Introduction
The History of Astronomy
WebQuest
Astronomy is the scientific study of matter in outer space, especially the positions, dimensions, distribution, motion, composition, energy, and evolution of celestial bodies and phenomena.
Humans have been looking to the stars for several millennia in an attempt to make sense of our place in the Universe. Our understanding of the heavens has grown and evolved over the course of human history. In this WebQuest you are going to look at some of the ideas, people, and technology that have helped to add to our collective understanding of the Universe.
Task
You are going to be answering a series of questions to help you gain an understanding of the history of astronomy. Please answer each question in your books or on a word document.
Use the websites provided or another of your choosing to answer the questions
Process
Ancient Astronomers: The following astronomers/scientists all played a significant role in advancing our understanding of the cosmos during early civilization.
- Using the following sites, or one of your own, write a brief description about the time period during which the person lived, where they lived, their contributions to astronomy, and what you think about their accomplishments.
- All answers should be written directly beneath the name of the astronomer and written in complete sentences.
Websites:
Top 10 Important Astronomers http://listverse.com/2011/09/08/top-10-most-important-astronomers/
Famous People in Astronomy http://www.astro.cornell.edu/academics/courses/astro201/famous_people.h…
People:
Hipparchus
Aristotle
Aristarchus
Ptolemy
Renaissance Astronomers: The following astronomers/scientists all played a significant role in advancing our understanding of the cosmos in and around the time of the Renaissance.
- Using the following sites, or one of your own, write a brief description about the time period during which the person lived, where they lived, their contributions to astronomy, and what you think about their accomplishments.
- Ø All answers should be written directly beneath the name of the astronomer and written in complete sentences.
Websites:
People:
Nicolaus Copernicus
Tycho Brahe
Johannes Kepler
Galileo Galilei
William Herschel
Isaac Newton
- Modern Astronomers: The following astronomers/scientists all played a significant role in advancing our understanding of the cosmos after the Renaissance.
- Ø Using the following sites, or one of your own, write a brief description about the time period during which the person lived, where they lived, their contributions to astronomy, and what you think about their accomplishments.
- Ø All answers should be written directly beneath the name of the astronomer and written in complete sentences.
Websites:
People:
Arno Penzias and Robert Wilson
Edwin Hubble
Albert Einstein
Carl Sagan
Stephen Hawking
Alan Guth
- Our understanding of the cosmos and the objects in it has evolved over many thousands of years. Ideas about stars, planets, moons, and even our own importance in the universe have been revised again and again throughout history.
- Ø Below are some concepts and ideas that astronomers once believed or still believe.
- Ø Please use the provided websites, or websites of your own choosing, to write a few sentences about each.
- Ø Your answer should describe what the idea is, when it was first put forth, who first presented the idea, and whether or not we still believe the concept to be true. If the idea is no longer valid than please tell me what is currently the accepted theory.
Websites:
Outdated Astronomical Theories
Concepts/Ideas:
Geocentric Theory
Heliocentric Theory
Steady State Universe
Big Bang Theory
Comets are like fireballs in the sky
We have seasons because of our proximity to the sun
There’s no gravity in space
Hubble’s Law
Retrograde Motion
Drake Equation
Space is inflexible
The Sun is on fire
- The equipment used by astronomers has changed over time. Early humans simply looked up to the sky with the naked eye. As time went on we evolved to use various tools to help us examine the sky.
- Ø In this section please write a few sentences about each technology that has been used by astronomers.
- Ø Please included when it was invented, by whom, what it is used for, and if it’s still being used today.
Websites:
Tools:
Traditional Telescope
Radio Dish/Radio Telescope
Satellite Telescope (The Hubble Space Telescope)
Photography
Spectroscopy