Light always travels in straight lines—that is, unless it bends or bounces off an object's surface. Take an enlightening look at light with these three easy experiments.

Did you know that when you look at a star, your eyes are capturing light that traveled all the way from the star to your eye? Learn more about how light carries information from distant objects.

Particles and waves, reflection and refraction—how enlightened are you about the subject of light? Find out with Light Quest!, a kid-friendly trivia game.

Gravity helps form the stars and planets and helps keep them in orbit. Yet, it can also cause these objects to collide. Explore the many ways gravity shapes—and reshapes—the universe.

Peer at the world through Einstein's eyes—a scientist who saw a beam of light and imagined riding it, a self-proclaimed "citizen of the world" who spoke out on global issues from pacifism to racism.

Who was this genius named Einstein, and where did he get all his great ideas? Find out with this virtual tour of the many ways he changed science. It might just inspire the genius in you!

The gift of a compass when he was five sparked Einstein's lifelong curiosity—a curiosity that forever changed the world of physics and our lives. Explore his many scientific and humanitarian contributions.

In three billion years, our Milky Way Galaxy will collide with its nearest neighbor, the Andromeda Galaxy. See how these two spiral galaxies are expected to merge, forming an elliptical galaxy.

Since 1995, astronomers have discovered more than 100 planets orbiting stars beyond our Sun—only a fraction of those thought to exist. Take an interactive tour of the Milky Way Galaxy to visit these "exoplanets."

What happened after the Big Bang? This comic strip explains the interactions that lead to the creation of stars, planetary nebulas, and supernovas.

Don't miss the latest spectacular images from observatories around the world and in space. Visit our weekly Astro Snapshot for new sightings in our observable universe.

Telescopes capture the Sun's ultraviolet light as beautiful images that are full of information about solar processes. This spectacular interactive photo gallery portrays the turbulent Sun in action.

There are thousands of stars in the night sky. Hidden among them are constellations and planets. How many can you find? Record your sightings in a stellar sky journal.

If you could take a trip to a black hole, would you? Before you answer, take a peek at what you'd encounter. The trip certainly would qualify as adventure travel!

On Earth, the Big Dipper looks like a giant connect-the-dots puzzle page. Out in space, though, you'd have a hard time recognizing the constellation. See why with a make-it-yourself mobile.

We see only a fraction of the stars in our Milky Way Galaxy when we gaze at the night sky. Find out why the stars that appear brightest to us are not necessarily the closest to Earth.

Hundreds of times each year, a rock survives the fiery trip from space and lands on Earth. Take a look at some of these "fallen stars" that have been recovered from around the globe.

Most space rocks don’t pass anywhere near Earth. Meet the astronomers on wary watch for the ones that do. You’ll see firsthand how they are able to find asteroids in a celestial crowd.

Throwing water balloons on school grounds in the name of science? Absolutely, if you do it safely, and apply what you learn to the science of finding and recovering meteorites.

Why do you think they call it “Impacts"? A comic strip shows what can happen—and does happen—when asteroids head for Earth.