1. Why study Astronomy?

2. 1. General Knowledge/ Aesthetics Is there a common core of knowledge that all of us should have, and should this include knowledge of the universe outside of the Earth’s atmosphere? E.g., should we all know that the sun is a star—a ball of gas fusing H into He? Aesthetics refers to “beauty.”

3. 2. To better understand the Earth’s past, present and future.

4. 3. To provide a context for the development of new technologies.

5. 4. To deepen one’s understanding of scientific laws and theories.

6. 5. To better understand the relationship among science, technology and society.