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Chapter 1

Chapter 1: Why Learn Astronomy?

Study Plan

Before traveling through unfamiliar terrain, it helps to have some idea of where you are going, what you might see along the way, and what you should pack for the journey. In 21st Century Astronomy, we will learn not only about the wonders of the universe but also about what it means to look at the world through the eyes of a scientist. In this chapter's overview of what is to come, we will find that

  • The universe is vast beyond all human experience, yet it is governed by the same physical laws that shape our daily lives.
  • We are a product of that universe; the very atoms of which we are made were formed in stars that died long before the Sun and Earth were formed.
  • Science is a creative human activity like art, literature, and music, and it is also a remarkably powerful, successful, and aesthetically beautiful way of viewing the world.
  • Understanding comes from thinking carefully and deeply about patterns in the world, not simply from memorization of facts.
  • Like climbing a mountain, the journey we are about to make requires effort, but the view from the top is amazing to behold.

Organize

  • Read Chapter 1 in your textbook or ebook.
  • Take the Diagnostic Quiz to assess your understanding of the basic concepts and identify gaps in your understanding of the assigned reading.

Learn

  • Use the FlashCards to test your memory for new terms.
  • Work the "Thinking about the Concepts" and "Applying the Concepts" questions in the end of chapter review materials.
  • If your instructor has assigned SmartWork online homework, login from the right navigation pane for additional practice and review.
  • If your instructor has assigned Math Tools, be sure to study Math Tools Box 1.1  How to Estimate the Size of Earth

Connect

  • The Seeing the Forest through the Trees section at the chapter's end draws your attention to recurring themes and helps prepare you for concepts explored more fully in subsequent chapters.
  • Visit Astronomy in the News for breaking news of new discoveries and the opportunity to apply what you've learned in this chapter to real-world (and real Universe) events.
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