136-288 History of Astronomy

Formerly available as 136-028 and 136-101. Students who have completed either 136-028 or 136-101 are not eligible to enrol in this subject. For Science third year, see 136-388 History of Astronomy (Science 3).

Usually 75 points of first year study across any discipline area.

This subject examines a dramatic change in European conceptions of the universe that took place during the 16th and 17th centuries, focussing on the place of the Earth in the cosmos. In the Middle Ages, humanity saw itself as occupying a unique Earth, the focus of God's attention, immobile at the centre of a finite universe. 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 scientific 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.

• develop skills in written and oral communication;

• conduct independent research;

• make appropriate use of primary and secondary sources in mounting an argument;

• form defensible judgements based on a critical evaluation of conflicting evidence.

Written work totalling 4000 words comprising a 1500 word essay 30% (due mid-semester) and a 2500 word essay 70% (due at the end of the examination period).

A subject reader will be available for purchase from the University Book Shop.

• T Kuhn, The Copernican Revolution: planetary astronomy in the development of western thought. Any edition.