By Tim Lambert The beginning of space exploration In the early 20th century Konstantin Tsiolkovsky (1857-1935) realized that only a rocket could provide propulsion in the near-vacuum of space. He also proposed that a rocket should be built in stages so it would dump each stage when its fuel was exhausted. In 1926 Robert H.… Continue reading A History of Space Exploration
Category: Articles
A History of the Planet Venus
By Tim Lambert The Observation of Venus Venus is named after the Roman goddess of love. It’s a bright object in the sky but even when the telescope was invented the surface was hidden by clouds. Nevertheless, Galileo discovered that Venus has phases like the Moon. Then in 1639, Jeremiah Horrocks became the first person… Continue reading A History of the Planet Venus
A History of the Moon
By Tim Lambert Observing the Moon The Moon has always been visible of course but the Ancient Greeks were the first people to begin to understand it. About 450 BC an Ancient Greek called Anaxagoras realized that the Moon does not shine with its own light. Instead, its light is reflected from the Sun. Another… Continue reading A History of the Moon
A History of The Planet Mars
By Tim Lambert The observation of Mars The planet Mars was named after the Roman god of war. However, it was impossible to observe any details on Mars until the telescope was invented. Galileo was the first person to turn a telescope on Mars, in 1610. The telescope Galileo had was not powerful enough to… Continue reading A History of The Planet Mars
A History of the Planet Mercury
By Tim Lambert The Observation of Mercury Mercury is named after the messenger of the Roman gods. Mercury is visible to the naked eye and it has been known since Ancient Times. In the early 17th century Galileo observed Mercury through his telescope. In 1631 Pierre Gassendi became the first man to observe a transit… Continue reading A History of the Planet Mercury
Myths About the Middle Ages
By Tim Lambert The Arabs burned the Library of Alexandria This is very unlikely to be true. In ancient times there was a great library at Alexandria in Egypt. According to the story when the Arabs conquered Egypt in 640 AD Caliph Omar ordered all the books in the library to be burned. They supplied… Continue reading Myths About the Middle Ages
A History of Jupiter and Saturn
By Tim Lambert Jupiter The planet Jupiter is named after a Roman god. It has been known since ancient times but before the invention of the telescope, nothing could be seen on its surface. Saturn is also named after a Roman god and has also been known since ancient times. In 1610 Galileo discovered 4… Continue reading A History of Jupiter and Saturn
A Brief Biography of King Richard I
By Tim Lambert King Richard I was born in 1157 in Oxford. His father was Henry II and his mother was Eleanor of Aquitaine. Richard was an educated man. In 1172 he became Duke of Aquitaine. In 1183 his older brother Henry died and he became heir to the throne of England. Richard succeeded his… Continue reading A Brief Biography of King Richard I
A Brief Biography of William the Conqueror
By Tim Lambert His Early Life William the Conqueror was born about 1028. He was the son of Robert I Duke of Normandy. His father died in 1035. At first, William was too young to rule but as he grew older he took control of Normandy. In 1053 he married a woman named Matilda of… Continue reading A Brief Biography of William the Conqueror
A Short Biography of King Canute
By Tim Lambert Canute was a great king of the 11th century. He was probably born in the early 990s (the exact date is not known). His father was King Sweyn of Denmark. It’s believed his mother was Polish. In 1013 his father, the Danish king Sweyn invaded England. His fleet sailed up the Humber… Continue reading A Short Biography of King Canute