A TCNJ CCS Program

Class 1: From Astrology to Astronomy – The history of looking up at the sky. Class 1: From Astrology to Astronomy – The history of looking up at the sky. Class 2: A Trip Through the Solar System – Planets, Moons, and Comets. Oh My! Class 2: A Trip Through the Solar System – Planets, Moons, and Comets. Oh My! Class 3: The Big Bang and the Universe – The history of everything Class 3: The Big Bang and the Universe – The history of everything Class 4: Space Exploration– Spaceflight and a visit to the planetarium. Class 4: Space Exploration– Spaceflight and a visit to the planetarium.

The ancients believed that the sky was the realm of the gods. The ancients believed that the sky was the realm of the gods. They knew the sky well. With no TV or Internet there was nothing else to watch at night! They knew the sky well. With no TV or Internet there was nothing else to watch at night!

Define terms: Define terms: Astrology : A belief system that the positions of the stars and planets provide information about personality, human affairs, and other earthly matters. Astrology : A belief system that the positions of the stars and planets provide information about personality, human affairs, and other earthly matters.

Astronomy: the scientific study of celestial objects (such as stars, planets, comets, and galaxies) and phenomena that originate outside the Earth's atmosphere. Astronomy: the scientific study of celestial objects (such as stars, planets, comets, and galaxies) and phenomena that originate outside the Earth's atmosphere.

Astronomy and Astrology were largely the same thing. Astronomy and Astrology were largely the same thing. Many cultures believed that the heavens were the realm of the gods who controlled men destinies. Many cultures believed that the heavens were the realm of the gods who controlled men destinies. Observing the heavens, however, also had very practical applications. Observing the heavens, however, also had very practical applications.

Many ancient cultures had a highly developed art of astronomy. Many ancient cultures had a highly developed art of astronomy. This included the Chinese, Arabs, Greeks, Babylonians and Mayans. This included the Chinese, Arabs, Greeks, Babylonians and Mayans.

Had a 360 day calendar from earliest times. Had a 360 day calendar from earliest times. Used movement of stars and sun to predict Nile flood. Used movement of stars and sun to predict Nile flood. Religious festivals timed with moon, stars, sun. Religious festivals timed with moon, stars, sun. Temples built base on alignment with sky. Temples built base on alignment with sky.

Pyramids aligned with Polaris, the North Star. Pyramids aligned with Polaris, the North Star. Temple Amun-Re at Karnak has a passage that is only illuminated by the mid-winter’s rising sun. Temple Amun-Re at Karnak has a passage that is only illuminated by the mid-winter’s rising sun.

The ancients noticed that stars always rose at the same point. The ancients noticed that stars always rose at the same point. Other objects like the Sun and Moon would vary with the time and season. Other objects like the Sun and Moon would vary with the time and season. Monuments like Stonehenge were built aligned to certain days of the year and could act as calendars. Monuments like Stonehenge were built aligned to certain days of the year and could act as calendars.

Do not rise and set at the same place over each day. Do not rise and set at the same place over each day. But the stars do! But the stars do!

Sunrise alignment and a tomb. Sunrise alignment and a tomb.

Sun was the god Re Sun was the god Re Moon was Troth god of wisdom. Moon was Troth god of wisdom.

A grouping of stars is a constellation. A grouping of stars is a constellation. Different ancient cultures had different constellations. Different ancient cultures had different constellations. The afterlife god Osiris shares most of the same stars with our modern constellation Orion. The afterlife god Osiris shares most of the same stars with our modern constellation Orion.

Capricorn (the goat) – Draco (the dragon) Capricorn (the goat) – Draco (the dragon)

All noticed that the stars seemed to be fixed on a giant sphere that turned about the earth (The “Starry Vault”) All noticed that the stars seemed to be fixed on a giant sphere that turned about the earth (The “Starry Vault”) The sun and moon moved across the sphere on similar path. The sun and moon moved across the sphere on similar path.

Another group of objects moved across the sky in the same path as the sun and moon. Another group of objects moved across the sky in the same path as the sun and moon. These did not always move in a consistent direction but wandered forward and back. These did not always move in a consistent direction but wandered forward and back. We call this objects planets after the ancient Greek word for wanderer. We call this objects planets after the ancient Greek word for wanderer.

Comets were planet- like objects with long tails that appeared at random times. Comets were planet- like objects with long tails that appeared at random times. They were often associated with important (sometimes evil) events (death of a king, etc.). They were often associated with important (sometimes evil) events (death of a king, etc.).

In 1066 the appearance of Halley’s Comet was considered an omen of the death of Harold II of England who died at the Battle of Hastings later that year. In 1066 the appearance of Halley’s Comet was considered an omen of the death of Harold II of England who died at the Battle of Hastings later that year.

The constellations the sun, moon and planets moved through were often considered special. The constellations the sun, moon and planets moved through were often considered special. Today we call this group the Zodiac. Today we call this group the Zodiac.

Different cultures had different zodiacs because their constellations were different. Different cultures had different zodiacs because their constellations were different.

The Greek Zodiac has 12 constellations: The Greek Zodiac has 12 constellations: Aries, the ram; Taurus, the bull; Gemini, the twins; Cancer, the crab; Leo, the Lion; Virgo, the Virgin; Libra, the scales; Scorpio, the scorpion, Sagittarius, the archer; Capricorn, the goat; Aquarius, the water bearer; and Pisces, the fish. Aries, the ram; Taurus, the bull; Gemini, the twins; Cancer, the crab; Leo, the Lion; Virgo, the Virgin; Libra, the scales; Scorpio, the scorpion, Sagittarius, the archer; Capricorn, the goat; Aquarius, the water bearer; and Pisces, the fish.

Aristotle believed that the earth was at the center of a number of sphere’s. Aristotle believed that the earth was at the center of a number of sphere’s. On the outermost sphere were the stars. On the outermost sphere were the stars. Inner spheres contained the sun, moon and planets. Inner spheres contained the sun, moon and planets.

A planetary system with Earth at the center like Aristotle proposed was geocentric. The Greek word geo means “Earth.” A planetary system with Earth at the center like Aristotle proposed was geocentric. The Greek word geo means “Earth.” Most ancient astronomers used a geocentric system. Most ancient astronomers used a geocentric system.

Around 100 BC Claudius Ptolemy took Aristotle's system and put math to it. Around 100 BC Claudius Ptolemy took Aristotle's system and put math to it. He published this in a massive book called the Almagest. He published this in a massive book called the Almagest. It was the authority for astronomy for almost the next 1000 years. It was the authority for astronomy for almost the next 1000 years.

The old geocentric system had hard time explaining the motion of the planets. How could they make these strange loops? The old geocentric system had hard time explaining the motion of the planets. How could they make these strange loops?

A few ancient scholars, however, came up with the idea that the Sun, not the Earth was the center of the solar system (Such as Aryabhata a 5th century Indian astronomer). A few ancient scholars, however, came up with the idea that the Sun, not the Earth was the center of the solar system (Such as Aryabhata a 5th century Indian astronomer). A planetary system with the sun in the center is known as a heliocentric system. A planetary system with the sun in the center is known as a heliocentric system. From the Greek word Helios, which means “Sun.” From the Greek word Helios, which means “Sun.”

Around 1530 the Polish scholar Nicholas Copernicus published a book On the Revolutions of the Celestial Spheres proposing a heliocentric system. Around 1530 the Polish scholar Nicholas Copernicus published a book On the Revolutions of the Celestial Spheres proposing a heliocentric system. It was a much simpler system then Ptolemy’s. It was a much simpler system then Ptolemy’s.

Because both Earth & other planets are orbiting the Sun they can appear to move backwards. Because both Earth & other planets are orbiting the Sun they can appear to move backwards.

Copernicus’ claim was controversial. Copernicus’ claim was controversial. Man and Earth not center of universe. Man and Earth not center of universe. Changed our understanding of man’s place in universe. Changed our understanding of man’s place in universe.

One of the first astronomers to adopt and defend Copernicus’ sun centered system. One of the first astronomers to adopt and defend Copernicus’ sun centered system. Invented a basic refracting telescope. Invented a basic refracting telescope.

Kepler’s Laws of Planetary Motion Kepler’s Laws of Planetary Motion

Kepler discovered that the length of their orbit was a function of their distance from the sun. Kepler discovered that the length of their orbit was a function of their distance from the sun. He also realized that planets did not move in perfect circular orbits, but ellipses. He also realized that planets did not move in perfect circular orbits, but ellipses.

Did not invent the telescope. Did not invent the telescope. One of the first persons to use it for astronomy. One of the first persons to use it for astronomy. Vocal supporter of sun centered system. Vocal supporter of sun centered system.

Discovered mountains on the moon in Discovered mountains on the moon in Discovered four moons of Jupiter in Discovered four moons of Jupiter in Discovered rings of Saturn in Discovered rings of Saturn in Discovered sunspots in Discovered sunspots in 1613.

The church found the sun centered system “false and contrary to Scripture.” The church found the sun centered system “false and contrary to Scripture.” Galileo was warned not to defend Copernicus’ system. Galileo was warned not to defend Copernicus’ system. He was put on trial and forced to recant his ideas. He was put on trial and forced to recant his ideas. He spent the end of his life under house arrest. He spent the end of his life under house arrest.

Has been called: Has been called: Father of modern observational astronomy Father of modern observational astronomy Father of modern physics Father of modern physics Father of Modern Science Father of Modern Science

Stephen Hawking says, "Galileo, perhaps more than any other single person, was responsible for the birth of modern science.“ Stephen Hawking says, "Galileo, perhaps more than any other single person, was responsible for the birth of modern science.“ In 1992, Pope John Paul II issued a declaration acknowledging the errors committed by the Church tribunal that judged the scientific positions of Galileo. In 1992, Pope John Paul II issued a declaration acknowledging the errors committed by the Church tribunal that judged the scientific positions of Galileo.

Isaac Newton born on 4 January Isaac Newton born on 4 January Gravity: Every object in the universe attracts every other object. Gravity: Every object in the universe attracts every other object. The force is more powerful with more mass involved. The force is more powerful with more mass involved. The force weakens over distance. The force weakens over distance.

We are 6 times heavier on the Earth than the moon because the Earth is more massive than the moon. We are 6 times heavier on the Earth than the moon because the Earth is more massive than the moon. If you weighed 100 pounds on Earth you would be 16.6 pounds on the moon and 236 pounds on Jupiter. If you weighed 100 pounds on Earth you would be 16.6 pounds on the moon and 236 pounds on Jupiter.

One of the weakest forces in nature, but also one of the most long range. One of the weakest forces in nature, but also one of the most long range. Holds the planets in orbit around the sun. Holds the planets in orbit around the sun.

Gravity vs. Electromagnetism Gravity vs. Electromagnetism

Read “Comet Halley: Harbinger of Death?” for next class. Read “Comet Halley: Harbinger of Death?” for next class.

Groups will work together to present on these topic on February 1 st. Groups will work together to present on these topic on February 1 st. – Mars: Is there a possibility of Life on Mars? – What’s the Story with Pluto? – How does a telescope work? – What is SETI?