Astronomy

Astronomy, which etymologically means "law of the stars", is a science involving the observation and explanation of events occurring outside Earth and its atmosphere. It studies the origins, evolution, physical and chemical properties of all the objects that can be observed in the sky (and are outside the earth), as well as all the processes involving them.

Some Famous Astronomers

• Tycho Brahe
• Nicolaus Copernicus
• Eratosthenes
• Galileo Galilei
• Stephen Hawking
• Edwin Powell Hubble
• Isaac Newton
• Ptolemy
• Carl Sagan

Also see: The Great Astronomers, Famous Physicists and Astronomers, Famous Astronomers and Astrophysicists

Project Ideas

• organize and conduct a star-gazing party
• volunteer at the Clark Planetarium
• make a scale model of the solar system for an elementary classroom
• research and present a lesson, with visual illustrations, on how a telescope works

Controversial Issues

• Life on Mars
• Manned Spacecraft
• NASA Funding
• UFOs and SETI

Useful Resources

• The American Association of Amateur Astronomers
• StarChild A Learning Center for Young Astronomers
• Clark Planetarium

Astronomy Careers

• astronaut
• astronomer
• astronomical artist
• atmospheric scientist
• chemist
• computer programmer
• engineer
• geoscientist
• mathematician

Also see: Occupational Outlook: Physicists and Astronomers, A New Universe to Explore: Careers in Astronomy