Astronomy is the study of celestial objects- which is anything outside of Earth’s atmosphere. The study of astronomy is thousands of years old, and was developed by many countries and civilizations. It is one of the oldest scientific studies! Centuries ago, astronomy was heavily linked with philosophy and religion. The Babylonians and Greeks studied astronomy in the early centuries BCE (before common era). In Mesopotamia, the home of the Babylonians, they believed that the gods communicated through the skies to warn kings of future events. Through generational records of the skies, astronomers in Mesopotamia predicted the movements of the planets! (Remember, this is without modern technology). Greek astronomers discovered that the Earth is a sphere by measuring shadows in different places at the same time. Chinese astronomers first observed and recorded a supernova, which is an exploding star. Indigenous astronomers observed stars and other objects for navigation, knowledge, ceremonies, agriculture, and time records. Throughout history, astronomers have studied the observable universe and refined their records, giving modern scientists a solid foundation for their research.
Astronomy is made up of two divisions: observational astronomy and theoretical astronomy. Observational astronomers study objects and events in space and record data. Theoretical astronomers create models and simulations to explain these observations and predict future events. These fields interconnect to form our current understanding of space. We need both observational and theoretical astronomers, because it is impossible for humans to observe objects in space over their entire lifespans. Stars, planets, and galaxies are millions and billions of years old! So astronomers observe celestial objects for a short period of time, and theoretical astronomers take these observations to form a prediction of the rest of an object’s life.
ScienceDaily reports new developments and discoveries in space and time. Recently, the Mars rover Curiosity discovered that Mars underwent alternating periods of wet and dry conditions. An instrument called a ChemCam observed that there are differences in sedimentary bed layers on Mount Sharp. Some layers are clay deposits formed by a lake, and layers further up are wide and tall, made by dunes formed during dry periods. Even higher, layers left by floodplains are brittle and thin. 3 billion years ago, Mars looked very different from the red, dry planet we know today.
We still do not know everything about space. It is so expansive that a lot of our current knowledge is theoretical. This is exactly why astronomy is exciting; there is so much space outside of our planet to explore and learn about. The next few generations of astronomers could contact alien life, or set foot on a planet other than the moon or the Earth! Astronomy not only boosts curiosity for outer space, it can also reframe our concept of Earth. To us, the Earth is our entire world. But there is an infinite world just outside our atmosphere, filled with evolving stars and orbiting planets. Both are important to the future of human life.
Anybody can be an astronomer! Look at the night sky with a telescope or binoculars, and record what you see. Amateur astronomers have discovered comets, galaxies, and supernovas through diligent observations. In 1781, William Herschel, a musician, composer, and amateur astronomer, discovered that Uranus is a planet!
Here are a few resources if you are interested in learning more:
Manitoba First Nations Education Resource Centre offers information on First Nations astronomy in a PDF course by Wilfred Buck from the Opaskwayak Cree Nation. https://mfnerc.org/resources/first-nations-astronomy/
Star Walk is an app that allows you to see celestial objects in the sky by pointing your phone upwards. Find constellations, planets, specific stars, and more! https://starwalk.space/en
Astrobites is a website that features daily summaries of research papers in the field of astronomy. All of the authors are graduate students. https://astrobites.org/
Junior Astronauts is a program run through the Canadian Space Agency. Canadian students in grades 6-8 can apply for the Junior Astronauts camp, where you will participate in activities and learning experiences fit for an astronaut. Youth organizations, educators, and tutors can also use this program as an educational resource. https://www.asc-csa.gc.ca/eng/resources-young/junior-astronauts/default.asp
How Big is Space (BBC) is an interactive website that allows you to scroll through space, from earth’s surface to the outer edge of our solar system, and see probes, planets, space voyages, and all kinds of celestial objects. http://www.bbc.com/future/bespoke/20140304-how-big-is-space-interactive/
Astronomy for Kids (Ology) is a website page with videos, quizzes, helpful information, games, stories, and activities to boost your knowledge and curiosity for astronomy. https://www.amnh.org/explore/ology/astronomy
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Resources
A brief history of astronomy. (2020, December 3). Canadian Space Agency. https://www.asc-csa.gc.ca/eng/astronomy/basics/brief-history-astronomy.asp
Astronomy. (n.d.). ScienceDaily. https://www.sciencedaily.com/terms/astronomy.htm
CNRS. (2021, April 8). Mars didn't dry up in one go. ScienceDaily. Retrieved April 26, 2021 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/04/210408131457.htm
Evans, J., & Friedlander, M. W. (2019). Astronomy - History of astronomy. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/science/astronomy/History-of-astronomy
Redd, N. T. (2017, September 8). What is Astronomy? Definition & History. Space.Com. https://www.space.com/16014-astronomy.html