It’s astronomy, stupid

***This is a paper I wrote for one of my Journalism classes. I'll be posting some of my other papers sometime soon.

IT'S ASTRONOMY, STUPID

Star light, star bright

First star I see tonight

I wish I may, I wish I might

Have the wish I wish tonight

Who hasn't wished upon a star? I used to recite the rhyme above when I was little, usually with hopes of getting this or that new toy or book. I remember sitting on the window sill, looking up at the sky at dusk as the stars started to twinkle. What is it with stars anyway? They are just tiny points of light in the black of night, right?

Wrong. The stars are more than just bright dots in the sky. They are more important than you think. You learn that –and more- when you study Astronomy.

First off, let's get one thing clear: Astronomy is NOT the same as Astrology. This is one problem I've encountered a little too often with a lot of people; fellow UP students, high school teachers, and even National Bookstore are the worst examples. It's really annoying to have to correct people about this every time, so I'm saying it here and now: it's Astronomy, not Astrology. It's UP Astronomical Society, not Astrological Society. Philip's Astronomy Handbook is not in the same line as Chinese Astrological handbooks.

Astrology is the same with Astronomy only in the sense that both observe the meanderings of celestial bodies. It is also worth noting that both have a shared history; before the Renaissance, Astronomy and Astrology were one and the same thing. It was only the advent of scientific reasoning which differentiated the two into the disciplines we know now.

Astrology diverges from Astronomy by going beyond scientific study and into the realm of divination, superstition, and even religion by relating the movements and placements of stars and planets to past, present, and even future events here on Earth. In short, astrologers believe that everything that happens here is influenced –even determined- by the cosmos.

What is Astronomy then? Wikipedia defines Astronomy as the scientific study of celestial objects (such as stars, planets, comets, and galaxies) and phenomena that originate outside the Earth's atmosphere (such as cosmic background radiation). It is concerned with the evolution, physics, chemistry, meteorology, and motion of celestial objects, as well as the formation and development of the universe. Astronomy does not try to relate celestial events with your mood nor does it try to predict who is going to be lucky or not in the New Year.

Sounds daunting? Just remember this: Astronomy is simply the study of everything beyond our own little planet, from the Solar System to the farthest reaches of the known universe.

Still too heavy? Don't fret. The good thing about Astronomy is that you do not need a doctorate in Physics to partake in it. Of course there is Math involved –formulas, equations, calculations- but you can safely ignore it and still enjoy the wonders of the cosmos.

Don't get me wrong though. Astronomy IS a science, but it is one science which is easily accessible to anyone, not only to the so-called "geeks" or "nerds". As I said, you don't need a doctorate in Physics to participate in it. It's really quite simple; you only need your eyes. Binoculars are good, and even a simple telescope would be better, but to "do" Astronomy, your eyes would suffice.

While professional astronomers do try to unravel the secrets of the universe –searching for extraterrestrial life, determining how everything began and how everything will end, exploring the planets of our solar system, etc.- we, as amateur astronomers, can just observe and take in the grandeur of the night sky. The majority of people who are interested in Astronomy are simply sightseers who want to know what's what in the sky over their heads.

So what is in the sky over our heads? Obviously, there is the Moon. Here in the Philippines we can also see the constellations of the northern hemisphere which include the well-known Orion, Ursa Major, and Cassiopeia. With a good telescope, the details of planets such as Saturn or Jupiter can also be seen. Nebulae are also visible, if you know where to look. A comet can pass by from time to time, and then there are the annual meteor showers… Whew. There is a lot more to see, but I will run out of space trying to fit them all here.

Aside from the "wow" factor, there are also more practical uses for knowing the stars. No, it's not the horoscope –that's Astrology. Knowing the positions of stars can aid you in finding your way around. In fact, the exploration of the world would have been extremely difficult –if not impossible- without the aid of the stars. Certain stars and constellations are visible at defined locations. Take for example the star Polaris. If you know where it is, you would be able to know where north is –that's why it's called the North Star. But how do you find Polaris? I'm sure you know the Big Dipper –it's not a constellation, by the way. It's an asterism, a pattern in the sky. A constellation is a region of the sky which is defined by a set of stars present at that location. Now the Big Dipper –part of the constellation Ursa Major- points toward a single star. That star is Polaris. It's easier than it sounds, believe me.

You would also be able to tell time –what hour it is, what month it is, and what season it is- by looking at the stars and the Moon. It's hard to discuss it here, but the simple explanation is that since the Earth revolves around the Sun, the locations of the stars in the sky change relative to where the Earth is at that point in time. The Moon will help tell what hour it is by its location in the sky and by what phase –crescent, gibbous, full- it is in.

Finally, knowledge of Astronomy can give you valuable insights in culture and history. People have been looking up at the stars ever since we have been here on this planet, and a lot of myths and legends, traditions and practices, and superstitions and beliefs are based on what our ancestors saw in the sky. You don't even have to look far for an example.

Here in our country, the indigenous peoples have been practicing Astronomy even before Magellan was born. Just recently, the Philippine Daily Inquirer published an article by Prof. Dante Ambrosio about how people called the Samas used and interpreted the skies. Would you believe that ancient Filipinos had their own versions of the constellations, that they had names for the stars? Read the Inquirer Talk of the Town article "'Mamahi:' Stars of Tawi-tawi" (PDI 01/26/2008) to find out more.

Astronomy is a fascinating science. It can also be a very rewarding experience. I should know; for the past three years I've been a member of the UP Astronomical Society, and much of what I have written here comes from my own experience. But don't take my word for it.

Try it for yourselves. Instead of just lying down and watching television tonight get out of your house and look up at the stars. Who knows, one of your wishes might be fulfilled.

Ad astra per aspera.