Astronomy is a discipline that opens our eyes, gives context to our place in the Universe and that can reshape how we see the world

Shatalova Y.O.

Odessa state academy of building and architecture

Socio-economic factors of development of astronomical research centers in modern conditions

Astronomy is a discipline that opens our eyes, gives context to our place in the Universe and that can reshape how we see the world. When Copernicus claimed that Earth was not the centre of the Universe, it triggered a revolution. A revolution through which religion, science, and society had to adapt to this new world view.

Astronomy opens history even further by explaining the origins of our planet, our sun, our galaxy – even providing insights into our Universe and how it all started some 13 odd billion years ago. It tells us about our past. Earth sciences rediscovered our planet due to crucial data related to the nature of the bowels of the earth, lithosphere, hydrosphere and atmosphere.

Cosmonautics in recent decades has stepped away from the first artificial satellites and manned space vehicles to the long-term functioning of the orbital complex, automatic interplanetary station, orbiting observatory and the "constellation" of satellites that can effectively solve many problems without which could not be a modern meteorology, geology, geography, navigation, communications and many other scientific fields.

Unfortunately, the exact natural science mass media pay too little attention. At the beginning of the XXI century astronomy subject was excluded from the number of subjects taught in secondary school. In such a paradoxical situation significantly increases the role of the popular science magazines, which, despite the difficulties associated with their publication and distribution, make efforts to interest the readers in science and maintain this interest for decades. Of particular importance astronomy acquired in our time, in the era of scientific and technological revolution. Without it, it would be impossible to achieve many of science technology, including advances in human space exploration.

Pic.1 Belgrade Centre for Promotion of Science

The days are gone when scientists managed to achieve impressive results with a simple visual observation and simple devices. Scientists in modern conditions require far more impressive instruments: multifunctional astronomical observatories, giant telescopes and radio telescopes, particle accelerators, laser and thermonuclear installations, space stations, satellites, high-speed electronic computers. And the researcher must have a deep knowledge of the subject, a wealth of experience of the observer and experimenter.

Pic.2 Center for Promotion of Science. Experimental project (a,b)

Due to the increasing needs of mankind, it has qualitatively changed the typology of specialized public buildings dedicated to astronomy.(Pic. 1, 2(a,b)) Modern astronomical research center dedicated to the universe exploration, requires a flexible and functional structure, to provide a wide range of services to the population

(Pic. 3, 4).

Pic.3 Glasgow. Science centre Pic.4 Valencia. City of the Arts and

Sciences

We live in a world faced with the many immediate problems of hunger, poverty, energy and global warming, we argue that astronomy has long term benefits that are equally as important to a civilized society. Several studies have told us that investing in science education, research and technology provides a great return — not only economically, but culturally and indirectly for the population in general — and has helped countries to face and overcome crises. The scientific and technological development of a country or region is closely linked to its human development index — a statistic that is a measure of life expectancy, education and income.

Astronomy and related fields are at the forefront of science and technology: answering fundamental questions and driving innovation. It is for this reason that The International Astronomical Union`s (IAU) strategic plan for 2010–2020 has three main areas of focus: technology and skills; science and research; and culture and society.

The fruits of scientific and technological development in astronomy, especially in areas such as optics and electronics, have become essential to our day-to-day life, with applications such as personal computers, communication satellites, mobile phones, Global Positioning Systems, solar panels and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scanners.

Although the study of astronomy has provided a wealth of tangible, monetary and technological gains, perhaps the most important aspect of astronomy is not one of economical measure. Astronomy has and continues to revolutionize our thinking on a worldwide scale.

Conclusions:

Astronomy has always had a significant impact on our world view. Early cultures identified celestial objects with the gods and took their movements across the sky as prophecies of what was to come. Astronomy is important to our future, from the short term to the distant long term. Over the coming decades, private companies will take over much of the heavy lifting formerly associated with government agencies such as NASA and ESA. This will create new jobs and new wealth. Bigger telescopes, better equipment and building of modern astronomical research centers with flexible and functional structure will provide insights into reality that will stretch our technological capabilities.

The first calendars were based on the movement of the Moon and even the way that we define a second is due to astronomy. The atomic clock, developed in 1955, was calibrated using astronomical Ephemeris Time — a former standard astronomical timescale adopted by the IAU in 1952. It is the way that science can bring nations together, encouraging collaboration and creating a constant flow as researchers travel around the globe to work in international facilities.

Modern astronomical research center dedicated to the universe exploration, requires a flexible and functional structure, to provide a wide range of services to the population.

Astronomy is particularly well suited to international collaboration due to the need to have telescopes and astronomical research centers in different places around the world, in order to see the whole sky.

References:

1. Bode, Cruz & Molster 2008, The ASTRONET Infrastructure Roadmap: A Strategic Plan for European Astronomy,http://www.eso.org/public/archives/books/pdfsm/astronet.pdf, August 2013

2. International Astronomical Union 2012, IAU Astronomy for Development Strategic Plan 2010–2012.http://iau.org/static/education/strategicplan_2010-2020.pdf, June 2013

3. Renée James, C. 2012, What has astronomy done for you lately?, www.astronomy.com, May 2012

4. Marissa Rosenberg, Pedro Russo (EU-UNAWE, Leiden Observatory/Leiden University, The Netherlands), Georgia Bladon, Lars Lindberg Christensen (ESO, Germany) Astronomy in Everyday Life https://www.iau.org/public/themes/astronomy_in_everyday_life/