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Chris Impey

This is an introductory level course about the history and philosophy of astronomy, the oldest science. We'll look at how humans learned to ask questions about the universe, and even before the invention of modern instruments like the telescope, learned some amazing things about their place in nature. We will start with prehistoric cultures who kept accurate calendars and move through the time of the Greek philosophers who laid down the rudiments of logic and mathematics and the modern scientific method. We'll then examine the revolutions of Copernicus, Galileo, and Newton that redefined our place in the universe. We will then learn about the revolutions in physics in the early 20th century that redefined our ideas of space and time, mass and energy. Finally, we will discuss how modern cosmology has shown us that we live in an ancient universe (14 billion years old), in one galaxy in a universe of hundreds of billions of galaxies. At the end, will ask questions that don't necessarily have answers. What came before the Big Bang? Is there anything outside our universe? What is reality? We'll finish by looking at the role of life in the universe and ask whether the earth is the only place with biology on it.

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Syllabus

Welcome to Knowing the Universe: History and Philosophy of Astronomy
This module welcomes students to the course and explains the structure and assignments of the class.
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Prehistory and Greek Science
What was the Early History of Astronomy? From the Neolithic era to the Classical Greek era, we explore the origins of humanity’s fascination with the night sky and the practical applications of their observations and discoveries.
The Copernican Revolution
In this module we discuss the contributions made to the field of by different civilizations during the Middle Ages. We also explore, with the coming of the Renaissance, how the field of astronomy evolved due to the contributions of Kepler, Brahe, and Galileo.
The Golden Age of Science
The scientific revolution had a far-reaching impact on the field of astronomy. From Kepler’s laws of planetary motion to Newton’s theory of universal gravity, the Golden Age of Science brings with it new tools and methods to understand the universe and our place in it. Additionally, we discuss how the study of the universe gives us insight into the history of our home planet.
Mapping Space and Time
This module explores the creation of different astronomical tools and methods used to observe and gather data from the night sky. We then jump to Einstein, his theory of relativity, and how our modern observations give confirmation to the validity of this theory.
Theory of Atoms and Stars
What are stars? How are they created? How and why do they die? By closely examining atomic theory, the answers to all these questions and more are discussed in this module.
The Expanding Universe
This module answers the “big questions": how was the universe created, how old is the universe, and will the universe come to and end? Galactic and super-galactic structures are examined as well.
Life Beyond the Earth
This module attempts to answer one of humanity’s most pressing questions: are we alone in the universe? Through the discussion of exoplanets and astrobiology, we hope to shed some light on this matter.

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Teaches techniques of astronomy from prehistoric to modern times
Explores the history of astronomy, featuring key figures and discoveries
Provides a broad overview of astronomy, from its origins to modern cosmology
Introduces fundamental concepts in astronomy, such as the solar system, stars, and galaxies
Examines the role of astronomy in shaping our understanding of the universe and our place within it
Provides opportunities for students to engage with astronomy through discussions and assignments

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Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Knowing the Universe: History and Philosophy of Astronomy with these activities:
Review your notes from previous astronomy courses
This activity will help you refresh your memory and build on your prior knowledge.
Browse courses on Astronomy
Show steps
  • Get your notes from previous astronomy courses.
  • Review the notes.
  • Identify any areas where you need to brush up on your knowledge.
Create a notebook for your astronomy notes
This activity will help you stay organized and keep track of your learning.
Browse courses on Astronomy
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  • Get a notebook.
  • Label the notebook 'Astronomy'.
  • Date each entry.
Practice identifying constellations
This activity will help you develop your observational skills and learn the constellations.
Browse courses on Constellations
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  • Find a star chart or app.
  • Go outside on a clear night.
  • Try to identify as many constellations as you can.
Five other activities
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Watch a documentary about astronomy
This activity will help you learn about the latest discoveries in astronomy.
Browse courses on Astronomy
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  • Find a documentary about astronomy that interests you.
  • Watch the documentary.
  • Write a summary of the documentary.
Read 'Cosmos' by Carl Sagan
This book provides a comprehensive overview of the history and philosophy of astronomy.
View Contact: A Novel on Amazon
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  • Read the first five chapters of the book.
  • Write a summary of each chapter.
  • Discuss the book with a friend or classmate.
Join a study group
This activity will help you learn from your peers and improve your understanding of the material.
Browse courses on Astronomy
Show steps
  • Find a study group that meets regularly.
  • Attend the study group meetings.
  • Participate in the discussions.
Create a timeline of astronomy
This activity will help you visualize the development of astronomy over time.
Browse courses on History of Astronomy
Show steps
  • Research the major events in the history of astronomy.
  • Create a timeline using a tool like Google Sheets or Microsoft Excel.
  • Label each event on the timeline with a brief description.
Create a collection of astronomy resources
This activity will help you find and organize resources that will help you learn about astronomy.
Browse courses on Astronomy
Show steps
  • Use a tool like Google Docs or Microsoft Word to create a document.
  • Title the document 'Astronomy Resources'.
  • Add sections for different types of resources, such as websites, books, and videos.

Career center

Learners who complete Knowing the Universe: History and Philosophy of Astronomy will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Cosmologist
Cosmologists are scientists who study the origin, evolution, and structure of the universe. They use telescopes and other instruments to observe and collect data about the cosmic microwave background radiation, the distribution of galaxies, and other phenomena. This **Knowing the Universe: History and Philosophy of Astronomy** course can help you understand the history of astronomy, the development of scientific methods, and the major discoveries that have shaped our understanding of the universe. This knowledge can provide a strong foundation for a career in cosmology.
Space Scientist
Space scientists are scientists who study the physical and chemical properties of space and its contents. They use telescopes and other instruments to observe and collect data about planets, moons, asteroids, comets, and other objects in space. This **Knowing the Universe: History and Philosophy of Astronomy** course can help you understand the history of astronomy, the development of scientific methods, and the major discoveries that have shaped our understanding of the universe. This knowledge can provide a strong foundation for a career in space science.
Astrophysicist
Astrophysicists are scientists who study the physical properties and behavior of celestial objects and phenomena. They use telescopes and other instruments to observe and collect data about stars, planets, galaxies, and other objects in space. This **Knowing the Universe: History and Philosophy of Astronomy** course can help you understand the history of astronomy, the development of scientific methods, and the major discoveries that have shaped our understanding of the universe. This knowledge can provide a strong foundation for a career in astrophysics.
Astronomer
An astronomer is a scientist who studies celestial objects and phenomena. They use telescopes and other instruments to observe and collect data about stars, planets, galaxies, and other objects in space. This **Knowing the Universe: History and Philosophy of Astronomy** course can help you understand the history of astronomy, the development of scientific methods, and the major discoveries that have shaped our understanding of the universe. This knowledge can provide a strong foundation for a career in astronomy.
Science Writer
Science writers are writers who specialize in writing about scientific topics for a general audience. They may write for newspapers, magazines, websites, or other publications. This **Knowing the Universe: History and Philosophy of Astronomy** course can help you understand the history of astronomy, the development of scientific methods, and the major discoveries that have shaped our understanding of the universe. This knowledge can provide a strong foundation for a career as a science writer who specializes in astronomy.
Science Teacher
Science teachers are teachers who teach science to students in elementary, middle, or high school. They may teach a variety of science subjects, including astronomy. This **Knowing the Universe: History and Philosophy of Astronomy** course can help you understand the history of astronomy, the development of scientific methods, and the major discoveries that have shaped our understanding of the universe. This knowledge can provide a strong foundation for a career as a science teacher who teaches astronomy.
Museum curator
Museum curators are responsible for the care and preservation of museum collections. They may work in a variety of museums, including natural history museums, science museums, and art museums. This **Knowing the Universe: History and Philosophy of Astronomy** course can help you understand the history of astronomy, the development of scientific methods, and the major discoveries that have shaped our understanding of the universe. This knowledge can provide a strong foundation for a career as a museum curator who specializes in astronomy.
Planetarium Director
Planetarium directors are responsible for the operation and management of planetariums. They may also develop and present educational programs about astronomy and space science. This **Knowing the Universe: History and Philosophy of Astronomy** course can help you understand the history of astronomy, the development of scientific methods, and the major discoveries that have shaped our understanding of the universe. This knowledge can provide a strong foundation for a career as a planetarium director.
Librarian
Librarians are responsible for the organization and management of libraries. They may work in a variety of libraries, including public libraries, academic libraries, and special libraries. This **Knowing the Universe: History and Philosophy of Astronomy** course may be useful for librarians who work in libraries that specialize in astronomy or science.
Astronomical Photographer
Astronomical photographers are photographers who specialize in taking pictures of celestial objects and phenomena. They may work for observatories, research institutions, or magazines. This **Knowing the Universe: History and Philosophy of Astronomy** course can help you understand the history of astronomy, the development of scientific methods, and the major discoveries that have shaped our understanding of the universe. This knowledge can provide a strong foundation for a career as an astronomical photographer.
Software Engineer
Software engineers are engineers who design, develop, and maintain software systems. They may work for a variety of industries, including the astronomy industry. This **Knowing the Universe: History and Philosophy of Astronomy** course may be useful for software engineers who work on projects related to astronomy.
Technical Writer
Technical writers are writers who specialize in writing technical documentation. They may work for a variety of industries, including the astronomy industry. This **Knowing the Universe: History and Philosophy of Astronomy** course may be useful for technical writers who work on projects related to astronomy.
Archivist
Archivists are responsible for the preservation and management of historical records. They may work in a variety of institutions, including libraries, museums, and government agencies. This **Knowing the Universe: History and Philosophy of Astronomy** course may be useful for archivists who work with collections that include historical documents related to astronomy.
Optical Engineer
Optical engineers are engineers who design and develop optical systems. They may work for a variety of industries, including the astronomy industry. This **Knowing the Universe: History and Philosophy of Astronomy** course may be useful for optical engineers who work on projects related to astronomy.
Data Scientist
Data scientists are scientists who use data to solve problems and make predictions. They may work for a variety of industries, including the astronomy industry. This **Knowing the Universe: History and Philosophy of Astronomy** course may be useful for data scientists who work on projects related to astronomy.

Reading list

We've selected 12 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Knowing the Universe: History and Philosophy of Astronomy.
Classic work on physics and astronomy by Isaac Newton, and discusses topics such as motion, gravity, and the laws of motion.
Dialogue between three people, one of whom is Galileo, on the heliocentric and geocentric models of the universe. This book is recommended extra reading for those interested in Galileo and his work.
Explores our place in the universe and the interconnectedness of life and the cosmos. This book useful reference tool and provides a good overview of the history and philosophy of astronomy.
Discusses the future of humanity in space, and the challenges and opportunities that we will face. This book is good additional reading for those interested in the topic of space exploration and the future of humanity.
Covers a broad range of astronomical topics, including the history of astronomy, the solar system, stars, galaxies, and cosmology. It good resource for those interested in learning more about a specific topic.
Discusses the first three minutes of the universe and the origin of the universe. This book is good for additional reading on cosmology from a more modern perspective.
Discusses the rarity of complex life in the universe, and explores the conditions that are necessary for life to arise. This book is good additional reading for those interested in the topic of life beyond Earth.
Discusses the anthropic cosmological principle, which states that the observed universe must be such that it allows for the development of intelligent life. This book is good for additional reading and provides a different perspective on the history and philosophy of astronomy.
Discusses the life and death of stars, and the processes that occur during each stage of a star's life. This book is good for additional reading to cover topics related to stellar evolution.
Discusses the expanding universe and the 'Big Bang' theory. This book is considered a classic work on cosmology and is still useful for additional reading in understanding the history of the field.
Discusses galaxies in the universe, their properties, and the processes that occur within them. This book is good as a reference tool for additional reading on the topic of galaxies.
Studies the development of the telescope from its earliest beginnings to the present day. Especially useful for providing background on pre-modern astronomy, this book would be most useful as historical background rather than current reference.

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