Q: Do aliens exist? If so where are they, and what will they be like?
A: I'm quite sure aliens do exist, because there are over 100,000,000,000 stars in our galaxy alone. And we know that many of these have planets going round them. I find it hard to believe that our planet alone is the only one with life on it. But I agree that so far there is no proof of life elsewhere.
Q: Have aliens ever visited the earth?
A: So far as we know they haven't.
Q: If I want to be an astronomer, how do I start?
A: See our beginners guide.
Q: How many stars can you see at night?
A: Only a few thousand, but with binoculars or a telescope you can see many more than that.
Q: Why can't we see stars in the daytime?
A: You can't see stars in the daytime because of the contrast against the latter. Just as you would not see a candle flame if you held it up against a search light.
Q: What are the nearest objects in the sky?
A: The closest natural object in the sky is the Moon, roughly a quarter of a million miles away from us. The two closest planets are Venus and Mars.
Q: How does the Sun shine?
A: The Sun is not burning as a coal fire would do. Deep inside it, nuclear reactions are going on and it is these that make the Sun shine.
Q: How far can be we see with our best telescopes?
A: We can see objects that are at least 13,000,000,000 light years away. One light year is equal to slightly less than 6,000,000,000,000 miles.
Q: Can I have a star named after me?
A: No! Various agencies claim to be able to name stars on payment of a sum of money. But stars have not been officially named for hundreds of years. Have nothing to do with a scam of this kind.
Q: How big is the universe?
A: It's very hard to say. If the universe is finite, then what is outside it? If the universe is infinite, we have to visualise something that goes on forever. Frankly our brains are not equal to the task.
Q: How did the universe begin?
A: It's generally thought that the universe began with a "big bang", 13,700,000,000 years ago. How the big bang happened we do not know. According to this theory space, time and matter were created at the same moment. This means that you can't ask what happened before the big bang, as there wasn't a "before".
Q: What is the difference between astronomy and astrology?
A: Astronomy is the science of the universe. Astrology tries to link the position of the planets with human character and destiny. Astrology is rubbish, and no sensible person would believe in it.
Q: Why will a rocket work in space?
A: A rocket works in space as it "pushes against itself" Gas is sent out from the rockets exhaust, and pushes the rocket body in the opposite direction. There is no need to have air round it, and in fact air is a nuisance, because it causes friction and has to be pushed out of the way.
Q: I'm doing a school project. How do I start?
A: See our beginner's guide.
Q: Are flying saucers real?
A: There are certainly unidentified flying objects, but there is no evidence to suggest that they are space ships from other world.
Q: I have a new theory about the universe. Will you read it through and tell me what you think?
A: First of all, work out a full mathematical analysis. Without it, there is no other way to see if a theory is valid or not.
Q: Where is my nearest astronomical society?
A: See beginner's guide or a full list in the annual year book of astronomy.
Q: Were the Moon landings faked?
A: Of course not! Anybody who believes this must be incredibly stupid.
Q: What qualifications do I need to be a professional astronomer?
A: See beginner's guide.
