Astronomy
Discover the wonders of the universe, from distant stars to mysterious galaxies. Astronomy opens the door to the cosmos.
What is Astronomy?
Astronomy is the scientific study of everything in the universe beyond Earth’s atmosphere — from stars and planets to galaxies and the structure of the cosmos itself. It’s one of the oldest sciences, with roots going back to ancient civilizations that charted the skies to understand the passage of time and the movement of celestial bodies. Today, astronomers use advanced tools like space telescopes and probes to explore phenomena far beyond our solar system. Through this ongoing exploration, astronomy helps us uncover the story of our universe and our place within it.
The Life Cycle of Stars
Stars are born within massive clouds of gas and dust called nebulae. Over time, gravity pulls the material together until nuclear fusion begins, creating the light and heat that define a star. A star’s life span and fate depend largely on its size. Smaller stars burn for billions of years and end as white dwarfs, while more massive stars burn out faster and may explode as supernovae, leaving behind neutron stars or black holes. These remnants contribute to the formation of new stars and planets, continuing the cosmic cycle.
Did you know? The sun is a medium-sized star and is currently about halfway through its life cycle.
Exploring Deep Space
The observable universe spans billions of light-years, revealing a vast and complex structure filled with galaxies, clusters, and cosmic mysteries. With the help of space observatories like the James Webb Space Telescope and instruments based on Earth, scientists can peer into regions of deep space that contain ancient light from the early universe. These observations help researchers study phenomena like dark matter, gravitational waves, and cosmic inflation. Each discovery opens new questions and deepens our understanding of how the universe has evolved since the Big Bang.p>