Comments for Astronomy Blog

Comment on Q&A: Astronomy must be extra to all high schools? by SteveA8

SteveA8 — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 19:51:52 +0000

Stars are the source of creation for all elements heavier than Hydrogen. Stars that are massive enough, explode when they run out of the ability to fuse elements heavier than Iron. When they explode, the scatter the atoms of the elements in the star, and create some new elements even heavier than Iron and scatter them across the universe. Since most of Chemistry involves the reactions/interactions between various chemical elements, stars are essential to Chemistry.

Some chemical reactions either require or are catalyzed by light, which stars give off.

Of course, plants make use of this, allowing the manufacture of molecules the plant needs to grow, reproduce, etc.

The plants, in turn, provide animals with a fuel source for energy, body building proteins, etc.

Heat is another by product of stars fusing elements. Heat is important in many various chemical reaction, either allowing the reaction to occur faster, and in some cases, to occure at all. For example, water, the universal solvent, is a medium in which many chemical reactions occur, but only when water is in its liquid form. Without heat, those reactions, essential to life, would not happen.

The life cycles of stars depend on their chemical composition. New stars are composed of mostly Hydrogen. Stars that are composed mostly of heavier elements are stars that are about to die. There is just too much, I could go on and on.

Comment on Q&A: Astronomy must be extra to all high schools? by starryskyn

starryskyn — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 19:10:58 +0000

planetary geophysics
lunar geology
interstellar nebula molecules
stellar nucleosynthesis
exobiology
cryogenics
planetary atmospheres
stellar composition using spectroscopy
radio astronomy and gases, dust
comets and asteroids composition
cosmology

Comment on Q&A: Astronomy must be extra to all high schools? by ShalloWhale

ShalloWhale — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 18:26:06 +0000

Astronomy is so important to Human history that it is inexcusable to not teach it. Basic versions of it should probably be taught in elementary school so that students have a rudimentary understanding of the universe in which they exist. Advanced versions should be taught in middle and/or high school.

Comment on Q&A: Astronomy must be extra to all high schools? by tham153

tham153 — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 17:27:53 +0000

Astronomy was a standard course in high schools until 1906 when an educational reform commission recommended dropping it. As a result, 20% of Americans think Apollo was fake, half believe in astrology, nearly half cannot explain the causes of eclipses or lunar phases correctly, China is planning permanent bases on the Moon while our government dithers about the future in space, and there are plenty of jobs available related to astronomy in industry, government (including Agriculture, Defense, Commerce, weather, Coast & Geodetic, etc).

Comment on Q&A: Astronomy must be extra to all high schools? by Paul

Paul — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 17:27:46 +0000

I too would have loved to see Astronomy put on the curriculum as it’s a very interesting subject that brings together maths, all the sciences, art and gives people an amazing sense of perspective. For this reason I feel astronomy should be on the school curriculum but as an option that people can take if they choose.

To me the only compulsory subjects should be:

Mathematics
English (or whatever the primary language of that country is)
ICT (Information Communications Technology) is an essential part of our lives today.
*** Most schools I’m aware of already have these 21st century equivalent of the three Rs Reading Writing andArithmeticc ***

I also feel that the following subjects that are not compulsory in all schools should be:

Health Studies – including (Health and Safety, First Aid, FoodHygienee, Sex Education, Nutritional Education, and exercise (the last two are because of the rise in childhood obesity in the developed world).

Law & Ethics: (some form of curriculum that teaches the advantage of cooperation and mutual respect, the laws of the land and the philosophy of why they should be obeyed, problems like bullying etc and how to deal with bullying, including self defence and assertiveness classes).

If you’re writing to your mayer you might want to include some or all of those ideas, however astronomy should be something that people are only taught if they want it taught. Might I suggest you approach your school headmaster to get an astronomy awareness week in school and then take up a petition amongst the school kids who want astronomy taught in their curriculum and have it added.

Comment on Q&A: Astronomy must be extra to all high schools? by Ryan Plant

Ryan Plant — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 16:36:44 +0000

yes i also think that astronomy should be a part of the core subjects. After all it could be the end or survival of our earth.

Comment on is there a occupation relevant to prehistoric astronomy? by animistpagan01

animistpagan01 — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 15:16:50 +0000

Perhaps astro-archeology. I don’t know of any university programs, but there are many books connecting ancient monuments to the stars, and books about ancient astronomy. If that’s what you’re interested in, check the two titles below.

Comment on is there a occupation relevant to prehistoric astronomy? by Joejack

Joejack — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 14:48:29 +0000

it’s called archeology…you find clues to who knew what, when and where…then you try to figure out why and how.

Comment on is there a occupation relevant to prehistoric astronomy? by Zorgon

Zorgon — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 14:08:11 +0000

The Babylonians and Sumerians had some interetesing astronomy… that is about as far back as that science goes…

But look up what they had… very interesting background

Comment on is there a occupation relevant to prehistoric astronomy? by Lucifer

Lucifer — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 13:35:39 +0000

I suppose you could study stonehenge…