The Universe

To begin learning about the universe, you just need to look up at the night sky. That's how astronomy began. Sure, at NASA we have school-bus-sized instruments hundreds of miles above the Earth. But they are simply better tools to do what you can see with just your eyes.

How much you can see depends on where you are. In the city or suburbs at night, the street lights around you flood the night sky with light which overwhelm most stars. But you can still see the moon, a few bright stars, and some nearby planets.

If you get away from the city lights, you'll be stunned by the millions of bright pin points of light you will see. You can use constellations to find your way around the sky – here's a way to make yourself a constellation finder. Using binoculars or a telescope, you can see that some of these bright lights are not just stars: others are planets, and still others are entirely separate galaxies.

A great way to get started learning about the universe is to join an astronomy club. You can find a list at the Night Sky Network. Astronomy clubs have star parties where experienced observers will give kids of all ages a chance to look through their telescopes.

Want to know the best part about astronomy? You have a great excuse to stay up past bedtime! During the daytime, you can have fun with the games and activities listed below to explore the cosmic circus.

Games and Activities for the Universe
	IYA "Eyes on the Skies" Learn how telescopes really work, and about some of the spacecrafts that are watching our skies. Video produced as part of the International Year in Astronomy activities. Explore IYA
	Paper models of your favorite spacecraft Have fun assembling these paper models of spacecraft designed to explore the universe. Find paper models of your favorite spacecraft
	Star Child A learning center for young astronomers. Explore Star Child
	Star Light, Star Bright Learn more about light, waves, and stars. Star Light, Star Bright
	Space Place Explore fun facts about Earth, space and technology. Build a Moon habitat, momentum machine or balloon-powered nanorover. Explore Space Place
	Astro-Venture Learn about NASA occupations while searching and building a planet suitable for human habitation. Explore Astro-Venture
	IRrelevant Astronomy An award-winning animated video series that looks at some of the latest astronomy news and science from Spitzer's Space Telescope. Explore IRrelevant Astronomy
	EPOS Chronicles A comic series where EPO & friends travel through space trying to figure out our origins and learn about the universe in which we live. Explore EPOS Chronicles
	Cool Cosmos: The Infrared Universe See the world and the universe in a different light. Visit the Infrared Zoo, view the multi-wavelength astronomy gallery, and ask an astronomer a question. Explore Cool Cosmos
	Amazing Space Usinging the discoveries of the Hubble Space Telescope, learn more about the wonders of our universe. Including; telescopes, comets, galaxies, tonight's sky, solar system trading cards and more. Explore Amazing Space
	Imagine the Universe Learn about the universe, satellites and their data. Visit the Ask an Astrophysicist question gallery. Explore Imagine the Universe
	Space Mysteries Delve into several interactive web explorations where you can analyze actual data from NASA missions in order to solve a mystery. There are now four mysteries to solve: Solar Supernova, Alien Bandstand Live!, From 2-Alpha, and Star Market. Explore Space Mysteries
	Planets Discovered Outside Our Solar System Learn more about the 400+ planets which have been discovered outside our solar system. Take the 3D tour using the New Worlds Atlas. Take a Tour Outside Our Solar System
	M51 & Gizmo An animated video series which explores our universe. Watch M51 & Gizmo
	High Energy Groovie Movie A music video showing the exciting X-Ray universe of black holes, pulsars and active galaxies Watch the High Energy Groovie Movie
	Photo journal of the Universe View over 450 images of the Universe taken on various NASA missions, including: the Hubble Space Telescope, the Spitzer Space Telescope, the Galaxy Evolution Explorer, the Chandra X-ray Telescope and more. Explore the Photo journal of the Universe
	No Escape: The Truth about Black Holes Learn more about black holes. Explore the Truth about Black Holes
	Sky Spy Safari Take a stroll through the cosmos using a planisphere and gaze at images taken by NASA's great observatories. Explore Sky Spy Safari
	Astronomy Picture of the Day See a different image or photograph of our universe each day along with an explanation. Explore Astronomy Picture of the Day
	Alien Safari Discover some of the most extreme organisms on our planet, and find out what they are telling astrobiologists about the search for life beyond Earth. Explore Alien Safari
	Science Fact or Science Fiction? A fun quiz to test your knowledge on what is real and what is not in the area of space travel and the search for extraterrestrial life. Explore Science Fact of Science Fiction
	Exoplanet Transit Hunt Find out how scientists learn whether a planet in another solar system is in the "habitable zone". Explore Exoplanet Transit Hunt
	Make a model planet system using LEGOs Using LEGOs, make an orrery and see how the Kepler mission will find extrasolar planets. Explore Making a Model Planet System