On This Day in Tech History

IBM's "STRETCH" supercomputer, which was one of the most powerful computers in the world when it was introduced in the 1960s, was retired in 1981. The STRETCH computer was a significant advancement in computing technology at the time of its introduction, with impressive features such as the use of a semiconductor and a memory capacity of up to 768 kilobytes. The STRETCH computer was primarily used for scientific research, military simulations, and aerospace applications. It played a crucial role in the United States' space program and was used to design and test the Apollo spacecraft that carried astronauts to the moon. However, as newer and more powerful computers were developed, the STRETCH computer became outdated. IBM had also introduced newer models, such as the System/360, which were better suited to meet the growing demands of the computing industry.

In 2005, using the Hubble Space Telescope, astronomers discovered two new moons orbiting Pluto. These moons were initially designated S/2005 P 1 and S/2005 P 2, but in 2006, they were officially named Nix and Hydra. Nix, the smaller of the two moons, was named after the Greek goddess of darkness and night. Hydra, the larger moon, was named after the nine-headed serpent from Greek mythology. The naming process was conducted through an international contest held by the International Astronomical Union. Nix and Hydra are irregularly shaped, and they are believed to be composed of a mixture of rock and ice. They orbit Pluto in the outermost region of its system, with Nix at a distance of approximately 48,700 kilometers from Pluto, and Hydra at a distance of approximately 64,800 kilometers. The discovery of these two new moons was significant because it expanded our knowledge of the Pluto system. It provided astronomers with new insights into the formation and evolution of Pluto and its moons. In addition, the discovery of these two moons sparked renewed interest in Pluto and its system, leading to the historic flyby of the New Horizons spacecraft in 2015. The flyby provided the first detailed images and measurements of Pluto and its moons, including Nix and Hydra.