Introducing the Universe
The Moon
The Moon is our nearest astronomical neighbour and thanks to extensive observation and space exploration, many of it’s mysteries have been revealed. It’s a great first object for the beginner as even binoculars show it in fine detail. Zoom in with a telescope to reveal the thousands of craters and valleys.
The Sun
Most people know the Sun is the source of heat and light that makes life on Earth possible. Not many people realise that it is just a star and that it’s the proximity that makes it so important to us. Despite the dangers, there are safe ways to observe which will reveal the Sun in a whole new light.
The Inner Planets
Mercury and Venus are both closer to the Sun than the Earth and as a result are always close to it in the sky. Mercury is particularly hard to see but Venus is somewhat easier. They are fascinating alien worlds that bear some resemblance to a primitive Earth.
The Outer Planets
Beyond the Earth is the realm of the outer planets, from the strange surface features on Mars to the moons of Jupiter and from the awesome nature of the rings of Saturn to the srange and eerie worlds of Uranus and Neptune.
Comets and Asteroids
Throughout history, comets have been harbingers of doom but in truth they are amazing objects to study. They seem to have some strange similarities to asteroids and together represent the minor bodies in our Solar System.
The Stars
Its a surprising fact that 50% of the stars in they sky are members of binary or multiple star systems. Look closely and you will also see they come in a variety for different colours. These fascinating objects are as numerous in the Universe as are grains of sand here on Earth.
Nebulae
Gas clouds in space, or nebulae to use their proper term are probably amongst the most beautiful objects in the Universe. They represent not only both the birth but also the death of mighty stars and along the way, seed the Universe with the elements necessary to make life itself possible.
Star Clusters
Glance around the sky on any dark night and you might just notice fuzzy little patches of light. There is a good chance you are looking at a great cluster of stars. They come in many shapes and sizes; from the loosely connected open clusters to the incredibly dense globular clusters.
Galaxies
Like giant islands in space, galaxies are the hosts of all objects in the Universe. Stars, planets, nebulae, star clusters and black holes to name a few are all gravitational bound together into these vast glittering structures.
A Brief History of the Universe
The Universe has been in existence for about 14 billion years. It’s evolution in that time has been fascinating, from the strange Big Bang which seems to have started it all, to it’s rapid expansion and the ultimate evolution of life. Its past seems to be understood but its future and fate remains a mystery.
