The universe beyond our planet is limitless So are the mysteries hiding within its cold dark void Over centuries scientific minds have used their own observation and more recently stunning advances in technology to pull back the curtain on just a tiny fraction of the endless unknowns of outer space Giant telescopes housed in observatories act as a kind of window to the stars Many observatories are built in remote locations at high altitudes 6
Observatory on Mauna Kea Hawaii 7
SUN Mercury Venus Earth Mars 8 Earth is one of eight planets in our solar system Astronomers call the four nearest the Sun the rocky planets The four farthest from the Sun are called the gas giants
Those who study space the planets and stars and the infinite realms beyond our own solar system are astronomers They play an important role in understanding our Earth and its place in a universe so vast it can sometimes defy our understanding Astronomy is a physical science While life sciences such as biology are more concerned with the study of living things astronomers study the physical makeup and activity of objects in space Jupiter Uranus Saturn Neptune 9
