Uploaded January 2021 | Updated September 2026, 8 hours ago
Renowned astronomer Prof. Ewine van Dishoeck, President of the International Astronomical Union, delivers a talk on why astronomy is an important part of society and how the IAU is promoting it, as part of the regular Speaker Series for SKAO staff.
Astronomy has always had a significant impact on our world. Early cultures identified celestial objects with the gods and took their movement across the sky as prophecies of what was to come. Throughout history humans have looked to the stars to navigate the oceans, to know the time of day and to decide when to plant their crops. In other words: astronomy forms a part of our society that supersedes scientific publications and Big Data.
Prof. van Dishoeck talk begins at 08'36", following introductions by SKAO Senior External Relations Policy Officer Thijs Geurts and SKA Director-General Prof. Philip Diamond.
Renowned astronomer Prof. Ewine van Dishoeck, President of the International Astronomical Union, delivers a talk on why astronomy is an important part of society and how the IAU is promoting it, as part of the regular Speaker Series for SKAO staff.
Astronomy has always had a significant impact on our world. Early cultures identified celestial objects with the gods and took their movement across the sky as prophecies of what was to come. Throughout history humans have looked to the stars to navigate the oceans, to know the time of day and to decide when to plant their crops. In other words: astronomy forms a part of our society that supersedes scientific publications and Big Data.
Prof. van Dishoeck talk begins at 08'36", following introductions by SKAO Senior External Relations Policy Officer Thijs Geurts and SKA Director-General Prof. Philip Diamond.
