Commission C3 History of Astronomy

Scientific Objectives

The remit of Commission C3 is history of astronomy in its broadest sense. Commission members are astronomers and astrophysicists, but also include  historians of science. The main disciplines are

1. history of astronomy for the sake of history  ̶  i.e., as studied by historians of science, 

2. history of astronomy for the sake of combining historical observational data with modern ground-based and

space-based observations, and  

3. history of astronomy for the sake of enriching our understanding of the mutual impacts on, and the reciprocal

influences between local cultures and the astronomical institutions and their activities.  

The International Union of History and Philosophy of Science and Technology

IAU Commission C3 is also the primary constituent and coordinating arm of the InterUnion Commission for History of Astronomy (ICHA), which is based in the International Union of History and Philosophy of Science and Technology (IUHPST). 

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