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universe
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Examine the observable universe's place within the whole universe
The scale of the universe: Earth's solar system and beyond
How did Ptolemy explain retrograde motion?
Eratosthenes' method of measuring Earth's circumference
Aristotle's theory of the solar system explained
Copernicus's revolutionary theory: The Sun as the center
Galileo's telescopes photosphere of the Sun
Kepler's revolutionary laws of planetary motion
Halley's Comet
For Students
universe summary
Quizzes
View of the Andromeda Galaxy (Messier 31, M31).
Astronomy and Space Quiz
The orbits of the planets and other elements of the solar system, including asteroids, Kuiper belt, Oort cloud, comet
Space Odyssey
Ursa major constellation illustration art. (Big Dipper) stars, space, night sky)
Stars: Explosions in Space
Nicolaus Copernicus. Nicolas Copernicus (1473-1543) Polish astronomer. In 1543 he published, forward proof of a Heliocentric (sun centered) universe. Coloured stipple engraving published London 1802. De revolutionibus orbium coelestium libri vi.
All About Astronomy
Related Questions
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Solar system illustration. (Sun; planets)
A Model of the Cosmos
Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) new star formation. Satellite galaxy of the Milky Way. This galaxy is scattered with glowing nebulae, the most noticeable sign that new stars are being born.
Was the Big Bang Actually an Explosion?
Colorful winter sunset
What's the Difference Between a Solstice and an Equinox?
Spiral Galaxy type Sa-Sb or Sa/Sb in the constellation Virgo. The majestic Sombrero Galaxy Messier 104 (M104) or NGC 4594. The team took six pictures of the galaxy, stitched them together to create the final composite image. Photo from May-June 2003
9 Britannica Articles That Explain the Meaning of Life
Remarkable new details of Pluto's largest moon Charon are revealed in this image from New Horizons' Long Range Reconnaissance Imager (LORRI), taken late on July 13, 2015 from a distance of 289,000 miles
Why Is Pluto No Longer a Planet?
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Scottish fold cat. A genetic mutation caused (in the original cat-1961) the ears to bend forward and down.
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Coriander leaves, fresh green cilantro on wooden background, herbs
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Ice Sledge Hockey, Hockey Canada Cup, USA (left) vs Canada, 2009. UBC Thunderbird Arena, Vancouver, BC, competition site for Olympic ice hockey and Paralympic ice sledge hockey. Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, Vancouver Olympics
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Fish. Lionfish. Lion-fish. Turkey fish. Fire-fish. Red lionfish. Pterois volitans. Venomous fin spines. Coral reefs. Underwater. Ocean. Red lionfish swims by seaweed.
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Hemp (Cannabis sativa).
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Four year old boy with grandfather and father lighting Hanukkah menorah. Photo taken on: December 21st, 2009
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Colorful winter sunset
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Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students.
Written by
Frank H. Shu
Professor of Physics, University of Calfornia, San Diego. Author of The Physical Universe.
Frank H. Shu
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The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors.
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Last Updated: • Article History

News •

Astronomers Unveil Their Favorite Discovery of 2024 • Dec. 22, 2024, 10:54 PM ET (Newsweek)
Universe's expansion mystery confirmed by Hubble and Webb observations • Dec. 12, 2024, 11:44 PM ET (TechSpot)
Firefly Sparkle: 'Christmas' galaxy reveals how Universe formed • Dec. 11, 2024, 7:09 AM ET (BBC)
Neurons Don't Look Like We've Long Thought, Controversial Study Says • Dec. 3, 2024, 5:50 PM ET (ScienceAlert)
Discovery: What we think we know about the universe is very wrong • Nov. 30, 2024, 8:00 PM ET (Earth.com)

universe, the whole cosmic system of matter and energy of which Earth, and therefore the human race, is a part. Humanity has traveled a long road since societies imagined Earth, the Sun, and the Moon as the main objects of creation, with the rest of the universe being formed almost as an afterthought. Today it is known that Earth is only a small ball of rock in a space of unimaginable vastness and that the birth of the solar system was probably only one event among many that occurred against the backdrop of an already mature universe. This humbling lesson ...(100 of 4604 words)

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