Question 1

What is astronomy?

Accepted Answer

Astronomy is the study of everything in space, like stars, planets, and galaxies. It's how we learn about the universe beyond Earth.

Question 2

Why are stars so bright?

Accepted Answer

Stars are bright because they are giant balls of hot, glowing gases. The light we see is from the heat and energy they release.

Question 3

Why do stars twinkle?

Accepted Answer

Stars twinkle because their light has to pass through lots of air on its way to us. The air keeps moving, making the light wobbly and look like it's twinkling.

Question 4

What is a planet?

Accepted Answer

A planet is a big round object that travels around a star in space. Earth is a planet, and there are many more, like Mars and Jupiter.

Question 5

What is the Sun?

Accepted Answer

The Sun is a star at the center of our solar system. It's very hot and gives us light and heat.

Question 6

Why is the sky blue during the day?

Accepted Answer

The sky looks blue because sunlight hits the air and scatters. Blue light scatters more than other colors, so the sky looks blue.

Question 7

How do telescopes help us see the stars?

Accepted Answer

Telescopes make things far away look closer and clearer. They let us see stars, planets, and galaxies that are very far from us.

Question 8

What are constellations?

Accepted Answer

Constellations are groups of stars that form patterns in the sky. People have imagined these patterns as shapes, like animals or characters, for a long time.

Question 9

What causes day and night?

Accepted Answer

Day and night happen because Earth spins around on its axis. As it spins, one side faces the Sun and has daylight, while the other side is dark and has nighttime.

Question 10

Why does the Moon change shape?

Accepted Answer

The Moon looks like it changes shape because of how it moves around Earth. We see different parts of the Moon lit up by the Sun at different times.

Question 11

What is a galaxy?

Accepted Answer

A galaxy is a massive group of stars, dust, and gas all held together by gravity. Our galaxy is called the Milky Way.

Question 12

What makes a shooting star?

Accepted Answer

A shooting star is not a star but a small piece of space rock or dust that burns up in Earth's atmosphere. The bright light is from the burning rock.

Question 13

Why do we have seasons?

Accepted Answer

We have seasons because Earth's axis is tilted. This tilt means different parts of Earth get more or less sunlight at different times of the year.

Question 14

What is a black hole?

Accepted Answer

A black hole is a place in space with a very strong pull that even light can't escape. It's like a giant vacuum in space.

Question 15

Why does the Moon sometimes look red?

Accepted Answer

The Moon looks red during a lunar eclipse, when Earth is between the Sun and the Moon. Earth's shadow makes the Moon look reddish.

Question 16

What is the Big Bang?

Accepted Answer

The Big Bang is an idea about how the universe started. It says the universe began really small and has been growing ever since.

Question 17

What are asteroids?

Accepted Answer

Asteroids are small, rocky things that orbit the Sun. They're like tiny planets or big space rocks.

Question 18

How do rockets go to space?

Accepted Answer

Rockets go to space by blasting off with powerful engines. They push against the ground, and this force sends them up and away from Earth.

Question 19

Why is Pluto not a planet anymore?

Accepted Answer

Pluto used to be called a planet, but scientists decided it's too small and doesn't clear its orbit. Now, it's called a dwarf planet.

Question 20

What is a comet?

Accepted Answer

A comet is a ball of ice, dust, and gas that orbits the Sun. When it gets close to the Sun, it heats up and forms a bright tail.

The Art and Science of Astronomy - 20 FAQs Explained Simply