The Discovery / News

Today, August 19, marks National Aviation Day, a celebration established by President Franklin Roosevelt in 1939 to honor aviation pioneer Orville Wright’s birthday. As the first “A” in NASA stands for Aeronautics, this day holds special significance for the agency, which has a rich history in both aviation and space exploration. Since its inception, National Aviation Day has brought together aviation enthusiasts across the nation to celebrate the achievements of flight and the spirit of exploration.

Why It Matters

NASA’s commitment to aeronautics and space exploration is evident in its advanced missions and instrumentation. The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) and Hubble Space Telescope have provided invaluable data on celestial phenomena, measuring spectra and light curves from distant galaxies. For instance, JWST recently captured the light spectrum of a galaxy 13.1 billion light-years away, revealing critical information about its composition and formation. These measurements not only enhance our understanding of the universe but also inform future missions aimed at exploring the cosmos. As we celebrate aviation today, we also look forward to the continued advancements in aerospace technology that will propel us deeper into space.

Fun Fact

Did you know that the distance from Earth to the nearest star, Proxima Centauri, is about 4.24 light-years? That’s roughly 25 trillion miles, illustrating just how vast our universe is compared to the relatively short distances we travel here on Earth.