Ancient Astronomy
Our ideas about the Solar System and space have changed over time. People have looked to the skies for thousands of years. They have looked at the movement of the stars and the changes of the Sun and Moon.
The ancient Greeks also did a lot of work in astronomy and maths. Eratosthenes first worked out the distance around the Earth (it's circumference) in 240 BCE. You can try out his experiment yourself on the summer solstice! Hipparchus was the first person to record the wobble of the Earth as it spins on its axis. We call this wobble precession. He was also the first to measure the distance to the Moon.
Design a Planet
There are 8 planets in our Solar System. And there are many thousands of planets orbiting around other stars. We call these planets exoplanets.
Colour Your Space
Spending time focusing on one task can help you to relax. Colouring is a great way to spend some time on a calm and creative activity.
Use your imagination to add colour to these colouring sheets. Choose from Space Exploration, Planets, or Telescopes. Or why not complete all 3?!
Stars and Stories
Have you ever looked at the stars at night and seen pictures in them? The imaginary pictures in the stars are called constellations.
Teresa Anderson
Credit: Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre,
The University of Manchester
Occupation: Director of Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre
Year born: 1962
Research Areas: Electrical Engineering, Renewable Energy, Public Engagement
Haida Liang
Credit:???
Occupation: Professor of Physics
Research Areas: Imaging and Sensing, Conservation, Science and Art
"I’m working on the boundary between optical imaging and history… physics and history are the two things that I love."