In episode three we traveled through time to explore all the technological advances and benefits. Some people don’t see the benefit of astronomy, while others couldn’t care less about astronomy. What these people can’t see is that astronomy is important and it consists of everything were made of and where we come from.
In the episode we discuss findings of ancient astronomers and researchers. Astronomy has gone from thinking the Earth was flat and not having an understanding of anything around us. The way planets move through the solar system was one of the major advances in astronomy. This is said to be the key to globalization. Astronomers thought of planets as worlds. They have been trying to “harmonize” the worlds and to understand exactly how they work together and apart. Without astronomy we would be clueless to the opportunities and life that could be out there. We would have no concept of where we came from or how we were made. Some people are content without knowing whats out in the universe, but not me.
Another topic covered in this episode is the study of astrology. This has been debunked for so many reasons with facts yet people are still more interested in astrology rather than astronomy. Astronomy itself is the reason astrology has been debunked. From having more constellations to the sun taking longer than one month to pass through some constellations, they don’t add up. I believe astrology could be more factual and accurate if it worked with astronomy to correct itself. Scientist and astronomers have done endless studies to learn more about the universe, whats in it, and how it functions yet people disregard astronomy and favor astrology. One of the things said in the video really stuck out to me. He said “astrology is human. the need to feel important but its also powerless to fate and fact”. This is undeniably true to and other things humans have come up with fit this as well. Humans need to find power within themselves and feel control over things they have no control over. While astronomy could explain the things we can’t control, astrology can’t and is not logical.
Constellations are usually the end of peoples education about astronomy. That is what they remember and take seriously. That’s why astrology is more common than astronomy. If we made an effort to educate the new generations about astronomy and how to participate in it we could change this. Humans need to feel a connection but they can’t without an understanding of what it is. There are so many ways humans are connected to the universe if you just study the right topics. This is so important or else astronomy could be cut off and it won’t advance much more from where it is now.
The Cosmos Series 