Astronomy Astronomy

A True ScienceA True Science

AstronomyAstronomy

AstronomyAstronomy – –

– Includes investigating other planets, and other Includes investigating other planets, and other cosmic particles found in the universe.cosmic particles found in the universe.

– Employs the Scientific MethodEmploys the Scientific Method

What makes something a Science?What makes something a Science?

Ability to test concepts with experimentsAbility to test concepts with experiments

Follows a form of the Scientific Method.Follows a form of the Scientific Method.Able to make predictions that can be tested.Able to make predictions that can be tested.Follows a logical series of investigations.Follows a logical series of investigations.Theories based on proven facts or theories Theories based on proven facts or theories and not beliefs. and not beliefs.

AstrologyAstrology

““ The fault dear Brutus, is not in our stars, The fault dear Brutus, is not in our stars, but in ourselves, that we are underlings.but in ourselves, that we are underlings.””– Cassius – Julius Caesar Cassius – Julius Caesar

By William ShakespeareBy William Shakespeare

Astrology – Astrology – fun but not sciencefun but not science

AstrologyAstrology – A _____________ involving – A _____________ involving the belief that the position of celestial the belief that the position of celestial objects influences events on Earth.objects influences events on Earth.

Potential Influences:Potential Influences:– ______________________– EarthquakesEarthquakes– ______________________________– ______________________________

Problems with AstrologyProblems with Astrology

Not supported by experimentationNot supported by experimentation– Examples:Examples:

Of 2,978 couples who were married and 478 who divorced. Of 2,978 couples who were married and 478 who divorced. Incompatibly signed men and women got married as Incompatibly signed men and women got married as frequently as compatible signed ones.frequently as compatible signed ones.When the astrological readings of 22 subjects was reversed, When the astrological readings of 22 subjects was reversed, the subjects said the reading applied to them just as often as the subjects said the reading applied to them just as often as people who were read the correct phrases.people who were read the correct phrases.

AstrologyAstrology’’s influence on Astronomys influence on Astronomy

The study of the heavens probably began the instant humans The study of the heavens probably began the instant humans started observing the movements of the celestial bodies and started observing the movements of the celestial bodies and associating it with the seasons.associating it with the seasons.The first observational data appeared in Mesopotamia The first observational data appeared in Mesopotamia between _____________ years ago.between _____________ years ago.– Records kept by early Babylonians document the positions of the sun, Records kept by early Babylonians document the positions of the sun,

moon, and stars!moon, and stars!– The Egyptians also contributed greatly to the science of Astronomy, The Egyptians also contributed greatly to the science of Astronomy,

but little is known of their direct influence Many historians believed but little is known of their direct influence Many historians believed they influenced the Greeks.they influenced the Greeks.

– The Ancient Greeks are credited as the first people to significantly The Ancient Greeks are credited as the first people to significantly raise the level of understanding in the field of astronomy. Some raise the level of understanding in the field of astronomy. Some suggest that Greek suggest that Greek ““discoveriesdiscoveries”” should be credited to the Egyptians. should be credited to the Egyptians. (You will investigate individual astronomers shortly) (You will investigate individual astronomers shortly)

The constellations and the signs of the zodiac can partially be The constellations and the signs of the zodiac can partially be attributed to early astrologers.attributed to early astrologers.

The ZodiacThe ZodiacHistorically all the heavenly objects moving around the earth Historically all the heavenly objects moving around the earth with in a narrow band of the sky.with in a narrow band of the sky.

Today we know that the planets move through the narrow Today we know that the planets move through the narrow band of the sky because their orbits around the sun lie in band of the sky because their orbits around the sun lie in similar planes (fig. OV1.8)similar planes (fig. OV1.8)

The ZodiacThe Zodiac is A narrow band in the celestial sphere where is A narrow band in the celestial sphere where the planets always move within.the planets always move within.

Celestial SphereCelestial Sphere – –

ConstellationsConstellations

ConstellationConstellation – –

– Examples:Examples:Leo, Ursa Major, Ursa Minor, OrionLeo, Ursa Major, Ursa Minor, Orion

Constellations are linked to various storiesConstellations are linked to various storiesSelect a constellation from the zodiac and Select a constellation from the zodiac and we will discuss a myth associated with it.we will discuss a myth associated with it.Constellation homework. Due FridayConstellation homework. Due Friday