|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#1
|
|||
|
|||
Astronomy, are there really any other subjects?
Hi all.
It never ceases to amaze me about this strange subject of astronomy. Since I bought my scope and got really interested in astonomy, I've found myself dabbling in so many different aspects of science, history, mathematics, religon and art! For science, there's that observing itself. Also expanding on this, there's the equipment that I've built to make my observing easier, this includes rekindling my skill in electronics (that I've neglected since leaving college ), learning about the how the universe is constructed, as well as following the latest offerings from the ESO and NASA. For history, I've started learning about the history of Astronomy, where the science came from and the people involved, there's a wealth of information available, and it's not all "this bloke found that object" by straying away from the main topic a little, you start to get an appreciation of the whole of life at the times when these descoverys took place. i.e. The story of Galileo the Heretic (now recinded) could allow you to stray off into the Spanish Inquisition which was happening at the time. Mathematics, again link with history, and go back to the Babylonian times. You will find the origin of Trigonometry. Strange that the maths teachers never bother to explain what SIN, COS and TAN really are. (we'll they never told me anyway) Alot of kids would find maths so much easier if they where told more than "do that dammed sum now" ;-) If recently found myself in an interesting conversation at work. A collegue was trying to wind up myself (a christian) and another collegue (a muslim) by asking about the origins of the universe. My Muslim collegue believes in the teachings in the Koran. He said that God created the universe, I said that it was created by a big bang (expanding univers theory, which is favorite at the moment). He said that God created the big bang, I have no proof that this is not true and found myself agreeing that this could be possible. This is just one example from the conversation, that proved that religion and science can co-exist in harmony. As for art, the whole reason that I wanted my telescope in the first place is so that I can take Astrophotos. Whilst there's not alot of scientific value to these. I think it can be called an art form. I'm sure that there's other subjects that can also be worked in under the belt of astronomy. Having just written all this, I'm begginning to see why it's a minority of people that are interested in this field. It's such a vast subject that includes so many others that to appreciate it as a whole you'd need to be very inquesitive and intelligent. I'm sure that more people would be interested in this topic, if we were able to break it down into smaller chunks. This is just a thought that crossed my mind. I'm feeling a little philosophical at the moment. (damm, there's another subject) Regards Colin Dawson www.cjdawson.com |
#2
|
|||
|
|||
*Colin Dawson* wrote:
Hi all. Hello snip / I'm sure that there's other subjects that can also be worked in under the belt of astronomy snip / Chemistry, all the branches of physics I can think of at the moment, anthropology, geology, computing, meteorology, poetry, film, music, painting, ... USENET (for when it's cloudy). -- Andrew Urquhart - Archive: www.google.com/groups?q=uk.sci.astronomy - My reply address is invalid, use: www.andrewu.co.uk/contact/ |
#3
|
|||
|
|||
Biology - dark adaptation, how the eye works etc.
Legislation and local council handling (politics) for light pollution Travel - eclipse hunting, the eternal quest for dark skies Diplomacy (I'll just be another 10 minutes love, then of course I'll came and watch Corrie with you) Lying (see above !) You're right of course, and the best bit is that you can pick the things that really interest you and take that route, so everyone's experience is totally different, unlike playing the latest computer game where everyone is doing exactly the same thing. (not that I don't enjoy the odd game or two, but you play it, you finish then that's the end of it). Regards, Andrew Colin Dawson wrote: Hi all. It never ceases to amaze me about this strange subject of astronomy. Since I bought my scope and got really interested in astonomy, I've found myself dabbling in so many different aspects of science, history, mathematics, religon and art! For science, there's that observing itself. Also expanding on this, there's the equipment that I've built to make my observing easier, this includes rekindling my skill in electronics (that I've neglected since leaving college ), learning about the how the universe is constructed, as well as following the latest offerings from the ESO and NASA. For history, I've started learning about the history of Astronomy, where the science came from and the people involved, there's a wealth of information available, and it's not all "this bloke found that object" by straying away from the main topic a little, you start to get an appreciation of the whole of life at the times when these descoverys took place. i.e. The story of Galileo the Heretic (now recinded) could allow you to stray off into the Spanish Inquisition which was happening at the time. Mathematics, again link with history, and go back to the Babylonian times. You will find the origin of Trigonometry. Strange that the maths teachers never bother to explain what SIN, COS and TAN really are. (we'll they never told me anyway) Alot of kids would find maths so much easier if they where told more than "do that dammed sum now" ;-) If recently found myself in an interesting conversation at work. A collegue was trying to wind up myself (a christian) and another collegue (a muslim) by asking about the origins of the universe. My Muslim collegue believes in the teachings in the Koran. He said that God created the universe, I said that it was created by a big bang (expanding univers theory, which is favorite at the moment). He said that God created the big bang, I have no proof that this is not true and found myself agreeing that this could be possible. This is just one example from the conversation, that proved that religion and science can co-exist in harmony. As for art, the whole reason that I wanted my telescope in the first place is so that I can take Astrophotos. Whilst there's not alot of scientific value to these. I think it can be called an art form. I'm sure that there's other subjects that can also be worked in under the belt of astronomy. Having just written all this, I'm begginning to see why it's a minority of people that are interested in this field. It's such a vast subject that includes so many others that to appreciate it as a whole you'd need to be very inquesitive and intelligent. I'm sure that more people would be interested in this topic, if we were able to break it down into smaller chunks. This is just a thought that crossed my mind. I'm feeling a little philosophical at the moment. (damm, there's another subject) Regards Colin Dawson www.cjdawson.com |
#4
|
|||
|
|||
Andrew Cockburn wrote:
Biology - dark adaptation, how the eye works etc. Legislation and local council handling (politics) for light pollution Travel - eclipse hunting, the eternal quest for dark skies Diplomacy (I'll just be another 10 minutes love, then of course I'll came and watch Corrie with you) Lying (see above !) Cooking, ironing, cleraning the toilet. Not yet but soon if you buggers keep blowing the gaff like this -- Martin Frey http://www.hadastro.org.uk N 51 02 E 0 47 |
#5
|
|||
|
|||
Martin Frey wrote:
Cooking, ironing, cleraning the toilet. That should of course read cleaning - already more than I need or want to know. -- Martin Frey http://www.hadastro.org.uk N 51 02 E 0 47 |
#6
|
|||
|
|||
"Martin Frey" wrote in message ... Martin Frey wrote: Cooking, ironing, cleraning the toilet. That should of course read cleaning - already more than I need or want to know. -- Martin Frey http://www.hadastro.org.uk N 51 02 E 0 47 Don't forget gardening (clearing that brablebush for the concrete foundation), map reading, DIY etc |
#7
|
|||
|
|||
On Fri, 07 May 2004 06:48:31 -0700, Andrew Cockburn
wrote: Biology - dark adaptation, how the eye works etc. Legislation and local council handling (politics) for light pollution etc... Golf -- Pete Lawrence http://www.pbl33.co.uk Astronomy & digital astroimaging |
#8
|
|||
|
|||
Ok, I suspect I'm falling into some elaborate trap here, but why golf ???
Andrew Pete Lawrence wrote: On Fri, 07 May 2004 06:48:31 -0700, Andrew Cockburn wrote: Biology - dark adaptation, how the eye works etc. Legislation and local council handling (politics) for light pollution etc... Golf |
#9
|
|||
|
|||
Andrew Cockburn wrote:
Ok, I suspect I'm falling into some elaborate trap here, but why golf ??? Golf balls for running your dome on or a Golf to transport your telescope around in or a session on the Golf course chatting up the CFO for additional grant funding. Regards Chef |
#10
|
|||
|
|||
Surgery.
I've just jammed a scalpel under my fingernail while working on my spectroscope. No no, it's all right, it's not a passing-out kind of pain, it's more like a throwing-up kind. I don't blame Maurice Gavin for putting the idea in my head, and I'm sure I can clean the grating before the blood dries.... I think I'll just sit quietly for a while.... Denis -- DT Replace nospam with the antithesis of hills |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
Junior High Astronomy....Help please | Starry-Nite | Amateur Astronomy | 0 | August 1st 04 07:03 AM |
ANN: Deepsky Astronomy Software (DAS) World Promotion Extensoin | Deepsky Astronomy Software | Astronomy Misc | 0 | June 24th 04 02:11 AM |
Still not to late to start - Free Astronomy Lessons! | Jamie | Astronomy Misc | 0 | February 1st 04 03:24 AM |
Now Starting - Free Astronomy Lessons! | Jamie | Misc | 0 | January 1st 04 07:37 PM |
National Research Council of Canada Okanagan Observatory to Build"Canadarm of Astronomy" (Forwarded) | Andrew Yee | Astronomy Misc | 0 | July 15th 03 08:39 PM |