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Astronomical applications of astrometry2/23/2023 Ahmed Zewali, winner of the Nobel Prize in Chemistry (1999).Īlthough we live in a world faced with the many immediate problems of hunger, poverty, energy and global warming, we argue that astronomy has long term benefits that are equally as important to a civilized society. Fundamental research proves profitable in the long run, and, as importantly, it is a force that enriches the culture of any society with reason and basic truth.” But making new knowledge is neither easy nor profitable in the short term. The difficulties in describing the importance of astronomy, and fundamental research in general, are well summarized by the following quote: Pursuing these questions is a fundamental part of being human, yet in today's world it has become increasingly important to be able to justify the pursuit of the answers. Current research is struggling to understand questions like: “How old are we?”, “What is the fate of the Universe?” and possibly the most interesting: “How unique is the Universe, and could a slightly different Universe ever have supported life?” But astronomy is also breaking new records every day, establishing the furthest distances, most massive objects, highest temperatures and most violent explosions. There are still many unanswered questions in astronomy. This connection touches our lives, and the awe it inspires is perhaps the reason that the beautiful images astronomy provides us with are so popular in today’s culture. The discovery that the basic elements that we find in stars, and the gas and dust around them, are the same elements that make up our bodies has further deepened the connection between us and the cosmos. Now, as our understanding of the world progresses, we find ourselves and our view of the world even more entwined with the stars. Take, for example, the names of the constellations: Andromeda, the chained maiden of Greek mythology, or Perseus, the demi-god who saved her. We would now call this astrology, far removed from the hard facts and expensive instruments of today’s astronomy, but there are still hints of this history in modern astronomy. Early cultures identified celestial objects with the gods and took their movements across the sky as prophecies of what was to come. A revolution through which religion, science, and society had to adapt to this new world view.Īstronomy has always had a significant impact on our world view. When Copernicus claimed that Earth was not the centre of the Universe, it triggered a revolution. It is a discipline that opens our eyes, gives context to our place in the Universe and that can reshape how we see the world. Throughout History humans have looked to the sky to navigate the vast oceans, to decide when to plant their crops and to answer questions of where we came from and how we got here. & Christensen, L.L., Astronomy in Everyday Life CAPjournal 14, 2013Īstronomy and international collaboration Best of all: Many are free! The apps below are free to install unless otherwise note (though in-app purchases may be available).By Marissa Rosenberg, Pedro Russo (EU-UNAWE, Leiden Observatory/Leiden University, The Netherlands), Georgia Bladon, Lars Lindberg Christensen (ESO, Germany)Īlso see Rosenberg, M., Russo, P., Bladon, G. Next time you find yourself on a nighttime walk, or looking for a way to entertain the kids in the backyard after the sunset, pull out one of these apps and prepare to be amazed. You just have to fire up the app and then look like some kind of astronomical genius. That means you don't need a planetarium docent's knowledge of hundreds and thousands of stars to find the one you're looking for. How does it work? Most of them have some kind of augmented-reality feature, where they can locate where you are automatically and pull up what the star map should look like above you. Many of them can even alert you to the upcoming celestial events, so you'll never miss another Super Moon again. Most of the time, all you have to do is point them at the night sky, and they'll demystify what's in front of you, be it stars, planets, constellations, or man-made objects like satellites or the International Space Station. Whether the Super Pink Moon in April kickstarted your love of astronomy, or you want to be prepared by the time the Perseids meteor shower rolls around in during warmer weather, you should start with checking these best stargazing apps.
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