SCI 103 – ASTRONOMY
PRELIM TOPICS
TOPIC 1
A BRIEF HISTORY OF ASTRONOMY
a. Ancient Astronomy
b. Modern Astronomy
c. The Importance of Astronomy
d. Difference between Astronomy and Astrology
INTRODUCTION
✔ Astronomy (Greek: astronomia = astron + nomos, literally, "law of the stars")
✔ Astronomy is the study of anything we see in the sky, and beyond.
✔ It is the science involving the observation and explanation of events occurring beyond the Earth and its
atmosphere.
✔ It is the scientific study of the celestial bodies in the universe, including the solar system, stars and
galaxies.
✔ Astronomy is actually one of the oldest natural sciences (i.e., science that focuses on the physical world)
that ever existed. Just like any other sciences, its conception arose from human curiosity about what lies
beyond the skies above us. Earlier concepts in astronomy were based on mythical and religious views,
but over time it was challenged by advancements in science and technology.
A. ANCIENT ASTRONOMY:
Early civilizations such as the Babylonians, Egyptians, and Greeks made significant contributions to
astronomy.
Babylonians created one of the earliest known star catalogs around 1200 BCE.
Ancient Egyptians developed a calendar based on the heliacal rising of Sirius, which helped in
predicting the annual flooding of the Nile.
Ancient Greeks like Ptolemy proposed a geocentric model of the universe with Earth at the center.
B. MODERN ASTRONOMY:
Copernican Revolution (16th century): Nicolaus Copernicus proposed a heliocentric model, placing
the Sun at the center of the solar system.
Galileo Galilei (17th century): His use of the telescope led to observations that supported the
heliocentric model and challenged the geocentric view.
Johannes Kepler: Developed laws of planetary motion, describing the orbits of planets around the Sun.
Isaac Newton (17th century): His laws of motion and law of universal gravitation provided a
comprehensive explanation for celestial motion.
C. THE IMPORTANCE OF ASTRONOMY:
Understanding the cosmos helps us comprehend the origins, evolution, and fate of the universe.
Practical applications include navigation (celestial navigation), timekeeping (based on celestial
events), and satellite communication.
Advances in technology driven by astronomical research often find applications in other fields.
D. DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ASTRONOMY AND ASTROLOGY:
Astronomy: It is a natural science that studies celestial objects such as stars, planets, galaxies, and the
universe as a whole. Astronomers use scientific methods to observe, analyze, and understand celestial
phenomena.
Astrology: It is a belief system that suggests a relationship between the positions and movements of
celestial bodies and events on Earth, including human life and personality. Astrology is not considered
a science as its principles lack empirical support.
In summary, the history of astronomy showcases the evolution from ancient beliefs to modern scientific
understanding. Astronomy's importance extends beyond theoretical knowledge, impacting various aspects of
human life and technology. It is crucial to differentiate between astronomy, a scientific discipline, and
astrology, a belief system without empirical foundation
PRELIM TOPICS
TOPIC 1
A BRIEF HISTORY OF ASTRONOMY
a. Ancient Astronomy
b. Modern Astronomy
c. The Importance of Astronomy
d. Difference between Astronomy and Astrology
INTRODUCTION
✔ Astronomy (Greek: astronomia = astron + nomos, literally, "law of the stars")
✔ Astronomy is the study of anything we see in the sky, and beyond.
✔ It is the science involving the observation and explanation of events occurring beyond the Earth and its
atmosphere.
✔ It is the scientific study of the celestial bodies in the universe, including the solar system, stars and
galaxies.
✔ Astronomy is actually one of the oldest natural sciences (i.e., science that focuses on the physical world)
that ever existed. Just like any other sciences, its conception arose from human curiosity about what lies
beyond the skies above us. Earlier concepts in astronomy were based on mythical and religious views,
but over time it was challenged by advancements in science and technology.
A. ANCIENT ASTRONOMY:
Early civilizations such as the Babylonians, Egyptians, and Greeks made significant contributions to
astronomy.
Babylonians created one of the earliest known star catalogs around 1200 BCE.
Ancient Egyptians developed a calendar based on the heliacal rising of Sirius, which helped in
predicting the annual flooding of the Nile.
Ancient Greeks like Ptolemy proposed a geocentric model of the universe with Earth at the center.
B. MODERN ASTRONOMY:
Copernican Revolution (16th century): Nicolaus Copernicus proposed a heliocentric model, placing
the Sun at the center of the solar system.
Galileo Galilei (17th century): His use of the telescope led to observations that supported the
heliocentric model and challenged the geocentric view.
Johannes Kepler: Developed laws of planetary motion, describing the orbits of planets around the Sun.
Isaac Newton (17th century): His laws of motion and law of universal gravitation provided a
comprehensive explanation for celestial motion.
C. THE IMPORTANCE OF ASTRONOMY:
Understanding the cosmos helps us comprehend the origins, evolution, and fate of the universe.
Practical applications include navigation (celestial navigation), timekeeping (based on celestial
events), and satellite communication.
Advances in technology driven by astronomical research often find applications in other fields.
D. DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ASTRONOMY AND ASTROLOGY:
Astronomy: It is a natural science that studies celestial objects such as stars, planets, galaxies, and the
universe as a whole. Astronomers use scientific methods to observe, analyze, and understand celestial
phenomena.
Astrology: It is a belief system that suggests a relationship between the positions and movements of
celestial bodies and events on Earth, including human life and personality. Astrology is not considered
a science as its principles lack empirical support.
In summary, the history of astronomy showcases the evolution from ancient beliefs to modern scientific
understanding. Astronomy's importance extends beyond theoretical knowledge, impacting various aspects of
human life and technology. It is crucial to differentiate between astronomy, a scientific discipline, and
astrology, a belief system without empirical foundation
