Expert: Philip Stahl - 2/12/2004

Question
What is astronomy? When did it first start or whatever?

Answer
Hello.

'Astronomy' is actually quite a large area to try to explain at one time because it isn't just one subject but multiple ones! It includes a number of large sub-areas:

Astrometry (the study of star positions and how these change over time with celestial coordinates),

Celestial mechanics (the prediction of the future positions of the planets, Moon),

Stellar astrophysics (the study of the physics of the stars, and their evolution, changing properties),

Solar physics (the study of the Sun, its physics and properties, as well as terrestrial effects),

Galactic dynamics and astrophysics (the study of the dynamics and physics of the galaxies and galactic clusters), and

Cosmology-  the study of the large scale motions and expansion of the universe including the derivation of its past properties from currently observed ones.

Each one of these would probably take several large books to even survey, far less 'explain'. What this shows is that like many other scientific disciplines, astronomy has grown and developed beyond simple description or being one simple science.

Astronomy, as the simple science of observing stars, their positions and motions, probably began with the ancient Sumerian civilization thousands of years ago. Many archeological artifacts from that era seem to show primitive observing instruments, and actual records of star data, and positions.

You can find out much more about astronomy and its origins and how it developed, by getting the book 'A Short History of Astronomy' by Adrian Berry, which should be available at any public library.