THIS WEEK IN HISTORY

27 November, 2001 – Hubble detects the first planetary atmosphere outside the Solar System

The space telescope detected sodium on HD 209458 b, an exoplanet also known as Osiris. Belonging to a class of planets called hot Jupiter, because they are similar in size to Jupiter.


28 November, 1967 – First pulsar observed

Jocelyn Bell and her advisor Antony Hewish at Cambridge University were the first people to observe and discover pulsars. Pulsars are rapidly spinning neutron magnetised stars that emit radiation.


29 November, 1972 – Atari Releases Pong

One of the very first arcade games to hit the market, Pong was a video game similar to tennis, where the goal is to use a paddle to hit a ball. Around 35000 Pong consoles were sold around the world.


30 November, 1982 – Michael Jackson’s Thriller was released worldwide

Thought to be the best selling album of all time, the album, which had nine tracks, won eight Grammy Awards, including the award for Album of the Year in 1984.


01 December, 1918 – Kingdom of Iceland established

The Kingdom of Iceland was established with the signing of the Act of Union with Denmark. The act recognised Iceland as a sovereign state under a common monarch with Denmark, and the Kingdom lasted until 1944 when a national referendum created the Republic of Iceland.


02 December, 1988 – Benazir Bhutto sworn in as the Prime Minister

Benazir Bhutto took the office as Pakistan's Prime Minister, becoming the first woman Prime Minister of Pakistan.


03 December, 1910 – First public demonstration of neon lights

Seen in most urban settings and cities today, the neon light was invented by French inventor and engineer, Georges Claude. They were first displayed at the Paris Motor Show.

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