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Rescue Mission in Space

Classroom Activity

Objective
To review some of the milestones in astronomy since 2000 BCE.

• copy of "Astronomical Timeline" student handout (HTML)

1. Before the 16th and 17th centuries, most people thought that the Earth was at the center of the universe. Astronomers such as Copernicus and Galileo, who claimed that the Earth was not at the center, were condemned by religious authorities.

2. Why do students think that this debate was so fierce? What are some other issues that raise controversy between science and religion? Copy and distribute the "Astronomical Timeline" student handout to each student. How did advances in technology help to change public perceptions of the universe?