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General Background

General Background

Astronomy is without doubt the oldest of sciences, and over the course of several millennia a vast body of knowledge has been accumulated. A basic understanding of some of the terms, definitions and concepts makes the study of astronomy more enjoyable and meaningful.

Thursday, 11 June 2009 11:23

Angular distance

Apparent angular diameter of the Moon
In astronomy we use angles to measure the 'distance' between objects as seen from Earth, either with the naked eye, or with the aid of a telescope.
Last modified on Thursday, 18 June 2009 09:10
Category: General Background
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Monday, 08 June 2009 17:52

Units of length used in astronomy

The study of astronomy requires that we work with lengths and distances that range from the very small to the very large. It therefore makes sense to have different units of length.
Last modified on Wednesday, 10 June 2009 23:45
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Monday, 08 June 2009 16:55

Equinoxes and solstices

Equinoxes
Twice a year the apparent path of the sun crosses the equator so that the sun is directly overhead at some point on the equator, giving rise to an equinox, which literally means "equal night".
Last modified on Tuesday, 09 June 2009 10:29
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Monday, 08 June 2009 11:28

The Celestial Sphere

The Celestial Sphere
The so-called celestial sphere has its origins in antiquity. Ancient astronomers believed that Earth was the centre of the universe, and that the stars and other celestial objects were fixed objects attached to a vast celestial sphere with Earth at its centre.
Last modified on Tuesday, 09 June 2009 12:17
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Sunday, 07 June 2009 22:34

Scale of the Cosmos

Scale of the Cosmos
No human being—not even astronomers—can really conceive of the vastness of the universe. By this I mean that we, as humans, are accustomed to the familiar scale of our immediate surroundings, simply because from the time of our birth, we live among people and objects that are mostly within our ability to measure fairly easily.
Last modified on Thursday, 18 June 2009 09:04
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