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The First Discoveries

For hundreds of years, people have wondered if there were planets outside our Solar System.

This idea has now become real, thanks to huge leaps in technology. We are now able to search for these exoplanets.

Black and white portrait of Giordano Bruno, featuring a man with wavy, shoulder-length hair, a thin mustache, and a serious expression. He is wearing a high-necked, loose garment, and the background is textured — Giordano Bruno

Understanding our Universe

The universe has always amazed people. Over time, our understanding of stars and galaxies has changed a lot.

An image of the galaxy NGC 4526 featuring a bright supernova (SN 1994D) in the lower left. The galaxy has a glowing core surrounded by dark, dust-filled spiral arms, creating a striking contrast in the image

This work by NASA, ESA, The Hubble Key Project Team, and The High-Z Supernova Search Team is licensed under Creative Commons Zero v1.0 Universal

One of the first people to study light was Ibn al-Haytham (known as Alhazen). He was a Muslim, living in Egypt in the early 11th Century. Alhazen is first person we know of who used the scientific method. He wanted to know why our eyes could see things.

A simple experiment using paper and a light source to show light travels in straight lines.. — A simple experiment using paper and a light source to show light travels in straight lines

Ancient Astronomy

Our ideas about the Solar System and space have changed over time. People have looked to the skies for thousands of years. They have looked at the movement of the stars and the changes of the Sun and Moon.