Communicating Astronomy with the Public 2005
Ian Robson, Lars Lindberg Christensen (eds.)
Pages
84-91
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Using the Night Sky to Cultivate Public Interest in Astronomy
Sky Publishing Corp., Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
Abstract:
To many people, the word "astronomy" means "science, math, difficult". They do not understand science or how it works, and some even fear it. Yet whenever there is a bright comet, a rich meteor shower or a lunar eclipse, members of the public come out in droves to see it. And when they do, they want to understand what they are seeing. Widespread interest in the night sky therefore offers many "teachable moments" during which amateur and professional astronomers can share the wonders and methods of science with the public.
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