Welcome to the Space Calendar!<br /><br />This Space Calendar covers space-related activities and anniversaries<br />for the upcoming year. It is also available on the web at:<br /><br /> http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/calendar/<br /><br />The web version of the Space Calendar includes over 1,000 links to related<br />home pages.<br /><br />This calendar is compiled and maintained by Ron Baalke. Please send any<br />updates or corrections to ron@jpl.nasa.gov. Note that launch dates<br />are subject to change at any time. Also, note that anniversary dates are <br />listed in 5 year increments only.<br /><br />The following people have contributed to this month's calendar:<br /><br /> o Richard Katz, Carey Johnson, Dieter Kaemmer, Jeffrey Simpson, Patrick Schmeer,<br /> Giselher Lichti, Sarah Neiman, Philippe Berthe, Benedicte Rigault<br /><br /> =========================<br /> SPACE CALENDAR<br /> November 29, 2002 <br /> =========================<br /><br />* indicates changes from last month's calendar.<br /><br />December 2002<br />* Dec ?? - Hot Bird 7/Stentor/Ballast Ariane 5ECA Launch<br /> Dec ?? - Cosmos 1 Volna Launch (Solar Sail Mission)<br /> Dec ?? - Tskylon-2 Cosmos Launch (Russia)<br /> Dec ?? - GPS 2R-8 Delta 2 Launch<br /> Dec ?? - SATEC VLS-1 Launch (Brazil)<br />* Dec ?? - Molniya 3 Molniya M Launch<br /> Dec 01 - Asteroid 349 Dembowska At Opposition (9.6 Magnitude)<br />* Dec 01 - Asteroid 671 Carnegia Occults HIP 46938 (6.3 Magnitude Star)<br /> Dec 02 - Comet Gehrels 1 Closest Approach To Earth (2.223 AU)<br /> Dec 02 - Comet P/2002 T5 (LINEAR) Closest Approach To Earth (3.271 AU)<br />* Dec 02 - Asteroid 606 Brangane Occults HIP 19028 (8.0 Magnitude Star)<br />* Dec 02 - Asteroid 233 Asterope Occults HIP 28954 (6.8 Magnitude Star)<br />* Dec 02 - Asteroid 2002 VC92 Near-Earth Flyby (0.220 AU)<br />* Dec 03 - Asteroid 977 Philippa Occults HIP 24151 (7.9 Magnitude Star)<br />* Dec 03 - Asteroid 953 Painlev Occults TYC 2408-00661-1 (9.0 Magnitude Star)<br />* Dec 03 - Asteroid 381 Myrrha Occults HIP 45474 (8.6 Magnitude Star)<br /> Dec 03 - Asteroid 1994 BB Near-Mars Flyby (0.018 AU)<br />* Dec 03 - Asteroid 2002 VX17 Near-Earth Flyby (0.082 AU)<br />* Dec 03 - Asteroid 2002 VV17 Near-Earth Flyby (0.089 AU)<br />* Dec 03 - Asteroid 2002 EZ16 Near-Earth Flyby (0.243 AU)<br />* Dec 04 - Space Shuttle Endeavour Returns To Earth (STS-113)<br />* Dec 04 - TDRS-J Atlas II Launch<br /> Dec 04 - Solar Eclipse (Visible From Southern Africa)<br />* Dec 04 - Asteroid 1883 Rimito Occults HIP 17792 (6.7 Magnitude Star)<br /> Dec 04 - Asteroid 2001 XU4 Near-Earth Flyby (0.181 AU)<br /> Dec 05 - Moon Occults Mercury<br />* Dec 05 - Asteroid 1567 Alikoski Occults TYC 2418-00874-1 (9.7 Magnitude Star)<br />* Dec 05 - Asteroid 2002 VR85 Near-Earth Flyby (0.091 AU)<br />* Dec 05 - Asteroid 2002 WP Near-Earth Flyby (0.253 AU)<br />* Dec 07 - Asteroid 29 Amphitrite Occults TYC 6353-00014-1 (9.2 Magnitude Star)<br /> Dec 07 - 30th Anniversary (1972), Apollo 17 Launch (Last Manned <br /> Mission to the Moon)<br /> Dec 08 - 10th Anniversary (1992), Galileo, 2nd Earth Flyby<br /> Dec 09 - STARDUST, End of 2nd Interstellar Dust Collection<br />* Dec 09 - Asteorid 77 Frigga Occults HIP 23814 (7.6 Magnitude Star)<br /> Dec 09 - Asteroid 2001 XX4 Near-Earth Flyby (0.039 AU)<br /> Dec 09 - Asteroid 10115 (1992 SK) Closest Approach To Earth (0.719 AU)<br /> Dec 10 - Asteroid 20 Massalia At Opposition (8.4 Magnitude)<br />* Dec 10 - Asteroid 2002 VU114 Near-Earth Flyby (0.056 AU)<br /> Dec 10 - 10th Anniversary (1992), Mihonoseki Meteor Fall (Fell<br /> Through Roof Of A House In Japan)<br />* Dec 11 - Comet C/2002 V2 (LINEAR) Closest Approach To Earth (5.928 AU)<br />* Dec 12 - NSS-6 Ariane 4 Launch<br /> Dec 12 - Comet Kopff Perihelion (1.584 AU)<br /> Dec 12 - Asteroid 25330 (1999 KV4) Near-Earth Flyby (0.182 AU)<br /> Dec 12 - Asteroid 2001 CC21 Near-Earth Flyby (0.273 AU)<br />* Dec 12 - Asteroid 2002 NW16 Near-Earth Flyby (0.273 AU)<br /> Dec 13 - Geminids Meteor Shower Peak<br />* Dec 13 - Asteroid 701 Oriola Occults HIP 58898 (8.2 Magnitude Star)<br /> Dec 13 - 30 Years (1972) Since Man Has Been to the Moon <br /> (Apollo 17)<br /> Dec 13 - 35th Anniversary (1967), Pioneer 8 Launch (Solar Orbiter)<br />* Dec 14 - ADEOS-II/Micro-Labsat/Fedsat 1/WEOS H-2A Launch (Japan)<br /> Dec 14 - Comet P/2002 R2 (Shoemaker 3) Perihelion (1.814 AU)<br /> Dec 14 - 40th Anniversary (1962), Mariner 2 Flyby Of Venus<br /> Dec 15 - Horizons 1 Zenit 3SL Launch<br /> Dec 15 - Coriolis Titan 2 Launch<br /> Dec 15 - Asteroid 42 Isis Occults TYC 1861-01129-1 (9.1 Magnitude Star)<br /> Dec 16 - Asteroid 509 Iolanda Occults TYC 0111-01109-1 (8.4 Magnitude Star)<br />* Dec 16 - Asteroid 547 Praxedis Occults TYC 5500-01407-1 (9.7 Magnitude Star)<br />* Dec 16 - Asteroid 20425 (1998 VD35) Near-Earth Flyby (0.264 AU)<br /> Dec 16 - Arthur C Clarke's 85th Birthday (1917)<br /> Dec 16 - Edward Barnard's 145th Birthday (1857)<br /> Dec 17 - Saturn At Opposition<br /> Dec 18 - Comet Wild 2 Closest Approach To Earth (1.969 AU)<br /> Dec 18 - Asteroid 795 Fini Occults HIP 41137 (9.0 Magnitude Star)<br /> Dec 19 - ICESat/CHIPS Delta 2 Launch<br />* Dec 19 - Asteroid 504 Cora Occults TYC 1388-00156-1 (9.8 Magnitude Star)<br />* Dec 20 - Nozomi, Earth Flyby<br />* Dec 20 - UniSat 2/Rubin 2/Latinsat 1/Saudisat 3 Dnepr 1 Launch<br /> Dec 21 - Comet C/2002 S1 (Skiff) Closest Approach To Earth (2.164 AU)<br /> Dec 21 - Asteroid 2002 TD66 Near-Earth Flyby (0.132 AU)<br /> Dec 21 - Asteroid 2002 OS4 Near-Earth Flyby (0.302 AU)<br /> Dec 22 - Winter Solstice, 01:14 UT<br /> Dec 22 - Ursids Meteor Shower Peak<br /> Dec 22 - Comet Helin-Lawrence Perihelion (3.110 AU)<br /> Dec 22 - Comet Oterma Perihelion (5.471 AU)<br /> Dec 23 - Comet Maury Perihelion (2.042 AU)<br /> Dec 23 - 330th Anniversary (1672), Giovanni Cassini's Discovery<br /> of Saturn Moon Rhea<br />* Dec 24 - Saturn Occults TYC 1310-02402-1 (10.6 Magnitude Star)<br /> Dec 24 - Comet Reinmuth 1 Perihelion (1.878 AU)<br />* Dec 24 - Asteroid 334 Chicago Occults HIP 38465 (8.4 Magnitude Star)<br />* Dec 25 - Cosmos Proton K Launch (Russia)<br />* Dec 25 - Comet C/2002 V1 (NEAT) Closest Approach To Earth (0.796 AU)<br /> Dec 25 - Asteroid 3362 Khufu Near-Earth Flyby (0.150 AU)<br /> Dec 25 - Isaac Newton's 360th Birthday (1642)<br /> Dec 26 - Mercury At Its Greatest Eastern Elongation (19 Degrees)<br /> Dec 27 - Comet Neujmin 1 Perihelion (1.552 AU)<br /> Dec 27 - Comet C/2002 B3 (LINEAR) Closest Approach To Earth (5.645 AU)<br /> Dec 28 - Arthur Eddington's 120th Birthday (1882)<br />* Dec 29 - Nimiq-2 Proton M Launch<br /> Dec 29 - Asteroid 1997 AQ18 Closest Approach To Earth (0.474 AU)<br /> Dec 29 - 25th Anniversary (1977), Recovery of ALHA 77005 Meteorite<br /> From The Antarctic (Mars Meteorite)<br />* Dec 31 - Comet C/2002 U2 (LINEAR) Perihelion (1.209 AU)<br /> Dec 31 - Comet C/2002 O4 (Hoenig) Closest Approach To Earth (1.396 AU)<br /> Dec 31 - Comet C/2002 B2 (LINEAR) Closest Approach To Earth (3.622 AU)<br /> Dec 31 - Asteroid 171 Ophelia Occults TYC 5821-00227-1 (9.8 Magnitude Star)<br /><br />January 2003<br /> Jan ?? - AMC-9 Proton K Launch<br />* Jan ?? - Shenzhou 4/Olympic Sat 1 CZ-2F Launch (China)<br /> Jan 02 - Comet Russell 4 Closest Approach To Earth (1.767 AU)<br /> Jan 03 - Quadrantids Meteor Shower Peak<br /> Jan 04 - Earth at Perihelion (0.983 AU From Sun)<br /> Jan 06 - Asteroid 126 Velleda Occults TYC 1902-01783-1 (9.3 Magnitude Star)<br /> Jan 06 - Asteroid 51 Nemausa Occults HIP 27029 (8.1 Magnitude Star)<br /> Jan 06 - 5th Anniversary (1998), Lunar Prospector Launch (Moon Orbiter)<br /> Jan 06 - 35th Anniversary (1968), Surveyor 7 Launch (Moon Lander)<br /> Jan 08 - Asteroid 2002 AA29 Near-Earth Flyby (0.039 AU)<br /> Jan 08 - Asteroid 1993 HA Near-Earth Flyby (0.181 AU)<br /> Jan 08 - 30th Anniversary (1973), Luna 21 Launch (Soviet Moon Lander/Rover)<br /> Jan 08 - Sir Frank Dyson's 135th Birthday (1868)<br /> Jan 10 - Asteroid 2002 AK14 Near-Earth Flyby (0.115 AU)<br /> Jan 11 - Venus At Its Greatest Western Elongation (47 Degrees)<br /> Jan 11 - Asteroid 441 Bathilde Occults TYC 0231-00063-1 (7.7 Magnitude Star)<br /> Jan 11 - Asteroid 2001 KR1 Near-Mercury Flyby (0.035 AU)<br /> Jan 12 - Rosetta Ariane 5 Launch (Comet Orbiter & Lander)<br /> Jan 12 - Asteroid 2002 CQ11 Near-Earth Flyby (0.046 AU)<br />* Jan 13 - AsiaSat 4 Atlas 3B Launch<br /> Jan 13 - Asteroid 2002 NT7 Closest Approach To Earth (0.417 AU)<br /> Jan 14 - Asteroid 582 Olympia Occults TYC 5452-01110-1 (8.9 Magntiude Star)<br />* Jan 15 - Echostar 9 Zenit 3SL Launch<br /> Jan 16 - STS-107 Launch, Space Shuttle Columbia, Spacehab<br /> Jan 16 - Comet C/2002 O6 (SWAN) Closest Approach To Earth (1.964 AU)<br /> Jan 17 - Asteroid 1993 OM7 Near-Earth Flyby (0.089 AU)<br /> Jan 18 - Comet C/2001 RX14 (LINEAR) Perihelion (2.058 AU)<br /> Jan 18 - Jupiter Occults TYC 1401-00341-1 (9.3 Magnitude Star)<br /> Jan 18 - Asteroid 234 Barbara Occults TYC 0814-01598-1 (9.8 Magnitude Star)<br />* Jan 20 - Thuraya-2 Zenit 3SL Launch<br />* Jan 21 - Milstar 2-F4 Titan 4B Launch<br /> Jan 21 - Comet Wild 4 Perihelion (2.170 AU)<br /> Jan 22 - Asteroid 1998 RK15 Near-Mars Flyby (0.031 AU)<br /> Jan 22 - 35th Anniversary (1968), Apollo 5 Launch<br />* Jan 25 - SORCE Pegasus XL Launch<br /> Jan 25 - 20th Anniversary (1983), IRAS Launch<br /> Jan 26 - Comet Shoemaker 3 Closest Approach To Earth (0.912 AU)<br /> Jan 26 - 25th Anniversary (1978), IUE Launch<br /> Jan 27 - Moon Occults Mars<br /> Jan 27 - 95th Anniversary (1908), Melotte's Discovery of Jupiter Moon Pasiphae<br />* Jan 29 - SIRTF Delta 2 Launch<br /> Jan 29 - Asteroid 35107 (1991 VH) Near-Earth Flyby (0.279 AU)<br />* Jan 30 - Hellas Sat 2 Atlas 5 Launch<br /> Jan 30 - Comet C/2002 A3 (LINEAR) Closest Approach To Earth (4.595 AU)<br /> Jan 30 - Asteroid 2002 CD Near-Earth Flyby (0.175 AU)<br /> Jan 30 - Asteroid 6524 Baalke Closest Approach To Earth (1.331 AU)<br /> Jan 31 - 45th Anniversary (1958), Explorer 1 Launch (1st Earth Satellite by USA)<br /><br />February 2003<br />* Feb ?? - G-Sat 2 GSLV Launch<br />* Feb ?? - IGS H-2A Launch<br />* Feb ?? - AMC-12 Proton K Launch<br /> Feb 01 - Chinese New Year<br /> Feb 01 - Comet C/2001 HT50 (LINEAR-NEAT) Closest Approach To Earth (2.315 AU)<br /> Feb 01 - Asteroid 40267 (1999 GJ4) Near-Earth Flyby (0.196 AU)<br />* Feb 02 - Progress M-47 Soyuz-U Launch (International Space Station 10P)<br /> Feb 02 - Estrela do Sul Delta 4 Launch<br />* Feb 02 - DSCS B6 Delta 4 Launch<br /> Feb 02 - Jupiter at Opposition<br /> Feb 02 - Asteroid 20429 (1998 YN1) Near-Earth Flyby (0.269 AU)<br /> Feb 03 - Asteroid 253 Mathilde Occults TYC 0786-00475-1 (11.7 Magnitude Star)<br /> Feb 04 - Mercury at Greatest Western Elongation (25 Degrees)<br /> Feb 05 - Asteroid 2002 AL14 Near-Earth Flyby (0.235 AU)<br /> Feb 08 - Comet C/2002 A2 (LINEAR) Closest Approach To Earth (4.563 AU)<br /> Feb 08 - Comet Churyumov-Gerasimenko Closest Approach To Earth (1.400 AU)<br /> Feb 08 - Jules Verne's 175th Birthday (1828)<br /> Feb 09 - Comet C/2002 A1 (LINEAR) Closest Approach To Earth (4.589 AU)<br /> Feb 10 - 5th Anniversary (1998), Galileo, Europa 13 Flyby<br /> Feb 11 - Asteroid 2002 EZ11 Near-Earth Flyby (0.144 AU)<br /> Feb 11 - Asteroid 1999 DB7 Near-Earth Flyby (0.187 AU)<br />* Feb 12 - Intelsat 907 Ariane 4 Launch (Last Ariane 4)<br /> Feb 12 - Asteroid 1992 SY Near-Earth Flyby (0.105 AU)<br /> Feb 13 - Asteroid 663 Gerlinde Occults TYC 4814-00668-1 (9.0 Magnitude Star)<br /> Feb 14 - Comet P/2001 YX127 (LINEAR) Closest Approach To Earth (2.449 AU)<br />* Feb 15 - GPS 2R-9/ProSeds Delta 2 Launch<br /> Feb 15 - Comet du Toit-Hartley Perihelion (1.230 AU)<br /> Feb 16 - 55th Anniversary (1948), Gerard Kuiper's Discovery of <br /> Uranus Moon Miranda<br />* Feb 17 - Asteroid 2002 VP69 Near-Earth Flyby (0.075 AU)<br />* Feb 18 - Comet C/2002 V1 (NEAT) Perihelion (0.099 AU)<br /> Feb 19 - Comet P/2002 Q4 (Brewington) Perihelion (1.590 AU)<br /> Feb 19 - Nicolas Copernicus' 530th Birthday (1473)<br /> Feb 21 - Mercury Passes 1.5 Degrees From Neptune<br /> Feb 21 - Asteroid 2002 RH52 Near-Earth Flyby (0.280 AU)<br /> Feb 22 - Comet Reinmuth 1 Closest Approach To Earth (0.985 AU)<br /> Feb 22 - Asteroid 2000 SM10 Near-Earth Flyby (0.103 AU)<br /> Feb 24 - Asteroid 1996 BG1 Near-Venus Flyby (0.037 AU)<br /> Feb 24 - 35th Anniversary (1968), Discovery of the 1st Pulsar<br /> Feb 25 - Comet C/2001 RX14 (LINEAR) Closest Approach To Earth (1.219 AU)<br />* Feb 28 - Insat 3A/Galaxy 12 Ariane 5 Launch<br /><br />March 2003<br /> Mar ?? - NRO Delta 4 Medium Launch<br /> Mar ?? - MOST Rokot Launch<br /> Mar ?? - OrbView-3 Pegasus XL Launch<br />* Mar ?? - GALEX Pegasus XL Launch<br /> Mar 01 - STS-114 Launch, Space Shuttle Atlantis, ULF-1<br /> Mar 01 - SCISAT-1 Pegasus XL Launch<br /> Mar 01 - Asteroid 2002 SQ Near-Earth Flyby (0.289 AU)<br />* Mar 01 - Asteroid 2002 WC1 Near-Earth Flyby (0.289 AU)<br /> Mar 04 - Mercury Passes 1.5 Degrees From Uranus<br /> Mar 05 - Asteroid 2002 SR Near-Earth Flyby (0.212 AU)<br /> Mar 06 - Comet P/2001 YX127 (LINEAR) Perihelion (3.424 AU)<br /> Mar 10 - Comet C/2002 Q5 (LINEAR) Closest Approach To Earth (1.194 AU)<br /> Mar 12 - Venus Passes 0.2 Degrees From Neptune<br /> Mar 13 - Asteroid 258 Tyche Occults TYC 0156-00065-1 (9.5 Magnitude Star)<br /> Mar 15 - Comet Wirtanen Closest Approach To Earth (1.609 AU)<br /> Mar 15 - 30th Anniversary (1973), San Juan Capistrano Meteorite Fall<br /> Mar 16 - Asteroid 2002 FT6 Near-Earth Flyby (0.052 AU)<br /> Mar 17 - 45th Anniversary (1958), Vanguard 1 Launch<br /> Mar 19 - Comet P/2000 Y3 (Scotti) Closest Approach To Earth (3.991 AU)<br />* Mar 19 - Asteroid 2002 WQ4 Near-Earth Flyby (0.115 AU)<br /> Mar 21 - Vernal Equinox, 01:00 UT<br /> Mar 21 - Comet Hartley 1 Closest Approach To Earth (1.455 AU)<br /> Mar 22 - Asteroid 26379 (1999 HZ1) Near-Earth Flyby (0.184 AU)<br /> Mar 24 - Asteroid 2002 TE66 Near-Earth Flyby (0.283 AU)<br /> Mar 24 - Wilhelm Baade's 110th Birthday (1893)<br />* Mar 25 - Optus C-1/E-Bird/Smart-1 Ariane 5 Launch<br /> Mar 27 - Comet Gehrels 3 Closest Approach To Earth (2.998 AU)<br /> Mar 28 - Progress M1 N-10 Soyuz Launch (International Space Station 11P)<br /> Mar 28 - Venus Passes 0.1 Degrees From Uranus<br /> Mar 29 - 5th Anniversary (1998), Galileo, Europa 14 Flyby<br /><br />April 2003<br /> Apr ?? - NROL-19 Titan 4B Launch<br /> Apr 02 - Comet C/2001 N2 (LINEAR) Closest Approach To Earth (2.666 AU)<br /> Apr 02 - Asteroid 42 Isis Occults HIP 27017 (9.0 Magnitude Star)<br /> Apr 02 - Asteroid 2001 FC58 Near-Earth Flyby (0.263 AU)<br /> Apr 02 - 40th Anniversary (1963), Luna 4 Launch (Soviet Moon Flyby Mission)<br /> Apr 03 - Comet P/2001 X2 (Scotti) Closest Approach To Earth (2.809 AU)<br /> Apr 03 - Asteroid 8 Flora Occults TYC 6272-00706-2 (9.4 Magnitude Star)<br /> Apr 03 - Asteroid 2002 FT5 Near-Earth Flyby (0.297 AU)<br /> Apr 04 - Asteroid 2000 EE104 Near-Earth Flyby (0.170 AU)<br /> Apr 04 - 35th Anniversary (1968), Apollo 6 Launch (Last Test Flight of Saturn V)<br />* Apr 05 - Comet C/2002 U2 (LINEAR) Closest Approach To Earth (0.981 AU)<br /> Apr 05 - 30th Anniversary (1973), Pioneer 11 Launch (Jupiter & Saturn Flyby Mission)<br /> Apr 06 - Daylight Saving - Set Clock Ahead 1 Hour (North America)<br /> Apr 07 - 35th Anniversary (1968), Luna 14 Launch (Soviet Moon Orbiter)<br /> Apr 10 - Comet Schwassmann-Wachmann 2 Closest Approach To Earth (2.828 AU)<br /> Apr 10 - Asteroid 2001 GO2 Near-Earth Flyby (0.094 AU)<br /> Apr 16 - Mercury Greatest Eastern Elongation (20 Degrees)<br /> Apr 18 - Asteroid 2001 PM9 Near-Earth Flyby (0.116 AU)<br /> Apr 18 - Comet C/2001 G1 (LONEOS) Closest Approach To Earth (7.899 AU)<br /> Apr 20 - Easter Sunday<br /> Apr 21 - Asteroid 2001 BF10 Near-Earth Flyby (0.041 AU)<br /> Apr 21 - Asteroid 1998 KG3 Near-Earth Flyby (0.178 AU)<br /> Apr 21 - 5th Anniversary (1998), Cassini Venus Flyby<br /> Apr 22 - Lyrids Meteor Shower Peak<br /> Apr 24 - Gravity Probe B Delta 2 Launch<br /> Apr 24 - Asteroid 2000 GQ146 Near-Earth Flyby (0.205 AU)<br /> Apr 26 - Asteroid 2002 OA22 Near-Earth Flyby (0.157 AU)<br /> Apr 26 - Asteroid 12104 Chesley Closest Approach To Earth (1.986 AU)<br /> Apr 26 - 155th Anniversary (1848) Andrew Graham's Discovery of Asteroid 9 Metis<br /> Apr 28 - Sojus TMA-2 Launch (International Space Station 6S)<br /> Apr 28 - Asteroid 287 Nephthis Occults TYC 1385-00019-1 (9.2 Magnitude)<br /> Apr 29 - Asteroid 1997 CZ3 Near-Earth Flyby (0.096 AU)<br /> Apr 30 - Asteroid 1998 XN17 Near-Earth Flyby (0.112 AU)<br /><br />May 2003<br /> May ?? - MUSES-C MV Launch (Japan Asteroid Sample Return Mission)<br /> May ?? - DMSP-16 Titan 2 Launch<br /> May 01 - Cassini, Trajectory Correction Maneuver #19 (TCM-19)<br /> May 01 - Asteroid 2001 DQ8 Near-Earth Flyby (0.193 AU)<br /> May 01 - 5th Anniversary (1998), Discovery of Dar al Gani 476 (Mars Meteorite)<br /> May 05 - Eta Aquarids Meteor Shower Peak<br /> May 05 - Asteroid 2001 CB21 Near-Earth Flyby (0.297 AU)<br /> May 05-11 - Astronomy Week<br />* May 06 - Comet Wild 4 Closest Approach To Earth (1.293 AU)<br />* May 06 - Comet C/2002 V2 (LINEAR) Perihelion (6.822 AU)<br /> May 07 - Mercury Transits The Sun<br /> May 08 - Asteroid 2000 AG6 Near-Earth Flyby (0.175 AU)<br />* May 08 - Asteroid 2002 VX94 Near-Earth Flyby (0.251 AU)<br /> May 10 - Astronomy Day<br /> May 10 - Asteroid 2001 FM129 Near-Mars Flyby (0.028 AU)<br /> May 11 - Comet Gunn Perihelion (2.446 AU)<br /> May 11 - Richard Feynman's 85th Birthday (1918)<br /> May 13 - Asteroid 10563 Izhdubar Near-Earth Flyby (0.235 AU)<br /> May 14 - Mars Passes 2.0 Degrees From Neptune<br /> May 14 - Comet du Toit Closest Approach To Earth (1.074 AU)<br /> May 14 - 30th Anniversary (1973), Skylab Launch<br /> May 15 - 40th Anniversary (1963), Mercury 9 Launch (Gordon Cooper)<br /> May 15 - Nicolas-Louis de Lacaille's 290th Birthtday (1713)<br /> May 16 - Lunar Eclipse<br />* May 16 - Asteroid 2000 CM33 Near-Earth Flyby (0.209 AU)<br /> May 17 - Asteroid 5381 Sekhmet Near-Earth Flyby (0.129 AU)<br />* May 19 - Asteroid 1996 MO Near-Earth Flyby (0.230 AU)<br /> May 20 - Comet C/2002 O7 (LINEAR) Closest Approach To Earth (1.712 AU)<br /> May 20 - Asteroid 6489 Golevka Near-Earth Flyby (0.092 AU)<br /> May 20 - 30th Anniversary (1978), Pioneer Venus 1 Launch (Venus Orbiter)<br /> May 23 - Mars Express Soyuz-Fregat Launch (Mars Orbiter/Lander)<br /> May 23 - STS-115 Launch, Space Shuttle Endeavour, International Space Station Flight 12A<br /> May 23 - Asteroid 2001 SL9 Near-Earth Flyby (0.285 AU)<br /> May 24 - Asteroid 1989 UQ Near-Earth Flyby (0.289 AU)<br /> May 26 - Mercury Passes 2.2 Degrees From Venus<br /> May 29 - Moon Occults Venus<br /> May 29 - Comet C/2001 K5 (LINEAR) Closest Approach To Earth (5.213 AU)<br /> May 29 - Asteroid 2001 WJ15 Near-Earth Flyby (0.161 AU)<br /> May 29 - Asteroid 1999 KW4 Near-Earth Flyby (0.220 AU)<br /> May 30 - Mars Exploration Rover A Delta 2 Launch<br /> May 31 - Annular Solar Eclipse<br /> May 31 - Asteroid 107 Camilla Occults TYC 5739-01061-1 (9.6 Magnitude Star)<br /> May 31 - Asteroid 9250 Chamberlin Closest Approach To Earth (1.605 AU)<br /> May 31 - 5th Anniversay (1998), Galileo, Europa 15 Flyby<br /><br />June 2003<br /> Jun ?? - NRO Atlas II AS Launch<br /> Jun 02 - 20th Anniversary (1983), Venera 15 Launch (Soviet Venus Orbiter)<br /> Jun 03 - Mercury at Greatest Western Elongation (24 Degrees)<br /> Jun 04 - Comet Van Biesbroeck Closest Approach To Earth (1.645 AU)<br /> Jun 06 - Asteroid 2002 EM7 Near-Earth Flyby (0.196 AU)<br /> Jun 06 - 20th Anniversary (1983), Venera 16 Launch (Soviet Venus Orbiter)<br /> Jun 08 - Asteroid 2000 HB24 Near-Earth Flyby (0.152 AU)<br /> Jun 09 - Pluto At Opposition<br /> Jun 10 - 30th Anniversary (1973), Explorer 49 Launch (Moon Orbiter)<br /> Jun 12 - Comet Holt-Olmstead Perihelion (2.159 AU)<br /> Jun 12 - Comet du Toit-Hartley Closest Approach To Earth (0.922 AU)<br /> Jun 13 - Satmex-6/Smart-1 Ariane 5 Launch<br /> Jun 13 - Comet C/2002 R3 (LONEOS) Perihelion (3.869 AU)<br /> Jun 15 - Asteroid 2001 VC2 Near-Earth Flyby (0.221 AU)<br /> Jun 16 - 40th Anniversary (1963), Vostok 6 Launch (Valentina Tereshkova -<br /> 1st Woman In Space)<br />* Jun 17 - Asteroid 2001 LF Near-Earth Flyby (0.230 AU)<br /> Jun 18 - 20th Anniversary (1983), STS-7 Launch (Sally Ride - 1st US<br /> Woman In Space)<br />* Jun 19 - Nozomi, Earth Flyby<br /> Jun 19 - Comet C/2002 J5 (LINEAR) Closest Approach To Earth (5.233 AU)<br /> Jun 21 - Summer Solstice (19:10 UT)<br /> Jun 21 - Mercury Passes 0.4 Degrees From Venus<br /> Jun 22 - Mars Passes 3.1 Degrees From Uranus<br /> Jun 22 - Asteroid 1998 HM1 Near-Earth Flyby (0.125 AU)<br /> Jun 22 - 25th Anniversary (1978), Jim Christy's Discovery of Pluto<br /> Moon Charon<br /> Jun 25 - Mars Exploration Rover B Delta 2 Launch <br />* Jun 26 - Comet P/2002 T6 (NEAT-LINEAR) Perihelion (3.390 AU)<br />* Jun 27 - Comet P/2002 T5 (LINEAR) Perihelion (3.936 AU)<br /> Jun 27 - Mars Occults TYC 5817-01202-1 (11.8 Magnitude Star)<br /> Jun 27 - Asteroid 1998 FH12 Near-Earth Flyby (0.049 AU)<br /> Jun 28 - Comet Gunn Closest Approach To Earth (1.455 AU)<br /> Jun 29 - Comet C/2002 J4 (NEAT) Closest Approach To Earth (2.823 AU)<br /> Jun 29 - George Hale's 135th Birthday (1868)<br /> Jun 30 - Mercury Passes 1.5 Degrees From Saturn<br /> Jun 30 - Asteroid 2002 AA29 Near-Earth Flyby (0.097 AU)<br /> Jun 30 - 95th Anniversary (1908), Tunguska Explosion<br /><br />July 2003<br /> Jul 01 - STARDUST, Deep Space Manuever #3 (DSM-3)<br /> Jul 02 - Comet Smirnova-Chernykh Closest Approach To Earth (3.385 AU)<br /> Jul 02 - Asteroid 5553 Chodas Closest Approach To Earth (1.951 AU)<br /> Jul 03 - Asteroid 1999 LT7 Near-Earth Flyby (0.070 AU)<br /> Jul 03 - Asteroid 2001 CC21 Near-Earth Flyby (0.200 AU)<br /> Jul 04 - Earth At Aphelion (1.017 AU From Sun)<br /> Jul 04 - Henrietta Leavitt's 135th Birthday (1868)<br /> Jul 05 - Progress M-48 Soyuz Launch (International Space Station 12P)<br /> Jul 06 - Comet Whipple Perihelion (3.088 AU)<br /> Jul 06 - Comet Longmore Closest Approach To Earth (2.133 AU)<br />* Jul 06 - Asteroid 2000 WN63 Near-Earth Flyby (0.233 AU)<br /> Jul 06 - 65th Anniversary (1938), Seth Nicholson's Discovery of Jupiter Moon Lysithea<br /> Jul 08 - Venus Passes 0.8 Degrees From Saturn<br /> Jul 08 - Asteroid 2000 QP Near-Earth Flyby (0.213 AU)<br /> Jul 09 - Comet C/2001 HT50 (LINEAR-NEAT) Perihelion (2.792 AU)<br /> Jul 10 - Asteroid 58 Concordia Occults TYC 5737-00035-1 (9.7 Magnitude)<br /> Jul 12 - 15th Anniversary (1988), Phobos 2 Launch (Soviet Mars Orbiter)<br /> Jul 13 - Comet Helin-Lawrence Closest Approach To Earth (2.285 AU)<br /> Jul 14 - Asteroid 1566 Icarus Closest Approach To Earth (0.978 AU)<br /> Jul 15 - Comet Jackson-Neujmin Closest Approach To Earth (1.529 AU)<br /> Jul 16 - Comet Shoemaker-Levy 4 Perihelion (2.011 AU)<br /> Jul 16 - Asteroid 2002 MQ3 Near-Earth Flyby (0.279 AU)<br /> Jul 17 - Moon Occults Mars<br /> Jul 17 - Asteroid 1149 Volga Occults TYC 0543-00599-1 (9.7 Magnitude Star)<br /> Jul 20 - NOAA-N Delta 2 launch<br /> Jul 20 - Asteroid 2000 OL8 Near-Earth Flyby (0.055 AU)<br /> Jul 21 - 5th Anniversary (1998), Galileo, Europa 16 Flyby<br /> Jul 21 - 30th Anniversary (1973), Mars 4 Launch (Soviet Mars Mission)<br /> Jul 24 - STS-116 Launch, Space Shuttle Atlantis, International Space Station 12A.1<br /> Jul 25 - 30th Anniversary (1973), Mars 5 Launch (Soviet Mars Orbiter)<br /> Jul 26 - Mercury Passes 0.3 Degrees From Jupiter<br /> Jul 26 - Asteroid 2000 PH5 Near-Earth Flyby (0.012 AU)<br /> Jul 26 - 40th Anniversary (1963), Syncom 2 Launch, 1st Geosynchronous Satellite<br /> Jul 28 - 30th Anniversary (1973), Skylab-3 Launch<br /> Jul 29 - South Delta-Aquarids Meteor Shower Peak<br /> Jul 29 - NASA's 45th Birthday (1958)<br /> Jul 30 - Comet C/2002 L9 (NEAT) Closest Approach To Earth (6.360 AU)<br /> Jul 30 - 65th Anniversary (1938), Seth Nicholson's Discovery of Jupiter Moon Carme<br /><br />August 2003<br /> Aug ?? - MTSAT-1RA H-2A Launch<br /> Aug ?? - DSP-23 Delta 4 Launch<br /> Aug 01 - Alpha Capricornids Meteor Shower Peak<br /> Aug 01 - Maria Mitchell's 185th Birthday (1818)<br /> Aug 02 - Comet P/1996 R2 (Lagerkvist) Closest Approach To Earth (2.139 AU)<br /> Aug 04 - Neptune At Opposition<br /> Aug 06 - Southern Iota Aquarids Meteor Shower Peak<br /> Aug 08 - 25th Anniversary (1978), Pioneer Venus 2 Launch <br /> Aug 10 - Asteroid 2000 PG5 Near-Earth Flyby (0.174 AU)<br /> Aug 12 - Perseids Meteor Shower Peak<br /> Aug 12 - 25th Anniversary (1978), ISEE-3 (ICE) Launch (Comet Flyby Mission)<br /> Aug 14 - Mercury Greatest Eastern Elongation (27 Degrees)<br />* Aug 15 - Astreroid 29075 (1950 DA) Closest Approach To Earth (0.681 AU)<br /> Aug 16 - Asteroid 37655 (1994 PM) Near-Earth Flyby (0.025 AU)<br /> Aug 18 - Comet Hartley 1 Perihelion (1.980 AU)<br /> Aug 18 - Asteroid 2100 Ra-Shalom Near-Earth Flyby (0.174 AU)<br /> Aug 22 - Asteroid 978 Aidamina Occults TYC 1678-00590-1 (9.2 Magnitude Star)<br /> Aug 22 - Asteroid 1997 GD32 Near-Earth Flyby (0.114 AU)<br /> Aug 24 - Uranus At Opposition<br /> Aug 25 - Northern Iota Aquarids Meteor Shower Peak<br /> Aug 25 - Asteroid 2000 BM19 Near-Mercury Flyby (0.045 AU)<br /> Aug 26 - Asteroid 420 Bertholda Occults TYC 5757-00353-1 (8.7 Magnitude Star)<br /> Aug 27 - Asteroid 1998 CS1 Near-Venus Flyby (0.033 AU)<br /> Aug 28 - Mars At Opposition<br /> Aug 28 - Comet du Toit Perihelion (1.274 AU)<br /> Aug 28 - Asteroid 2002 JR100 Near-Earth Flyby (0.050 AU)<br /> Aug 28 - Asteroid 2002 AL14 Near-Earth Flyby (0.298 AU)<br /> Aug 28 - 10th Anniversary (1993), Galileo Flyby Of Asteroid Ida & Dactyl<br /> Aug 29 - Comet Russell 4 Perihelion (2.231 AU)<br /> Aug 29 - Asteroid 1978 CA Near-Earth Flyby (0.141 AU)<br /><br />September 2003<br />* Sep 01 - Comet Schwassmann-Wachmann 1 Closest Approach To Earth (4.737 AU)<br /> Sep 02 - Asteroid 6775 Giorgini Closest Approach To Earth (1.407 AU)<br /> Sep 05 - Asteroid 1998 SU4 Near-Earth Flyby (0.188 AU)<br /> Sep 08 - Asteroid 2001 QJ96 Near-Earth Flyby (0.179 AU)<br /> Sep 09 - Moon Occults Mars<br /> Sep 09 - 25th Anniversary (1978), Venera 11 Launch (Soviet Venus Lander)<br /> Sep 11 - Asteroid 357 Ninina Occults HIP 29752 (7.0 Magnitude Star)<br /> Sep 11 - Asteroid 1998 VS Near-Earth Flyby (0.158 AU)<br />* Sep 11 - Asteroid 2002 CD Near-Earth Flyby (0.204 AU)<br /> Sep 12 - Comet C/2002 R3 (LONEOS) Closest Approach To Earth (3.003 AU)<br /> Sep 13 - Asteroid 2000 OK8 Near-Earth Flyby (0.270 AU)<br /> Sep 14 - 35th Anniversary (1968), Zond 5 Launch (Soviet Moon Orbiter)<br /> Sep 14 - 25th Anniversary (1978), Venera 12 Launch (Soviet Venus Lander)<br /> Sep 16 - Asteroid 2000 GF2 Near-Earth Flyby (0.012 AU)<br /> Sep 16 - Asteroid 7336 Saunders Near-Earth Flyby (0.190 AU)<br /> Sep 16 - Asteroid 2000 AG6 Near-Earth Flyby (0.194 AU)<br /> Sep 17 - Asteroid 22771 (1999 CU3) Near-Earth Flyby (0.065 AU)<br /> Sep 19 - Comet C/2002 J5 (LINEAR) Perihelion (5.727 AU)<br /> Sep 19 - 155th Anniversary (1848), William and George Bond's Discovery of <br /> Saturn Moon Hyperion<br />* Sep 20 - Asteroid 2002 AG29 Near-Earth Flyby (0.271 AU)<br />* Sep 21 - Galileo, Jupiter Impact<br />* Sep 21 - Asteroid 2001 QL142 Near-Earth Flyby (0.204 AU)<br />* Sep 22 - Comet C/2002 O7 (LINEAR) Perihelion (0.904 AU)<br /> Sep 23 - Autumnal Equinox, 10:47 UT<br /> Sep 23 - Asteroid 27 Euterpe Occults TYC 6844-03116-1 (9.9 Magnitude Star)<br /> Sep 25 - Comet Wild 2 Perihelion (1.590 AU)<br /> Sep 25 - Asteroid 94 Aurora Occults HIP 39424 (5.1 Magnitude Star)<br /> Sep 26 - Mercury Greatest Western Elongation (17 Degrees)<br /> Sep 26 - Asteroid 2063 Bacchus Near-Earth Flyby (0.122 AU)<br /> Sep 26 - 5th Anniversary (1998), Galileo, Europa 17 Flyby<br /> Sep 28 - Asteroid 1999 TO13 Near-Earth Flyby (0.105 AU)<br /> Sep 29 - Asteroid 1998 RO1 Near-Earth Flyby (0.125 AU)<br /> Sep 30 - SWIFT Delta 2 Launch<br /><br />October 2003<br />* Oct ?? - Lunar TrailBlazer Launch (Commerical Moon Orbiter)<br /> Oct ?? - Superbird 6 Atlas 2AS Launch<br />* Oct 01 - Asteroid 2001 SH276 Near-Earth Flyby (0.263 AU)<br /> Oct 01 - NASA's 45th Birthday (1958)<br />* Oct 02 - STS-117 Launch, Space Shuttle Endeavour, Internationl Space Station 13A<br />* Oct 02 - Comet Maury Closest Approach To Earth (2.093 AU)<br /> Oct 03 - Comet C/2002 J4 (NEAT) Perihelion (3.633 AU)<br /> Oct 03 - Asteroid 1997 US9 Near-Venus Flyby (0.040 AU)<br /> Oct 04 - Asteroid 1998 TU3 Near-Earth Flyby (0.195 AU)<br /> Oct 07 - Asteroid 1998 UP1 Near-Earth Flyby (0.126 AU)<br /> Oct 09 - Draconids Meteor Shower Peak<br /> Oct 09 - Comet Van Biesbroeck Perihelion (2.415 AU)<br />* Oct 09 - Asteroid 1354 Botha Occults HIP 3652 (9.0 Magnitude Star)<br /> Oct 10 - 20th Anniversary (1983), Venera 15, Venus Orbit Insertion<br /> Oct 11 - Asteroid 1991 VA Near-Earth Flyby (0.073 AU)<br /> Oct 11 - 35th Anniversary (1968), Apollo 7 Launch<br /> Oct 11 - Wilhelm Olbers' 245th Birthday (1758)<br /> Oct 13 - British Interplanetary Society 70th Birthday (1933)<br /> Oct 14 - Asteroid 2002 RR25 Near-Earth Flyby (0.158 AU)<br /> Oct 16 - 20th Anniversary (1983), Venera 16, Venus Orbit Insertion<br /> Oct 17 - Asteroid 2000 FK10 Near-Earth Flyby (0.175 AU)<br /> Oct 17 - Asteroid 2000 HD24 Near-Vesta Flyby (0.038 AU)<br /> Oct 18 - Asteroid 1990 UA Near-Earth Flyby (0.131 AU)<br /> Oct 18 - Asteroid 4197 (1982 TA) Near-Earth Flyby (0.187 AU)<br /> Oct 19 - Asteroid 2001 SK9 Near-Mercury Flyby (0.048 AU)<br /> Oct 21 - Orionid Meteor Shower Peak<br /> Oct 21 - Asteroid 1998 FG2 Near-Earth Flyby (0.038 AU)<br /> Oct 24 - Asteroid 1989 UQ Near-Earth Flyby (0.150 AU)<br /> Oct 25 - Asteroid 2002 LW Near-Earth Flyby (0.183 AU)<br />* Oct 27 - Asteroid 2002 VS14 Near-Earth Flyby (0.138 AU)<br /> Oct 28 - Asteroid 31662 (1999 HP11) Near-Earth Flyby (0.129 AU)<br /> Oct 30 - Asteroid 2001 KZ66 Near-Earth Flyby (0.080 AU)<br />* Oct 31 - Asteroid 188 Menippe Occults TYC 1221-01110-1 (9.6 Magnitude Star)<br /><br />November 2003<br />* Nov 01 - Comet C/2001 HT50 (LINEAR-NEAT) Closest Approach To Earth (2.051 AU)<br />* Nov 01 - Uranus Occults TYC 5808-00088-1 (11.5 Magnitude Star)<br />* Nov 03 - Taurids Meteor Shower Peak<br />* Nov 03 - 30th Anniversary (1973), Mariner 10 Launch (Venus & Mercury Flyby Mission)<br />* Nov 04 - Asteroid 2002 QF15 Near-Earth Flyby (0.144 AU)<br />* Nov 06 - Comet C/2002 O7 (LINEAR) Closest Approach To Earth (0.965 AU)<br />* Nov 06 - Asteroid 2000 EJ26 Near-Earth Flyby (0.149 AU)<br />* Nov 07 - Asteroid 2000 VZ44 Near-Earth Flyby (0.065 AU)<br />* Nov 08 - Comet Whipple Closest Approach To Earth (2.173 AU)<br />* Nov 08 - 35th Anniversary (1968), Pioneer 9 Launch (Solar Orbiter)<br />* Nov 09 - Lunar Eclipse<br />* Nov 09 - Asteroid 1996 AP1 Near-Earth Flyby (0.116 AU)<br />* Nov 10 - Comet C/2002 V2 (LINEAR) Closest Approach To Earth (5.953 AU)<br />* Nov 10 - Asteroid 1990 OS Near-Earth Flyby (0.031 AU)<br />* Nov 10 - 35th Anniversary (1968), Zond 6 Launch (Soviet Moon Orbit & Return)<br />* Nov 12 - Asteroid 1996 GT Near-Earth Flyby (0.048 AU)<br />* Nov 13 - STS-118, Space Shuttle Columbia Launch, International Space Station 13A.1<br />* Nov 13 - Asteroid 1998 XB Near-Earth Flyby (0.145 AU)<br />* Nov 15 - Asteroid 1999 XN141 Near-Earth Flyby (0.082 AU)<br />* Nov 15 - 15th Anniversary (1988), Buran Launch (Soviet Space Shuttle)<br />* Nov 15 - William Herschel's 265th Birthday (1738)<br />* Nov 16 - Asteroid 2000 WN10 Near-Earth Flyby (0.181 AU)<br />* Nov 16 - Asteroid 3753 Cruithne Near-Earth Flyby (0.343 AU)<br />* Nov 16 - 30th Anniversary (1973), Skylab 4 Launch<br />* Nov 17 - Leonids Meteor Shower Peak <br />* Nov 18 - Alan Shepard's 80th Birthday (1923)<br />* Nov 22 - 5th Anniversary (1998), Galileo, Europa 18 Flyby<br />* Nov 23 - Solar Eclipse (Visible From Antarctica)<br />* Nov 25 - Moon Occults Mercury<br />* Nov 28 - Asteroid 1998 UT18 Near-Earth Flyby (0.066 AU)<br />* Nov 29 - Christian Doppler's 200th Birthday (1803)<br />* Nov 30 - Asteroid 1996 JG Near-Earth Flyby (0.142 AU)