ASTRONOMY

ASTRONOMY is a science, which studies solids and occurrences in the sky. Not for nothing the forefathers of our civilization - the ancient Greeks worshipped the astronomy patroness - Urania among the nine muses.

To understand the nature of observed solids and occurrences in the Universe, to explain their properties - that is what people always wanted. They built the picture of the world according to their knowledge. With the course of time the world picture was being changed because there appeared new facts and information and new theories on the celestial occurrences and what is more impotant there appeared an opportunity to check up the correctness of ideas through the observation and measuring using the new achievements of the sciences. Sometimes the views on the world picture were not only changed and corrected but they were fully destroyed root and branch and it was a real revolution in astronomy such as foundation of heliocentric system by Copernic or Einstein theory of relativity. But even in those crucial periods of time astronomers kept the respect for forecomers' works, considering their contribution to science which helped to search for the truth.

Having deep the old time roots the history of astronomy showes us the creators of this science as the people who personified their time. The ordinary weakness and emotions were inherent in them. Their theories had brilliant foresights and annoying errors. But all those people were tamed by the greatness of the universe and aspired all their efforts to the cognition of truth about it.

Two things always fills the souls with new strong astonishment and veneration the more often and long we reflect on them - that is the star sky above me and moral law inside me.

(Emmanuil Kant.)

There are only few of professional astronomers - about 10 thousand people all over the world. But due to the increasing technico-scientific potential this quantity is enough to progress astronomy investigations.

Astronomy is useful for it helps us to be above ourselves; it is useful for it is majestic; it is useful for it is beautiful. It is astronomy that shows us how trivial is a human spirit for his intellect can grasp shining abysses, where his body is only a dark dot and he is able to enjoy their mute harmony. This awareness is worth a lot, because it makes us stronger.

(Anry Puankare.)

Astronomy can carry away anybody: a dreamer, a scientist, a lyric poet. Here it is above you - an eternal star sky full of unexpressible beauty and high mystery. It is opened for everybody and rewardes faithful ones - making their lives being full of light.