GOALS AND

SCOPE OF
ASTRONOMY
Module 1
 At the end of this module the students
should be able to:

• Recognize the importance of the study of astronomy

• Rationalize the scope and goals of astronomy
• Research for the goals and scope of astronomy
 INTRODUCTION
If you wake up one day and discover that you are on a strange
island, the first thing you do after getting food and water is to find out
where you are. This happened to all of us. We have been born in an
island in space, the Earth.
We are passengers in a cosmic journey. We are in the process of
finding out our place in space and our position in the unfolding history
of the universe.
 THE BIRTH OF
ASTRONOMICAL STUDIES
Astronomy is the study of all matter and energy in the
universe involving celestial bodies such as planets, stars,
and galaxies. The Earth, our home, is one of the many
places in the universe, the special point from which man’s
voyage of exploration started.
 THE BIRTH OF
ASTRONOMICAL STUDIES
The universe is immense; yet, we are audacious enough to
attempt to study it. Throughout history, scientific
discoveries have illuminated and sometimes conflicted
with religious, metaphysical and philosophical concepts.
The universe as a whole is an abstract concept but it
consists of real physical places where everything else
exists.
 THE BIRTH OF
ASTRONOMICAL STUDIES
The planets, satellites, meteoric materials, and the sun did
not exist 4.6 billion years ago. Samples from the earth, the
moon, and meteorites suggests that the solar system
formed from preexisting matter within an interval of about
20 to 100 billion years
 THE BIRTH OF
ASTRONOMICAL STUDIES
Prior to that time, the atoms were floating in clouds of thin
gas in interstellar space. It is remarkable that this matter
somehow aggregated not only into a dazzling star- the sun
– but also into a family of surrounding planets. How did
the sun and planetary system form?
 THE BIRTH OF
ASTRONOMICAL STUDIES
The aim of astronomy is better understanding of the
universe. The astronomy attempts to attain this by careful
observation, testing and logic. He is often faced with
insufficient evidence and may use intuition. There are
times when his answers may even be wrong and later on
be revised by future evidences
 THE BIRTH OF
ASTRONOMICAL STUDIES
At present, astronomy has little opportunity to see its
knowledge used for the material benefit of mankind,
perhaps, the biggest benefit astronomy gives to mankind is
celestial investigation, which up to now is a very useful
method of locating oneself whether on the seas, on land,
or in outer space.
 THE BIRTH OF
ASTRONOMICAL STUDIES
In order to do modern research in astronomy, one has to be
curious, thirsty for knowledge and hungry for exploration.
Man benefits from astronomy in many forms; through a
new perspective of his environment, a view of himself and
the environment, and the stimulation to his imagination
brought about by the adventure f exploring far distant
space and times.
 THE BIRTH OF
ASTRONOMICAL STUDIES
The scope of astronomy is so vast. It is the scientific study
of all matter and energy in the universe emphasizing the
concentration of this matter and energy in evolving bodies
like planets, stars and galaxies totally recognizing and
understanding that we are part of the universe.
 THE BIRTH OF
ASTRONOMICAL STUDIES
This field is so complicated and it takes a long way to
understand everything in the universe. The universe is
everything that exists. It is composed of untold thousands
of clusters of galaxies and each one is largely a myth.
Most galaxies are made up of billions of stars and even of
our knowledge has been increased over the past years, no
stars had been completely understood.
 THE BIRTH OF
ASTRONOMICAL STUDIES
Planets remain as intriguing puzzle. We only have vague
evidence regarding the existence of small dark objects
between stars. For our planet, our knowledge covers only
the parts near and above the surface which is therefore
only skin-deep.
 THE BIRTH OF
ASTRONOMICAL STUDIES
The Earth is unique in our solar system since it is the only
planet capable of supporting life. But astronomers believe
that there are huge numbers of planetary systems in the
universe which may include planets that supports life like
the Earth. This possibility remains to be proven. Our
present telescopes and other instruments are not yet
powerful enough to detect a distant civilization
 SUMMARY
• Astronomy is the study of all matter and energy in the universe involving
celestial bodies such as planets, stars, and galaxies
• The planets, satellites, meteoric materials, and the sun did not exist 4.6 billion
years ago
• The aim of astronomy is better understanding of the universe. The astronomy
attempts to attain this by careful observation, testing and logic.
• At present, astronomy has little opportunity to see its knowledge used for the
material benefit of mankind, perhaps, the biggest benefit astronomy gives to
mankind is celestial investigation, which up to now is a very useful method of
locating oneself whether on the seas, on land, or in outer space.
• Why is Astronomy considered as an important field of
science?

• What can be the possible discovery or achievement of

people in astronomy

• What are the scopes & goals of astronomy?