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Public perception of astronomers Revered, reviled and ridiculed

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 June 2011

Michael J. West
Michael J. West*
Affiliation:
European Southern Observatory, Alonso de Córdova 3107Santiago, Chile email: mwest@eso.org
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Abstract

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Society's view of astronomers has changed over time and from culture to culture. This review discusses some of the many ways that astronomers have been perceived by their societies and suggests ways that astronomers can influence public perception of ourselves and our profession in the future.

Keywords

history and philosophy of astronomysociology of astronomy
Type
Contributed Papers
Information
Proceedings of the International Astronomical Union , Volume 5 , Symposium S260: The Role of Astronomy in Society and Culture , January 2009 , pp. 411 - 419
Copyright
Copyright © International Astronomical Union 2011

References

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