vi
98    1917            Mt Wilson 100-inch reflector completed    Telescope    Cambridge, p.276.
97    1918            Shapley proposes ‘Big Gallery’    Cosmology    Cambridge, p.312 – 7.
97    1918            Publication begins of Henry Draper catalogue of stellar spectra    Catalogue    Cambridge, p.298 -9.
97    1918            Johannesburg Astronomical Association founded    Society
Great Influenza Epidemic: 1918 – 1919     World Event
96    1919            A.S. Eddington (1882 – 1944) confirms Einsteins theory of relativity (bending of light) during solar eclipse    Observation / Milestone     Infinity, p.107.
96    1919            International Astronomical Union founded Due to the repercussions of World War one the defeated nations were not initially included. Germany only became a member in 1952.    Society    Cambridge p.261.
95    1920            Great Debate’ between Harlow Shapley (1885 – 1972) and Heber D. Curtis (1872 – 1942)    Cosmology    Cambridge, p.329.
95    1920             Meghnad Saha (1894 – 1956) publishes theory of ionization in stellar atmospheres    Physics    Cambridge, pp.301 – 2.
94    1921    May    15    Solar Storm: Electrical Grids malfuntioned    Celestial Event    SciAm Aug 08, p.66
93    1922            South Africa joins the IAU    Society    C:\Files\Astronomy\Historical_SA\Archive\Societies\Cape Astr Association\Correspondence36b
93    1922            Cape and Johannesburg Societies amalgamate to form the “Astronomical Society of South Africa” (A.S.S.A.)    Society
92    1923            Edwin P. Hubble (1889 – 1953) finds Cepheid variable in Andromeda Galaxy    Observation    Cambridge, p.329.
92    1923    July    8    Hough dies    Astronomer    Warner – Astr, p.113.
92    1923    December    3    Harold Spencer Jones (1890 – 1960): Director of Cape Observatory (1923 – 1933)    Astronomer    Warner – Astr, p.114.
91    1924            9-inch telescope at Union Observatory became known as Reunert    Telescope    Astr SA, p.96.
91    1924            A.S. Eddington (1882 – 1944) discover the Mass-Luminosity relation    Physics    Cambridge, p.303.
90    1925            Hubble demonstrates Andromeda Nebula is independent galaxy    Cosmology    Cambridge, p.333.
90    1925            Cecilia Payne (later Payne-Gaposchkin 1900 – 79) publish “Stellar Atmospere’s”    Cosmology    Cambridge, p.302.
90    1925            Brukkaros Observatory opened (1925 – 1931)    Observatory    Astr SA, p.142.
90    1925            Yale Observatory opened (1925 – 1951)    Observatory    Astr SA, p.112.
90    1925            H.L. Alden:  Director of Yale Observatory (1925 – 1945)    Astronomer    Astr SA, p.112.
90    1925            26 inch telescope installed at Yale Observatory    Telescope    Astr SA, p.111.
90    1925            W.H. van den Bos (1896 – 1974) start work at Union Observatory    Astronomer    Astr SA, p.101.
90    1925            26.5 inch telescope installed at Union Observatory    Telescope    Astr SA, p.102.
89    1926    March    26    First Liquid-fuel rocket launched by R.H. Goddard    Science    Space, p.67.
88    1927            A.S. Eddington (1882 – 1944) – “The Internal Constitution of the Stars”. Postulate the source of stellar energy.    Physics    Cambridge, p.304.
88    1927            Werner Heisenberg (1901 – ): “Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle”    Physics    Infinity, p.37.
88    1927            “””Big Bang”” theory postulated by Georges Lemaitre (1894 -1966)”    Cosmology    Infinity, p.98.
88    1927            Jan Oort (1900 – 92) analyses stellar motions to study structure of Galaxy    Cosmology    Cambridge, p.317.
88    1927            H.E. Wood starts work at Transvaal Meteorological Department    Astronomer    Astr SA, p.102.
88    1927            H. Horrocks: Chief assistant at Cape Observatory (1927 – 1935)    Astronomer    Warner – Astr, p.116.
88    1927            Boyden move from Arequipa (Peru) to Bloemfontein    Observatory    Astr SA, p.122.
88    1927            J.S. Paraskevopoulos (1889 – 1974): Director of Boyden Observatory (1927 – 1951)    Astronomer    Astr SA, p.122.
88    1927            1.5 m Rockefeller Telescope moved from Arequipa (Peru) to Boyden.  Was largest telescope in South Africa 1927 – 1951.    Telescope    Astr SA, p.122.
88    1927            30 cm (12inch) telescope moved from Arequipa (Peru) to Boyden.    Telescope    Astr SA, p.122.
87    1928            R.A. Rossiter (1896 – 1977): Director of Lamont-Hussey Observatory (1928 – 1952)    Astronomer    Astr SA, p.130.
87    1928            27 inch Refractor installed at Lamont-Hussey Observatory    Telescope    Astr SA, p.130.
Stock Market Crash: 1929    World Event
86    1929            Hubble shows galaxies receding in conformity with ‘law of redshift’    Science    Cambridge, p.341 – 3.
85    1930            Robert J. Trumpler (1886 – 1956) demonstrates existence of interstellar dust in plane of Galaxy    Observation    Cambridge, p.322.
85    1930    February    18    Discovery of Pluto by Clyde William Tombaugh (1906 – )    Observation / Planet    Cambridge, p.285.
85    1930            First circular particle accelerator or cyclotron invented by Ernest Lawrence.    Physics    Infinity, p.50.
85    1930            Spencer Jones elected Fellow of the Royal Society.    Astronomer    Warner – Astr, p.116.
84    1931            S. Chandrasekhar investigates structure of white dwarf stars    Cosmology    Cambridge, p.305.
84    1931            Brukkaros Observatory close    Observatory    Astr SA, p.142.
84    1931            Minor planet Eros on closest approach to earth.  Spencer Jones direct international project    Celestial Event / Astronomer    Warner – Astr, p.116.
83    1932            James Chadwick identify a new fundamental particle of the atomic structure, the neutron    Physics    Cambridge, p.305.
83    1932            Radio: Karl Jansky (1905 – 50) constructs antenna, detects radio waves from Milky Way    Radio    Cambridge, p.352.
82    1933    March    13    Innes dies.    Astronomer
82    1933            Spencer Jones return to England. Appointed Astronomer Royal for England. (1933 – 1954)    Astronomer    Warner – Astr, p.116.
82    1933    March    27    John Jackson (1887 – 1958): Director of Cape Observatory (1933 – 1950)    Astronomer    Warner – Astr, p.117.
81    1934            Walter Baade (1893 – 1974) and  Fritz Zwicky (1893 – 1960) publish theory of neutron stars; shows that nova falls into two classes. They postulate “pulsars” which were discovered in 1967.    Cosmology    Cambridge, p.306, p.307.
80    1935    October    25    R.H. Stoy (1910 – 94): Chief assistant at Cape Observatory (1935 – 1950)    Astronomer    Warner – Astr, p117.
80    1935            Nevill receives Gold Medal from the Royal Chemical Society    Astronomer    Astr SA, p.136.
78    1937            Grote Reber (1911 – ) constructs 9-metre dish steerable in elevation    Radio    Cambridge, p.352.
78    1937            Radcliffe Observatory opens (1937 – 1974)    Observatory    Astr SA, p.115.
78    1937    May    14    D.S. Evans (1916 – 2004) Elected as Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society    Astronomer
77    1938            Nuclear fission: Experiment by Otto Hahn (1879 – 1968) and Friedrich Strassman (1902 – 80)    Physics    Discoveries, p.324.
77    1938            Alexander Menzies (1905 – 88)Elected as Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society    Astronomer
77    1938            Hertzsprung 1st astronomer sent by Leiden to Union Observatory    Astronomer
77    1938            Union Observatory gets new buildings    Observatory
77    1938            16 inch twin Rockefeller Telescope (Union)    Telescope    Astr SA, p.107.
World War Two: 1939 – 1941    Political
76    1939            H.A. Bethe’s (1906 – ) detailed theory of nuclear source of stellar energy    Physics    Cambridge, p.304.
76    1939            Outbreak of World War Two leads to intensive development of radar    Radio    Cambridge Chronology
76    1939            H. Knox-Shaw (1885 – 1979): Director Radcliffe Observatory (1939 – 1951)    Astronomer    Astr SA, p.115.
75    1940            Nevill dies at Eastbourne (England)    Astronomer    Astr SA, p.136.
75    1940            Gregorian Calendar (see 1582) Russia implements the Calender reforms for second time (see 1917)    Calendar    Calendar p.vi
74    1941            van den Bos (1896 – 1974): Director of Union Observatory (1941 – 1956)    Astronomer    Astr SA, p.103.
73    1942            Detection of radio waves from the Sun    Radio    Cambridge, p.352.
73    1942    December    2    Selfsustaining nuclear chain reaction (nuclear powerplant) achieved by Enrico Fermi (1901 –  54)    Physics    Discoveries, p.328.
72    1943            Spencer Jones receives Knighthood from the British Empire    Astronomer    Warner – Astr, p.116.
72    1943            Spencer Jones receives a Medal from the Royal Astronomical Society.    Astronomer    Warner – Astr, p.116.
72    1943            Spencer Jones receives a Medal from the Royal Society.    Astronomer    Warner – Astr, p.116.
71    1944            Baade announces discovery of Stellar populations    Observation    Cambridge, p.335.
70    1945    July    16    First nuclear device detonated in New Mexico (USA)    Milestone / Physics    Discoveries, p.334.
70    1945    August        Second nuclear device detonated at Hiroshima Japan    Political    Discoveries, p.334.
70    1945    August        Third nuclear device detonated at Nagasaki    Political    Discoveries, p.334.
70    1945            End of World War Two releases radar equipment and personnel for scientific work    Radio    Cambridge Chronology
69    1946            Space: V2 rockets make ultraviolet observations of the Sun    Space    Cambridge, .359.
69    1946            David Evans: Second Assistant at Radcliffe  Observatory (1946 – 1951)    Astronomer    Astr SA, p.115.
69    1946            Adriaan Wesselink (1909 – 95): Superintendant Leiden Observatory (1946 – 1950)    Astronomer
68    1947            Cyril Jackson (1903 – 88): Director of Yale Observatory (1947 – 1951)    Astronomer    Astr SA, p.113.
68    1947            Alan Cousins (1903 – 2001) joins Cape Observatory    Astronomer
67    1948            Steady State Theory proposed by Fred Hoyle (1915 -) Herman Bondi (1919 -) and Thomas Gold (1920 -)    Cosmology    Cambridge, p.356.
67    1948            48-inch (1.25 m) Schmidt telescope completed. Palomar Mountain. (USA)    Telescope    Cambridge
67    1948            200-inch telescope completed. Palomar Mountain. (USA)    Telescope    Cambridge, p.337.
67    1948            V2 rockets detect solar X-rays    Space    Cambridge, p.361.
67    1948            Aerobee rockets introduced    Space    Cambridge
66    1949    October    1    Gregorian Calendar (see 1582) China implements the Calendar reforms. This was the last country to switch to the Gregorian Calendar and so for the first time the whole World use the same calendar    Calendar    Calendar p.vi
66    1949            First identification of radio sources with optical objects    Radio    Cambridge, p.354.
65    1950            R.H. Stoy (1910 – 94): Director of Cape Observatory (1950 – 1968)    Astronomer    Warner – Astr, p.121.
65    1950            Walraven Superintendent of Leiden Observatory (1950 – 76)    Astronomer    Astr SA, p.107.

20th Century / 2nd half / 1951 – 2000
DATE            EVENT    Topic    Source        Colour index 20th Century    2nd half / 1951 – 2000
YEARS    YEAR    MONTH    DAY                    Important non-scientific events
AGO                                South Africa: Political
64    1951            Detection of 21 centimetre line    Radio    Cambridge, p.355.        South Africa: Astronomy
64    1951    March    13    D.S. Evans: Chief assistant at Cape Observatory (1951 – 1968)    Astronomer    Warner – Astr, p.120.        Astronomy (excluding South Africa)
64    1951            A.D. Thackeray :  Director Radcfliffe Observatory (1951 – 1974)    Astronomer    Astr SA, p.118.        Science (excluding Astronomy)
64    1951            Closure of Yale Observatory    Observatory    Astr SA, p.113.        Milestone Events
64    1951            Boyden Observatory: No official Director (1951 – 1968)    Observatory    Astr SA, p.112.        Celestial Event
64    1951            74 inch 2 m Telescope installed at Radcliffe (1951 – 1974). Largest telescope in South Africa 1951 – 2003    Telescope    Astr SA, p.115.
63    1952            First proton synchroton at Brookhaven National Laboratory. (USA)    Physics    Infinity, p.56.
63    1952            Bubble chamber for detecting particles invented by Donald Glaser    Physics    Infinity, p.55.
63    1952            Baade announces revision of distance scale    Science    Cambridge, pp.334 -8.
63    1952            Germany joins IAU only in 1952. Look 1919    Society    Cambridge, p.261.
62    1953    February    28    DNA decoded by Francis Crick (1916 – ) and James Watson (1928 – )    Biology    Discoveries, p.340.
61    1954            Leiden Observatory at Hartebeeshoek (1954 – 1978)    Observatory    Astr SA, p.107.
61    1954            Franklin Adams Telescope moved from Union to Hartebeeshoek    Telescope / Observatory    Astr SA, p.107.
61    1954            CERN: Construction work starts on the particle accelerator at Geneva, Switzerland    Physics    Infinity, p.56.
60    1955            45 cm Cox-Hargreaves telescope installed at Cape Observatory    Telescope    Warner – Astr, p.121.
59    1956            A.S.S.A. name change from Astronomical Society of South Africa to Southern Africa.    Society
59    1956            Richard Wooley van der Riet appointed Astronomer Royale for England (1956 – 1971)    Astronomer    Astr SA, p.86.
59    1956            Stoy 1st Honorary Prof. Astronomy at Univ of Cape Town    Astronomer    Warner – Astr, p.122.
59    1956            26 inch telescope moved from Yale to Mt Stromlo, Australia    Telescope
58    1957            Laser (Light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation) achieved by G Gould (1920 – ) A Schawlow (1921 – 99) and C Townes (1915 – )    Physics    Discoveries, p.348.
58    1957    October    4    Sputnik 1 launched (USSR)    Space    Cambridge, p.361; Space, p.93.
58    1957            Jodrell Bank (UK) 250-foot fully steerable dish    Radio    Cambridge, p.354.
58    1957            Founding of “Association of Universities” for Research in Astronomy. (U.S.A.)    Society    Cambridge, p.346.
58    1957            W.S. Finsen: Director of Union Observatory (1957 – 1965)     Astronomer    Astr SA, p.104.
58    1957            16 inch Rockefeller Twin Telescope moved from Union to Hartebeeshoek    Telescope    Astr SA, p.107.
58    1957            36 inch Flux Collector telescope installed at Hartebeeshoek    Telescope    Astr SA, p.108.
58    1957    November    3    Sputnik 2 launched (USSR) Carried a dog named Laika.    Space    Space, p.96.
57    1958    February    1    Explorer 1: first American satelite launched    Space    Space, p.103.
57    1958            G.F. Knipe (1916 – 73): joins Union Observatory (1958 – 73)    Astronomer    Astr SA, p.105.
56    1959    February    17    Vanguard 2: the first weather satellite launched (USA)    Space    Space, p113.
56    1959    October    4    Luna 3 take first images of the back of Moon (USSR)    Space    Space, p.149; Cambridge, p.360.
56    1959            120-inch telescope, Mt Hamilton (USA)    Telescope    Cambridge Chronology
56    1959            Olifantsfontein Satelite Tracking Station (1959 – 1976)    Observatory    Astr SA, p.143.
56    1959            Southern Star Reference Catalogue (SRS) 1959 – ?    Catalogue
55    1960    November    3    Spencer Jones dies in England    Astronomer    Warner – Astr, p.116.
55    1960    November    13    Solar Storm: Electrical Grids malfuntioned    Celestial Event    SciAm Aug 08, p.60
1961: Political Independence.  South Africa change from the Union to the Republic of South Africa    History: South Africa
1961: Political Independence.Start of International pressure on South Africa due to Apartheid     History: South Africa
54    1961    April     12    First man in space. Yuri Gagarin flew in Vostok 1. (USSR) 1 orbit.    Space    Space, p.137.
54    1961    May    5    Mercury 3: Alan Shepard the first American in Space. (Suborbital)    Space    Space, p.137.
54    1961    July    21    Mercury 4: Gus Grissom in space. (USA) Suborbital    Space    Space, p.137.
54    1961    August    6    Vostok 2: Does 17 orbits. (USSR)    Space    Space, p.137.
54    1961            American satellite Transit 3A crashes and killed a cow in Cuba. Cow gets State funeral, as a victim of Imperialist aggression.    Space / Cold War    Space, p.136.
54    1961            Parkes (Australia) 64-metre steerable dish    Radio    Cambridge, p.362.
54    1961            Name Change: Union Observatory to Republic Observatory (1961 – 1971)    Observatory    Astr SA, p.104.
54    1961            Attempt fail to reform Calender (known as World – Univeral Calendar ) Each year would start on a Sunday    Calendar    Calendar p.329
54    1961            Arecibo (Puerto Rico) 305-metre dish in natural hollow.    Radio    Cambridge, p.363.
54    1961            First Quasars identified    Observation    Cambridge, p.362 – 4
53    1962            Aerobee rocket detects X-ray star (USA)    Space    Cambridge, p.361.
53    1962            Frank Holden (1917 – 92): Director of Lamont-Hussey Observatory (1962 – 1973)    Astronomer    Astr SA, p.130.
52    1963            Yale Observatory re-opened in El Leoncita, Argentinia    Observatory
52    1963    June        Vostok 6: First woman in space – Valentina Tereskhova (USSR)    Space    Space, p.140.
52    1963            Elizabeth telescope installed at Cape Observatory    Telescope    Astr SA, p.83.
51    1964            Ranger 7 gives images of the Moon’s surface (USA)    Space    Cambridge, p.360.
51    1964            Cambridge (UK) one-mile telescope    Radio    Cambridge Chronology
51    1964            Carte du Ciel (CDC) Catalogue published. Look 1887.    Catalogue    Cambridge p.260.
51    1964            Quarks discovered  at CERN by George Zweig and Murray Gell-Mann (1929 – )    Physics    Discoveries, p.352.
51    1964            Detection of microwave background radiation by Arno Penzias (1933 -) and Robert Wilson (1936 -)    Observation / Physics / Milestone    Cambridge, p.358; Infinity, p.100.
51    1964            Republic Observatory transferred to CSIR    Observatory    Astr SA, p.104.
51    1964            MRM telescope installed at Cape Observatory    Telescope    Astr SA, p.87.
50    1965            Jodrell Bank / Malvern (UK) VLBI 127-km baseline    Radio    Cambridge Chronology
50    1965    March    18    First space walkby Alexei Leonov aboard Voskhod 2. (USSR)    Space    Space, p.140.
50    1965    November    6    Explorer 29 better known as GEOS-A launched. (USA) First geodetic satellite used for investigating the shape of the Earth.    Space    Space, p.116.
50    1965            D.S. Evans 1965 – 66: National Science Foundation Senior Visiting Scientist Fellow at the University of Texas at Austin    Astronomer    Astr SA, p.84.
48    1967    January    27    Apollo 1: Disaster, crew burned to death whilst training. (USA) Killed: Virgil Grissom; Edward White and Roger Chaffee.    Space    Space, pp.142 – 4.
48    1967    April     23    Soyuz 1: Disaster, parachutes failed. (USSR) Killed: Vladimir Komarov    Space    Space, p.144.
48    1967            Canadian VLBI 3074-km baseline    Radio    Cambridge Chronology
47    1968            Orbiting Astronomical Observatory OAO-2 launched (USA)    Space    Cambridge, p.361.
47    1968            Announcement of discovery of first pulsar    Observation    Cambridge, p.361.
47    1968            D.S. Evans receives U.K. Civil Service rank of SPSO (Senior Principle Scientific officer)    Astronomer    MVol64, Nos1&2, p8
47    1968            D.S. Evans resign at Cape Observatory to become Professor in Astronomy at the University of Texas, as well as the Associate Director of Macdonald Observatory    Astronomer    MVol64, Nos1&2, p8
47    1968            Jarret  Director of Boyden Observatory (1968 – 1989)    Astronomer    Astr SA, p.123.
47    1968            20 inch Telescope installed at Republic Observatory    Telescope    Astr SA, p.105.
46    1969    July        Apollo 11: First humans on Moon (USA)  Neil Armstrong and Michael Collins lands on Moon. Edwin Aldrin stay behind in orbiter.    Milestone / Space    Cambridge p.259; Space, p.186 – 192.
46    1969            “””Astronomy and Astrophysics Abstacts”” founded. This was an English publication of “”Astronomishe Jahrsberig”” (founded 1898) which was a publication of “”Astronomische Gesellenschaft”” (founded 1863) ”    Journal    Cambridge p.259.
46    1969            G.A. Harding: Officer in Charge of Cape Observatory (1969 – 1973)    Astronomer    Warner – Astr, p.124.
46    1969            Lowell Planetary Project (1969 – 1974)    Project    Astr SA, pp. 105 – 106
45    1970    April     11    Apollo 13: The big rescue.    Space    Space, pp.194 – 9.
45    1970    August    17    Venera 7sends signal from Venus. (USSR)    Space    Cambridge, p.360.
45    1970            Small Astronomical Satelite SAS-1 launched (USA)    Space    Cambridge, p.361.
45    1970    September    23    CSIR announced the amalgamation of Cape, Radcliffe and Republic Observatories to form the Combined South African Observatories [CSAO] (later renamed South African Astronomical Observatory [SAAO])    Observatory    Astr SA, p.87.
45    1970            Cousens retires    Astronomer
44    1971            van der Riet Wooley: Director of S.A.A.O. (1971 – 1976)    Astronomer    Astr SA, p.86.
43    1972            European Space Research Organization ultraviolet satelite TD-1 launched    Space    Cambridge Chronology
43    1972            Orbiting Astronomical Observatory OAO-3 (‘Copernicus’) launched (USA)    Space    Cambridge Chronology
43    1972            Small Astronomical Satelite SAS-2 launched (USA)    Space    Cambridge, p.361.
43    1972            Cambridge (UK) 5-km telescope    Radio    Cambridge Chronology
43    1972            Effelsberg (Federal Republic of Germany) 100-metre steerabledish    Radio    Cambridge Chronology
43    1972            S.A.A.O. officially founded (CSAO renamed South African Astronomical Observatory)    Observatory    Astr SA, p.86.
43    1972            Knipe dies    Astronomer    Astr SA, p.105.
43    1972            20 inch telescope moved from Republic to Sutherland Observatory    Telescope    Astr SA, p.85.
43    1972            Atomic Time replaces Earth Time as the world’s official time standard    Calendar    Calendar p.vii
42    1973            3.8-metre Telescope, Kitt Peak (USA)    Telescope    Cambridge Chronology
42    1973            1.24-metre UK Schmidt telescope, Siding Spring (Australia)    Telescope    Cambridge Chronology
42    1973            Official opening of Sutherland (S.A.A.O.)    Observatory    Astr SA, p.88.
42    1973            Skylab    Space    Discoveries, p.374.
41    1974            Astronomical Netherlands Satelite launched (Netherlands & US)     Space    Cambridge Chronology
41    1974            Mariner 10 photographs Mercury and Venus (USA)    Space    Cambridge Chronology
41    1974            Closure of Radcliffe / 74-inch moved to Sutherland Observatory    Observatory / Telescope    Astr SA, p.85.
41    1974            Feast: Director of S.A.A.O. (1974 – 1992)    Astronomer
41    1974    March    30    van den Bos dies    Astronomer    Astr SA, p.104.
40    1975            Venera 9 photographs surface of Venus (USSR)    Space    Cambridge, p.360.
40    1975            Small Astronomical Satelite SAS-3 launched (USA)     Space    Cambridge, p.361.
40    1975            Gamma ray satelite Cos-B launched (ESA)    Space    Cambridge Chronology
40    1975            3.9-metre Anglo-Australian telescope, Siding Spring (Australia)    Telescope    Cambridge Chronology
40    1975            First Observations with Very Large Array, Soccoro (USA)    Radio    Cambridge, p.357.
39    1976            4-metre US telescope, Cerro Tololo (Chile)    Telescope    Cambridge Chronology
39    1976            6-mete telescope, Mt Pastukhov (USSR)    Telescope    Cambridge Chronology
39    1976            Viking probes photograph surface of Mars (USA)    Space    Cambridge Chronology
39    1976            Closure of Olifantsfontein Satelite Tracking Station    Observatory
38    1977            Voyagers 1 and 2 launched (USA)    Space    Cambridge Chronology
38    1977            3.6-metre European Southern Observatory telescope, La Silla (Chile)    Telescope    Cambridge Chronology
37    1978            International Ultraviolet Explorer (ESA, UK, USA) launched    Space    Cambridge, p.361.
37    1978            High Energy Astrophysical Observatory HEAO-2 (‘Einstein Observatory’) launched (USA)    Space    Cambridge Chronology
37    1978            3.8-metre UK Infrared telescope, Mauna Kea, Hawaii    Telescope    Cambridge Chronology
37    1978            Closure of Leiden (Hartebeeshoek)    Observatory
37    1978            36 inch Flux Collector telescope moved from Hartebeeshoek to ESO site at La Silla (Chile)    Telescope
36    1979            Voyager 1 and 2 visit Jupiter (USA)    Space    Cambridge Chronology
36    1979            3.6-metre Canada-France-Hawaii telescope, Mauna Kea, Hawaii    Telescope    Cambridge Chronology
36    1979            3-metre US NASA Infrared telescope fascility, Mauna Kea, Hawaii    Telescope    Cambridge Chronology
36    1979            Multiple Mirror Telescope, Mt Hopkins (USA)    Telescope    Cambridge Chronology
36    1979            Alan Guth (1949 – ) postulate “Inflation Theory”    Cosmology    Infinity, p.103.
35    1980            Voyager 1 visit Saturn (USA)    Space    Cambridge Chronology
35    1980            Very Large Array fully operational    Radio    Cambridge Chronology
34    1981    April     12    First launch of the first space shuttle Columbia. (USA)    Space    Life, p236.
34    1981            Voyager 2 visit Saturn (USA)    Space    Cambridge Chronology
32    1983            Infrared Astronomical Satelite(Netherlands, UK, USA) launched    Space    Cambridge, p.361.
32    1983            X-ray satelite EXOSAT launched (ESA)    Space    Cambridge Chronology
31    1984            3.5-metre telescope, Calar Alto (Spain)    Telescope    Cambridge Chronology
30    1985            20 cm Coelostat telescope installed at Boyden Observatory    Telescope
29    1986            Voyager 2 visit Uranus (USA)    Space    Cambridge Chronology
29    1986            Giotto and other spacecraft intercept Halley’s Comet (ESA)    Space    Cambridge Chronology
29    1986            MIR Spacestation 1986 – 1999 (USSR)    Space    Discoveries, p.374.
29    1986            Disaster: Space Shuttle Challenger explodes 73 seconds after take of killing 7 astronauts.    Space    Discoveries, p.374.
29    1986            James Clerk Maxwell telescope, 15-metre millimetre and submillimetre dish, Mauna Kea, Hawaii    Radio    Cambridge Chronology
29    1986            Superconductivity: J Bednorz (1950 – ) and K Muller (1927 – )    Physics    Discoveries, p.376.
29    1986            Halley’s Comet    Celestial Event
28    1987    February    23    Supernova 1987A    Celestial Event
28    1987            4.2-metre UK telescope, Canary Islands    Telescope    Cambridge Chronology
28    1987            14 ft Herschel telescope mirror rediscovered at Cape Observatory    Telescope
26    1989            Voyager 2 visit Neptune (USA)    Space    Cambridge Chronology
26    1989            Galileo probe to Jupiter launched; 1989 – 99 (USA)    Space    Cambridge Chronology; Discoveries, p.390.
26    1989            Hipparcos astrometric satelite launched (ESA)    Space    Cambridge Chronology
26    1989            Cosmic Background Explorer [COBE] launched (USA)    Space    Infinity, p.134.
26    1989            3.5-metre European Southern Observatory’s New Technology Telescope, La Silla (Chile)    Telescope    Cambridge Chronology
26    1989            Sweden-European Southern Observatory 15-metre submillimetre dish, Mauna Kea, Hawaii    Radio    Cambridge Chronology
26    1989    July    14    Large Electron Positron collider (LEP) becomes operational at CERN.    Physics    Infinity, p.78.
26    1989    0ctober    20    Solar Storm: Electrical Grids malfuntioned    Celestial Event    SciAm Aug 08, p.64
26    1989            Boyden Observatory: Period of inactivety (1989 – 1999)    Observatory    Astr SA, p.128.
25    1990    January        John Mather (1947 – ) announces COBE satellite found black body radiation within 99.97% fit of Big Bang theory.    Cosmology    Infinity, p.134.
25    1990    April     24    Hubble Space Telescope Launched (USA)    Space    Cambridge Chronology; Infininty, p.120.
25    1990            Rontgestrahlen satellit (X-ray satelite) ROSAT (Germany, also UK and USA) launched    Space    Cambridge Chronology
25    1990            US Caltech submillimetre Observatory, 10.4-metre submillemetre dish, Mauna Kea, Hawaii    Radio    Cambridge Chronology
24    1991            Compton Gamma Ray Observatory Launched (USA)    Space    Cambridge Chronology; Infininty, p.124.
24    1991            10-metre Kech 1′ (9.8-metre) US Next Generation telescope, Mauna Kea, Hawaii    Telescope    Cambridge Chronology
23    1992            Extreme Ultraviolet Explorer EUVE launched (USA)    Space    Cambridge Chronology
23    1992            Stobie: Director of S.A.A.O. (1992 – 2002)    Astronomer
22    1993            US Very Long Baseline Array VLBI, baseline up to 8 000km    Radio    Cambridge Chronology
22    1993            Asca -ray satelite launched (Japan)    Space    Cambridge Chronology
22    1993    December        Hubble Space Telescope optics repaired    Space    Cambridge Chronology; Infininty, p.120.
1994: General Elections in South Africa. End of Apartheid era. (New International interest in South African Facilities)    Political: South Africa
20    1995            Galileo visits Jupiter (USA)    Space    Cambridge Chronology
20    1995            Helio and Heliosheric Observatory launched (ESA)    Space    Cambridge Chronology
20    1995            Infrared Space Observatory launched (ESA)    Space    Cambridge Chronology
16    1999            Boyden revived as research and educational institution    Observatory
15    2000    June        1.5 m ATP telescope operational at Sutherland    Telescope
15    2000    July    14    Solar Storm: Electrical Grids malfuntioned    Celestial Event    SciAm Aug 08, p.65
15    2000    November    15    S.A.A.O.- IRSF (Infrared Survey Facility) opened    Telescope

THE YEAR 2000 IN DIFFERENT CALENDARS ARE:    Calendar
6236 according to the first Egyptian Calendar
5760 according to the Jewish Calendar
5119 in the current Maya great cycle
2753 according to the old Roman Calendar
2749 according to the ancient Babylonian Calendar
2544 according to the Buddist Calendar
1997 according to Christ’s actual birth circa 4 BC
1716 according to the Coptic Calendar
1420 according to the Muslem Calendar
1378 according to the Persian Calendar
208 according to the Calendar of the French Revolution
the year of the Dragon according to the Chinese Calendar

21st Century / 1st half /  2001 – 2050
DATE            EVENT    Topic    Source        Colour index 21st Century    1st half /  2001 – 2050
YEARS    YEAR    MONTH    DAY                    Important non-scientific events
AGO                                South Africa: Political
14    2001    January        Human Genome Project: Results made public.    Biology    Discoveries, p.392.        South Africa: Astronomy
14    2001            Bronberg Observatory operational    Observatory            Astronomy (excluding South Africa)
12    2003    January    18    Bushfire destroys Mnt Stromlo in Australia/26 inch Yale destroyed    Observatory / Telescope            Science (excluding Astronomy)
10    2005    January    14    Huygens Probe lands on Titan, one of Saturn’s moons. It was part of an expedition in which the ESA send the Cassini craft to Saturn    Space exploration            Milestone Events
10    2005    November        S.A.A.O. Official opening of S.A.L.T. Telescope    Observatory / Telescope            Celestial Event
8    2007            Astronomy Geographic Advantage Act, declares the Northern Cape an “astronomy advantage area”, giving the Minister of Science and Technology powers to protect the area from future radio interference.    Observatory / Telescope
2015
3    2012    May    25    Announcement that South Africa wins the bid to host the SKA    Observatory / Telescope
2015
2    2013    September    28    SALT telescope obtains first light after a mayor refit    Observatory / Telescope            Abbreviations
1    2014                            ESA    European Space Agency
1    2014    November    12    First time that a manmade object landed on a comet. Rosetta spacecraft lander named Philae lands on comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko. Part of the ESA mission.     Space exploration            SKA    Square Kilometre Array

Listing        Sources:    Author:
1421        1421 – The Year China Discovered the World    Menzies; Gavin
Astr SA        The Astronomy of Southern Africa    Moore; Patrick & Collins; Pete.
Calendar        The Calendar    Duncan; David Ewing.
Cambridge        Cambridge Illustrated History: Astronomy     Hoskin; Michael. (ed)
Civilization v?        Civilization Past and Present, Volume 1 and 2. Eighth Edition    Wallbank et. al.
Discoveries        Discoveries and Inventions: from Prehistoric to Modern Times    Meidenbauer; Jorg. (ed)
Faber        Faber Book of Science    Carey; John.
Infinity        The search for infinity – solving the mysteries of the Universe, Reed Consumer Book Limited, London, 1994.
Life        LIFE in Space, Time Life Books, Amsterdam
Mapping Time        Mapping Time; The Calendar and its History    Richards, E.G.
Measure        The Measure of All Things    Alder; Ken
Mvol?No?        Monthly Notes of the Astronomical Society of Southern Africa (MNASSA)
SciAm        Scientific American
Space        Space    Moore; Patrick.
Warner – Astr        Astronomers at he Royal Observatory – Cape of Good Hope    Warner; Brian.