Collins Astronomy

An icy visitor from beyond the Solar System

An icy visitor from beyond the Solar System

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4 min

The Changing of the Seasons

The Changing of the Seasons

We had a pretty decent summer in the UK, I certainly spent plenty of my time outside, away from the city, roaming around with the wildlife. September brings the Autumnal Equinox, beyond which our days become progressively shorter than our...

4 min

An Extraterrestrial Home Delivery

An Extraterrestrial Home Delivery

A meteor is a small chunk of rock, metal or ice, burning up as they enter Earth’s atmosphere. If you have ever seen a shooting star on a dark night, that was likely a meteor no larger than a grain...

4 min

Getting to know our night sky

Getting to know our night sky

How many stars can you see from wherever you are? 10? 100? Think of all the stars we could see on a dark clear night away from city lights,...

4 min

I think we’re alone now…

I think we’re alone now…

Since I was a little girl I’ve wondered about the Moon and stars, how long would it take me to get there? What would I find when I arrived? Should I bring warm clothes or shorts and sandals?

3 min

The Moon: our celestial neighbour

The Moon: our celestial neighbour

The Moon, our natural satellite. It is difficult to imagine living on a world without a moon, its effects on Earth and life are wide-ranging and profound....

4 min

What is the Spring equinox and what does it mean for our night sky?

What is the Spring equinox and what does it mean for our night sky?

Spring is a time for new life, new starts and rebirth, some of us will spring clean our homes and lives, ready for the summer. Animals that hibernate such as bats and bears wake up in March and April, when...

4 min

How the James Webb Space Telescope is lifting the cosmic veil to explore the unknown

How the James Webb Space Telescope is lifting the cosmic veil to explore the unknown

On Christmas Day this year, astronomers and space enthusiasts around the world will be celebrating the third anniversary of the launch of the James Webb Space Telescope, which sailed into orbit aboard an Ariane 5 rocket (from the Guiana Space...

5 min

Could we live on Mars?

Could we live on Mars?

Mars is not a welcoming world for humans or other life as we know it. Even the deepest regions of the Arctic or Antarctic are more hospitable than the most sheltered surface areas on Mars. This is mostly because Earth...

4 min

Chasing the Great American Eclipse

Chasing the Great American Eclipse

'Even if you care little about the Sun, Moon, or astronomy – you should still strive to see a total solar eclipse in your lifetime. It’s not about the science, it’s about the inherent beauty of the celestial dance...

4 min

Stargazing in January 2024: What to look out for in the night sky

Stargazing in January 2024: What to look out for in the night sky

Looking to take up stargazing in the New Year? The winter months, with darker and longer nights, are a brilliant time to start getting acquainted with the night sky. If you’re wondering what to look out for in January...

3 min

What is a ‘ring of fire’ eclipse?

What is a ‘ring of fire’ eclipse?

This Saturday (14th October), an annular or ‘ring of fire’ solar eclipse will be visible across North and South America. Solar eclipses occur as the Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun, occurring 1-2 times a...

3 min