We explain what astronomy is, its history and its object of study. Also, what are its characteristics and the difference with astrology.
What is astronomy?
Astronomy is the science that is responsible for the study of stars, planets, galaxies, nebulae, asteroids, comets and other cosmic phenomena.. It seeks to understand the formation and evolution of stars and planets, know the origin of the universe, study the structure and dynamics of galaxies and investigate the nature of black holes and dark matter that are part of space.
It is one of the oldest sciences, and its practice dates back to Antiquity, as human beings have observed the sky and the stars since prehistoric times. With the passage of time and the advancement of technology, these observations were able to be perfected, reach more distant places and become more precise.
In addition, astronomy has also contributed to the development of technologies such as space telescopes and global positioning systems (GPS).
Some of the most important astronomical scholars in history were the Egyptian Hypatia (c. 355 to 370-415), the Polish Nicholas Copernicus (1473-1543), the Italian Galileo Galilei (1564-1642), the German Johannes Kepler (1571-1630) and the German Caroline Herschel (1750-1848). In the last century, scientists such as the American Vera Rubin, the Englishman Stephen Hawking, the winner of the 2020 Nobel Prize in Physics Andrea Ghez and the Indian Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar stood out.
the word astronomy It has its etymological origin in ancient Greek. It is derived from the combination of two Greek terms: astronwhich means “star” and nomos, which translates as “law” or “rule”, that is, “law of the stars” or “rules of the stars”. This name reflects the historical nature of the discipline, which originally focused on the observation and study of stellar movements in the sky.
Features of astronomy
Astronomy has the following characteristics:
- It is the science that studies stars, planets, galaxies, nebulae, asteroids, comets and other cosmic phenomena.
- It is one of the oldest sciences that exist.
- It is studied through observation and through mathematical and physical models.
- Its main instruments are optical telescopes, radio telescopes and space telescopes.
- Hypatia, Nicholas Copernicus, Galileo Galilei, Johannes Kepler and Caroline Herschel are some of the most famous astronomers in history.
What does astronomy study?
Astronomy studies celestial bodies and cosmic phenomena that manifest in the universe.. Its research scope ranges from nearby stars and planets to distant galaxies.
The stars are one of its main objects of study. Astronomers investigate the formation, evolution and extinction of stars, as well as the different phases of their life cycle.
The exploration of the planets is another central area of astronomy. These studies include planets in the solar system and also exoplanets in other galaxies. Understanding the formation and characteristics of planets provides information about the dynamics of solar systems and the possibilities of life developing elsewhere in the universe.
Astronomy also focuses on the analysis of galaxies, nebulae, and other celestial objects, such as black holes, neutron stars, and quasars. The study of these strange phenomena that occur in space contributes to the understanding of fundamental laws of physics and the nature of space and time.
Astronomical observation instruments
Some of the main astronomical observation instruments that exist today are:
- optical telescope. They are telescopes that use lenses or mirrors to collect and focus visible light, allowing the observation of celestial objects. One of the first astronomical telescopes was built by Galileo Galilei in 1609. Since then, increasingly larger and more advanced optical telescopes have been developed. Currently, the ELT (Extremely Large Telescope) is under construction in Chile, which will be the largest optical telescope in the world. It is estimated that it will be completed in 2028.
- radio telescope. They are telescopes that capture radio waves emitted by celestial objects, which allows the observation range to be expanded beyond visible light. Its development is attributed to the American engineer Karl Jansky, who in 1932 discovered radio emissions from the Milky Way.
- space telescope. They are telescopes placed in orbit to avoid atmospheric interference and thus obtain clearer and sharper images. The Hubble Space Telescope, launched in 1990, has provided valuable images and data in a variety of astronomical fields. NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope, launched in 2021, is the largest and most complex ever built, and is expected to be able to collect information from planets far outside our solar system.
Theoretical astronomy
Theoretical astronomy is a branch of astronomy that focuses on the development and application of mathematical models and theories to understand celestial phenomena and predict astronomical observations. Unlike astronomy, which is based on observation through telescopes, Theoretical astronomy focuses on the formulation of laws and principles that explain the behavior of celestial objects.
Theoretical astronomers use mathematical tools, computational models, and physical theories to investigate the orbital dynamics of planets and stars, the evolution of galaxies, and the origin, nature, and evolution of the universe.
Astronautics
Astronautics is a branch of rocket science and engineering that deals with the design, construction and operation of spacecraft. Its main objective is to study and develop technologies that allow exploration through space travel and carrying out activities in the space environment..
This includes the design of spacecraft, rockets, satellites, probes and space stations, as well as the development of propulsion systems, orbital mechanics and space flight technologies.
Astronautics also contributes to the development and improvement of technologies that enable exploration and communication in space, such as navigation systems, satellite communication, and remote observation technologies.
NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) of the United States and the European Space Agency are two of the most prestigious and recognized space agencies worldwide in the field of astronautics.
History of astronomy
The history of astronomy dates back to ancient civilizations, where observing the night sky attracted the interest of scientists of the time. The first records of astronomical observations date back thousands of years and are found in various cultures, including Egyptian, Babylonian and Chinese.
Ancient astronomy was characterized by observing movements in the sky and identifying recurring patterns, such as lunar phases and the positions of the planets. These observations were used to develop calendars and predict astronomical events.
In the 16th century, Nicholas Copernicus proposed the heliocentric model, and placed the Sun at the center of the solar system, when previously it was thought that the Earth occupied that place. This change, known as the “Copernican revolution,” was fundamental to changing the perspective of astronomical analysis.. Scientists such as Johannes Kepler and Galileo Galilei, with their own studies, validated and expanded Copernican ideas.
In the 17th century, Isaac Newton’s law of universal gravitation appeared, which provided a unified explanation for planetary motions.
The development of more advanced telescopes in the 19th century allowed detailed observation of celestial objects, while the 20th century saw the rise of modern astronomy with theories of the expansion of the universe, the Big Bang theory and the observation of cosmic phenomena. at various wavelengths.
Differences with astrology
Astrology can be confused with astronomy, because both are disciplines that are dedicated to the study of the stars. However, they have many differences.
Astrology is a practice based on the belief that the position and movement of celestial bodies, especially the Sun, Moon, planets and stars, can influence human affairs and personality.
Astrologers create horoscopes and offer interpretations based on the position of the stars at the time of a person’s birth. Although astrology has had a historical role in various cultures and societies, it does not follow the principles of the scientific method and lacks an empirical basis, unlike astronomy.
References
- AstroMía. (sf). History and stories of Astronomy. https://www.astromia.com/
- National Geographic. (2023). 7 women who marked a before and after in astronomy. https://www.nationalgeographicla.com/
- Andalusian Sky. (sf). What is astronomy? https://skyandaluz.com/blog/
