INTRODUCTION TO ASTRONOMY

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INTRODUCTION TO ASTRONOMY

• What is Astronomy ?
• Astronomy is NOT Astrology
• Why do we study Astronomy ?

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Astronomy - the scientific study of the Universe
beyond Earth Astronomy is a true science. It
includes the topics of the history of astronomy,
human space exploration, our Sun and Moon,
planets, other stars, galaxies, and cosmology
(the origin, structure, and fate of the whole
Universe).
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Astronomy is a True Science

• Astronomy is based on observations and
  experiments that can be repeated, and that give
  the same results no matter who does the
  experiment or makes the observation.
• Astronomy makes precise predictions about our
  Universe that can be tested to see if the
  predictions are true or not.
• Astronomy makes use of other well-established
  sciences like physics and chemistry.

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Astrology is NOT a Science

• Seeks to discover hidden knowledge by the
  interpretation of omens (like reading tea
  leaves).
• Results are not repeatable.
• Predictions are vague and not testable.
• Does not incorporate sciences like chemistry and
  physics.

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Astrology Predictionsfor your Teacher

• Best accessory hairbrush they must be
  kidding.
• Perfect job actor, cruise ship host not.
• Travel destination Singapore I dont think so
  !
• A special event is about to happen, and you're
  at the center of it. Awfully vague covers
  about everything. Worthless.

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Why do we study Astronomy ?

• Natural disasters
• Recreation and esthetics
• Scientific inquiry and curiosity
• Education of an informed society (you !)
• Our place in the Universe
• Origin and fate of the Universe (Cosmology)
• True Science versus science fiction

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Natural Disasters

• Comet and meteorite impacts, for example.

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BOOM !!
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Recreation and Esthetics

• The Universe is beautiful.

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Scientific Inquiry and Curiosity

• For example our instruments can see what our
  eyes cannot.
• Space exploration.

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Saturn Different Kinds of Light
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Saturn Different Kinds of Light

• Ultraviolet Visible
• Infrared Radio

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Space Exploration
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Education of an Informed Society
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Our Place in the Universe

• Where are we?

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12 ½ light years away
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250 light years away
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5 thousand light years away
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50 thousand light years away
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500 thousand light years away
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5 million light years away
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100 million light years away
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1 billion light years away
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14 billion light years away
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Origin and Fate of the Universe

• This part of Astronomy is called Cosmology.
• Cosmology seeks a scientific explanation for how
  the Universe began and how it might end (or will
  it go on forever?).

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The Beginning The Big Bang
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100 billion years from now the Universe will
appear frozen in time as we look out into space.
Only the light from the Local Group of galaxies
will remain visible, if anyone is still around to
see it.
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True Science versusScience Fiction

• Some astronomy stuff may be weird, BUT ITS TRUE.
• Black Holes.
• Radiation from the beginning of the Universe.
• Science fiction is just weird.
• Favorite movies.

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A Spinning Black Hole
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Radiation from the Beginning of the Universe 13.7
billion years ago
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