Important Facts To Know About Astronomy

When man first landed on the moon, a large number of people still remained skeptic on the genuineness and authenticity of that particular human feat. In fact, in the then Russia, rumors were spread that the footage being shown about Neil Armstrong's "giant leap for mankind" was just a Hollywood-made clip done to show that the United States is ahead in the race for the last frontier - space. But the accomplishment turned to be true and real, and space expeditions continued on. Man's fascination of space has been on since time not remembered. In fact, if you ask kids on what they want they want to be when they grow up, on the top three of their list would be becoming an astronaut. But before you can be one, lay down that telescope and let us review some important facts about astronomy.

The word "astronomy" was coined by the combination of two Greek words, astron which means star and nomos which denotes law. There are two types of astronomy, observational - which pertains to observing, acquiring information, assessing these data and forming hypothesis based on standard Physics principle. The other type which is theoretical astronomy is concerned more on the production and development of analytical computer reproductions inputting basic Physics principle to rationalize and explain further the way celestial bodies move. Because of these two astronomy categories, facts about the heavens above were formulated and reached. Take these examples.

• It takes 8 minutes before sunlight reaches the Earth. The sun is also the cause of the ever-changing world weather and the size of the ocean's currents.

• The sun, though massive in area, is just an average-sized star.

• How about this important fact to know about astronomy, the lightning is more than twice blistering than the sun.

• Some important facts to know about astronomy, specifically the moon - each year, the moon moves away from the earth by 3 centimeters.

• The moon is the only other moving body in the universe that man has set foot on.

• As far as sailing and directions and astronomy is concerned, the north star, which is also known as Polaris, is the only star that does not move every night, and that is the sole reason why it is an invaluable tool in nautical transports.

• Venus, in contrast with the other planets, is the only one that rotates in reverse, from east to west.

• The planet Neptune has not completed an orbit around the sun since its discovery 150 years ago.

These are some important facts to know about astronomy and there are a lot more to discover since outer space is so vast.