Christian Astronomy, Earth Science, or Cosmology?

It's 6:51 PM Eastern on Saturday. Last week, I identified Christian Astronomy as a sub-project of Cultural Astronomy under my Music of the Spheres role. This week, I made Christian Astronomy a full project in its own right. I know that I want to learn how to better use my compass, binoculars, telescope and Stellarium for Christian Astronomy. But what exactly do I mean by Christian Astronomy, why is it important to me, and how do I plan to step this project out? This needs clarification. 

Perhaps the first thing I should do is clarify the relationships between earth science, astronomy, and cosmology. According to currently accepted scientific conventions, cosmology is a specialized branch of astronomy, and astronomy is a branch of earth science. I lean toward five main branches of earth science - geology, oceanography, meteorology/climatology, ecology, and astronomy - corresponding to five great spheres:

• Geology | Geosphere
• Oceanography | Hydrosphere
• Meteorology | Climatology | Atmosphere
• Ecology | Biosphere
• Astronomy | Celestial Sphere

It's possible that I am primarily interested in the field of Christian Earth Science and secondarily interested in Christian Astronomy. Let me give that some thought over the course of the week and see where I wind up next Saturday evening.

With regards to stepping out a course of study, I have the following instructional resources already on hand to work with:

• Understanding Scientific Theories of Origins: Cosmology, Geology, and Biology in Christian Perspective (BioLogos Books on Science and Christianity)
• The History of Astronomy: A Very Short Introduction
• How to Use a Compass for Adults
• 40 Nights to Knowing the Sky: A Night-by-Night Sky-Watching Primer
• Star Finder!: A Step-by-Step Guide to the Night Sky
• Calendar: Humanity's Epic Struggle to Determine a True and Accurate Year

In terms of gear, I have an entry-level compass, binoculars, and telescope. I also have Stellarium downloaded on my workstation. I've used the binoculars and Stellarium to make observations of Mercury - not easy in my urban location. I haven't yet used the compass or the telescope. I don't want to rush it.

It's 9 PM and I need to wrap up. There are many directions I could take this, but I think my next step is to read Chapter 1 of Origins (the first text in the list above) by BioLogos. 

As I conclude this entry I can see from the chair at my workstation that the Moon has risen in the southeast. Is this just a pleasant coincidence, or is it a sign that I am on the right track? I get up, stretch my legs, and examine the Moon through the window with my binoculars. It is full and pale orange in appearance. Stellarium pins it at 116 degrees of azimuth and 5 degrees of altitude. Right ascension is 22 hours 01 minutes and declination is minus 15 degrees. LUNA tells me the Moon is at 27 degrees of tropical Aquarius. This reminds me that we have a lunar eclipse coming up on 7-8 September 2025. Perhaps we will be able to observe some of it here in upstate New York. 

Sidebar: as a warm-up heading into this evening's session, I read Astronomy, Astrology, Ptolemy and Us (1982) by Robert Newton.