Astronomy is the study of the universe and its contents. People have been interested in astronomy for thousands of years, and modern scientific astronomy began only a few hundred years ago. Astronomy is important to uncovering the mysteries of the universe. It allows us to learn more about the origin and evolution of the stars and galaxies, which in turn tell us more about the formation of our own Solar System and the history of our own planet. Knowing these things helps us to better understand our place in the universe and the nature of the universe itself. It can also help us to discover new planets and other bodies, allowing us to explore more of the universe and make predictions about future astronomical events.