Language/Modern-greek-1453/Culture/History-of-Astronomy

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History of Astronomy[edit | edit source]

The history of astronomy, a field of science dedicated to the study of celestial objects and phenomena, is deeply intertwined with the journey of humanity on Earth. The term "astronomy" itself is derived from the Greek words "astron," meaning "star," and "nomos," meaning "law." It is a discipline that has captivated the human imagination for millennia, as people have long been fascinated by the mysteries of the heavens.

From the earliest days of human existence, our ancestors were captivated by the wonders of the night sky. As they took their first steps on Earth, they looked up at the celestial canopy with a sense of awe and curiosity. The sky was a canvas painted with twinkling stars, and it presented a multitude of questions that demanded answers.

The natural cycles of the heavens, such as the rising and setting of the Sun, the changing phases of the Moon, the alternation of the seasons, and the movement of other planets across the sky, were among the first phenomena to capture the attention of early humans. Additionally, the occasional appearance of comets and the awe-inspiring occurrence of solar and lunar eclipses provided further impetus for the systematic observation of celestial bodies.

While the 20th century saw tremendous advancements in our understanding of the universe, the roots of astronomy can be traced back to ancient times, around 3,000 BCE, when people began to observe the sky with a keen eye. The Moon, the Sun, the planets, the stars, and the constellations served as the primary objects of interest. These observations were initially used to create calendars, which were essential for agricultural activities and religious rituals. Over time, celestial objects were also associated with deities, and the heavens became a realm inhabited by gods.

Remarkably, evidence of ancient astronomical knowledge can be found in various monuments and structures across the globe, many of which date back approximately 5,000 years. For instance, the pyramids of Egypt and the megalithic monument of Stonehenge in England both exhibit astronomical orientations, meaning that they are aligned with specific astronomical phenomena. The precise orientation of the pyramids suggests that the ancient Egyptians were aware of certain cardinal directions in space, which were used by astronomers of the time. Furthermore, historical records indicate that the Egyptians utilized a calendar as early as 4,000 BCE, implying a sophisticated understanding of the Moon's phases and the Sun's movement along the ecliptic.

Egypt was not the only civilization to make significant contributions to the field of astronomy. In the region surrounding the Euphrates River, the Babylonian civilization, around 3,000 BCE, made substantial advancements in astronomy, particularly through the work of the Chaldeans, an ancient people known for their expertise in astrology and astronomy. Babylonian astronomers developed complex mathematical methods for predicting celestial events, such as eclipses, and they compiled detailed records of their observations.

Across the Atlantic, in the Americas, three indigenous cultures—the Incas, the Aztecs, and the Maya—also achieved notable astronomical accomplishments. These civilizations built impressive observatories and developed intricate calendars based on their observations of the sky. The Maya, in particular, are renowned for their precise astronomical calculations and their ability to predict celestial events with remarkable accuracy.

In summary, the history of astronomy is a testament to humanity's enduring fascination with the cosmos. From ancient civilizations to modern times, people have sought to unravel the mysteries of the universe, driven by an innate curiosity and a desire to understand the natural world. Through the ages, astronomy has evolved from simple observations of the sky to a sophisticated scientific discipline, and it continues to inspire wonder and discovery as we explore the vast expanse of the cosmos.

Ιστορία της Αστρονομίας[edit | edit source]

Η ιστορία της Αστρονομίας  ( Astronomie ,διεθνής όρος εκ των ελληνικών λέξεων «ἄστρον» + «νόμος»)  είναι συνυφασμένη σχεδόν με την πορεία του ανθρώπου πάνω στη Γη. Με τα πρώτα του βήματα πάνω στη Γη ο άνθρωπος έστρεψε το βλέμμα του  στον έναστρο ουρανό γεμάτος δέος κι ερωτήματα.

Η ανατολή και η δύση του Ηλίου, οι φάσεις της Σελήνης, η εναλλαγή των εποχών, η κίνηση των άλλων πλανητών στον ουρανό, η εμφάνιση των κομητών και το συγκλονιστικό φαινόμενο των εκλείψεων, ήταν τα πρώτα ερεθίσματα για ν’ αρχίσει τη συστηματική παρακολούθηση των ουρανίων σωμάτων.

Η γνώση που έχουμε για το σύμπαν είναι αλήθεια ότι προωθήθηκε αφάνταστα κατά τον 20ο αιώνα, αλλά η Αστρονομία ξεκίνησε 3.000 χρόνια π.Χ. με την απλή παρατήρηση του ουρανού. Η Σελήνη, ο Ήλιος, οι πλανήτες, τα άστρα και οι αστερισμοί του ουρανού ήταν τα πρώτα αντικείμενα που παρατηρήθηκαν, με σκοπό πρώτα την δημιουργία ημερολογίων και μετά να συνδέσουν τα ουράνια αντικείμενα με τους Θεούς τους.

Σε όλη τη Γη συναντάμε αρχαία μνημεία που παρουσιάζουν αστρονομικό ενδιαφέρον κι έχουν ηλικία 5.000 ετών περίπου.

Οι πυραμίδες της Αιγύπτου και το μεγαλιθικό μνημείο Stonehenge στην Αγγλία, έχουν αστρονομικό προσανατολισμό, δηλαδή τέτοιον ώστε να συνδέονται ρος διάφορα αστρονομικά φαινόμενα. Από τον προσανατολισμό π.χ. των πυραμίδων προκύπτει πως οι Αιγύπτιοι γνώριζαν ορισμένες βασικές διευθύνσεις στο χώρο, που χρησιμοποιούν οι αστρονόμοι. Είναι γνωστό ακόμα πως χρησιμοποιούσαν ημερολόγιο από το 4.000 π.Χ..

Αυτό λοιπόν σημαίνει ότι γνώριζαν πολύ καλά τις φάσεις της Σελήνης και την κίνηση του Ήλιου στην εκλειπτική.

Εκτός της Αιγύπτου η Αστρονομία αναπτύχθηκε πάρα πολύ και στην περιοχή του Ευφράτη ποταμού. Εκεί ο Βαβυλωνιακός πολιτισμός, 3.000 π.Χ., έδωσε στην Αστρονομία πάρα πολλά, με τους Χαλδαίους. Στην Αμερική πάλι, τρεις πολιτισμοί – των Ίνκας, των Αζτέκων και των Μάγια είχαν σημαντικά αστρονομικά επιτεύγματα. 


Author[edit source]

Marianthi

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  • Contribution bénévole visant à aider les personnes, partout dans le monde, qui sont engagées dans l'apprentissage de la langue grecque !
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