"Astronomy is a great human endeavor, international in its ideals and performance, and shared by thousands of scientists, technicians, engineers, and craftsmen. Its instruments are the most beautifully precise, exquisitely delicate, and incredibly sensitive that the genius of man can produce." (Herbert Friedman," The Amazing Universe", 1975)
"It is a striking thought that ten years of radio astronomy have taught humanity more about the creation and organization of the universe than thousands of years of religion and philosophy." (Paul Davies, "Space and Time in the Modern Universe", 1977)
"Each of the major sciences has contributed an essential ingredient in our long retreat from an initial belief in our own cosmic importance. Astronomy defined our home as a small planet tucked away in one corner of an average galaxy among millions; biology took away our status as paragons created in the image of God; geology gave us the immensity of time and taught us how little of it our own species has occupied." (Stephen J Gould, "Uniformity and Catastrophe", 1977)
"Studying the behavior of large whales has been likened to astronomy. The observer glimpses his subjects, often at long range; he cannot do experiments, and he must continually try to infer from data that are usually inadequate." (Hal Whitehead, "Why Whales Leap", Scientific American Vol. 252 (3), 1985)
"Thus, astronomy was probably the first exact science, practiced long before the concept of science as such had been formulated. (Mathematics may have been earlier, but I do not consider it a natural science: the mother of many kings is not necessarily a queen.)" (Erwin Chargaff, "Serious Questions: An ABC of Skeptical Reflections", 1986)
"There is no such thing as 'pure' science. By this I mean that physics impinges on astronomy on the one hand and chemistry and biology on the other. And not only does each support neighbors, but derives sustenance from them."(Melvin Calvin, "Following the Trail of Light: A Scientific Odyssey", [autobiography] 1992)
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