From: baalke@zagami.jpl.nasa.gov (Ron Baalke) Newsgroups: sci.space.news Subject: Space Calendar - May 29, 2003 Date: 29 May 2003 16:00:47 GMT Organization: Jet Propulsion Lab Approved: sci-space-news@zagami.jpl.nasa.gov Message-ID: Welcome to the Space Calendar! This Space Calendar covers space-related activities and anniversaries for the upcoming year. It is also available on the web at: http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/calendar/ The web version of the Space Calendar includes over 1,100 links to related home pages. This calendar is compiled and maintained by Ron Baalke. Please send any updates or corrections to ron@jpl.nasa.gov. Note that launch dates are subject to change at any time. Also, note that anniversary dates are listed in 5 year increments only. The following people have contributed to this month's calendar: o Bill Owen, Dieter Kaemmer, Roberto Claudio Gamen ========================= SPACE CALENDAR May 29, 2003 ========================= * indicates changes from last month's calendar. May 2003 May 29 - Moon Occults Venus May 29 - Comet C/2001 K5 (LINEAR) Closest Approach To Earth (5.213 AU) * May 29 - Asteroid 2003 HN Near-Earth Flyby (0.123 AU) May 29 - Asteroid 2001 WJ15 Near-Earth Flyby (0.161 AU) May 29 - Asteroid 1999 KW4 Near-Earth Flyby (0.220 AU) May 31 - Annular Solar Eclipse May 31 - Asteroid 107 Camilla Occults TYC 5739-01061-1 (9.6 Magnitude Star) * May 31 - Asteroid 643 Scheherezade Occults HIP 77406 (9.3 Magnitude Star) May 31 - Asteroid 9250 Chamberlin Closest Approach To Earth (1.605 AU) May 31 - 5th Anniversary (1998), Galileo, Europa 15 Flyby June 2003 Jun ?? - G-Sat 2 GSLV Launch * Jun ?? - FSW-31 CZ-2D Launch * Jun ?? - OrbView-3 Pegasus XL Launch * Jun 01 - Comet C/2003 K3 (SOHO) Perihelion (0.139 AU) * Jun 01 - Comet C/2003 G1 (LINEAR) Closest Approach To Earth (4.102 AU) * Jun 01 - Asteroid 8 Flora Occults TYC TYC 6272-01145-1 (8.8 Magnitude Star) * Jun 01 - Kuiper Belt Object 28978 Ixion At Opposition (41.884 AU) * Jun 02 - Mars Express Soyuz-Fregat Launch (Mars Orbiter/Lander) Jun 02 - Comet C/2003 F1 (LINEAR) Closest Approach To Earth (3.594 AU) * Jun 02 - Asteroid 199 Byblis Occults HIP 70425 (9.2 Magnitude Star) Jun 02 - 20th Anniversary (1983), Venera 15 Launch (Soviet Venus Orbiter) Jun 03 - Mercury at Greatest Western Elongation (24 Degrees) * Jun 03 - Kuiper Belt Object 50000 Quaoar At Opposition (42.395 AU) * Jun 04 - Cosmos-Parus Cosmos M Launch Jun 04 - Comet Van Biesbroeck Closest Approach To Earth (1.645 AU) * Jun 04 - Asteroid 747 Winchester Occults TYC 5050-00514-1 (9.1 Magnitude Star) * Jun 06 - Asteroid 1641 Tana Occults TYC 918-00546-1 (9.5 Magnitude Star) Jun 06 - Asteroid 2002 EM7 Near-Earth Flyby (0.196 AU) Jun 06 - 20th Anniversary (1983), Venera 16 Launch (Soviet Venus Orbiter) * Jun 07 - Asteroid 2003 JN14 Near-Earth Flyby (0.166 AU) * Jun 08 - Mars Exploration Rover A Delta 2 Launch Jun 08 - Progress M1 N-10 Soyuz FG Launch (International Space Station 11P) Jun 08 - Asteroid 179 Klytaemnestra Occults HIP 65983 (8.9 Magnitude Star) * Jun 08 - Asteroid 390 Alma Occults TYC 7401-02148-1 (8.3 Magnitude Star) Jun 08 - Asteroid 2000 HB24 Near-Earth Flyby (0.152 AU) Jun 09 - Pluto At Opposition * Jun 10 - Thuraya-2 Zenit 3SL Launch Jun 10 - Asteroid 12 Victoria At Opposition (8.8 Magnitude) Jun 10 - 30th Anniversary (1973), Explorer 49 Launch (Moon Orbiter) * Jun 11 - Optus C-1/B-Sat 2C Ariane 5 Launch * Jun 11 - Comet C/2003 H2 (LINEAR) Closest Approach To Earth (1.240 AU) * Jun 12 - AMC-9 Proton K Launch Jun 12 - Comet Holt-Olmstead Perihelion (2.159 AU) Jun 12 - Comet du Toit-Hartley Closest Approach To Earth (0.921 AU) Jun 13 - Comet C/2002 R3 (LONEOS) Perihelion (3.870 AU) Jun 15 - Asteroid 2001 VC2 Near-Earth Flyby (0.221 AU) Jun 16 - 40th Anniversary (1963), Vostok 6 Launch (Valentina Tereshkova - 1st Woman In Space) * Jun 17 - STARDUST, Deep Space Manuever #3 (DSM-3) * Jun 17 - Asteroid 895 Helio Occults HIP 68821 (8.2 Magnitude Star) Jun 17 - Asteroid 2001 LF Near-Earth Flyby (0.230 AU) Jun 18 - 20th Anniversary (1983), STS-7 Launch (Sally Ride - 1st US Woman In Space) Jun 19 - Nozomi, Earth Flyby * Jun 19 - Molniya 3-53 Molniya M Launch Jun 19 - Comet C/2002 J5 (LINEAR) Closest Approach To Earth (5.233 AU) Jun 20 - Asteroid 8 Flora At Opposition (9.2 Magnitude) * Jun 20 - Asteroid 690 Wratislavia Occults TYC 6269-00252-1 (9.4 Magnitude Star) Jun 20 - Asteroid 2002 YB12 Near-Earth Flyby (0.162 AU) Jun 21 - Summer Solstice (19:10 UT) Jun 21 - Mercury Passes 0.4 Degrees From Venus Jun 22 - Mars Passes 3.1 Degrees From Uranus * Jun 22 - Asteroid 838 Seraphina Occults TYC 5527-01447-1 (9.7 Magnitude Star) Jun 22 - Asteroid 1998 HM1 Near-Earth Flyby (0.125 AU) Jun 22 - 25th Anniversary (1978), Jim Christy's Discovery of Pluto Moon Charon * Jun 24 - Asteroid 124 Alkeste Occults FK6 445 Beta Virgo (3.6 Magnitude Star) Jun 25 - Mars Exploration Rover B Delta 2 Launch Jun 25 - Comet C/2002 Y1 (Juels-Holvorcem) Closest Approach To Earth (1.487 AU) Jun 26 - Comet P/2002 T6 (NEAT-LINEAR) Perihelion (3.388 AU) Jun 26 - Asteroid 976 Benjamina Occults TYC 6270-01021-1 (9.4 Magnitude Star) Jun 27 - Comet P/2002 T5 (LINEAR) Perihelion (3.934 AU) Jun 27 - Mars Occults TYC 5817-01202-1 (11.8 Magnitude Star) Jun 27 - Asteroid 1998 FH12 Near-Earth Flyby (0.050 AU) Jun 28 - Comet Gunn Closest Approach To Earth (1.455 AU) Jun 28 - Comet C/2003 F1 (LINEAR) Perihelion (4.008 AU) * Jun 29 - Comet C/2003 H3 (NEAT) Closest Approach To Earth (2.050 AU) Jun 29 - Comet C/2002 J4 (NEAT) Closest Approach To Earth (2.824 AU) Jun 29 - George Hale's 135th Birthday (1868) * Jun 30 - MOST/Mimosa/Monitor E Mock-Up Rokot Launch Jun 30 - Mercury Passes 1.5 Degrees From Saturn * Jun 30 - Asteriod 108 Hecuba Occults TYC 6872-00875-1 (9.6 Magnitude Star) * Jun 30 - Asteroid 1357 Khama Occults TYC 6832-00557-1 (9.9 Magnitude Star) Jun 30 - Asteroid 2002 AA29 Near-Earth Flyby (0.097 AU) Jun 30 - 95th Anniversary (1908), Tunguska Explosion July 2003 Jul ?? - Horizons 1 Zenit 3SL Launch Jul ?? - Double Star 1 CZ-2C/CTS Launch Jul ?? - Cosmos-Glonass N & M Proton K Launch * Jul ?? - Echostar 9 Zenit 3SL Launch * Jul ?? - Gruzomaket Strela Launch * Jul ?? - Cosmos Soyuz U Launch Jul 01 - 2060 Chiron Closest Approach To Earth (11.183 AU) Jul 02 - Comet Smirnova-Chernykh Closest Approach To Earth (3.385 AU) Jul 02 - Asteroid 2001 CC21 Near-Earth Flyby (0.200 AU) Jul 02 - Asteroid 2001 XR31 Near-Earth Flyby (0.278 AU) Jul 02 - Asteroid 5553 Chodas Closest Approach To Earth (1.951 AU) Jul 03 - Asteroid 1999 LT7 Near-Earth Flyby (0.070 AU) * Jul 03 - 5th Anniversary (1998), Nozomi Launch (Japan Mars Orbiter) Jul 04 - Earth At Aphelion (1.017 AU From Sun) Jul 04 - Henrietta Leavitt's 135th Birthday (1868) Jul 06 - Comet Whipple Perihelion (3.088 AU) Jul 06 - Comet Longmore Closest Approach To Earth (2.133 AU) Jul 06 - Asteroid 2000 WN63 Near-Earth Flyby (0.233 AU) Jul 06 - 65th Anniversary (1938), Seth Nicholson's Discovery of Jupiter Moon Lysithea Jul 07 - Asteroid 2003 FT3 Near-Earth Flyby (0.157 AU) Jul 07 - Asteroid 7066 Nessus At Opposition (17.096 AU) Jul 08 - Venus Passes 0.8 Degrees From Saturn Jul 08 - Asteroid 2000 QP Near-Earth Flyby (0.213 AU) Jul 09 - Comet C/2001 HT50 (LINEAR-NEAT) Perihelion (2.792 AU) Jul 09 - Asteroid 2003 CC Near-Earth Flyby (0.189 AU) Jul 10 - Asteroid 58 Concordia Occults TYC 5737-00035-1 (9.7 Magnitude) * Jul 11 - DSCS B6 Delta 4 Launch Jul 12 - Comet C/2002 X1 (LINEAR) Perihelion (2.487 AU) Jul 12 - 15th Anniversary (1988), Phobos 2 Launch (Soviet Mars Orbiter) Jul 13 - Comet Helin-Lawrence Closest Approach To Earth (2.285 AU) Jul 14 - Asteroid 1566 Icarus Closest Approach To Earth (0.978 AU) Jul 15 - Comet Jackson-Neujmin Closest Approach To Earth (1.529 AU) * Jul 16 - STARDUST, Trajectory Correction Manuever #9 (TCM-9) Jul 16 - Comet Shoemaker-Levy 4 Perihelion (2.011 AU) Jul 16 - Asteroid 2002 MQ3 Near-Earth Flyby (0.278 AU) Jul 17 - Rainbow 1 Atlas 5 Launch Jul 17 - Moon Occults Mars Jul 17 - Asteroid 1149 Volga Occults TYC 0543-00599-1 (9.7 Magnitude Star) * Jul 19 - DMSP-16 Titan 2 Launch Jul 19 - Asteroid 2000 OL8 Near-Earth Flyby (0.079 AU) Jul 21 - 5th Anniversary (1998), Galileo, Europa 16 Flyby Jul 21 - 30th Anniversary (1973), Mars 4 Launch (Soviet Mars Mission) Jul 24 - GPS 2R-10 Delta 2 Launch * Jul 25 - SCISAT-1 Pegasus XL Launch Jul 25 - 30th Anniversary (1973), Mars 5 Launch (Soviet Mars Orbiter) Jul 26 - Mercury Passes 0.3 Degrees From Jupiter * Jul 26 - Comet C/2003 J1 (NEAT) Closest Approach To Earth (4.126 AU) Jul 26 - Asteroid 54509 (2000 PH5) Near-Earth Flyby (0.012 AU) Jul 26 - Asteroid 2002 PN Near-Earth Flyby (0.126 AU) Jul 26 - 40th Anniversary (1963), Syncom 2 Launch, 1st Geosynchronous Satellite * Jul 28 - Bilsat 1/Nigeriasat/BNSCSat 1 Cosmos 3M Launch Jul 28 - 30th Anniversary (1973), Skylab-3 Launch Jul 29 - South Delta-Aquarids Meteor Shower Peak Jul 30 - Comet C/2002 L9 (NEAT) Closest Approach To Earth (6.363 AU) Jul 30 - 65th Anniversary (1938), Seth Nicholson's Discovery of Jupiter Moon Carme August 2003 * Aug ?? - SATEC/Unosat VLS-1 Launch (Brazil) * Aug ?? - AMC-12 Proton K Launch Aug 01 - Alpha Capricornids Meteor Shower Peak Aug 01 - Maria Mitchell's 185th Birthday (1818) Aug 02 - Comet P/1996 R2 (Lagerkvist) Closest Approach To Earth (2.139 AU) Aug 03 - Asteroid 2002 AE9 Near-Earth Flyby (0.292 AU) Aug 04 - Neptune At Opposition Aug 06 - Southern Iota Aquarids Meteor Shower Peak Aug 08 - 25th Anniversary (1978), Pioneer Venus 2 Launch Aug 10 - Asteroid 2000 PG5 Near-Earth Flyby (0.174 AU) Aug 11 - Galileo Enters Solar Conjunction Aug 11 - Comet Mueller 1 Closest Approach To Earth (2.596 AU) Aug 12 - Perseids Meteor Shower Peak Aug 12 - Asteroid 8405 Asbolus Closest Approach To Earth (6.128 AU) Aug 12 - 25th Anniversary (1978), ISEE-3 (ICE) Launch (Comet Flyby Mission) Aug 13 - Comet Grigg-Skjellerup Closest Approach To Earth (1.975 AU) Aug 14 - Mercury Greatest Eastern Elongation (27 Degrees) * Aug 15 - Asteroid 2003 EM1 Near-Earth Flyby (0.176 AU) Aug 15 - Astreroid 29075 (1950 DA) Closest Approach To Earth (0.681 AU) Aug 16 - Asteroid 37655 (1994 PM) Near-Earth Flyby (0.025 AU) * Aug 17 - Asteroid 2100 Ra-Shalom Near-Earth Flyby (0.174 AU) * Aug 18 - NRO B-36 Titan 4B Launch Aug 18 - Comet Hartley 1 Perihelion (1.980 AU) Aug 20 - Asteroid 2003 GY Near-Earth Flyby (0.043 AU) * Aug 21 - Asteroid 2002 OA22 Near-Earth Flyby (0.160 AU) * Aug 22 - Insat 3E/E-Bird/SMART-1 Ariane 5 Launch Aug 22 - Asteroid 978 Aidamina Occults TYC 1678-00590-1 (9.2 Magnitude Star) Aug 22 - Asteroid 1997 GD32 Near-Earth Flyby (0.114 AU) Aug 24 - Uranus At Opposition Aug 25 - Northern Iota Aquarids Meteor Shower Peak Aug 25 - Asteroid 2000 BM19 Near-Mercury Flyby (0.045 AU) Aug 25 - Asteroid 1978 CA Near-Earth Flyby (0.324 AU) Aug 26 - Asteroid 420 Bertholda Occults TYC 5757-00353-1 (8.7 Magnitude Star) * Aug 27 - SIRTF Delta 2 Launch Aug 27 - Comet du Toit Perihelion (1.274 AU) Aug 27 - Asteroid 1998 CS1 Near-Venus Flyby (0.033 AU) Aug 28 - Mars At Opposition Aug 28 - Asteroid 2002 JR100 Near-Earth Flyby (0.050 AU) Aug 28 - Asteroid 2002 AL14 Near-Earth Flyby (0.298 AU) Aug 28 - 10th Anniversary (1993), Galileo Flyby Of Asteroid Ida & Dactyl Aug 29 - Comet Russell 4 Perihelion (2.231 AU) * Aug 30 - Progress M-48 Soyuz U Launch (International Space Station 13P) September 2003 Sep ?? - Yamal 201/202 Proton K Launch * Sep ?? - Cosmos 1 Volna Launch (Solar Sail Mission) * Sep ?? - CBERS-2 CZ-4B Launch * Sep ?? - Telstar 8 Zenit 3SL Launch * Sep ?? - Satmex-6/Smart-1 Ariane 5 Launch * Sep ?? - NROL-19 Titan 4B Launch Sep 01 - Galileo Exits Solar Conjunction Sep 01 - Comet Schwassmann-Wachmann 1 Closest Approach To Earth (4.737 AU) Sep 02 - Asteroid 6775 Giorgini Closest Approach To Earth (1.407 AU) Sep 05 - Asteroid 1998 SU4 Near-Earth Flyby (0.188 AU) Sep 08 - Asteroid 2001 QJ96 Near-Earth Flyby (0.179 AU) Sep 09 - Moon Occults Mars Sep 09 - 25th Anniversary (1978), Venera 11 Launch (Soviet Venus Lander) * Sep 10 - IGS-1B/IGS-2B H-2A Launch (Japan) Sep 11 - Asteroid 357 Ninina Occults HIP 29752 (7.0 Magnitude Star) Sep 11 - Asteroid 1998 VS Near-Earth Flyby (0.158 AU) Sep 11 - Asteroid 2002 CD Near-Earth Flyby (0.204 AU) Sep 12 - Comet C/2002 R3 (LONEOS) Closest Approach To Earth (3.004 AU) * Sep 13 - Comet Kowal 2 Closest Approach To Earth (1.786 AU) Sep 13 - Asteroid 2000 OK8 Near-Earth Flyby (0.270 AU) Sep 14 - Asteroid 2001 CL42 Near-Earth Flyby (0.200 AU) Sep 14 - 35th Anniversary (1968), Zond 5 Launch (Soviet Moon Orbiter) Sep 14 - 25th Anniversary (1978), Venera 12 Launch (Soviet Venus Lander) * Aug 18 - NRO B-36 Titan 4B Launch Sep 16 - Asteroid 2000 GF2 Near-Earth Flyby (0.012 AU) Sep 16 - Asteroid 7336 Saunders Near-Earth Flyby (0.190 AU) Sep 16 - Asteroid 2000 AG6 Near-Earth Flyby (0.194 AU) Sep 17 - Asteroid 22771 (1999 CU3) Near-Earth Flyby (0.065 AU) Sep 19 - Comet C/2002 J5 (LINEAR) Perihelion (5.727 AU) Sep 19 - 155th Anniversary (1848), William and George Bond's Discovery of Saturn Moon Hyperion Sep 20 - Asteroid 2002 AG29 Near-Earth Flyby (0.271 AU) Sep 21 - Galileo, Jupiter Impact Sep 21 - Asteroid 2001 QL142 Near-Earth Flyby (0.204 AU) Sep 22 - Comet C/2002 O7 (LINEAR) Perihelion (0.903 AU) Sep 23 - Autumnal Equinox, 10:47 UT Sep 23 - Delta 4 Heavy Demo Launch Sep 23 - Asteroid 27 Euterpe Occults TYC 6844-03116-1 (9.9 Magnitude Star) Sep 25 - Comet Wild 2 Perihelion (1.590 AU) Sep 25 - Asteroid 94 Aurora Occults HIP 39424 (5.1 Magnitude Star) Sep 26 - Mercury Greatest Western Elongation (17 Degrees) Sep 26 - Asteroid 2063 Bacchus Near-Earth Flyby (0.122 AU) Sep 26 - 5th Anniversary (1998), Galileo, Europa 17 Flyby Sep 28 - Asteroid 1999 TO13 Near-Earth Flyby (0.105 AU) Sep 29 - Asteroid 1998 RO1 Near-Earth Flyby (0.125 AU) October 2003 Oct ?? - Lunar TrailBlazer Launch (Commerical Moon Orbiter) Oct ?? - Superbird 6 Atlas 2AS Launch Oct ?? - MLV-14/NROL-18 Atlas II AS Launch Oct 01 - Asteroid 2001 SH276 Near-Earth Flyby (0.263 AU) Oct 01 - NASA's 45th Birthday (1958) Oct 02 - Comet Maury Closest Approach To Earth (2.093 AU) Oct 03 - Comet C/2002 J4 (NEAT) Perihelion (3.634 AU) Oct 03 - Asteroid 1997 US9 Near-Venus Flyby (0.040 AU) Oct 04 - Asteroid 1998 TU3 Near-Earth Flyby (0.195 AU) Oct 06 - Moon Occults Mars Oct 07 - UHF F11 Atlas 3 Launch Oct 07 - Asteroid 1998 UP1 Near-Earth Flyby (0.126 AU) Oct 08 - Kuiper Belt Object 15760 (1992 QB1) at Opposition (39.953 AU) Oct 09 - Draconids Meteor Shower Peak Oct 09 - Comet Van Biesbroeck Perihelion (2.415 AU) Oct 09 - Asteroid 1354 Botha Occults HIP 3652 (9.0 Magnitude Star) Oct 10 - 20th Anniversary (1983), Venera 15, Venus Orbit Insertion Oct 11 - Asteroid 1991 VA Near-Earth Flyby (0.073 AU) Oct 11 - 35th Anniversary (1968), Apollo 7 Launch Oct 11 - Wilhelm Olbers' 245th Birthday (1758) Oct 12 - Comet P/2002 O8 (NEAT) Closest Approach To Earth (2.848 AU) Oct 13 - British Interplanetary Society 70th Birthday (1933) Oct 14 - Asteroid 2002 RR25 Near-Earth Flyby (0.158 AU) Oct 16 - 20th Anniversary (1983), Venera 16, Venus Orbit Insertion Oct 17 - Asteroid 2000 HD24 Near-Vesta Flyby (0.038 AU) Oct 18 - TMA-3 Soyuz FG Launch (International Space Station 7S) Oct 18 - Asteroid 1990 UA Near-Earth Flyby (0.131 AU) Oct 18 - Asteroid 2000 FK10 Near-Earth Flyby (0.175 AU) Oct 18 - Asteroid 4197 (1982 TA) Near-Earth Flyby (0.187 AU) Oct 19 - Asteroid 2001 SK9 Near-Mercury Flyby (0.048 AU) Oct 21 - Orionid Meteor Shower Peak Oct 21 - Asteroid 1998 FG2 Near-Earth Flyby (0.038 AU) Oct 22 - Comet Wolf-Harrington Closest Approach To Earth (1.289 AU) Oct 22 - Asteroid 2 Pallas At Opposition (8.3 Magnitude) Oct 24 - Jupiter Occults PPM 157319 (9.8 Magnitude Star) Oct 24 - Asteroid 1989 UQ Near-Earth Flyby (0.150 AU) Oct 24 - 5th Anniversary (1998), Deep Space 1 Launch Oct 26 - Daylight Saving - Set Clock Back 1 Hour (Europe, North America) Oct 26 - Moon Occults Venus Oct 26 - Comet C/2002 X1 (LINEAR) Closest Approach To Earth (1.801 AU) Oct 27 - Asteroid 2002 VS14 Near-Earth Flyby (0.138 AU) Oct 28 - Asteroid 31662 (1999 HP11) Near-Earth Flyby (0.129 AU) Oct 30 - Asteroid 2001 KZ66 Near-Earth Flyby (0.080 AU) * Oct 31 - Comet C/2003 J1 (NEAT) Perihelion (5.079 AU) Oct 31 - Asteroid 188 Menippe Occults TYC 1221-01110-1 (9.6 Magnitude Star) November 2003 Nov ?? - Shenzhou V Launch (1st Chinese Manned Space Mission) * Nov ?? - Eutelsat W-3A Proton M Launch * Nov ?? - Cartosat 1 PSLV Launch (India) * Nov ?? - DSP-23 Delta 4 Launch * Nov ?? - Servis 1 Rokot KS Launch Nov 01 - Comet C/2001 HT50 (LINEAR-NEAT) Closest Approach To Earth (2.051 AU) Nov 01 - Uranus Occults TYC 5808-00088-1 (11.5 Magnitude Star) Nov 03 - Taurids Meteor Shower Peak Nov 03 - Comet Helin-Roman-Crocket Closest Approach To Earth (2.750 AU) Nov 03 - 30th Anniversary (1973), Mariner 10 Launch (Venus & Mercury Flyby Mission) Nov 04 - Asteroid 2002 QF15 Near-Earth Flyby (0.144 AU) * Nov 06 - Gravity Probe B Delta 2 Launch Nov 06 - Comet C/2002 O7 (LINEAR) Closest Approach To Earth (0.962 AU) Nov 06 - Comet C/2003 A2 (Gleason) Perihelion (11.426 AU) Nov 06 - Asteroid 2000 EJ26 Near-Earth Flyby (0.149 AU) Nov 07 - Asteroid 2000 VZ44 Near-Earth Flyby (0.065 AU) Nov 08 - Comet Whipple Closest Approach To Earth (2.173 AU) Nov 08 - 35th Anniversary (1968), Pioneer 9 Launch (Solar Orbiter) Nov 09 - Lunar Eclipse Nov 09 - Asteroid 1996 AP1 Near-Earth Flyby (0.116 AU) Nov 10 - Comet C/2002 V2 (LINEAR) Closest Approach To Earth (5.935 AU) Nov 10 - Asteroid 1990 OS Near-Earth Flyby (0.031 AU) Nov 10 - 35th Anniversary (1968), Zond 6 Launch (Soviet Moon Orbit & Return) Nov 11 - Comet C/2001 T4 (NEAT) Closest Approach To Earth (7.798 AU) Nov 12 - Asteroid 1996 GT Near-Earth Flyby (0.048 AU) Nov 13 - Asteroid 1998 XB Near-Earth Flyby (0.145 AU) Nov 14 - Nozomi, Mars Orbit Insertion Nov 15 - Saturn Occults PPM 96742 (9.3 Magnitude Star) Nov 15 - Asteroid 1999 XN141 Near-Earth Flyby (0.082 AU) Nov 15 - 15th Anniversary (1988), Buran Launch (Soviet Space Shuttle) Nov 15 - William Herschel's 265th Birthday (1738) Nov 16 - Comet Oterma Closest Approach To Earth (4.611 AU) Nov 16 - Asteroid 2000 WN10 Near-Earth Flyby (0.181 AU) Nov 16 - Asteroid 3753 Cruithne Near-Earth Flyby (0.343 AU) Nov 16 - 30th Anniversary (1973), Skylab 4 Launch Nov 17 - Leonids Meteor Shower Peak Nov 17 - Comet Encke Near-Earth Flyby (0.261 AU) Nov 18 - Alan Shepard's 80th Birthday (1923) Nov 20 - Progress M1-11 Soyuz FG Launch (International Space Station 14P) Nov 22 - Mars Occults PPM 207297 (9.6 Magnitude Star) Nov 22 - 5th Anniversary (1998), Galileo, Europa 18 Flyby Nov 23 - Solar Eclipse (Visible From Antarctica) Nov 25 - Moon Occults Mercury Nov 25 - Saturn Occults PPM 96684 (9.6 Magnitude Star) Nov 26 - Kuiper Belt Object 19521 Chaos At Opposition (41.117 AU) Nov 28 - Comet Holt-Olmstead Closest Approach To Earth (1.531 AU) Nov 28 - Asteroid 29 Amphitrite At Opposition (8.8 Magnitude) Nov 28 - Asteroid 1998 UT18 Near-Earth Flyby (0.066 AU) Nov 29 - Christian Doppler's 200th Birthday (1803) Nov 30 - Asteroid 1996 JG Near-Earth Flyby (0.142 AU) December 2003 * Dec ?? - Sitch 1-M Tsyklon 3 Launch * Dec ?? - Ekspress AM-22 Proton K Launch * Dec 02 - Asteroid 2003 KU2 Near-Earth Flyby (0.162 AU) Dec 03 - 30th Anniversary (1973), Pioneer 10, Jupiter Flyby Dec 04 - 25th Anniversary (1978), Pioneer Venus 1, Venus Orbit Insertion Dec 05 - SWIFT Delta 2 Launch Dec 06 - Asteroid 2000 YJ11 Near-Earth Flyby (0.146 AU) Dec 06 - Asteroid 2001 WF49 Near-Earth Flyby (0.152 AU) Dec 08 - Asteroid 2000 WJ10 Near-Earth Flyby (0.190 AU) Dec 09 - Mercury At Its Greatest Eastern Elongation (21 Degrees) Dec 09 - Comet West-Hartley Perihelion (2.129 AU) Dec 09 - Asteroid 1999 YC Near-Pallas Flyby (0.040 AU) Dec 09 - Asteroid 2001 MT18 Near-Earth Flyby (0.174 AU) Dec 09 - 25th Anniversary (1978), Pioneer Venus 2, Venus Atmospheric Probes Dec 11 - Asteroid 14 Irene At Opposition (9.6 Magnitude) Dec 11 - Asteroid 2001 XX4 Near-Earth Flyby (0.091 AU) Dec 11 - Annie Jump Cannon's 140th Birthday (1863) Dec 13 - Geminids Meteor Shower Peak Dec 14 - Comet C/2002 T7 (LINEAR) Closest Approach To Earth (1.560 AU) Dec 15 - Saturn Occults PPM 94676 (9.8 Magnitude Star) Dec 16 - Beagle 2 Separation From Mars Express Dec 17 - 100th Anniversary (1903), Wright Brothers' First Airplane Flight Dec 20 - Asteroid 3362 Khufu Near-Earth Flyby (0.195 AU) Dec 21 - Beagle 2 Lands On Mars Dec 21 - Mars Express, Mars Orbit Insertion Dec 21 - 35th Anniversary (1968), Apollo 8 Launch Dec 21 - 25th Anniversary (1978), Venera 12, Venus Landing Dec 22 - Winter Solstice (07:04 UT) Dec 22 - Ursids Meteor Shower Peak Dec 22 - Asteroid 925 Alphonsina Occults HIP 23799 (6.3 Magnitude Star) Dec 22 - 15th Anniversary (1988), Discovery of LEW 88516 (Mars Meteorite) Dec 24 - Mars Occults PPM 143331 (10.1 Magnitude Star) Dec 25 - Comet C/2002 T6 (LINEAR-NEAT) Closest Approach To Earth (2.662 AU) Dec 25 - 25th Anniversary (1978), Venera 11, Venus Landing Dec 26 - Asteroid 2002 XP37 Near-Earth Flyby (0.268 AU) Dec 29 - Comet Encke Perihelion (0.338 AU) Dec 30 - Venus Passes 1.8 Degrees From Neptune Dec 31 - Saturn At Opposition Dec 31 - Asteroid 1995 CR Near-Earth Flyby (0.051 AU) January 2004 Jan ?? - Lunar-A Launch (Japan Moon Orbiter & Penetrator) Jan ?? - Progress M-49 Soyuz U Launch (International Space Station 15P) * Jan ?? - MTSAT-1RA H-2A Launch Jan 02 - STARDUST, Comet Wild 2 Encounter Jan 02 - 45th Anniversary (1959), Luna 1 Launch (1st Moon Flyby) Jan 03 - Quadrantids Meteor Shower Peak Jan 04 - Mars Exploration Rover A, Mars Landing Jan 04 - GOES-N Delta III Launch Jan 04 - Earth at Perihelion (0.983 AU From Sun) * Jan 04 - Kuiper Belt Object 20000 Varuna At Opposition (42.219 AU) Jan 05 - 35th Anniversary (1969), Venera 5 Launch (Soviet Venus Lander) * Jan 06 - Asteroid 2002 XT90 Near-Earth Flyby (0.200 AU) Jan 08 - Mars Occults PPM 143928 (9.9 Magnitude Star) Jan 09 - Comet Jackson-Neujmin Perihelion (1.389 AU) Jan 09 - Asteroid 2002 AA29 Near-Earth Flyby (0.055 AU) Jan 10 - 35th Anniversary (1969), Venera 6 Launch (Soviet Venus Lander) Jan 11 - Asteroid 2002 CQ11 Near-Earth Flyby (0.152 AU) Jan 13 - Asteroid 2001 FC58 Near-Venus Flyby (0.047 AU) Jan 13 - Asteroid 2956 Yeomans Closest Approach To Earth (1.907 AU) Jan 15 - Aura Delta 2 Launch Jan 15 - Venus Passes 0.9 Degrees From Uranus Jan 15 - Asteroid 2001 BE10 Near-Earth Flyby (0.060 AU) Jan 15 - Asteroid 2000 CH59 Near-Earth Flyby (0.200 AU) Jan 16 - Asteroid 1996 AE2 Near-Earth Flyby (0.127 AU) Jan 17 - DSP-22 Titan 4B Launch Jan 17 - Mercury at Greatest Western Elongation (24 Degrees) Jan 17 - Venus Occults PPM 240224 (9.6 Magnitude Star) Jan 17 - Comet C/2002 T5 Closest Approach To Earth (3.121 AU) Jan 18 - Asteroid 2212 Hephaistos Near-Mercury Flyby (0.033 AU) Jan 21 - Asteroid 2002 AL14 Near-Earth Flyby (0.156 AU) Jan 22 - Chinese New Year Jan 22 - Comet Vaisala 1 Perihelion (1.796 AU) Jan 22 - Asteroid 1997 AC11 Near-Earth Flyby (0.166 AU) Jan 25 - Mars Exploration Rover B, Mars Landing Jan 25 - 10th Anniversary (1994), Clementine Launch (USA Moon Orbiter) Jan 28 - Venus Occults PPM 207251 (9.8 Magnitude Star) Jan 28 - Asteroid 2002 PN Near-Earth Flyby (0.042 AU) February 2004 Feb ?? - Rosetta Ariane 5 Launch (Comet Orbiter & Lander) Feb 01 - 1st Anniversary (2003), Space Shuttle Columbia Accident Feb 01 - 5th Anniversary (1999), Galileo, Europa 19 Flyby Feb 01 - Asteroid 2000 SU180 Near-Earth Flyby (0.148 AU) Feb 02 - STARDUST, Deep Space Maneuver #4 (DSM-4) Feb 02 - Asteroid 6239 Minos Near-Earth Flyby (0.056 AU) Feb 04 - Asteroid 2002 PZ39 Near-Earth Flyby (0.152 AU) Feb 05 - Asteroid 2001 CP36 Near-Earth Flyby (0.057 AU) Feb 05 - 30th Anniversary (1974), Mariner 10, Venus Flyby Feb 07 - Comet P/2002 X2 (NEAT) Closest Approach To Earth (2.351 AU) Feb 07 - Astronomical Society of the Pacific's 115th Birthday (1889) Feb 07 - William Huggins' 180th birthday (1824) Feb 09 - 5th Anniversary (1999), STARDUST Launch Feb 10 - Asteroid 2000 WO107 Near-Earth Flyby (0.190 AU) Feb 10 - 30th Anniversary (1974), Mars 4, Mars Flyby Feb 12 - 30th Anniversary (1974), Mars 5, Mars Orbit Insertion Feb 13 - Jupiter Occults PPM 157614 (11.3 Magnitude Star) Feb 13 - Comet C/2003 E1 (NEAT) Perihelion (3.245 AU) Feb 13 - Asteroid 2000 DK8 Near-Earth Flyby (0.162 AU) Feb 13 - Asteroid 2001 KA67 Near-Vesta Flyby (0.044 AU) Feb 14 - Comet C/2003 A2 (Gleason) Closest Approach To Earth (10.451 AU) Feb 15 - Mercury Passes 1.9 Degrees From Neptune Feb 15 - Galileo Galilei's 440th Birthday (1564) Feb 18 - Venus Occults PPM 143762 (8.7 Magnitude Star) Feb 20 - Venus Occults PPM 143928 (9.9 Magnitude Star) Feb 20 - 10th Anniversary (1994), Clementine, Moon Orbit Insertion * Feb 22 - Comet C/2003 H1 (LINEAR) Perihelion (2.242 AU) Feb 24 - 35th Anniversary (1969), Mariner 6 Launch (Mars Flyby Mission) Feb 26 - Moon Occults Mars Feb 27 - Mercury Passes 1.4 Degrees From Uranus Feb 28 - Asteroid 2000 EV70 Near-Earth Flyby (0.164 AU) Feb 28 - Asteroid 5555 Wimberly Closest Approach To Earth (2.051 AU) Feb 29 - Asteroid 2000 UL11 Near-Earth Flyby (0.163 AU) March 2004 * Mar ?? - NRO Delta 4 Medium Launch Mar 03 - 35th Anniversary (1969), Apollo 9 Launch Mar 04 - Jupiter At Opposition Mar 05 - 25th Anniversary (1979), Voyager 1, Jupiter Flyby Mar 10 - MESSENGER Delta 2 Launch (NASA Mercury Orbiter) Mar 10 - Asteroid 2002 CD Near-Earth Flyby (0.167 AU) Mar 13 - Venus Occults PPM 118153 (8.4 Magnitude Star) Mar 14 - Albert Einstein's 125th Birthday (1879) * Mar 15 - Comet C/2003 H1 (LINEAR) Closest Approach To Earth (1.335 AU) Mar 17 - Comet Wolf-Harrington Perihelion (1.579 AU) Mar 18 - Asteroid 2002 SY269 Near-Earth Flyby (0.029 AU) Mar 19 - Asteroid 2002 GD2 Near-Earth Flyby (0.120 AU) Mar 20 - Vernal Equinox, 06:49 UT Mar 23 - Comet West-Hartley Closest Approach To Earth (1.317 AU) Mar 23 - Asteroid 2001 FE7 Near-Earth Flyby (0.077 AU) * Mar 23 - Asteroid 10199 Chariklo Closest Approach To Earth (12.150 AU) Mar 23 - Pierre Laplace's 255th Birthday (1749) Mar 25 - Moon Occults Mars Mar 26 - Venus Occults PPM 92330 (8.3 Magnitude Star) Mar 27 - Asteroid 2002 GQ Near-Earth Flyby (0.103 AU) Mar 27 - 35th Anniversary (1969), Mariner 7 Launch (USA Mars Flyby) Mar 29 - Mercury Greatest Eastern Elongation (19 Degrees) Mar 29 - Venus Greatest Eastern Elongation (46 Degrees) Mar 29 - 30th Anniversary (1974), Mariner 10, 1st Mercury Flyby April 2004 Apr 01 - Genesis, End of Science Collection Apr 02 - 45th Anniversary (1959), Selection Of The Mercury 7 Astronauts Apr 04 - Asteroid 2001 HB Near-Earth Flyby (0.093 AU) Apr 06 - Comet C/2002 L9 (NEAT) Perihelion (7.032 AU) Apr 08 - 40th Anniversary (1964), Gemini 1 Launch (Unmanned) Apr 11 - Easter Sunday Apr 12 - Comet Howell Perihelion (1.368 AU) Apr 12 - Asteroid 2001 GO2 Near-Earth Flyby (0.146 AU) Apr 12 - 155th Anniversary (1849), de Gasparis' Discovery of Asteroid 10 Hygiea Apr 13 - Venus Occults PPM 93503 (11.6 Magnitude Star) Apr 13 - Asteroid 5554 Keesey Closest Approach To Earth (1.696 AU) Apr 14 - Christiaan Huygens' 375th Birthday (1629) Apr 15 - Asteroid 1998 XN17 Near-Earth Flyby (0.160 AU) Apr 16 - Asteroid 2001 HJ31 Near-Earth Flyby (0.006 AU) Apr 19 - Partial Solar Eclipse (Visible From South Africa) Apr 19-25 - Astronomy Week Apr 20 - TMA-4 Soyuz FG Launch Apr 20 - Comet Tempel 2 Closest Approach To Earth (2.030 AU) Apr 20 - Asteroid 1999 DJ4 Near-Earth Flyby (0.059 AU) Apr 20 - Asteroid 2002 QQ40 Near-Venus Flyby (0.048 AU) Apr 22 - Lyrids Meteor Shower Peak Apr 22 - Comet Vaisala 1 Closest Approach To Earth (1.096 AU) Apr 23 - Comet C/2002 T7 (LINEAR) Perihelion (0.614 AU) Apr 24 - Astronomy Day Apr 30 - Asteroid 41429 2000 GE2 Near-Earth Flyby (0.135 AU) May 2004 * May 01 - 55th Anniversary (1949), Gerard Kuiper's Discovery of Neptune Moon Nereid * May 04 - Asteroid 2001 FD90 Near-Earth Flyby (0.139 AU) * May 04 - 15th Anniversary (1989), Magellan Launch (Venus Orbiter) * May 05 - Eta Aquarids Meteor Shower Peak * May 05 - 5th Anniversary (1999), Galileo, Callisto 20 Flyby * May 08 - Asteroid 2001 US16 Near-Earth Flyby (0.029 AU) * May 09 - Comet Kowal 2 Perihelion (1.396 AU) * May 14 - Mercury at Greatest Western Elongation (25 Degrees) * May 15 - Comet C/2001 Q4 (NEAT) Perihelion (0.962 AU) * May 16 - 35th Anniversary (1969), Venera 5, Venus Impact * May 17 - Comet Hartley 2 Perihelion (1.036 AU) * May 17 - 35th Anniversary (1969), Venera 6, Venus Impact * May 18 - 30th Anniversary (1969), Apollo 10 Launch * May 19 - Comet C/2002 T7 Closest Approach To Earth (0.266 AU) * May 20 - Asteroid 21374 1997 WS22 Near-Earth Flyby (0.171 AU) * May 21 - Moon Occults Venus * May 24 - Asteroid 2000 JS66 Near-Earth Flyby (0.100 AU) * May 25 - Genesis, Trajectory Correction Manuever #7 (TCM-7) * May 25 - Mars Passes 1.6 Degrees From Saturn * May 25 - Comet P/2003 CP7 (LINEAR-NEAT) Closest Approach To Earth (2.542 AU) * May 28 - Asteroid 2001 YV3 Near-Earth Flyby (0.182 AU) * May 28 - 45th Anniversary (1959), Jupiter C Launch Of Two Monkeys (Able & Baker) * May 29 - 30th Anniversary (1974), Luna 22 Launch (Soviet Moon Orbiter) * May 29 - 85th Anniversary (1919), Solar Eclipse Confirms Einstein's General Theory Of Relativity * May 31 - Asteroid 2000 FM10 Near-Earth Flyby (0.138 AU)