Excerpt:
We list here many important events in the history of astronomy, particularly high-energy astronomy (X-ray astronomy, gamma-ray astronomy and cosmic-ray astronomy), with particular emphasis on events concerning space-based observatories with X-ray and gamma-ray detectors on board which observed cosmic (i.e., non-solar) sources. (Some of the major events in planetary exploration missions are listed, but for a comprehensive chronology, see the NSSDC Chronology of Lunar and Planetary Exploration). A graphical version of the dates of operation of high-energy astrophysics missions is also available, as is a review paper on X-ray astronomy missions up to the early 1990s.
Annotation:
This is a chronology of many important dates in the history of high-energy astrophysics and astronomy, with particular emphasis on space-based observatories with X-ray and gamma-ray instruments. Notably, the chronology extends to the year 2005 (by which time a number of planned NASA missions will have been launched). Some major events in planetary exploration missions are also listed for the period up to December 1995. Though descriptions are brief, many of the chronological entries include links to more detailed information about the subject.