Astronomy is a very exact branch of science, although a lot of people become interested in it when they are quite young. Astronomy is a thought-provoking pursuit that can teach children about the other sciences in general. Some astronomical subjects inspire kids and movies like Star Wars and they serve to increase this interest.

The Earth’s nearest neighbour is the moon. Its journey around the Earth takes just over twenty-seven days to complete. Mankind has only ever set foot on the Earth and the moon. The gravity between the moon and Earth is responsible for the tides. Its brightness in the night sky encourages many children to learn more about it and the subject of astronomy in general.

Then there’s our sun. Earth is quite far from the sun. The distance fluctuates between about 91 million miles and about 94 million miles, although these measurements are not completely accurate. They are inaccurate measurements, because the Earth orbits the sun is in an uneven ellipse. Life on Earth is only possible because of the sun, because it provides us with important elements such as light and heat. It is not a well-known fact that the sun contains about 98% of all the mass available in the solar system. Think about how tiny a person is compared to that – it is truly imponderable!

The Earth is in the galaxy called the Milky Way. Like all other galaxies, it’s a very large collection of gas, dust, stars and planets. Most of the area in a galaxy is filled with nothing, just empty space. In other words, most of its volume, 3,000 light years high by 100,000 light years diameter, the size of our galaxy, is empty.

We’re situated somewhere in the vicinity of 30,000 light years from the very centre of our galaxy. The nothingness is broken up by over 100 billion stars. In fact, the galaxy was named for the thick group of stars in the main portion of it.

It looks just like a pool of liquid, which is why it was given the name Milky Way. There are four sorts of galaxies: elliptical, lenticular, irregular and, like the Milky Way, spiral.

There is a lot of information on astronomy on the Internet that is suitable for children: from dictionaries and encyclopaedic references to programs that show the orbits of the different planets, solar systems and objects right on the computer’s monitor! In fact, there’s more information than a child could ever get through.

Astronomy is a very exact branch of science, although many people get involved with it when they are quite young. Astronomy is inspiring hobby that can teach children about the other sciences in general. Certain astronomical subjects inspire kids and movies like Star Wars and they only increase this interest.

The Earth’s nearest neighbour is the moon. Its path around the Earth takes just over twenty-seven days to complete. Mankind has only ever set foot on the Earth and the moon. The gravity between the moon and Earth causes the tides. Its brightness in the night sky attracts many children to want to study more about it and the subject of astronomy in general.

Let’s move on to the sun. Earth is quite far from the sun, although the distance actually fluctuates between about 91 million miles and about 94 million miles. The reason for this variance is because of Earth’s elliptical orbit. Life on Earth is only possible because of the sun, which is our source of important elements such as light and heat. A little-known fact is that the sun contains about 98% of the mass of the whole solar system! Just think about how small a person is compared to that.

The Earth is in the galaxy called the Milky Way. Like all other galaxies, it’s a very large collection of gas, dust, stars and planets. Most of the area in a galaxy is filled with nothing, just empty space. In other words, most of its volume, 3,000 light years high by 100,000 light years diameter, the size of our galaxy, is empty.

We’re situated somewhere in the neighbourhood of 30,000 light years from the very centre of our galaxy. The nothingness is broken up by over 100 billion stars. In fact, the galaxy was named for the thick group of stars in the main portion of it.

It resembles a pool of liquid, which is why it was named the Milky Way. There are four types of galaxies: elliptical, lenticular, irregular and, like our Milky Way, spiral.

There is a lot of information about astronomy on the Internet that is fit for children: it ranges from dictionaries and encyclopaedic references to programs that show the paths of the different planets, solar systems and objects right on the computer’s monitor! In fact, there’s more information out there than a child could ever get through.

Astronomy is a very serious science, although many people get involved with it when they are quite young. Astronomy is inspiring hobby that can teach children about the sciences in general. A number of astronomical subjects interest kids and movies like Star Wars and they only serve to increase this attraction.

Our only natural satellite is called the moon. Its path around the Earth takes just over twenty seven days to complete. Man’s knowledge being what it is and because the moon is so near, it is the only space object that mankind has ever set foot on, except for the Earth of course. The effects of gravity between the moon and Earth causes the seas’ tides. The moon is one of the first objects that sparks a child’s interest in astronomy because it can be clearly seen with the human eye.

Consider Sol, our own star, the sun. The distance between our home and the sun is very large, although it varies from 91 to 94 million miles. The reason for the variance is the Earth’s elliptical orbit. If there were no sun, we wouldn’t be alive. The sun delivers both light and heat to the planets. A little known fact is that the sun contains about 98% of the mass in the solar system. That is massive!

The Earth is in the galaxy called the Milky Way. Like all other galaxies, it’s a very large collection of gas, dust, stars and planets. Most of the area in a galaxy is filled with nothing, just empty space. In other words, most of its volume, 3,000 light years high by 100,000 light years diameter, the volume of our galaxy, is nothingness.

We’re situated somewhere in the neighbourhood of 30,000 light years from the central core of our galaxy. The nothingness is broken up by over 100 billion stars. In fact, the galaxy was named for the thick group of stars in the main portion of it.

It resembles a pool of liquid, which is why it was called the Milky Way. There are four kinds of galaxies: elliptical, lenticular, irregular and, like the Milky Way, spiral.

There is a great deal of information about astronomy on the Internet that is fit for children: from dictionaries and encyclopaedic references to programs that show the paths of the different planets, solar systems and objects right on the computer’s monitor! In fact, there’s more information than a child could ever get through.

The Northern Lights are often referred to as the Auroras, and they occur as beautiful extraordinary displays of natural light in the sky. These can normally only be seen at night, and in what is known as the Polar Regions. In those regions, sometimes the lights are referred to as Polar Auroras, or the Aurora Borealis. The closer one gets to the North Magnetic Pole, the more vivid and beautiful the Northern Lights become.

While the northern lights usually appear high overhead when viewed from a location close to the magnetic north pole, as one moves further away from the north pole, this magnificent display of natural light tends to illuminate the horizon from one end to the other in a marvellous greenish glow. Having said that, there are times when the northern lights appear to be more of a red colour rather than green. When one considers the way in which these lights can appear to dance in the night sky is hardly surprising that some people view them as being almost eerie in a way, and this is perhaps why they have been referred to as a “dance of the spirits”.

So intrigued were people in the past regarding the northern lights, that even Benjamin Franklin theorized that they were the result of electrical charges being absorbed in the Polar Regions. He also suggested that the intensity of these displays were reliant on the presence of moisture in the air. Of course nowadays we know better, because rather than being the result of electrical charges being absorbed, they’re actually produced because of an interaction between solar winds and the earth’s magnetic field. When charged particles such as protons and electrons, collide with molecules and atoms in the upper atmosphere of the earth, usually above 50 miles, these displays of light take place.

These charged particles are known to originate from the sun. They arrive in the earths vicinity as a low-energy solar wind. It is then that the trapped magnetic field of that solar wind will orient itself southwards, and then connect with the magnetic field of the earth. Finally the solar particles will enter what is known as the magnetosphere and are accelerated toward earth.

When looking at the Northern Lights, it is the atomic oxygen, which causes the green tones, which are so characteristic. Furthermore, nitrogen ions and molecular nitrogen can also result in reddish and violet light, blue light, and even pink light, due to the interaction between the various gases and the earth’s upper atmosphere.

Sometimes the auroras appear as what could only be explained as curtains in the northern lights. These striations can of course change depending on an observer’s perspective and on occasions they can appear as a beautiful Corona. At this time auroral arcs can often be seen forming and moving towards the equator at around midnight.

It should be mentioned that the northern lights have also been seen from other parts of the world as well during the course of history. However, such sightings only take place at times when there has been an intense coronal mass ejection from the sun.

NASA has accumulated a wealth of photographs of this magnificent phenomenon. As you can imagine, while it may be beautiful to see from here on earth, when seen from outer space, the display is even more spectacular.

Over half a century ago, the launch of shipping containers revolutionized the transportation industry. Slicing through costs and improving viability to all industries, the phenomenon continues to play an integral role in the transport of everything. Whether it is a high end car moving from Germany to the Far East, or the latest electronic gadgetry moving in the opposite direction, it will be moved in a container.

Whilst they are still very much a necessity, it has always been problematic in trying to decide what to do with redundant models. Now, however, this is not quite the case, as more and more companies are finding new and innovative things to do with them.

This is great news across the board, and particularly for the environment. There are twenty five million containers across the world’s ports; the process to break them down is expensive and polluting. Employing them in a host of new roles, such costs are avoided.

At first, they were not used for much more than emergency housing by charities. However, quick to spot a niche to exploit, entrepreneurs and established businesses alike have taken up the challenge, converting them to a myriad of surprising uses.

As a result of this lateral thinking, containers are now being used for housing, shopping malls, coffee shops and even art installations. Quick and easy to convert to practically any need, they are also simple to arrange into permanent structures.

Quick and easy to assemble, easy to transport, and simple to convert, new concepts are being developed all the time. There are even companies setting up now that will help you to customize your own shipping containers, so you can have that unique house. Whether you reveal the secret, is up to you.

Over half a century ago, the launch of shipping containers revolutionized the transportation industry. Slicing through costs and improving viability to all industries, the phenomenon continues to play an integral role in the transport of everything. Whether it is a high end car moving from Germany to the Far East, or the latest electronic gadgetry moving in the opposite direction, it will be moved in a container.

Despite their longevity, and continued use, it was often difficult to decide what could be done with the redundant units. Now however discarded shipping containers are starting to enjoy a second lease of life.

This is great news across the board, and particularly for the environment. There are twenty five million containers across the world’s ports; the process to break them down is expensive and polluting. Employing them in a host of new roles, such costs are avoided.

The number of uses they can be turned to is impressive. One of the first concepts was to use them as emergency housing, or clinical centers at times of disaster. This was particularly the case for areas of the world where famine, drought and disease was rife. However, it is now being used for many housing initiatives in the Western world too.

We are now beginning to see some amazing constructions being developed from these boxes. Whether it is the latest shopping mall, or the latest budget hotel, the list of possible applications is seemingly endless. With a standard shape and size to most containers, designers and developers are starting to understand the potential of using them as a building material.

Other uses are being discovered all the time. One major computer hardware manufacturer recently announced the launch of a complete data center, that can be up and running in minutes. Another pioneer developed a unique coffee shop in New York.

Astronomy is an interesting science to most people because it is stuffed with loads of fun astronomy facts. Everything from the size and temperature of our own star, the Sun, to the make-up of distant planets has been recorded. All of this information can be retold to entertain and enlighten your friends.

The Sun is a great source of astronomy fun facts. Our own star that supplies us with all our heat and light is between 91 and 94.5 million miles from Earth. It’s not that nobody knows the distance for certain. It’s that the Earth revolves around the Sun in an elliptical, uneven, orbit, so the distance varies depending on where the Earth lies in that orbit.

The Sun is only an average size star, yet it’s size is another terrific source of astronomy fun facts. As normal as it is, it accounts for about 98% of all the matter in our solar system. Even with the huge planet of Jupiter on our side, we’re still only a tiny 2% of non Sun material.

It would take the diameter of about 100 Earths to stretch across this average Sun. The solar winds created by the Sun extends to about 50 times the distance from the Earth to the Sun. Or put another way, those solar winds go out about 50 AU’s. An AU being the distance from the Sun to the Earth, which is quite an amazing fact, isn’t it?.

How about astronomy fun facts that don’t have much to do with the Sun then? How about our Moon? It’s the only non-Earth object that man has walked on so far. And one man actually travelled to the Moon but never left it. Dr. Eugene Shoemaker really liked the Moon but was rejected as an astronaut. After his death, he was cremated and his ashes were scattered over the Moon by the Lunar Prospector spacecraft in 1999.

There are many more astronomy fun facts about the Moon. It’s where what might become the oldest footprint known to man. Neil Armstrong’s giant leap for mankind left a footprint or shoe print in the Moon’s dust that will likely still be visible in 10 million years time.

Many people, in fact about 13% of those asked in 1988, still thought the Moon to be made of cheese. And finally, the suits worn by the Moon-walking astronauts weighed 180 pounds on Earth but only 30 pounds on the Moon, because of the Moon’s reduced gravity. Talk about losing weight, eh?

Astronomy fun facts aren’t limited to our close astronomical neighbours. Looking at stars is like looking into the past. Some of the stars we see today in the night sky are so far away that their light takes a million years to get to Earth. Some of the stars you see may literally be images of stars a million years old that aren’t even there in the present. There are over 1 x 10 ^22 stars in the universe. That’s a 1 followed by 22 zeros. The number is really quite staggering.

There are thousands of astronomy fun facts that we could relate. But, unfortunately, this article can not be that long. So, please, walk out there at night, look upwards and learn more about astronomy for yourself.