etc... thank you. Wolfie, Tacoma Park, Md
Answer: 'Astronomy' is actually quite a vast area to try to explain at one time
because it includes a number of large sub-disciplines:
astrometry - the study of star positions and how these change over time
with celestial coordinates
celestial mechanics - the prediction of the future positions of the
planets, Moon, etc. using orbital elements
stellar astrophysics - the study of the physics of the stars, and their
evolution, changing properties
solar physics - the study of the Sun, its physics and properties, as well
as terrestrial effects
radio astronomy - the study of celestial objects using sensitive antennas designed
to receive signals in the radio spectrum
galactic dynamics - the study of the dynamics and physics of the galaxies, galaxy
clusters, and their origin, evolution,
cosmology - the study of the large scale structure, origin and evolution of the universe.
galactic dynamics - the study of the dynamics and physics of the galaxies, galaxy
clusters, and their origin, evolution,
cosmology - the study of the large scale structure, origin and evolution of the universe.
Each one of these - particularly the respective history of each sub discipline -
would probably take several large books to even survey, far less 'explain'.
What this shows is that like many other scientific disciplines, astronomy has grown
and developed beyond simple description or being one simple science. When
people become astronomers today, in fact, they have to specialize in one
area, say solar physics - they can't just do astronomy. It's too much!
As for the history, or any one part of it, as you can gather from the
above it's far beyond the scope of any practical (and even partially
complete) response here. Hence, rather than expect a concise set of
and developed beyond simple description or being one simple science. When
people become astronomers today, in fact, they have to specialize in one
area, say solar physics - they can't just do astronomy. It's too much!
As for the history, or any one part of it, as you can gather from the
above it's far beyond the scope of any practical (and even partially
complete) response here. Hence, rather than expect a concise set of
information it is better to go out and get basic books to learn the
knowledge and master the principles on your own.
Many of the basic books are somewhat dated, but the essential (foundational)
knowledge and physical principles remain intact. One of the best is Sir Fred
Hoyle's 'Frontiers of Astronomy' which is available online:
knowledge and physical principles remain intact. One of the best is Sir Fred
Hoyle's 'Frontiers of Astronomy' which is available online:
His textbook, 'Astronomy and Cosmology - A Modern Course' is also excellent
and very readable. Both of these books provide astronomy insights across a wide
spectrum of subjects.
As for a concise history of astronomy as an overall subject, an
excellent book
to read - which should be available at any public library- is:
'A Short History of Astronomy: From Earliest Times Through the Nineteenth
Century' by Arthur Berry, Dover Publications, 1961.
If you are serious about garnering more information about astronomy and its
many facets, the approach I've outlined here will be a major help - as well as
the books cited. You can, of course, also find numerous other good texts on
your own simply by use of appropriate Google inputs.
'A Short History of Astronomy: From Earliest Times Through the Nineteenth
Century' by Arthur Berry, Dover Publications, 1961.
If you are serious about garnering more information about astronomy and its
many facets, the approach I've outlined here will be a major help - as well as
the books cited. You can, of course, also find numerous other good texts on
your own simply by use of appropriate Google inputs.
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