The Solar Corona, 1860
The total solar eclipse of 18 July 1860 was probably the most thoroughly observed eclipse up to that time. What is unusual about this eclipse is that, unlike most drawings of the solar corona up until that time, the drawings of the 1860 eclipse all show a peculiar feature in the southwest (lower right) portion of the corona.
The 1860 eclipse was unique in that the outer reaches of the corona were not uniform, but possessed their own unusual structures. The feature drawn repeatedly by a variety of skilled astronomers was unlike anything seen before in these solar hinterlands. [ftp]
Drawings by G. Tempel, F.A. Oom, von Feilitzsch, F. Galton
Also
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txtr: Mimas, photographed by Voyager 2, 13th November 1980.
(I checked; November 13th was a Thursday, not a Friday.)
Image credit: NASA/JPL.
THE CHINESE, NOT BRUCE WILLIS, WILL SAVE US FROM THE ASTEROID
Scientists at Tsinghua University in Beijing have revealed their solar sail plan to deflect an asteroid that could hit the Earth in 2036.
Apophis was discovered in 2004, and it’s first close call with Earth will occur on April 13, 2029. Scientists do not expect impact, though the asteroid will pass through the orbit of geosynchronous communications satellites.
The asteroid will pass by again in 2036, with a 1 in 250,000 chance of hitting the Earth.
Fun fact: Apophis is named after the villain in Stargate. The scientists who first discovered the asteroid are huge Stargate:SG-1 fans.