Tarantula Nebula
The Tarantula Nebula
     

Astronomy

Essays on stars, planets, nebulas, galaxies

and a monthly skywatchers' page

 

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Monthly Skywatchers' Page

This monthly skywatchers' page is written for London and the United Kingdom. It is valid for all similar latitudes (50-52 degrees North)

Summary: Mars at oposition and occulted by the Full Moon (all UK). Jupiter and Saturn in the evening sky joined by Mercury and Venus at the end of the month. Winter Solstice.


Astronomy Essays

How humanity came from believing Creation Myths to postulating the Inflationary Big Bang Theory. The key stages in our understanding of our place in the cosmos and the people who broadened our understanding.

In astronomy distances are confusing because of the large numbers of zeros in the figures. This is an easy-to-understand scaling of the Universe in space. Distances in space are represented by the time light takes to travel there.

In astronomy times are confusing because of the large numbers of zeros in the figures. This is an easy-to-understand scaling of the Universe in time. The chronology of the Universe is compared to a real year.

An account of how stars evolve and change the chemistry of the Universe. It turns out that the material that makes up our bodies and surroundings actually comes from within stars that died millions of years ago.

Is the Earth the only planet with life? The possibility of life on other worlds is discussed. The essay is based on the knowledge we have at present. Defining life is a difficult aspect of this discussion. There is a small digression about UFOs.

What do we mean by the words day, week, month, year? Who invented our calendar? When did the third millennium begin? The relation between time and astronomy.

How do they differ? Why is one a science and the other a belief system? What are the assumptions behind astrology? What is the difference between the Zodiac constellations and the Zodiac signs?

A table containing a list of the 20 brightest stars and explanations of all the associated terms like magnitude, spectral type and radial velocity.

Tables with explanations about the Sun, Earth, Moon, major and minor planets, satellites, asteroids, KBOs and comets.

Introduction to the various coordinate systems used in geography and astronomy.

An account of how various properties of stars can be measured by studying starlight. Includes brightness, distance, luminosity, temperature, mass, radius, density and an introduction to the H-R Diagram.

The force that moves apples and planets. A short introduction to the ideas of Kepler and Newton that culminated with the theory of Universal Gravitation.


KryssTal Related Pages

A brief introduction to total eclipses of the sun. Occurrence of eclipses (how often and where seen). A listing of the next few total eclipses of the Sun. Tips for travelling to eclipses.

Read travel accounts for total eclipses in Java (Indonesia), The Philippines, Mexico, Chile, India, Venezuela, Cornwall (England), Zimbabwe, Botswana, Turkey, Russia, China, Australia, Uganda, Faroe Islands, Sulawesi (Indonesia), Wyoming (USA), Chile and Australia.

Essays on physics, the study of matter and energy.

Essays on chemistry, the study of the interactions between different substances.

Essays on mathematics, the study of number and relations between them.


External Astronomy Links

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Astronomy Hobby
A beginners' guide to astronomy.

NASA Home Page
Lots of information about space exploration including the latest photographs the solar system and deep space.

Astronomy Now
A British astronomy magazine with interesting information and good articles.

The Universe Today
A frequently updated astronomy site full of news and articles as well as reference links.

Encyclopedia.Com
A reference resource on many subjects.

Sleeping Under The Stars
Information for schools about the basics of astronomy.

Light Pollution
Discussion of light pollution and its causes.

Astronomy Essays
From bartleby.

Astronomy for Kids
An easy to understand description of the main bodies of the cosmos.

Guide to Backyard Astronomy
Beginners' guide for people using naked eye or simple equipment.

Back Garden Astronomy
Another beginners' guide with resources.

Constellations Mythology
A good summary of the more common constellations.

Astronomy for Kids: Teaching Space Science to Young Stargazers
Geting children interested in astronomy.

Building a Home Observatory/
Details on how to build a home observatory.



HappyChild is an excellent educational resource for children, full of interesting information.