Expert: Tom Whiting - 3/12/2004

Question
Hi,
please can u tell me the effects, advantages and disadvantages of astronomy to man? I need this about now for the development of my research paper. I am writing from Nigeria, Africa. preferably, let's chat on the yahoo messenger using the stated email address.

Thanks

Ebukedu

Answer
Hi Ebukedu,
Well sorry, but I am not signed up for Yahoo, but we can
communicate by E-mail directly....I'm at bwhiting@velocity.net
so feel free to write me anytime, as I am retired and on the
computer most of the day.
Unfortunately, we go on holiday (Vacation) starting tomorrow
for about a week, so I won't be home at that time.

But to answer your question:

Astronomy provokes thought and imagination; it opens one's
mind to regions beyond the Earth...
It is the ONLY subect that covers....the rest of the Universe.
It is the educational and recreational value of astronomy
that is worth while...it has been said that one cannot rightly consider themselves to be an "educated" person
unless he has a firm grasp on the fundamentals of astronomy.
(As I've said...every other subject you study is only
concerning the Earth...history, English, Literature...only
astronomy and cosmology covers..the rest of the Universe.)

In more special fields, the stimulative effect of astronomy
has been great; Many of the facts of atomic behavior were
studied first in the stars, and a proper understanding
of present-day science depends greatly on a speaking
acquaintance with the advanced theories of astronomy.

Recreation, in the widest sense of the word, includes
intellectual pleasure, enjoyment of sheer beauty, mental
relaxation, and the fun of sight-seeing. If the sight of
the first Robin or crocus in the spring brings you delight,
then the seasonal return of Spica or Arcturus to our night
sky will do the same.

Astronomy offers a pleasure that follows the law of increasing rather than diminishing returns.  The more
you develop a thirst for it, the greater your return.
There is no season of the year when the intereest ceases;
It was Carlyle whose complaint rings thru the years:
"Why did no one teach me the constellations when I was
a child?"

Although currently, a knowledge of astronomy may seem to
have little practical value to the average man, it should
be remembered that as a science it has been of tremendous
value in the knowledge of time-keeping, and navigation.

But in the future, as man moves outward to eventually
colonize the moon, Mars, the Milky Way Galaxy, over the
next 1000 or 5000 years, astronomy will play a significant
role in our exploration and colonization of the Milky Way
Galaxy.

Man must have a vision and perspective...Astronomy can help
broaden one's perspective.
Clear Skies,
Tom Whiting
Erie, PA  USA
bwhiting@velocity.net