Observational Skills

Galaxies do not exist alone – they are part of groups. These groups can also be part of larger clusters with hundreds of thousands of galaxies. Each galaxy type has smaller versions called dwarf galaxies. Our own galaxy, the Milky Way, belongs to a group called the Local Group. 

Galaxies are vast collections containing billions of stars, planets, and massive clouds of gas, dust, and ice. Understanding galaxies is a key part of astronomy. One important tool for studying them is classification—grouping them into a few different categories. 

Have you noticed the Moon is brighter some nights than others? And it looks like the Moon changes shape? We call these changes the phases of the Moon.

In the UK, we experience 4 seasons each year. These are spring, summer, autumn, and winter. You may have noticed that the weather changes during each season. But have you noticed any other differences? 

You have probably seen the Moon in the sky but have you ever studied it in detail?