Astronomy Mr. Riley

Warm Up Question List as many astronomy terms that are in main stream society or culture. Ex. Milky Way Candy Bar

Astronomy What do you know? What do you know? Place the following terms in order from smallest to largest. Place the following terms in order from smallest to largest. solar system solar system universe universe Galaxy Galaxy Answer: solar system, galaxy, universe

Place the following terms in order according to when they formed or occurred: Place the following terms in order according to when they formed or occurred: Formation of solar system Formation of solar system Formation of universe Formation of universe Formation of the sun Formation of the sun Formation of the moon Formation of the moon Answer: universe, the sun, solar system, moon

Before we go any further…. You need to know what the difference is between Astrology and Astronomy. You need to know what the difference is between Astrology and Astronomy. After all this is NOT an astrology class… After all this is NOT an astrology class… Astronomy is simply the observation and measurement of celestial bodies, while Astrology is an attempt to find some sort of “meaning” or “influence” in planetary positions. Astronomy is simply the observation and measurement of celestial bodies, while Astrology is an attempt to find some sort of “meaning” or “influence” in planetary positions. Astrology is not a science – not based upon Astrology is not a science – not based upon collected data collected data Astrology led to the birth of astronomy Astrology led to the birth of astronomy

Earthrise – Apollo 8

Astronomy What do we know? (or what is the most obvious to us now?) What do we know? (or what is the most obvious to us now?) Of all the scientific insights achieved to date by astronomers, there is one that stands out. Of all the scientific insights achieved to date by astronomers, there is one that stands out. Earth is neither central nor special. We inhabit no unique place in the universe. We live on an ordinary rocky planet that orbits an average middle-aged star near the edge of a huge collection of stars called the Milky Way Galaxy. This galaxy in which we call home, is one amongst countless billions of others throughout the universe. Eric Chaisson, Steve McMillian

Ancient Astronomy - The sun and the moon, the stars and planets are always with us. Wherever we live, wherever we travel, we can always call upon the companionship of these familiar things

The History of Astronomy Long before recorded history(~500 yrs. ago) people were aware of the close relationship between the events on earth and the positions of “heavenly bodies”. Long before recorded history(~500 yrs. ago) people were aware of the close relationship between the events on earth and the positions of “heavenly bodies”. Most importantly the sun Most importantly the sun Examples: astrology –zodiac signs, Mayan Calendar Examples: astrology –zodiac signs, Mayan Calendar

How did they use these “heavenly bodies?” Believed when celestial bodies reached a particular place in the heavens changes would occur. Believed when celestial bodies reached a particular place in the heavens changes would occur. Why was this so important? Why was this so important? Weather – for farming Weather – for farming Early cultures, which were dependent on the weather, believed that if heavenly bodies controlled the seasons then they must also strongly influence all earthy events. Early cultures, which were dependent on the weather, believed that if heavenly bodies controlled the seasons then they must also strongly influence all earthy events. Noted changes in seasons and floods of the great rivers ex.) The Nile in Egypt Noted changes in seasons and floods of the great rivers ex.) The Nile in Egypt

Who was the first? The Chinese, Egyptians and Babylonians were the first to keep records of the celestial bodies and their positions. The Chinese, Egyptians and Babylonians were the first to keep records of the celestial bodies and their positions.

You might be thinking.. Where in the world did the Babylonians live?...

Ptolemy Greece (~600BC) Greece (~600BC) Considered the “Golden Age” of early astronomy Considered the “Golden Age” of early astronomy Were criticized for using philosophical arguments to explain natural phenomenon. However, they also used observational data. Background info.- The Greeks developed geometry and trigonometry Background info.- The Greeks developed geometry and trigonometry They later used these to measure the sizes and distances of the largest appearing celestial bodies. Ex. Sun/moon They later used these to measure the sizes and distances of the largest appearing celestial bodies. Ex. Sun/moon

Ptolemy Who is Claudius Ptolemy? (tall-la-me) Who is Claudius Ptolemy? (tall-la-me) So how did Ptolemy make it into the history books?.... So how did Ptolemy make it into the history books?.... He was the first to present the geocentric view to Europe known as the: Ptolemaic System He was the first to present the geocentric view to Europe known as the: Ptolemaic System The first to show or observe the movement of the planets The first to show or observe the movement of the planets What’s the geocentric view? Belief that the Earth was at the center of the universe Who could argue this….the Earth stayed motionless-exhibited no sense of movement

Claudius Ptolemy

The Renaissance During the Renaissance literacy became more widespread and almanacs began publishing astrological information During the Renaissance literacy became more widespread and almanacs began publishing astrological information Astrology began to lose popularity or credibility when predictions failed to “come true” Astrology began to lose popularity or credibility when predictions failed to “come true” Marks the beginning of the end of astrology Marks the beginning of the end of astrology