Importance of Astronomy

After reading and enjoying the captivating artworks of William K. Hartmann, I was forever changed and, indeed, mesmerized by space science. I think the study of astronomy used to be more esoteric than it is today, but I'm still amazed by how many people don't know what our natural, fractal geometric environment (micro to macro) looks like, that we are a product of that, and where we are in the universe.  If folks would only recognize the grandeur of space for what it is, and how we are purely a product of it, I think society would be revolutionized.  Yes! We are originally borne of star dust! That all has to do with chemistry and supernovae.  But this concept also makes some folks uncomfortable because it may challenge some long held beliefs regarding origins.

In my opinion, the value of Astronomy is great and so important regarding intellectual and spiritual growth - for so many reasons. I’m really surprised it’s not taught more (if at all) in elementary or secondary education because to study astronomy encourages a broadening of paradigm, it compels one to think outside of the box, and challenges conventional “wisdom.” It encourages one to be dreamy and practical in the same breath - visionary, yet grounded - just what students need for a well-rounded education. In other words, astronomy encourages students to explore their environs and live in the question. And it also serves as a terrific springboard for a thirst for knowledge, because in order to grasp space science, one has to learn some other basic knowledge.

For example: philosophy - why is there something instead of nothing? What does it all mean, if anything? Where do we fit in? Anthropology – what did/do others think about all of this? Physics – how do/does particles/matter form and move? In waves? There are Multi-dimensions, too? Say what? Light travels at 186 thousand miles per second! So, a normal spiral galaxy is 150,000 light years across – now that puts things into perspective, namely spatial relationships. Chemistry – how does matter interact or react? What is matter made of? Atoms, electrons, protons, photons and other ons, all whizzing about and bumping each other up into outer shells! Why is a nebula blue as opposed to red – charged particles (stripping of electrons) as opposed to light reflection as from a distant violet star. We know what the atmosphere of a distant planet is made of because of emission lines in the electromagnetic spectrum? History/timelines - a quasar is 12 billion light years distant! And light travels at 186 thousand miles per second? Now that’s far out (!) and very old. Geomorphism/geology – the Earth used to be molten and its iron migrated inward to form a molten core? This gave us a magnetic field, too, and protects us from a solar wind, but not neutrinos! Explain. The Moon and Jupiter have been our “guardian angels?” Evolutionary biology – how did life form? A spark in a primordial inorganic soup? What are compounds?  Algebra, trigonometry, geometry, calculus – why did the Moon spiral out, away from Earth, instead of spiral inward, toward Earth? What’s a Roach limit? Vast distances of intergalactic space, not to be confused with interstellar space. We can send a satellite to Neptune via Jupiter? Yeah, sure, a sling shot effect, got ya. The Moon used to be so close that ocean tides were hundreds of feet high? Education/planning - What’s the future of our solar system? A Red Giant? Earth will be a glassy orb of obsidian in five billion years? Economics/environmental sustainability – mining on asteroids? Saving Earth's resources. Over population… Terraforming?

Black Holes, quantum mechanics, string theory, dark matter, et cetera.  There’s so much more that astronomy offers to an inquisitive mind.

Has astronomy impacted your life?