Science

Black holes, dark matter, gravitational waves and exoplanets: find out how astronomy is unlocking the secrets of the Universe.

Professor Brian Cox on location at Stegastein, overlooking Aurlandsfjorden in Norway. Although today Venus is hot and hostile, this has not always been the case. Before our neighbouring planet was gripped by an extreme green house effect, there was water. Much like there is on Earth today. Credit: BBC

The secrets behind The Planets’ special effects

Samples collected from rocky areas of the Apollo 11 landing site like this laid the basis for much of what we know about the Moon. Credit: NASA

What have the Apollo 11 lunar samples taught us about the Moon?

The viewing area at Mallamuca Observatory, ready for totality. Credit: Daniel Lynch

Capturing the 2 July total solar eclipse

A campsite in La Serena, Chile, dons its eclipse colours in anticipation of the big day. Credit: Daniel Lynch

Awaiting the 2 July total solar eclipse

Owen Lowery, Newcastle upon Tyne, 9 June 2019. Equipment: Google Pixel smartphone.

Astrophotography

Noctilucent clouds images: a readers’ gallery

A view of noctilucent clouds captured over Tallinn, Estonia. Credit: Arsty/iStock/Getty images

Noctilucent clouds: what they are and how to see them

The total solar eclipse that appeared over China in 2009. Credit: iStock

2 July 2019 total solar eclipse: dates, times, locations

Lunar Wall Mosaic
Created by the Air Force Aeronautical Chart and Information Center, in the heart of the Space Race, The Lunar Wall Mosaic is a map compiled from thousands of lunar photographs. Detailed maps like this were crucial to the success of projects like Apollo 11.

The Mapping of the Moon

An asteroid passing by Earth (artist's impression). Credit: ESA/P.Carril

Asteroid Day, 30 June 2019: all you need to know

Professor Brian Cox returns for his new BBC Two series The Planets. Credit: BBC Studios

The Planets: an interview with Brian Cox

The Hubble Space Telescope hovers at the boundary of Earth and space in this picture, taken after Hubble's second servicing mission in 1997.

A history of the Hubble Space Telescope

Music of the Spheres 1

Music of the spheres: a journey of orchestral astronomy

Apollo 11 lunar module pilot Buzz Aldrin pictured on the surface of the Moon during the Apollo 11 moonwalk. Credit: NASA

Apollo 11 on TV: how NASA filmed the moonlanding

Queensland-eclipse-main

Live stream the 2 July 2019 total solar eclipse