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1. How does the author describe the ancient civilizations' perception of space in Chapter 1: "The Dome of Heaven"?

The ancient Sumerian, Chinese and Korean astronomers would climb to high elevations to get a better look at the stars. The Egyptians thought of the sky as a canopy supported by the mountains. While ancient cultures didn't understand the depth of space, they were aware of the motion of the stars and planets.

2. What were the practical reasons for ancient civilizations to focus on the cosmos, as described by the author in Chapter 1: "The Dome of Heaven"?

Practical reasons for learning about the stars and their movement included timekeeping and navigation. Early farmers used the sky as a calendar that told them when to plant and harvest. Stonehenge had its foundation in the skies. The Great Pyramid of Giza was aligned to a star. Various American Indian tribes marked the days of the lunar month.

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