“The absence of evidence is not the evidence of absence.” – Carl Sagan,Cosmos
“Of all the creatures who had yet walked the Earth, the man-apes were the first to look steadfastly at the moon. […] Moon-Watcher would sometimes reach out and try to touch that ghostly face rising above the hills. He had never succeeded, and now he was old enough to understand why. For first, of course, he must find a high enough tree to climb.” (Excerpt from 2001: A Space Odyssey)
Space. The cosmos. The universe. However we wish to call it, our fascination with the realm above our earthly plane goes back, way back.
Like Moon-Watcher, our innate inquisitiveness to explore, understand, and rationalize what we see has enabled the discovery of the world around us and beyond. Looking skyward both captivates and humbles. There is so much more to understand. Astronomy, one of the oldest sciences, serves as our teacher.
A look into astronomy
The International Year of Astronomy (IYA) was introduced in 2009 in Paris, France with the opening ceremony held on January 15th and 16th by the International Astronomical Union (IAU) and UNESCO. The IYA was endorsed by both the United Nations and the International Council of Science (ICSU). The mission of the IYA commemorated the 400th year of Galileo’s first telescopic observations of the skies. Canada is one of the almost 150 countries that participated.
The vision was simple: to allow all inhabitants globally to rediscover their place in the universe through the observation of the day- and night-time skies and to come to appreciate astronomy’s impact on us both socially and culturally. It puts everything into context, leaving a legacy of knowledge.
So, how does the study of astronomy change our world? It has been the foundation for time-keeping, navigation, and the source of myths and sagas in past cultures. Many musicians, film-makers, and writers have found their inspiration through astronomy. It’s a participatory science. It’s all around us.
Astronomy’s contributions
The following generations will reap astronomy’s rewards enabling them to think and learn scientifically. Perhaps, the most influential aspect has been that it gives us new answers to old questions. It aids us in the comprehension of how we came to be, the kind of universe we reside in, and could ultimately answer the question of where we’re going.
Today’s infatuation with the skies is not only about what is out there, but possibly who, if anyone. The rare earth hypothesis suggests that the requirements to produce intelligent life is a rarity. It involves a series of coincidences as to why our planet is the way it currently is. If we are the only ones in our galaxy, which many believe is not the case, we have a responsibility to care for our home to ensure it is thriving and sustainable.
We all can partake in the wonders and mysteries of the skies. Host a star gazing party, visit an observatory, or participate in a lecture. As an added incentive, dust off those telescopes and binoculars and get away from city lights for better viewing.
Reveling in the glory of our universe is not only reserved for astronomers. It’s for anyone willing to learn about themselves. It’s for anyone curious enough to climb that big tree.
As Edwin Powell Hubble noted, “the history of astronomy is a history of receding horizons.”