Night Sky

A celestial tour: the cosmic picture - the expanding universe; the case for the Big Bang; the ups and downs of gravity; the emergence of galaxies - a gallery of galaxies; the Milky Way; the evolution of stars - the life cycle of stars; neutron stars and Black Holes; starlight's telltale message; the Solar System - the Sun; the terrestrial planets; the outer planets; interplanetary bodies; the cutting edge of astronomy - tuned in; eyes on the sky; the Hubble; high-energy observation; beyond the electromagnetic spectrum; making contact. The backyard astronomer: choosing your equipment - selecting and using binoculars; choosing the right telescope; first light - an evening out; astrophotography. Observing the night-time sky: understanding the celestial sphere; the Earth, Moon and Sun; the planetary ballet; co-ordinating the sky; a matter of time; guide to the night-time sky - mapping strs and constellations; the Moon; sky and constellation maps.