SCIENCE FORM 3

CHAPTER 10: SPACE

EXPLORATION
10.1 DEVELOPMENTS IN THE FIELD OF ASTRONOMY
AND SPACE EXPLORATION
Astronomy is the study of objects in the
Universe like planets, stars and galaxies.
The Greeks were the first to study
astronomy. They classified stars based
on constellations. They declared that the
Earth is spherical and the orbits of the
planets are circular.


10.1 DEVELOPMENTS IN THE FIELD OF ASTRONOMY
AND SPACE EXPLORATION
Besides the Greeks, Islamic
astronomers contributed greatly to the
study of astronomy. They studied the
rotation of the Earth as well as the solar
and lunar eclipse.
Claudius Ptolemy contribute to the
study of astronomy by assuming that
the Earth was the centre of the
Universe.



10.1 DEVELOPMENTS IN THE FIELD OF ASTRONOMY
AND SPACE EXPLORATION
Astronomers need instruments to help
them observe objects that are far away.
Hans Lippershey, a Dutch optician,
invented the telescope.
Galileo Galilei, an Italian astronomer,
was the first man to observe the objects
in space using a telescope.
American astronomers discovered the
Andromeda galaxy and the planet Pluto.

10.1 DEVELOPMENTS IN THE FIELD OF ASTRONOMY
AND SPACE EXPLORATION
Developments in space exploration:
Year Development
1957 Russia launched the first man-made telescope. Since
then, space telescopes have been put into orbit by
rockets. These are able to get more information on
objects in space. Besides that, space probes send
valuable data back to Earth.
1961 Yuri Gagarin, a Russian astronaut became the first
human to orbit the Earth in a spacecraft.
1969 American astronaut Neil Armstrong became the first
human to set foot on the Moon.
1971 The first space station was launched by the Russians.
Astronauts carry out scientific work on space stations.
1981 Space shuttles have been used to carry astronauts to
retrieve and repair damaged satellites as well as carry
out research in space.
10.1 DEVELOPMENTS IN THE FIELD OF ASTRONOMY
AND SPACE EXPLORATION
Space telescope Space probe
10.1 DEVELOPMENTS IN THE FIELD OF ASTRONOMY
AND SPACE EXPLORATION









Space exploration helps us learn about
the Universe and contributes to scientific
and technological development.
Uses of
satellites
Weather
monitoring
Defence
Navigation
Environmental
monitoring
Communication