AST101H1 Chapter 3: The Science of Astronomy - Chapter 3 (Sept 18th).docx

• School: UTSG
• Department: Astronomy & Astrophysics
• Course: AST101H1
• Professor: Michael Reid

Document Summary

The scientific method; falsifiability; fundamental forces and gravity; kepler"s laws. The entire cosmos is in constant motion. Astronomy is the oldest of the sciences, sprung from the scientific thinking that is a fundamental part of human behaviour, as roots of science can be traced back to nearly all people and cultures. Scientific thinking comes naturally to all humans. In essence, science is a way of learning about nature through careful observation and trial-and-error experiments. The development of science has been a gradual process for humanity, as it requires painstaking attention to detail, relentless testing to ensure reliability, and a willingness to give up old beliefs that are not consistent with new discoveries. In central africa, people long ago learned to predict accurate weather patterns through observation of the moon and the sun along the ecliptic, which varies at times throughout the year.