Introduction to Astronomy Mr. Byrd Room D-14 Mr. Byrd Room D-14

The Foundations of Astronomy  Nature offers no greater splendor than the starry sky on a clear, dark night. Silent and jeweled with the constellations of ancient myth and legend, the night sky has inspired wonder throughout the ages - a wonder that leads our imaginations far from the confines of Earth and the pace of the present day and out into the distant reaches of space and cosmic time itself.

The Foundations of Astronomy  Astronomy born in response to that wonder, is built on two of the most basic traits of human nature: the need to exploreand the need to understand. Through the interplay of curiosity, discovery, and analysis - the keys to exploration and understanding - people have sought answers to questions about the universe since the earliest times. Astronomy is the oldest of al the sciences, yet has it been more exciting than it is today. Intro Chapter 1 page 2

The Origins of Astronomy  Every ancient society had its own concept of the universe and of humanity ’ s relationship to the universe.  These concepts were molded by three forces:  Theology  religion  Nature  climate, floods, winds, natural disasters  The assumed influence of the stars and planets on the fortunes and fate of people and their societies.  Astrology  Every ancient society had its own concept of the universe and of humanity ’ s relationship to the universe.  These concepts were molded by three forces:  Theology  religion  Nature  climate, floods, winds, natural disasters  The assumed influence of the stars and planets on the fortunes and fate of people and their societies.  Astrology

What is Astronomy?  There are different definitions of Astronomy.  Some define it as a branch of science dedicated to the study of the motions and natures of celestial bodies, like planets, stars, and galaxies.  Others say it is the study of objects and matter outside the earth's atmosphere and of their physical and chemical properties.  Still others would say it is the study of everything, because it's a study of the universe and everything is part of the universe  There are different definitions of Astronomy.  Some define it as a branch of science dedicated to the study of the motions and natures of celestial bodies, like planets, stars, and galaxies.  Others say it is the study of objects and matter outside the earth's atmosphere and of their physical and chemical properties.  Still others would say it is the study of everything, because it's a study of the universe and everything is part of the universe

What is Astronomy?  There are many fields within Astronomy.  Cosmologists  study the Universe as a whole, including its beginnings.  Astrometrists  measure great distances.  Planetologists  study planets within our own Solar System as well as those orbiting distant stars.  Radio Astronomers  use radio-telescopes to study the Universe.  Mathematical Astronomers  use numbers, calculations and statistics to explain the universe.  There are many fields within Astronomy.  Cosmologists  study the Universe as a whole, including its beginnings.  Astrometrists  measure great distances.  Planetologists  study planets within our own Solar System as well as those orbiting distant stars.  Radio Astronomers  use radio-telescopes to study the Universe.  Mathematical Astronomers  use numbers, calculations and statistics to explain the universe.

What is Astronomy?  Astronomy is not a "stand-alone" science.  It combines areas from a number of other fields, including:  mathematics,  chemistry,  geology,  biology  physics.  In fact, physics is such an integral part of the field that many astronomers are also known as Astrophysicists.  Astronomy is not a "stand-alone" science.  It combines areas from a number of other fields, including:  mathematics,  chemistry,  geology,  biology  physics.  In fact, physics is such an integral part of the field that many astronomers are also known as Astrophysicists.

What is Astronomy?  The study of our universe is not new, astronomy is the oldest science.  People have been looking up, trying to explain the universe for as long as there have been people.  Some of the earliest Astronomers were priests and holy men, studying the movement of celestial bodies to determine celebrations and planting cycles.  The ancient Greeks were the first to start developing astronomy theories about the design of the Universe.  There have been many astronomers throughout history who have played important roles in the science.  Many have later been proved wrong as our knowledge and technology improved, but if not for the earlier work, later scientists would have had nothing on which to base their research.  The study of our universe is not new, astronomy is the oldest science.  People have been looking up, trying to explain the universe for as long as there have been people.  Some of the earliest Astronomers were priests and holy men, studying the movement of celestial bodies to determine celebrations and planting cycles.  The ancient Greeks were the first to start developing astronomy theories about the design of the Universe.  There have been many astronomers throughout history who have played important roles in the science.  Many have later been proved wrong as our knowledge and technology improved, but if not for the earlier work, later scientists would have had nothing on which to base their research.

Our Place in Space  You must remember that we the planet that we inhabit is not unique or special.  It is one of nine ordinary planets orbiting an average star, the sun.  That star is a collection of a huge collection of stars called the milky way.  That the milky way is one galaxy among billions of others spread throughout the observable universe.  You must remember that we the planet that we inhabit is not unique or special.  It is one of nine ordinary planets orbiting an average star, the sun.  That star is a collection of a huge collection of stars called the milky way.  That the milky way is one galaxy among billions of others spread throughout the observable universe.

Our Earth

The Sun

Our Galaxy

Our Galaxy Cluster

The Light Year Unit of time or distance?  Although it sounds like a unit of time, a light year is actually a unit of distance.  A light year is the distance traveled by light in a year.  A light year is equal to 10 trillion kilometers or 6 trillion miles.  Although it sounds like a unit of time, a light year is actually a unit of distance.  A light year is the distance traveled by light in a year.  A light year is equal to 10 trillion kilometers or 6 trillion miles.