The almost daily new discoveries by use of the Hubble Telescope and deep space probes creates an urgent need for students to gain a basic understanding of the universe; this Jackdaw helps lay the groundwork. Astronomers’ fascination with the heavens from the late 19th century to modern times is examined through hands-on letters between scientists, astronomical charts, illustrations and photographs. Historians: Colin Ronan and Gerald Leach. The contents of this Jackdaw feature:

• The Universe
• The Problem of Nebulae
• The Telescope Maker
• Splitting Starlight
• The Galaxies

• Two maps of the heavens, 1790.
• A nebula and a galaxy as seen by William Herschel, Lord Rosse, William Huggins and Edwin Hubble.
• Letter from William Herschel to Johann Bode.
• Letter from Rosse to John Herschel.
• Photograph of part of the Milky Way.
• Charts showing some bright nebulae and galaxies.
• Photographs showing a supernova in Ursa Major.
• Photograph of a cluster of galaxies in the depths of space.
• The great nebula in Orion.
• Star chart in the form of a planisphere.
• Sealed envelope: a problem for astronomers.