The Development of The Development of Astronomy in the Scientific Astronomy in the Scientific

RevolutionRevolution

Helia Ludema Helia Ludema

Period 6Period 6

AstronomyAstronomyThe word astronomy is taken from the The word astronomy is taken from the

Greek words for “star law”Greek words for “star law” Its definition is the study of the universe or Its definition is the study of the universe or

anything beyond the world we live inanything beyond the world we live inThere are two branches of Astronomy: There are two branches of Astronomy:

Optical and Non-Optical astronomyOptical and Non-Optical astronomyOptical: They study of astronomical objects Optical: They study of astronomical objects

visible to usvisible to usNon-Optical: The study of objects not visible Non-Optical: The study of objects not visible

to us through the use of instrumentsto us through the use of instruments

Astronomy Cont.Astronomy Cont.Subfields:Subfields:

Planetary: The study of planets and cometsPlanetary: The study of planets and cometsSolar: The study of the sun specificallySolar: The study of the sun specificallyStellar: The study of how stars are born, how Stellar: The study of how stars are born, how

they develop, and how they are destroyedthey develop, and how they are destroyedGalactic: The study of the Milky Way to Galactic: The study of the Milky Way to

determine how galaxies are formeddetermine how galaxies are formedExtragalactic: They study of other galaxies in Extragalactic: They study of other galaxies in

order to observe how they interact with one order to observe how they interact with one anotheranother

Important Figures in AstronomyImportant Figures in Astronomy

Nicolaus Copernicus: Developed the Nicolaus Copernicus: Developed the heliocentric theory of the solar system in heliocentric theory of the solar system in which planets revolve around the sunwhich planets revolve around the sun

Johannes Kepler: Laws of planetary Johannes Kepler: Laws of planetary motionmotionPlanets move in an elliptical orbit rather than Planets move in an elliptical orbit rather than

circularcircularGalileo Galilei: First to use a telescope to Galileo Galilei: First to use a telescope to

observe the solar systemobserve the solar system

Important Figures Cont.Important Figures Cont.

Isaac Newton: Discovered calculus and Isaac Newton: Discovered calculus and used it to describe the law of gravityused it to describe the law of gravity

Albert Einstein: Relation of energy to mass Albert Einstein: Relation of energy to mass (E=mc2) as well as corrections to (E=mc2) as well as corrections to Newton’s law of gravityNewton’s law of gravity

Tycho Brahe: Created instruments that Tycho Brahe: Created instruments that enabled him to decipher the positions of enabled him to decipher the positions of the planetsthe planets

Isaac Newton

Galileo Galilei

Nicolaus Copernicus

Johannes Kepler

Background to the Scientific Background to the Scientific RevolutionRevolution

Began in the 16Began in the 16thth century and flourished in century and flourished in the 17ththe 17th

Influenced by the EnlightenmentInfluenced by the EnlightenmentA period of time in which great A period of time in which great

advancements were made in various fields advancements were made in various fields of science including astronomyof science including astronomy

Disproved prior beliefs about the scientific Disproved prior beliefs about the scientific world such as the principles of alchemy world such as the principles of alchemy (elixir of eternal life, the creation of gold (elixir of eternal life, the creation of gold out of common metals, etc.)out of common metals, etc.)

Background to the Scientific Background to the Scientific Revolution Cont.Revolution Cont.

Scientific societies and academies were Scientific societies and academies were created as a resultcreated as a resultEx: Royal Society in Ex: Royal Society in

England, and AcademyEngland, and Academy

of Sciences in Franceof Sciences in FranceThis provided a meansThis provided a means

of spreading scientific of spreading scientific

knowledge and findingsknowledge and findings

The Growth of AstronomyThe Growth of AstronomyAdvancements were sparked by, among Advancements were sparked by, among

other things, Copernicus’s heliocentric theoryother things, Copernicus’s heliocentric theoryThis theory was built upon and expanded by This theory was built upon and expanded by

others such as Brahe and Kepler when others such as Brahe and Kepler when elliptical orbits were discoveredelliptical orbits were discovered

The use of the telescope by Galileo also led The use of the telescope by Galileo also led to the discovery of the phases of Venus as to the discovery of the phases of Venus as well as moons orbiting Jupiterwell as moons orbiting Jupiter

This shifted the entire world’s view on This shifted the entire world’s view on scientific nature as major scientific facts scientific nature as major scientific facts made by Aristotle were now disprovedmade by Aristotle were now disproved

The Growth of Astronomy Cont.The Growth of Astronomy Cont.The next major advancement was three new The next major advancement was three new

laws of motion discovered by Newtonlaws of motion discovered by Newton1) An object in motion will remain in motion 1) An object in motion will remain in motion

unless stopped by an outside forceunless stopped by an outside force2) The concept of Inertia or how the 2) The concept of Inertia or how the

acceleration of an object relates to its massacceleration of an object relates to its mass3)For every action there is an equal and 3)For every action there is an equal and

opposite reactionopposite reactionNewton’s work with physics, light, and optics Newton’s work with physics, light, and optics

also contributed greatly to the growth of also contributed greatly to the growth of astronomyastronomy

Astronomy in Today’s WorldAstronomy in Today’s World

Shocking discoveries are still being made Shocking discoveries are still being made about the solar systemabout the solar system

An earth-like planet has been found in the An earth-like planet has been found in the Libra constellation that has temperatures Libra constellation that has temperatures close to earth’s as well as liquid waterclose to earth’s as well as liquid water

Enough ice has been found in the South Enough ice has been found in the South pole of Mars to cover the entire planet in pole of Mars to cover the entire planet in 30 ft of water30 ft of water

Evidence has been found that there may Evidence has been found that there may be life on Marsbe life on Mars

Astronomy in Today’s World Cont.Astronomy in Today’s World Cont.

Rovers have been created to withstand Rovers have been created to withstand the harsh conditions on some planetsthe harsh conditions on some planets

More than 100 More than 100

planets have been planets have been

discovered outside discovered outside

our solar systemour solar system