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How, precisely, can astronomy be of benefit to anyone?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 June 2011

Bernard J. T. Jones*
Affiliation:
Kapteyn Astronomical Institute, Groningen, P.O. Box 800, 9700 AV Groningen, the Netherlands. email: jones@astro.rug.nl Astraguard Ltd., Tubs Hill House, London Rd, Sevenoaks, UK
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Abstract

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Astronomy as an observational science is technology driven both from the point of view of data acquisition and of data processing and visualisation. Astronomy exploits a very wide base of technologies which are developed, enhanced and extended by users. Consequently, astronomy can return new and enhanced technologies to areas well outside of astronomy itself. My own hi-tech company, Astraguard, a video imaging company, is a small but significant example of that technology return. Astronomy can provide both know-how and people for a diverse variety of areas: security, industrial process control, medical and biological imaging, petrochemicals, databases, and the financial industries to name but a few. It is unfortunate that those who teach astronomy are generally not aware of these possibilities.

In this lecture I hope to take a first step towards showing what is possible. I hope to convince the reader that astronomy education, at all levels, can play a significant role in career development outside of astronomy and in higher education in developing countries.

Type
Contributed Papers
Copyright
Copyright © International Astronomical Union 2011

References

Jarrett, T. H. 2004, PASA, 21, 396Google Scholar
Sheth, R., van de Weygaert, R. 2004, Mon. Roy. Ast. Soc., 350, 517Google Scholar