Asteroid 323 Brucia became the first asteroid discovered using photography.
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Scientists observed the biggest explosion in the universe, 390 million light-years away.
Israel launched its first satellite, Ofek-1, from the Palmachim Air Base.
Radiation from an explosion on the magnetar SGR 1806-20 reached Earth.
Carolyn & Eugene Shoemaker and David Levy discovered the Shoemaker-Levy 9 comet.
Danish astronomer Tycho Brahe witnessed the supernova SN 1572.