Category: Articles

By Tim Lambert There were many famous women in the 19th century. Women were writers and mathematicians. They were also rulers and explorers The following is a list of some of the great women of the 19th century. Mary Kies 1752-1837 Mary Kies was the first American woman to be granted a patent Jane Austen… Continue reading Famous Women in the 19th Century

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 Short History of the Planet Venus

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

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 Short History of The Planet Mars

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 Short History of the Planet Mercury

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 Common Myths About the Middle Ages

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