2: Historical Astronomy
- Page ID
- 64052
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)Night comes leaking out of the sky.
Stars come peeking.
Moon comes sneaking silvery-sly.
Who is shaking, shivery – quaking?
Who is afraid of the night?
Not I.
Beatrice Schenk de Regniers
As Night Comes
Upon completion of this module, the student will be able to:
- Identify the processes of science
- Identify historical contributions to astronomy by civilizations
- Describe how astronomy has effected such things as the days of the week and the month
- Differentiate between the geocentric and the heliocentric solar system models and their contributions
- Differentiate between astronomy and astrology
- Discuss the contributions by Copernicus, Brahe, Kepler, Galilei, and Newton to modern astronomy
- Define Newton’s 3 Laws of Motion
This module, Historical Astronomy, looks at some of the earliest history of astronomy and sky gazing, the contributions of the Greeks, and the individuals whose contributions to modern astronomy stands upon.
- 2.1: The Study of Science
- This page discusses the study of science, highlighting the Scientific Method, which includes forming hypotheses and developing theories through observation and testing. It emphasizes that ongoing verification is crucial for scientific validity, and advances in technology contribute to new discoveries. The module specifically focuses on early pioneers like Copernicus, Brahe, Kepler, and Galileo, who transformed modern astronomy.
- 2.2: What Time Is It?
- This page explores the significance of astronomy in early civilizations, highlighting its influence on agriculture and timekeeping. It notes the origins of calendars, dating back to 4800 BC, and how celestial bodies were integral in measuring time before clocks. The concept of the 24-hour day, originating from Sumerians and inherited by Babylonians, is discussed. Additionally, it mentions various lunar calendars, including the Jewish and Mayan calendars, that are connected to astronomical events.
- 2.3: Ancient Observations
- This page highlights the astronomical advancements of ancient civilizations. The Mayans constructed observatories for Venus, while Polynesians used stars for navigation. The Chinese documented celestial events and created observational instruments. Mesopotamians cataloged the night sky, and Babylonians combined astrology with astronomy. Egyptians invented sundials and aligned the Great Pyramid with stars, showcasing their fascination with celestial phenomena.
- 2.4: Contributions to Science
- This page discusses the astronomical references in Jewish and Christian scriptures, emphasizing early Greek contributions like those from Eratosthenes and Hipparchus, and the significance of the Library of Alexandria. It also highlights Islamic advancements in astronomy during the 8th and 9th centuries, focusing on the preservation of records and algebra development.
- 2.5: The Wanderers
- This page explains that the term "planet" comes from the Greek word for "wanderer" and lists historically recognized planets, such as Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, and Earth. It notes that Mercury and Venus are seen near the Sun, while Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn exhibit retrograde motion, appearing to move backward in the sky.
- 2.6: Claudius Ptolemy
- This page discusses Claudius Ptolemy's Geocentric Solar System model from 100-170 AD, which positioned Earth as the center and used epicycles to explain retrograde motion. Although incorrect, this influential view dominated for 1,500 years and appeared in the "Almagest." Retrograde motion was attributed to differing planet speeds. The model was widely accepted as both Scientific and Church Law until evidence eventually challenged its validity.
- 2.7: Astronomy and Astrology
- This page discusses the distinction between astronomy and astrology, highlighting that while they were historically linked, scientific evidence does not support astrology's claims. Astronomy is a science focused on the universe, whereas astrology suggests celestial positions influence human traits and destiny.
- 2.8: The Birth of Modern Astronomy
- This page discusses the Copernican Revolution and highlights the contributions of four influential figures: Copernicus proposed the Heliocentric model, challenging the Ptolemaic Geocentric view. His critiques focused on the Geocentric model's inaccuracies, particularly in explaining retrograde motion.
- 2.9: Observations of Motion- Brahe, Kepler, and Galilei
- This page discusses Tycho Brahe's precise astronomical measurements and his assistant Johannes Kepler's subsequent development of his own laws of planetary motion, as Brahe's data did not support the Heliocentric model. Kepler's First Law describes elliptical orbits of planets around the Sun. His Second Law states that planets cover equal areas in equal times, moving faster when nearer to the Sun.
- 2.10: Observations of the Heavens- Galileo
- This page discusses Galileo Galilei's groundbreaking use of the telescope in 1609, which led to significant astronomical discoveries, including sunspots, lunar features, and the phases of Mercury and Venus, as well as Jupiter’s moons. These findings fueled the Geocentrism versus Heliocentrism debate. However, Galileo's work brought him into conflict with the Church, resulting in house arrest and a forced recantation of his views.
- 2.11: The Mathematical Finish- Newton
- This page highlights Sir Isaac Newton's contributions to physics and mathematics, focusing on his Laws of Motion, the Law of Universal Gravitation, and his Theory of Color. Newton's First Law describes the inertia of objects, the Second Law establishes the relationship between force, mass, and acceleration (F=ma), and the Third Law states that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.