Understanding the Solar System
After the invention of the telescope, everything changed for astronomers. They were now able to see many more objects in the night sky. These faint objects were either small, or far away, or both!
In 1781, William Herschel became the first person in thousands of years to discover a planet. He used a telescope he had built himself and found the 7th planet, Uranus. A few years' later in 1845, Neptune was found by both British and French astronomers. Both groups had watched the orbit of Uranus and used their data to predict there was an 8th planet. They worked out where it would be and when they looked, there it was!
Claudius Ptolemy
Occupation
Mathematician, Astronomer, Geographer
Year born
100 AD
Research Areas
Movements of planets and stars, Cartography
- Early Life
Claudius was born in Alexandria, Egypt, which was part of the Roman Empire at the time.
Very little is known about his life. The information we do have has been taken from the books he wrote.
Hypatia
Occupation
Astronomer, Mathematician, Philosopher
Year born
Sometime between 350 – 370 AD
Research interests
Geometry, Algebra
- Early Life
Hypatia was born to a Greek family in Alexandria, Egypt. Her father was a mathematician and educator. Very little is known about her mother.
- Career Highlights
Hypatia worked with her father to keep maths and astronomy knowledge up to date and safe during a period of religious conflict. At this time, property and buildings (including books and libraries) were at risk of damage or destruction.
Nicolaus Copernicus
Occupation
Astronomer, Mathematician, Clergyman
Year born
1473
Research Areas
Planets, Mechanics
- Early Life
Nicolaus was born in Thorn, Poland. His father, who sold copper, died when Nicolaus was 10. After his father's death, Nicolaus’ uncle looked after him and made sure he had a good education.
When he was 23, Nicolaus went to Italy to study law. In Italy, he stayed with a maths professor and became interested in astronomy.
Distances in the Solar System Poster
How far apart are the planets in the Solar System. The answer may surprise you!
The distance between the planets in our Solar System is not regular. The inner 4 rocky planets are spaced much more tightly than the outer 4 giant planets.
Download, print and display this free poster!
Planet Facts Posters
Do you know how many planets in our Solar System have rings? Or how many have moons? Learn some interesting facts about the planets in our Solar System with these free printable posters!