The Development of Astronomy in the Scientific Revolution Helia Ludema Period 6

Astronomy The word astronomy is taken from the Greek words for “star law” The word astronomy is taken from the Greek words for “star law” Its definition is the study of the universe or anything beyond the world we live in Its definition is the study of the universe or anything beyond the world we live in There are two branches of Astronomy: Optical and Non-Optical astronomy There are two branches of Astronomy: Optical and Non-Optical astronomy Optical: They study of astronomical objects visible to us Optical: They study of astronomical objects visible to us Non-Optical: The study of objects not visible to us through the use of instruments Non-Optical: The study of objects not visible to us through the use of instruments

Astronomy Cont. Subfields: Subfields: Planetary: The study of planets and comets Planetary: The study of planets and comets Solar: The study of the sun specifically Solar: The study of the sun specifically Stellar: The study of how stars are born, how they develop, and how they are destroyed Stellar: The study of how stars are born, how they develop, and how they are destroyed Galactic: The study of the Milky Way to determine how galaxies are formed Galactic: The study of the Milky Way to determine how galaxies are formed Extragalactic: They study of other galaxies in order to observe how they interact with one another Extragalactic: They study of other galaxies in order to observe how they interact with one another

Important Figures in Astronomy Nicolaus Copernicus: Developed the heliocentric theory of the solar system in which planets revolve around the sun Nicolaus Copernicus: Developed the heliocentric theory of the solar system in which planets revolve around the sun Johannes Kepler: Laws of planetary motion Johannes Kepler: Laws of planetary motion Planets move in an elliptical orbit rather than circular Planets move in an elliptical orbit rather than circular Galileo Galilei: First to use a telescope to observe the solar system Galileo Galilei: First to use a telescope to observe the solar system

Important Figures Cont. Isaac Newton: Discovered calculus and used it to describe the law of gravity Isaac Newton: Discovered calculus and used it to describe the law of gravity Albert Einstein: Relation of energy to mass (E=mc2) as well as corrections to Newton’s law of gravity Albert Einstein: Relation of energy to mass (E=mc2) as well as corrections to Newton’s law of gravity Tycho Brahe: Created instruments that enabled him to decipher the positions of the planets Tycho Brahe: Created instruments that enabled him to decipher the positions of the planets

Isaac Newton Galileo Galilei Nicolaus Copernicus Johannes Kepler

Background to the Scientific Revolution Began in the 16 th century and flourished in the 17th Began in the 16 th century and flourished in the 17th Influenced by the Enlightenment Influenced by the Enlightenment A period of time in which great advancements were made in various fields of science including astronomy A period of time in which great advancements were made in various fields of science including astronomy Disproved prior beliefs about the scientific world such as the principles of alchemy (elixir of eternal life, the creation of gold out of common metals, etc.) Disproved prior beliefs about the scientific world such as the principles of alchemy (elixir of eternal life, the creation of gold out of common metals, etc.)

Background to the Scientific Revolution Cont. Scientific societies and academies were created as a result Scientific societies and academies were created as a result Ex: Royal Society in Ex: Royal Society in England, and Academy of Sciences in France This provided a means This provided a means of spreading scientific knowledge and findings

The Growth of Astronomy Advancements were sparked by, among other things, Copernicus’s heliocentric theory Advancements were sparked by, among other things, Copernicus’s heliocentric theory This theory was built upon and expanded by others such as Brahe and Kepler when elliptical orbits were discovered This theory was built upon and expanded by others such as Brahe and Kepler when elliptical orbits were discovered The use of the telescope by Galileo also led to the discovery of the phases of Venus as well as moons orbiting Jupiter The use of the telescope by Galileo also led to the discovery of the phases of Venus as well as moons orbiting Jupiter This shifted the entire world’s view on scientific nature as major scientific facts made by Aristotle were now disproved This shifted the entire world’s view on scientific nature as major scientific facts made by Aristotle were now disproved

The Growth of Astronomy Cont. The next major advancement was three new laws of motion discovered by Newton The next major advancement was three new laws of motion discovered by Newton 1) An object in motion will remain in motion unless stopped by an outside force 1) An object in motion will remain in motion unless stopped by an outside force 2) The concept of Inertia or how the acceleration of an object relates to its mass 2) The concept of Inertia or how the acceleration of an object relates to its mass 3)For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction 3)For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction Newton’s work with physics, light, and optics also contributed greatly to the growth of astronomy Newton’s work with physics, light, and optics also contributed greatly to the growth of astronomy

Astronomy in Today’s World Shocking discoveries are still being made about the solar system Shocking discoveries are still being made about the solar system An earth-like planet has been found in the Libra constellation that has temperatures close to earth’s as well as liquid water An earth-like planet has been found in the Libra constellation that has temperatures close to earth’s as well as liquid water Enough ice has been found in the South pole of Mars to cover the entire planet in 30 ft of water Enough ice has been found in the South pole of Mars to cover the entire planet in 30 ft of water Evidence has been found that there may be life on Mars Evidence has been found that there may be life on Mars

Astronomy in Today’s World Cont. Rovers have been created to withstand the harsh conditions on some planets Rovers have been created to withstand the harsh conditions on some planets More than 100 More than 100 planets have been discovered outside our solar system