Astronomy is the science that deals with celestial objects and the universe. It began when early humans observed the sky out of curiosity and tried to make sense of it. Over time, civilizations built observatories and astronomy grew into a formalized science. Major developments included Ptolemy's geocentric model, improvements to telescopes, and the theories of relativity and the Big Bang. Modern astronomy involves studying phenomena like black holes, the formation of galaxies and stars, and searching for a theory of everything.

1. The mother of all sciences
Raj Kunkolienkar
Association of Friends of Astronomy -

2. Broadly speaking, astronomy is the branch of science that deals
with celestial objects, space and the physical universe as a whole.

3. It is an observational science…

4. …one of the only sciences wherein the active
involvement of the amateur community is not only
encouraged, but is much necessary!

5. Exciting?

6. THE BIRTH
Simple. Just like every other great thing, astronomy
started out of boredom and curiosity.
Cavemen who did nothing but
hunt and eat,
started observing the dynamic
cosmos.
This fascination along with our
evolving brains lead to the birth
the sciences.
Depicted here is a cave painting of Taurus
They tried to relate what they observed with their daily experiences.
This here lead to the birth of constellations.

7. AND IT CRAWLS..
With the spread of humanity all over the world,
Civilizations spawned up like mushrooms of wonder.
Vast observatories were built to mark important calendar events.
Astronomy being patronized by rulers, grew by leaps and bounds.
Soon, it turned into a formalized science. The very first.

8. Do not confuse astronomy with astrology.
Astrology is the belief system which claims
that human affairs are correlated with the
positions of celestial objects.
It is not scientifically endorsed.

9. IT LEARNS TO SIT..
Based on the study of the periodic motion of the stars and
planets, Claudius Ptolemy put forth his geocentric model.
Our very own Aryabhatta studied the skies at the observatory at
Nalanda. He supposedly put forth the heliocentric model. Hipparchus, a
Greek comprehensively cataloged stars. The catalog is relevant today too!

10. IT WALKS UPRIGHT..
The Renaissance brought about sweeping changes
in our fundamental understanding of the universe.
The greats built up on each other’s works to challenge religious doctrines
and Ptolemy’s work that went unopposed for a thousand years.
The framework formed is the base of today’s sciences.

11. IT WALKS UPRIGHT..
During the very same period, the tools used for making
observations developed drastically, so did astronomy.
From a lens maker's apprentice to Isaac Newton, the modest telescope
came a long way. The refracting and the reflecting varieties are the
most basic forms of telescopes. Sunspots, planets and their moons, all
were discovered using this simple optical instrument!

12. IT RUNS AND RUNS..
Post Renaissance was the time wherein the sciences were
formally split into specific branches for convenience.
The theory of relativity, expansion of the universe, black holes, the big
bang, stellar life-cycles, galactic formation and space exploration were
the brainchildren of the 21st century astronomers.

13. WHERE DO WE STAND?
Today, we stare at one of the most exciting phases in the
history of science. Not one, but for numerous reasons!
Theorists are searching for ‘The theory of
everything’. String theory and quantum
gravity are currently the strongest
candidates for the same.
Experimentalists are hunting for the Higgs Boson
and trapping antimatter.
Better telescopes are peering farther and back in
time. Yes, back in time!!

14. PHYSICS

15. Cosmology
The study of the creation, evolution and the future of
the universe is cosmology, This instant of creation is
known as ‘the big bang’.
The rules of physics break down at such
moments in spacetime known as
‘singularity’. Scientists are working
backwards to chart the evolution of the
universe.
Why is there something instead of nothing?
Why is the expansion of universe accelerating?
What exactly are the fundamental forces?
They are searching for the answers….

16. Astrophysics
Planets, planetary systems, stars, clusters, galaxies and
super-clusters are studied comprehensively.
Study of life cycles of stars form a branch
called stellar astrophysics. Here, brilliant
phenomena like supernovae, black holes
and pulsars are observed and studied.
Galactic astronomy deals with the
formation and structure of galaxies. Many
people work on the physics of the Milky
Way itself!

17. THE MYSTERY OF THE MISSING NEUTRINOS
• Theoretically predicted by Pauli to
account for conservation of energy
and momentum of certain
radioactive decay.
• It is electrically neutral.
• Highly unreactive with normal
matter, making it difficult to detect.
• The particle was postulated to be
massless.
• And yes, millions are passing right
through you as you read this.

18. THE MYSTERY OF THE MISSING NEUTRINOS
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19. THE MYSTERY OF THE MISSING NEUTRINOS
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20. THE MYSTERY OF THE MISSING NEUTRINOS
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21. THE MYSTERY OF THE MISSING NEUTRINOS
Oscillations were possible only if neutrinos had mass.
And that meant that either Astrophysics had got it wrong, or it was the
Standard Model of Particle Physics to blame!
Turned out, neutrinos do have mass!

22. SPACE TRAVEL
One might think that space travel has no direct
influence on us! But think again…
Here are various things that we use
daily. They were developed in space
programmes..
•Water filters
•Invisible braces
•Scratch resistant lenses
•Ear thermometer
•Memory foam
•Shoe insoles
•Long distance communication

23. ASTROCHEMISTRY
It is the study of the interaction of the various forms
matter in celestial bodies.
Hydrogen and Helium, two of the lighte
elements occur in a large quantity in th
universe. They form a major compone
of stars.
Other heavy elements that make us u
are found in the core of stars!
Astrochemistry studies the compositio
of such stars and also digs out how the
elements are made.

24. Spectral Analysis
The adsorption spectra of stars gives lets us predict their composition.
Evidence for the expanding universe was collected in the same way by
Edwin Hubble who measured red-shifting of stars.

25. ASTROBIOLOGY
Aren't we all fascinated by the possibility of existence
of life beyond the Earth?
Astrobiology is the branch that tries to
connect life to the cosmos. They hunt
for traces of life and even the source of
our existence!
A comet is said to have seeded the Earth
with life!
The SETI is one such project that uses
radio telescopes to search for alien
signals!

26. EARTH SCIENCES
A lot of the knowledge that we have about our own
planet comes from the study of celestial bodies.
The core of the Earth is said to posses
the same composition as iron
meteorites.
The reason for the changing seasons on
our planet was decoded long ago..

27. EARTH SCIENCES
A lot of the knowledge that we have about our own
planet comes from the study of celestial bodies.
The phenomenon of the Greenhouse
Effect was first observed on Venus.
The formation of the Moon is another
major event in the history of the Earth.
Many theories are put forth to explain
the same.

28. PSYCHOLOGY
Human behavior is speculated to be connected with
the Moon. Statistics say so, does science too?
The number of natural childbirths are said
to rise up on full moon nights and are
allegedly related to the gravitational pull of
the Moon.
Number of robberies and illegal incidents
are also said to peak during such occasions.
No wonder, the term ‘lunatic’ is derived
from the Latin word for the Moon, ‘Luna’.

29. We fight, we cry.
We breath and we die.
We erect borders and kill.
And sometimes,
We wonder who we are.
Would it be better?
If we knew that..

30. Thank you.