On January 29, 1996, a significant event occurred in the field of astronomy that would change our understanding of exoplanets forever. On this day, astronomers Geoffrey Marcy and Paul Butler announced the discovery of two new planets orbiting stars other than our Sun.

These planets, 70 Virginis b and 47 Ursae Majoris b, were among the first exoplanets ever discovered, and they caused quite a stir in the astronomical community. 70 Virginis b, nicknamed "Goldilocks" due to its potentially habitable temperature, was particularly exciting as it was the first planet found in the "Goldilocks zone" of its star - the region where conditions might be just right for liquid water to exist on the surface.

Imagine the excitement in the room as Marcy and Butler revealed their findings! Picture a crowd of astronomers, their eyes wide with wonder, as they realized the implications of this discovery. Some might have been skeptical, others elated, but all knew they were witnessing a pivotal moment in the history of astronomy.

The discovery methods used by Marcy and Butler, particularly the radial velocity technique, paved the way for future exoplanet hunters. It's as if they handed the astronomical community a pair of cosmic binoculars, allowing us to peer into distant solar systems and spot the subtle wobbles of stars caused by orbiting planets.

This announcement on January 29, 1996, marked the beginning of a new era in astronomy. It opened up a universe of possibilities, quite literally, and sparked a race to find more exoplanets. Since then, thousands of exoplanets have been discovered, each one adding to our understanding of planetary formation and the potential for life beyond Earth.

So, as you go about your day on this January 29th, 2025, take a moment to look up at the stars and remember that on this day, 29 years ago, our view of the cosmos expanded dramatically. Who knows what other astronomical wonders await discovery on future January 29ths?