Why Is the Night Sky Dark? Exploring Olbers' Paradox Through a Classical Lens
In this episode, we tackle one of astronomy's most intriguing questions: Why is the night sky dark? What seems like a simple observation actually leads us into Olbers' Paradox, a centuries-old puzzle that reveals surprising truths about our universe.
- Understanding the Paradox: We break down the logical problem - if space contains infinite stars in an eternal universe, shouldn't every point of light we see make the night sky as bright as day?
- The Scientific Answer: Learn how modern astronomy solved this mystery through discoveries about the universe's age (13.8 billion years) and its ongoing expansion
- **Classical Learning Connection**: Discover how astronomy connects to the **quadrivium** - the four mathematical disciplines (arithmetic, geometry, music, and astronomy) that formed the foundation of classical education
Episode Highlights:
- Historical Journey: Explore how astronomers and philosophers throughout history have wrestled with this cosmic question.
Dr. Gerard McLarney and Dr. Brett Fawcett are teachers at St. Isidore ONLINE Chesterton Academy in Sherwood Park, AB Canada. SILC Chesterton Academy is a classical curriculum that combines a broad, liberal arts education with a strong emphasis on the development of Christian virtues and an appreciation of beauty. Through our Three Pillars Model, we form our students in: Intellect, Character and Spirituality.
As part of a larger online outreach school with Elk Island Catholic Schools, St. Isidore aims to deliver a joyful Classical Catholic Education. #ChestertonAcademy #ChestertonSchoolNetwork #classicaleducation #catholiceducation #joyfulcatholic
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