Foundations of Space Science
- (Salem, Massachusetts - ROC(Taiwan) Student Association of MIT)
- Overview
Space science is a field of study that involves exploring space and studying the physical bodies and natural phenomena that occur in outer space. It encompasses a wide range of disciplines, including:
- Meteorology
- Geology
- Lunar, solar, and planetary science
- Astronomy and astrophysics
- Life sciences
Some subjects that fall under the umbrella of space science include: Remote sensing, Satellite applications, Space physics, Astrodynamics, Atmospheric sciences.
Space science attempts to answer questions such as:
- How did the Earth and Solar System form and evolve?
- What is our place in the Universe?
- Where are we going?
- Astronomy vs. Space Science
Astronomy is the study of objects and phenomena beyond Earth's atmosphere. This includes objects that are visible to the naked eye, like the Sun, Moon, and planets, as well as objects that can only be seen with telescopes or other instruments, like galaxies and particles.
Space science is the scientific knowledge related to space exploration. It involves launching people and equipment into space, and deals with rockets, the health of astronauts, and satellites.
While astronomy and space science are closely related, they are not the same thing. Astronomy is the scientific study of space, while space science is more concerned with the launch of people and equipment into space.
Astronomy has branches, including astrophysics, astrometry, astrogeology, and astrobiology. Astrobiology is the study of the living universe. Astronomy provides the context for the origin and evolution of life on Earth.
The most common celestial bodies studied by astronomers are the moon, the sun, the stars, other planets and satellites, comets, asteroids, and so on. Astronomy is part of Space Sciences, which include other disciplines like Astrophysics, Planetary Science, Meteorology, Space Travel and Exploration.
[More to come ...]
