Astronomy: 3000 Years of Stargazing focuses on the history of astronomy with emphasis on how people have used the sky throughout history. First we used it to help understand and predict the seasonal cycles of weather. Then, with the invention of instruments to observe objects in the sky, the science of astronomy developed into a system of understanding the intrinsic nature of those objects. These concepts are woven together along with historical and cultural perceptions of the sky and help relate the information presented in the show to the lives of students, families, and the general public.
Show content is relevant in the following subject areas:
Physical Science, Life Science, and Earth and Space Science Standards
- objects in the sky: Sun, Moon, stars, planets, galaxies, quasars
- properties of stars
- creation of the universe (the Big Bang)
- position and motion of objects in space
History and Nature of Science
- astronomy as a human endeavor
- history of astronomy and historical perspectives
- the nature of astronomy
Science and Technology
- Understanding of how astronomy technology has been developed and how it works
Science as Inquiry
- Understanding the concepts behind the motions of sky objects
- Realizing how we know what we know about astronomy
- What one needs in order to understand the cosmos
Science in Personal and Social Perspectives
- change in the sky
- early maps of the sky
- rise of scientific exploration of the universe
- development of the modern science of astronomy
- early human history, cultures, and perceptions of the sky
This show adheres to principles put forth in the National Academy of Sciences' Education Standards published in 1996. For more details, visit the NAS Standards Web site.
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Running time: 33:42
