Getting Started
Informative astronomy snapshots for complete beginners (or people in a hurry).
All About Pluto  Lying at the farthest reaches of space, Pluto is one of the most enigmatic planets in our solar system. Learn what little we do know about it here. All About the Moon  It is our nearest neighbor, and the second-brightest object in the sky. Here, learn some of what we know about our moon. All About the Moon  It is our nearest neighbor, and the second-brightest object in the sky. Here, learn some of what we know about our moon. All About the Moon  It is our nearest neighbor, and the second-brightest object in the sky. Here, learn some of what we know about our moon. Apollo 13 Mission - an Introduction  How did the Apollo 13 astronauts survive in space? A quick overview of the unfortunate events that challenged the crew before their safe return to Earth. Astronomy Newsletter Sign-up  The free astronomy newsletter is easy to sign up for, offering a reminder of the latest articles and forum posts. Astronomy or Astrophysics?  Astronomy or astrology? Astrobiology or exobiology? Many astronomy terms are similar, causing confusion – what are the differences between these common terms? Black Holes - an Introduction  What are black holes? Do they really exist? A beginner´s snapshot of these mysterious objects. Bode's Law  Though once thought of as a valuable scientific tool, Bode´s Law is now believed to be inaccurate, and its predictions mere coincidences. Can Sound Travel in Space?  Ordinarily, the answer is no. But although sound cannot travel in a vacuum, there are conditions in space that allow sound to carry. Charon - Moon of Pluto, or Dwarf Planet?  Pluto was recently demoted -- will its moon Charon be reclassified as well? eta Aquarids - Remnants of Halley's Comet  The annual eta Aquarids meteor shower peaks this week. Exploring the Kuiper Belt  At the outer edges of the Solar System lies a mysterious region we´re only beginning to understand. Free Astronomy Study Materials  Looking for astronomy course materials for beginners? OpenLearn provide several course units on their website. Galaxies -- The Milky Way and Others  Galaxies are some of the most mysterious and unknown objects in the universe. Getting Involved in Astronomy  Adults and kids interested in getting into astronomy need look no further – there are a great many clubs, courses and even research projects that welcome beginners. Halley's Comet  Halley´s Comet was once thought to be a harbinger of doom. Halloween's Astronomical Origins  Halloween´s origins date back to the Celtic solar calendar. Human Exposure to the Vacuum of Space  What would happen if you went into space without your spacesuit? An introduction to some of the facts and myths of human exposure to hard vacuum. Jupiter - Mini Solar System  With more moons than any other planet, Jupiter is sometimes called a mini solar system. Kinds of Telescopes  Since the advent of the telescope, it has been adapted and refined several times. Light-Years - an Introduction  The light-year is commonly used term in popular science. What does the term mean and why is it useful? March 3 Lunar Eclipse  The upcoming total lunar eclipse is the first in two and a half years. Mars -- The Red Planet  What mysteries does the Red Planet hold? Find a few of them here. Nebulae -- Birthplace of Stars  These clouds of gas and dust are often the home of forming stars. Oort Cloud -- Birthplace of Comets  Lying at the farthest edges of the Solar System, the Oort Cloud is home to trillions of comets. Quasars -- Windows to the Past  These small, bright objects may help us understand the origin of our universe. Rhea -- Moon of Saturn  Icy and rugged, Rhea is Saturn´s largest airless satellite. And now, it may be the first moon to have been discovered to have rings. Saturn's Changing Rings  We´ve known about Saturn for hundreds of years, but we still don´t have a complete understanding of this planet. Space Elevators - An Introduction  A quick look at the idea of a cable joining Earth with space, including the potential benefits and drawbacks. Star Sets New Speed Record  A recently observed neutron star rotates faster than any previously discovered. The Astronomy Cafe [offsite link] Website of Dr. Sten Odenwald, astronomer and author of "The Astronomy Cafe." Here, Dr. Odenwald answers basic astronomy questions and gives readers a glimpse into the life and career of a full-time astronomer. The Brilliant Comet McNaught  As the brightest comet in 40 years, Comet McNaught is stirring up interest among both amateur and professional astronomers. The Dog Days of Summer  The "Dog Days of Summer" actually stem from ancient Egyptian beliefs. The Lunar Effect - an Introduction  The full Moon is often believed to be related to disasters, crime and psychiatric morbidity, despite several research studies that suggest no such link exists. The Moon – an Introduction  Interested in knowing more about our natural satellite, the Moon? Here are a few quick facts to get you started. The Planet Uranus  Uranus was first thought to be a comet; we now know it is a complex and fascinating planet. Triton - Satellite of Neptune  Neptune´s largest moon, Triton is unlike most satellites in our Solar System. What are Comets?  What are comets made of, and why do they have tails? Some quick facts on the primitive "dirty ice balls" of the Solar System. What are Solar Flares?  Solar flares may take days to form, but only minutes to release megatons of magnetic energy. What is Positional Astronomy?  What was early astronomy like? Much different from today´s science, but important nonetheless. What's an Asteroid?  They are called minor planets, but they aren´t really planets at all. So what are asteroids? Find out here. Links marked with the [offsite link] designation point to websites not associated with BellaOnline.com. BellaOnline.com is not responsible for the material found there.
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