June 6 marks the 75th anniversary of the D-Day invasion, arguably the biggest turning point of World War II. While the invasion of Normandy involved a never-before seen mobilization of people and resources, the role astronomy played in the operation's planning is often overlooked.
Texas State University astronomer, physics professor and Texas State University System Regents' Professor Donald Olson has applied his distinctive brand of celestial sleuthing to the events of June 1944 to correct the historical record regarding the airborne phase of the assault, involving paratroopers and glider-borne soldiers, and also to highlight astronomy's influence on the beach landing.
Olson's findings are published on the Sky & Telescope's website.
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