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The role of astronomy in society and culture

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 June 2011

David Valls-Gabaud  and
Alexander Boksenberg
David Valls-Gabaud
Affiliation:
CNRS, Observatoire de Paris, 61 Avenue de l'Observatoire, 75014 Paris, France email: david.valls-gabaud@obspm.fr
Alexander Boksenberg
Affiliation:
Institute of Astronomy, University of Cambridge, Madingley Road, Cambridge CB3 0HA, United Kingdom email: boksy@ast.cam.ac.uk
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Abstract

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As an ancient and multidisciplinary field, astronomy is an ambassador for all sciences. Astronomy's broad appeal, whether from its cultural interest of our place in the universe, or its practical aims such as sea- or space navigation, is well recorded in history from ancient to modern times, and sky-awareness, more generally, began prehistorically. Astronomy's perceived role and purpose has continually developed over the ages. In all, astronomy is not to be viewed as a narrow subject operating in isolation but one that has contributed comprehensively to the advancement of society.

Keywords

Artsocietysociologyculture

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