What sets humans, Muggle and magical alike, apart from the beasts has been an issue of contention for hundreds, if not thousands, of years. Some argue that language, or a complex culture, or the ability to use magic is the defining characteristic of humanity. None of these has provided an entirely satisfactory explanation. Instead, the authors of this textbook tentatively suggest that all creatures on Earth who feel something when looking up at the night sky - be it curiosity, awe, or reverence, or the ability to experience a dizzying panic when contemplating their insignificance in this boundless Universe - are creatures we should consider partners in our quest to understand our place here. For it is that communal curiosity for the vast unknown we share that has shaped the history of all people, magical and non-magical alike, and it should be that curiosity in the ‘big questions’ that compels us to work together, united. Astronomy truly is the study of life, bringing all creatures together throughout the ages under one sky. We hope you will feel closer to your world and those with whom you share it after completing this course.

2a. A History of Astronomy

Astronomy has a rich, illustrious, and notably diverse history which spans thousands of years across hundreds of cultures. Astronomy is one of the few sciences in which research is shared by both wizard and Muggle alike, working hand-in-hand towards the goal of gaining knowledge about the cosmos. Whilst our tools, abilities, and outlooks may be different, this method of wizard and Muggle cooperation in astronomical research has yielded thousands of years of success in terms of research and knowledge. The study of astronomy has advanced in direct correlation with the improvement of technology, both Muggle and magic alike. The development of charmed and technologically-advanced telescopes has allowed the study to progress into depths unthought-of by our ancestors.

The very first professional Muggle astronomers were priests and spiritual leaders, as they looked to the heavens and thought the stars to be divine, often identifying them with their spirits and gods. This form of study resulted in a subject we now know as astrology, which is a form of Divination. These spiritual leaders looked to the heavens, and the positions of different celestial bodies, to try to identify patterns useful in mapping out what could lie ahead in one’s future .In addition, from very early on, cultures who studied astronomy sought out patterns in what they saw in the sky in relation to droughts, rains, seasons, and tides. This was of the utmost importance, because they could use these patterns (or so they believed) to determine when to plant and harvest the crops needed for food. They were able to differentiate between planets and stars by the objects’ fixed, or non-fixed positions, realizing early on that stars seemed to stay in the same positions, whilst the planets were always moving. It was these patterns of the planets and stars that they studied whilst forming calendars, a useful tool when it came to efficient everyday life. Even the calendars used today, whether by magic or non-magic folk, are products of the Roman calendar. The Roman, or Julian, calendar is a yearly calendar of twelve months of similar length. The calendar was introduced by Julius Caesar in the year 46 BC, and came from the idea of a 365.25-day yearly calendar originally proposed by Greek wizard astronomer Callippus.

Mesopotamia held the origins of what we now know as western astronomy. Many of the constellation names and descriptions found in the Babylonian star catalogues, dating back to 1200 BC, are still similar, when translated, to the names by which they are known today. Some of these similarities include the ‘Steer of the Heaven’ (Taurus), ‘The Lion’ (Leo), ‘The Scales’ (Libra), or ‘The Scorpion’ (Scorpius/Scorpio). The Mesopotamians used eighteen different constellation stations to track the course of the Moon throughout the year. The positions of the Moon in regards to these constellations were a type of calendar, and the eighteen stations were a direct predecessor to the modern-day twelve zodiac divisions. It is theorised that this could have been the very first astronomical project to be worked on by both Muggles and the magic community, and something of a breakthrough in their harmonious coexistence and cooperation.However, this idea of wizards working with Muggles did not appeal unanimously to all cultures throughout the ages, as shown by the ancient Egyptians. Egyptian Muggle astronomers, working alone, proposed a theory that the universe was something of a giant rectangular box, with Egypt sitting at its bottom centre. They also believed the lights they saw in the night sky were not stars, but in fact were huge lamps hanging down from the top of this theorised rectangular box. Egyptian witches and wizards knew this to be untrue, but found the theory very humourous, and allowed the Egyptian Muggle astronomers to run with their idea, even at times agreeing with and inspiring them to make further research on the box theory for their own amusement. After many years, the magic community came to an agreement that this uncooperative nature was counterproductive to the science, and they agreed to begin working with the Muggles in correcting this idea and furthering the study of astronomy.

2b. Sub-Topics of Astronomy

The science of the study of astronomy, since the 20th century, has been split into two separate, yet equally important, parts, to-wit: observational astronomy and theoretical astronomy. Observational astronomy deals with the acquisition of data through the observation of celestial objects, and analysis through the basic laws of known physics and magic. This type of astronomy is the most widely practiced by amateur astronomers. Theoretical astronomy is notably more complex, and has more to do with the ‘Why?’ of astronomy. It is geared more towards the creation of analytical models to explain and describe celestial happenings. Both forms of study are equally important, as theoretical astronomy interprets the data collected in observational astronomy, and observational astronomy proves the theories created in theoretical astronomy.

Astronomy is sub-categorised into six different, yet also equally important, fields; solar astronomy (the study of our Sun); planetary science (the study of bodies orbiting our Sun); stellar astronomy (the study of the birth, life, and evolution of stars); galactic astronomy (the study of our Milky Way galaxy); extragalactic astronomy (the study of other galaxies outside our own); and cosmology (the study of the universe as a whole). There are also interdisciplinary studies of astronomy, such as archaeoastronomy (the study of astronomy as it relates to ancient cultures), astrobiology (the study of biological systems throughout the universe), and cosmochemistry/astrochemistry (the study of chemicals found in space).

2c. Solar Astronomy

Solar astronomy is the practice of studying our own Sun. Undoubtedly important, it has been a popular field of study dating back to the ancient Native American cultures of the North American southwest. It involves studies of the path of the Sun, solar flares, solar storms, the size and shape of the Sun, and its distance from Earth, as well as the fusion processes of the Sun.

2d. Planetary Science

Planetary science, also known as ‘Planetology,’ is the study of our Earth, other planets, and moons, particularly those in our own solar system. Planetary science focuses on the origin, conditions, history, and composition of these bodies through interdisciplinary studies like cosmochemistry and cosmogeology. The father of planetary science is thought to be none other than Squib astronomer Galileo Galilei, through his breakthroughs and major discoveries of planets and moons in our solar system.

2e. Stellar Astronomy

Stellar astronomy is the study of the evolution and processes of stars. This can be done through observational astronomy, but due to the extreme distances between stars, many theories arise from what we know of the laws of astrophysics and theoretical astronomy. Magic folk have their own charmed star models from which to gain information and calculations, whilst Muggles tend to prefer the use of models programmed into their computers.

2f. Galactic Astronomy

Galactic astronomy is the study of our Milky Way galaxy and everything in it. This wide range of study is, in itself, split into subcategories of study such as (but not limited to) evolution, formation, stellar contents, and solar neighbourhoods. The Milky Way galaxy is undoubtedly the best-studied galaxy, due to its potential for both observational and theoretical forms of study. Astronomers have theorised that between 100 and 300 billion stars occupy the Milky Way galaxy.

2g. Extragalactic Astronomy

Extragalactic astronomy is the study of all things outside of our own galaxy, and is thought to be the next level of galactic astronomy. As technologies have improved, this subcategory has been split into its own two subcategories, namely Near Extragalactic Astronomy and Far Extragalactic Astronomy. Near extragalactic astronomy deals with objects and other galaxies closer to our Milky Way, whilst far extragalactic astronomy deals with objects much farther away in distance and, therefore, more difficult to observe.

2h. Cosmology

Cosmology is an interesting and vast topic of study, as it deals with the universe as a whole. The information goals of cosmologists studying the universe are its evolution, its structures, its laws, and, ultimately, its fate. Popular cosmology topics currently being researched are the theory of universe expansion (cosmic inflation), and the ‘Big Bang Theory’ of the formation of the universe. Although cosmology is a very advanced form of study filled with theoretical models and equations, it also is very ancient and observational, as well. Cosmological theories and observations are found in ancient Babylonian texts dating back as far as 3000 BCE.