Astronomer Heather Couper looks at the science of astrophysics, which began 300 years ago but rocketed in Victorian times. From June 2008. Show more

Astronomer Heather Couper considers the struggle to develop knowledge about the Milky Way galaxy and our place within it. From June 2008. Show more

Astronomer Heather Couper traces the history of our understanding of nebulae, which are island universes outside our own galaxy. Show more

Astronomer Heather Couper looks at the discovery that the universe is expanding. How did it impact upon Einstein's theories? From June 2008. Show more

Astronomer Heather Couper considers the Big Bang theory of how the universe began and what its opponents think. From June 2008. Show more

Astronomer Heather Couper considers how the concept of black holes in space gained credence in astronomy. From June 2008. Show more

Astronomer Heather Couper looks at the research which showed that stars are like controlled nuclear explosions. From July 2008. Show more

Astronomer Heather Couper considers how the use of infrared telescopes increased our understanding of distant planets. From July 2008. Show more

Astronomer Heather Couper looks at the work done by her contemporaries to find other planets like Earth. From July 2008. Show more

Astronomer Heather Couper considers the prospects of life being found elsewhere in the solar system. From July 2008. Show more

Heather Couper looks at William Herschel's discovery of infrared radiation in 1800 and its impact on astronomy today. From June 2008. Show more

Heather Couper looks at the search for dark matter. What we can see is only a fraction of the matter in the cosmos. From June 2008. Show more

Astronomer Heather Couper looks at the discovery of quasars - huge black holes a long way from Earth. From June 2008. Show more

Astronomer Heather Couper looks at the arguments that rage about the creation of life and the universe. From June 2008. Show more

Heather Couper reflects on astronomer Ptolemy, who wrote 13 volumes listing over 1000 stars and 48 constellations around AD 150.

Astronomer Heather Couper considers the contribution of the Islamic scholar, poet and mathematician Omar Khayyam.

Astronomer Heather Couper considers the impact of Copernicus's idea that the Earth was not at the centre of the universe.

Astronomer Heather Couper looks at Tycho Brahe's realisation that the heavens change - that a planet's orbit could be predicted.

Heather Couper considers Greek philosopher Thales's idea that natural forces, not actions by gods, cause natural disasters. From 2008.

Astronomer Heather Couper looks at how Isaac Newton's mathematical brilliance put the laws of physics on a firm foundation. From June 2008.