2001 monolith was found in what year?

[Sir Rhosis]

With the inevitable dragging out of the film for the new year, I have a question. Most commentators say something to the effect: "The film concerns a black monolith found on the moon in 2001."

It has been a while since I've seen the film, so is this true as far as the year? I do recall that the mission takes place "18 months later." Does the mission then take place in 2002/2003?

Or was the monolith found in 1999/2000 and the mission to Jupiter itself takes place in 2001?

I always assumed it was the mission proper that occurred in 2001.

Sir

Seemed too trivial for GQ.