The Library of Congress recently acquired Alessandro Piccolomini's 1566 edition of La Sfera del Mondo and De La Stelle Fisse, often regarded as the first printed star atlas. This work by Alessandro Piccolomini was the first to offer an entry into amateur astronomy for the non-scholar.
In the summer of 1860, three American scientists set out on an epic months-long journey into the Canadian north, where indigenous guides hauled them hundreds of miles up the Saskatchewan River to catch sight of a total solar eclipse.
In honor of Hubble Space Telescope's 30th launch anniversary, we explore it's early conception and deployment in April 1990 and provide resources for further learning.