Astrology and Astronomy have a very intertwined history. With early peoples using the Zodiac to tell stories and pass down information, for example, when to sow and when to reap. They only started to diverge in the 15th centaury when the Renaissance began. But opening any newspaper or magazine to day and you will find…
Cold and Eccentric: A Dive into Uranus and Neptune Uranus Uranus from Voyager 2 Moving on out our next visit is to Uranus the seventh planet from the Sun. Uranus is the third largest planet in the Solar System after Jupiter and Saturn. But unlike Jupiter and Saturn, which are gas giants, Uranus is described…
The Oort Cloud: A Spherical Shell of Mysteries Imagine a vast, spherical shell encasing our solar system’s periphery, home to icy objects and potential comets – that’s the Oort Cloud. Unlike the flattened disk of the Kuiper Belt, which you can read about in my article ‘Where is the Kuiper Belt?’, the Oort Cloud forms…
Please note: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Now you have a taste of what Astronomy is all about you will start to consider whether you want to buy a telescope or a pair of binoculars. It’s at this point my suggestion is to buy a pair of binoculars first, about 10…
Our fascination with the Universe has led us to unlock the very many ways that we can observe it. The key to further unlocking its secrets are radio telescopes. Unlike their optical counterparts that rely on visible light, radio telescopes detect radio waves emitted by celestial objects. This allows astronomers to observe the universe in…
The moon’s dance through its phases is a monthly ritual that fascinates us. It goes from invisible to fully illuminated and back again. But what’s really happening up there? I’ll walk you through it, starting with the New Moon. This phase kicks off the lunar cycle and occurs when the moon is positioned between Earth…
Astronomy societies might just be the coolest clubs you’ve never heard of. These organizations bring together people who share a fascination with the cosmos, creating a space where knowledge is shared, and the night sky comes alive. Joining one can open up a world of stargazing opportunities and educational resources. The beauty of local astronomy…
Ever looked up at the night sky and wondered about those twinkling hazy patches? What you’re staring at are galaxies and nebulae, the building blocks of our universe. To kick things off, let’s get a grip on what galaxies and nebulae are all about. Galaxies are massive systems made up of stars, planets, gas, and…
Meteor showers and comets have fascinated us for centuries. Think about the wonder of looking up at the night sky and seeing streaks of light or a glowing object with a tail stretching across the stars. But what exactly are these celestial spectacles? Meteor showers are essentially space debris. When comets path near the sun,…