History

Astronomy — a science that studies celestial objects and phenomena — is the oldest of the natural sciences. It dates back to antiquity and has origins in the religious, mythological, cosmological, calendrical, and astrological beliefs and practices of prehistory. Astronomy has evolved from simple stars observing and charting constellations to the exploration of mind-boggling objects like black holes, white dwarfs, neutron stars, and supernovas. Here you'll learn the most important milestones in the history of astronomy.

Vostok 1 Spacecraft

April 12: Anniversary of the First Manned Space Flight

~6 min
Astronomical News

On April 12, we celebrate the anniversary of the first human spaceflight. Learn more about modern astronauts and space missions!

The International Day of Planetariums 2021

All About Planetariums: What Is a Planetarium, And Why Are Planetariums Important Today?

~6 min
Astronomical News

Searching for a new leisure time activity? Visit your nearest planetarium! In today's article, you’ll find everything you need to know about space theaters.

Space Movie or True Story?

Space Movie or True Story?

Quizzes

Did a NASA astronaut really play golf on the Moon? Have astronauts ever tried to carry a nuclear bomb to the Sun? In this quiz, you'll need to decide whether an event occurred in a sci-fi movie or in real life. Test your knowledge of cinema and space exploration history!

Planet Pictures

Planet Pictures: Then vs Now

Infographics

From grainy black-and-white to breathtaking high-res images! 🪐Explore the journey of planetary photography through our infographics, showing the oldest and newest photos of planets side by side.

Galileo Galilei portrait

From the Moons of Jupiter to the Laws of Motion: The Contributions of Galileo Galilei to Astronomy and Science

~7 min
Astronomical News

Happy 460th birthday, Galileo! Let’s take a closer look at the legacy of this remarkable man and how his work continues to shape our world today.

First cat in space

The Story of Félicette: How the World Almost Forgot About the First Cat in Space

~4 min
Astronomical News

60 years ago, France sent a stray cat into space. 🐈🚀 Learn the sad story behind the great space journey of the only cat in space!

Sputnik 1 above Earth

Quiz: Famous Firsts in Space

Quizzes

From discovering new planets to landing on comets and launching animals into orbit — this quiz is about key moments in the history of space science. - What spacecraft was the first to reach interstellar space? - What was the first dwarf planet ever discovered? - What were the first animals in space? Take this quiz and learn more about major milestones in astronomy and space exploration!

60th Anniversary of Yuri Gagarin's flight

60th Anniversary of the First Human Space Flight

~4 min
Astronomical News

In today’s article, we’ll talk about the flight of Yuri Gagarin and remember another important event that also happened on April 12.

Great astronomers: collage of three

Great Astronomers Of the Past

Quizzes

Galileo, Copernicus, Kepler – these and many other outstanding scientists made significant contributions to the history of astronomy. In this quiz, you'll need to guess famous astronomers by the discoveries they made or innovative ideas they proposed. Let's see how many you can name right!