12 of 19 results for "astronomy"
Student Article
Galileo Galilei: The Astronomer Who Challenged the Church and Changed Science
The article "Galileo Galilei: The Astronomer Who Challenged the Church and Changed Science" from BBC's HistoryExtra explores the groundbreaking work of Galileo Galilei, who supported the heliocentric theory, advanced telescope technology, and transformed astronomy and physics. Despite his scientific genius, Galileo clashed with the Catholic Church, leading to persecution and house arrest in his later years.
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Volcanic Planet: Exploring Venus

In Volcanic Planet: Exploring Venus, Professor Brian Cox explains how Venus went from being a planet with the conditions to sustain life to a hot, cloudy, hellish landscape. Learn how greenhouse gases and volcanoes played a role in making Venus what it is today. This video is excerpted from BBC’s The Planets, a series that explores the dramatic lives of the eight planets in our Solar System.

Student Article
Nine Stargazing Tips to Enjoy the Night Sky From Home
The article "Nine Stargazing Tips to Enjoy the Night Sky From Home" from BBC Science Focus offers advice for stargazing without a telescope. It includes tips on dressing warmly, preparing your site, adjusting your eyes, spotting stars, planets, and meteors, and using apps to enhance your experience.
Student Article
Winter Solstice: Six Traditional Midwinter Celebrations From Around the World
The article "Winter Solstice: Six Traditional Midwinter Celebrations From Around the World" from BBC's Science Focus explores various ways people celebrate the winter solstice. From Roman pagans to modern festivals in the UK, these celebrations mark the shortest day of the year with unique traditions and rituals, highlighting the cultural significance of this astronomical event.
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Getting Started: Life on Earth and Mars

In Getting Started: Life on Earth and Mars, Professor Brian Cox explains the conditions that are required for life to begin. Learn how Earth and Mars had these conditions at the same time. Could life have started in two places at once? Or might the life on Earth have come from outer space? This video is excerpted from BBC’s The Planets, a series that explores the dramatic lives of the eight planets in our Solar System.

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Mapping Mission: Reaching the Surface of Mercury
In Mapping Mission: Reaching the Surface of Mercury, Professor Brian Cox explains how scientists were able to send the space probe Messenger to Mercury, a particularly difficult planet for us to explore. This video is excerpted from BBC’s The Planets, a series that explores the dramatic lives of the eight planets in our Solar System.
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Venus: The Sci-Fi Planet
In Venus: The Sci-Fi Planet, Professor Brian Cox explains the efforts that Soviet scientists took to land on Venus. During this mission, they collected data about its atmosphere and took the first color photograph of its surface. Learn what makes Venus a planet that has inspired scientists and science fiction writers. This video is excerpted from BBC’s The Planets, a series that explores the dramatic lives of the eight planets in our Solar System.
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Once a Red Planet, Always a Red Planet? The Birth of Mars
In Once a Red Planet, Always a Red Planet? The Birth of Mars, Professor Brian Cox explains how when Mars and Earth were born, they had similar atmospheres and were made of similar material, but the two planets took dramatically different paths. Learn how different Mars is from Earth, and how much Mars has changed in 4.6 billion years. This video is excerpted from BBC’s The Planets, a series that explores the dramatic lives of the eight planets in our Solar System.
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Early Elements: Mars and Earth
In Early Elements: Mars and Earth, Professor Brian Cox explains what Mars and Earth looked like when they were formed. Learn which was the original “blue planet.” This video is excerpted from BBC’s The Planets, a series that explores the dramatic lives of the eight planets in our Solar System.
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Finding Life? The Future of Mars
In Finding Life? The Future of Mars, Professor Brian Cox explains how scientists continue to explore Mars and what finding life on Mars means for the existence of life in the Universe. This video is excerpted from BBC’s The Planets, a series that explores the dramatic lives of the eight planets in our Solar System.
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The Godfather of the Planets: Jupiter
In The Godfather of the Planets: Jupiter, Professor Brian Cox explains how Jupiter has influenced other planets, including Earth. Learn what scientists have learned about Jupiter and its moons from the Pioneer and Voyager expeditions. This video is excerpted from BBC’s The Planets, a series that explores the dramatic lives of the eight planets in our Solar System.
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Giant Pull: Jupiter’s Effect on the Planets
In Giant Pull: Jupiter’s Effect on the Planets, Professor Brian Cox explains how Jupiter’s movement through the early Solar System, into the inner Solar System and toward the Sun, impacted Earth and Mars, and made the planets what they are today. This video is excerpted from BBC’s The Planets, a series that explores the dramatic lives of the eight planets in our Solar System.