The depiction of astronomers as characters in fiction during the last four centuries provides a useful historical indication of the changing popular perception of astronomy and its practitioners. It is apparent that lay attitudes to astronomy, even in any given period, are complex. On the one hand there is the continuing, innate attraction which the spectacle of the night sky has for people of all ages, the sense of wonder it generates and the perception of astronomy as a “pure” science, free from military and environmentally damaging spin-offs. But, on the other hand, astronomy poses particular and radical challenges to the humanist tradition and these have elicited from many writers not only expressions of anguish and confusion but, at times, a personal attack on the astronomers who were considered responsible for the unwelcome views.
History
Publication title
The Astronomy Quarterly
Volume
8
Pagination
131-176
ISSN
0364-9229
Department/School
School of Humanities
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Place of publication
Netherlands
Rights statement
Copyright 1991 Pergamon Press plc
Repository Status
Restricted
Socio-economic Objectives
Expanding knowledge in language, communication and culture