1.2.4 Astronomy and Art

Astronomy and Art
1.2.4

By Caitlin Ford

Objectives

- identify how astronomers of different eras recorded their observations

- interpret artworks inspired by celestial objects

- explain how space artists use astronomy to create accurate depictions of celestial objects

Connecting Astronomy and Art

Lascaux (French) cave paintings - depictions of hunting illustrate constellations and stories about the night sky

Nebra Sky Disc - oldest known depiction of the sky

Vulture Stone - depicts a devastating comet strike from 11,000 BC

Tomb of Senenmut - depicts constellations portrayed as sacred dieties

Mayan Calendar - combo of 3 separate calendars

Drag and Drop

The cave paintings in southern France depict​

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Drag these tiles and drop them in the correct blank above

constellations.

modern art.

famous landmarks.

historical events.

Classical and Medieval Eras

drawings by Leonardo d Vinci
hand drawings of Galileo, astrolabe
Bayeux Tapestry
astronomical clocks
the Creation of the World star charts

Modern Era

Starry Night by Vincent van Gogh

2025 Student Art Contest Entries - NASA

​https://www.flickr.com/photos/nasa_langley/albums/72177720322461437/

2025 NASA Student Art Contest Winners - NASA

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Physical Structures with Paintings of Constellations

​Hall of Zodiac
Hall of the Maps
Sky of Salamanca
Tomb of Pharaoh Seti I

Astrophotography

​Astrophotography - the photography of celestial objects

New Form Art

At the end of the nineteenth century, science fiction became a popular literary genre and inspired a new art form called "space art." These artists depicted both realistic and fantastic space scenes. 

Space-Age Products

Beginning in the 1950s, the world entered the "spage-age." Countries were developing rockets and satellites to send into space.

This led to a rise in space-age products.

Space Artists

Companies like NASA employ space artists because many of the objects we discover cannot be viewed up close.

Artists make digital representations of exoplanets, galaxies, moons, comets, etc.

Using artists of different mediums and genres serves the purpose of educating different audiences about NASA and space exploration.

Match

Match the art with the correct description.

space-age product

digital space art

new form space art

astrophotography

classical space art

• space-age product

• digital space art

• new form space art

• astrophotography

• classical space art

Multiple Choice

What is the role of space artists in astronomical research institutes?

• Space artists make paintings of imaginary animals living on exoplanets.

• Space artists create digital images of celestial objects that cannot be photographed.

• Space artists design and decorate spaceships with abstract paintings.

• Space artists draw imaginary paintings related to or resembling celestial objects.

Reminder: Black Hole Digital Art

Bonus Opportunity!
Any digital artists in class are welcome to submit original black hole art. I plan to use these images later in the semester, and I do NOT want to use AI!

Please email me your black hole art and you will receive 5 bonus points on the next test!

Open Ended

Do you have a favorite piece of space art? Let's look at some together!

Great Job!

Today, you learned:

- how astronomers of different eras recorded their observations

- about artworks inspired by celestial objects

- how space artists use astronomy to create accurate depictions of celestial objects.