136-028 History of Astronomy

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Subject Description

This unit examines a dramatic change in European conceptions of the universe that took place during the 16th and 17th centuries. In the Middle Ages, humanity saw itself as occupying a unique Earth, the focus of God's attention. It imagined the universe as finite and hierarchical, following an efficient computational cosmology developed by the ancient Greeks. In the 16th century, the astronomer Copernicus proposed that the Sun was at the centre of the universe while the Earth orbited the Sun as one of the planets. A few astronomers took his idea seriously, and eventually managed to convert the educated world to the Copernican theory. With the idea that the Earth was just another planet came the idea that the Sun was just another star, and also the modern conception of space as effectively infinite, plus the possibility that life existed elsewhere. What made people change their view of the universe so drastically? How good was the evidence produced by Copernicus' followers? Were there other reasons, perhaps religious or political, for accepting or opposing the new cosmology? Why did people care so greatly whether the Earth moved? These are the sorts of questions which are central to the subject. Students who successfully complete this subject will be capable of displaying an improved understanding of the above issues.

Assessment

Written work totalling 2000 words, and a 2-hour examination. Exemption from the examination may be granted on the basis of further written work and/or a class test late in the semester.

Prescribed Texts

A subject reader will be available.

• T Kuhn, The Copernican Revolution.