The Astronomical Surveys

Abstract

Astronomy is the oldest of the physical sciences and can be traced back to antiquity or at least 5,000 years ago [1]. Looking that far back in time, we see the origins of astronomy mixed in with the religious and astrological practices of pre-history. Ancient societies were already able to tell the wandering planets from the “fixed stars” and associated these moving objects with gods and spirits. Various cultures have practiced various religions related to astronomy, with the priests playing the role of the “professional astronomer” of their time, and demonstrating a “divine” understanding of the movements of the heavens. So it seems that the first few millennia of astronomical involvement of human societies were religious in nature.