BASICS

Astronomy is the study of our universe. This includes:
- celestial objects (planets, stars, moons, nebulae, galaxies)
- the phenomena that originates in space (supernova explosions, gamma ray bursts, cosmic radiation)
- the physics, chemistry and evolution of those objects.
Muggles consider astronomy to be a natural science.

Earth is located within the Milky Way galaxy. It has eight planets, all of which orbit the Sun. This means that all eight planets travel around the Sun in an elliptical rotation. All of the planets move in a counter-clockwise direction, but they each go at their own pace. The sun orbits the galactic centre.

There are 2 parts to our Solar System; the Inner Solar System: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars; and Outer Solar System: Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune. They are separated by the Asteroid Belt, which is located between Mars and Jupiter. It is made up of over 7,000 asteroids.