1979: Astronomy

Archives consist of articles that originally appeared in Collier's Year Book (for events of 1997 and earlier) or as monthly updates in Encarta Yearbook (for events of 1998 and later). Because they were published shortly after events occurred, they reflect the information available at that time. Cross references refer to Archive articles of the same year.

The latest American and Soviet space missions to Venus have gathered much new information about the planet. A Pioneer Venus orbiter launched by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration reached the planet's vicinity on December 4, 1978, after a voyage of 198 days. It was placed in an... ...