History of astronomy
Nadir crater
Percival Lowell, the astronomer who searched for planet X and who believed in life on Mars
In this archive article, the late Patrick Moore looks at the life of Percival Lowell.
If every clock on Earth disappeared, how would we know what time and date it is?
How would you tell the time if every clock on Earth
were suddenly to disappear? Astronomy can help.
Ancient stargazing software? A brief history of the orrery and where you can see the biggest in the world
May the course be with you! From Moon golf to Space Station baseball, a mini history of the ultimate away game
Hubble at 30 | Marking 3 decades of the famous telescope
Jenny Winder looks at how the Hubble Space Telescope has revolutionised our view of the Universe over the last 30 years.
Rare artefacts from Apollo and the history of space flight on display at the UK's Space Vault exhibition
One of the largest private collections of space artefacts in the UK is currently on display at the River & Rowing Museum, Henley-on-Thames. Curator Dr Michael Warner reveals why he put the exhibition together
Who came up with dark matter? Seven scientists who pioneered our understanding of the dark universe
The term ‘dark matter’ was coined over a century ago. Here are 7 scientists who shed light on astronomy’s biggest mystery.
Coma Cluster and the theory of dark matter
Why did it take so long for astronomers to discover Uranus?
Why was Uranus not known to ancient astronomers?
The Goose, the Telescope and the Electrical Machine - 8 forgotten constellations that didn't catch on
A look at some of the obscure, lesser-known constellations that fell by the wayside and were resigned to astronomical history.
Astronomers you should know | John Flamsteed
The first Astronomer Royal was a self-taught observer and a perfectionist. Patrick Moore reflects on Flamsteed’s achievements and his spat with Edmond Halley
Why is Mercury called Mercury?
Jupiter's Great Red Spot may not be the same storm that was first observed over 350 years ago
Is the giant storm we see today different to the one first seen in 1665?
Historian Greg Eghigian looked at the history of reported UFO sightings. This is what he found.
NASA's Space Shuttle: the history of the reusable spacecraft and its lasting legacy
NASA's Space Shuttle launched in 1981 and flew its final mission in 2011. Over three decades its 135 missions changed spaceflight forever.
Galileo's observations of Jupiter changed how we view the Universe
How simple observations of Jupiter and its largest moons changed the course of scientific history.
50 of the greatest, most famous astronomers of all time
Our pick of the men and women who transformed our understanding of the Universe.
Astronomers you should know | Clyde Tombaugh
The story of the American amateur astronomer who made an incredible discovery.
How we learned to put the Sun at the centre of the Solar System. Geocentrism vs heliocentrism explained
Earth orbits the Sun, right? It turns out this simple fact wasn't always so simple.
The best space and astronomy Google Doodles
Our pick of the best Google Doodles that have paid tribute to astronomers, celestial events and milestones in spaceflight.
What's it like to be the first person to find a black hole? Interview with black hole co-discoverer Paul Murdin
In this archive interview, we spoke to the UK astronomer who co-discovered the first identified black hole.
12 ancient stones, tombs and temples across the world that align with the Sun at the solstice
One small step for man... What did Neil Armstrong really say when he stepped onto the Moon?
A grammatical debate has plagued one of the most famous lines in history, ever since it was first spoken.