Mathematics and astronomy are related since antiquity. It is necessary to understand that both are considered sciences and have their particularities. The Babylonians already related these two sciences. Primitive astronomy, studied by this civilization, enabled the creation of spherical trigonometry. The Greeks interpreted astronomy as a part of mathematics, and they were responsible for creating geometric models, which were based on cosmology and arithmetic.
Astronomy is considered the science that studies the evolution and formation of celestial bodies, that is, stars that are found in outer space such as planets, stars, among others. Mathematics is the science that studies logical and abstract reasoning related to numbers and shapes.
Mathematics models reality and describes it, that is, with the help of mathematics it was possible to discover, quantify and systematize patterns such as: the four seasons, the twelve months of the year, the twenty-four hours of the day, among many others discoveries.
Over the centuries astronomy progressed, its evolution significantly contributed to the development of society. Studies related to astronomy began in prehistory with the observation of celestial bodies, the aim of which was to identify how stars influenced changes in the environment. Today, astronomy contributes to various social and scientific sectors such as: telecommunications, spherical mirrors, telescopes, satellite infrared, among others.
Do not stop now... There's more after the advertising ;)
Great scholars have contributed to the evolution of these two areas of science, among them we can highlight:
Eratosthenes discovered the distance of the sun and moon from our planet and dimensioned the diameter of planet Earth.
Ptolemy, a Greek scholar who developed the geocentric system, was the author of The Great Treatise on Astronomy (Almagest).
Nicolaus Copernicus was a mathematician and astronomer, author of the heliocentric theory of the Solar System. To him is attributed the discovery of the rotation and translation movement. Nicholas is considered the father of modern astronomy.
Kepler believed that mathematics underpinned the phenomena of nature and that the sun caused movements related to the solar system.
Galileo Galilei was able to prove Copernicus' theories using a telescope.
Isaac Newton managed to create laws that are used in our reality through differential equations, an example of which is the law of universal gravitation.
It was curiosity that led scholars to make so many discoveries that involve both astronomy and mathematics. The evolution of astronomy and mathematics can be considered a two-way street, as the mathematics provided discoveries related to astronomy and this had implications for math.
By Naysa Oliveira
Graduated in Mathematics
Would you like to reference this text in a school or academic work? Look:
OLIVEIRA, Naysa Crystine Nogueira. "Mathematics and Astronomy"; Brazil School. Available in: https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/matematica/a-presenca-matematica-na-astronomia.htm. Accessed on June 27, 2021.
