An Epistemological Study on Astronomical Observation Workshop of Annular Solar Eclipse of 2012 May 20 in Japan: In the Point of a Scientific Epistemology about the Construction of Astronomical Knowledge

On May 21, 2012, the annular eclipse of the Sun occurred and the phenomenon is visible in Japan. In this study, the astronomical phenomenon is recognized as educational chances to learn astronomical knowledge and to acquire scientific skills, because a variety of knowledge is required for the observation.To study, we hold a workshop of “Gazing Party of the Annular Eclipse of the Sun” with an astronomical club of a women's university in Tokyo, and they observed the eclipse by using optical telescopes. Not all people master observational technology and skill, but scientific technical knowledge is necessary for us to observe the Sun in safely. Therefore, it is a good example that there was the public announcement with National Astronomical Observatory of Japan through the mass media to prevent a wrong method. After the workshop event, they answered some questionnaire. This questionary survey asked technical knowledge for observation and educational effects. In addition, it also investigated about motive to participate in an observation party.Thus, their interest, knowledge and motivation in astronomical club were examined.  In the field of scientific epistemology, it implies that astronomical knowledge is constructed by not merely the formal  educational systems but also by other representation media. It is clear that An astronomical calculation, Knoledge proposition and  an abstract idea do not necessarily have their interests and understanding. The knowledge of the member was apt to receive scientific knowledge as the culture rather than hard scientific knowledge. Though the concept of “the scientific culture” may sound strange, it is proposed and diffusing to National Astronomical Observatory of Japan. The result of the questionnaire show such a manner can give meaning as “popular science” rather than hard science. This study implicates these standpoints as scientific epistemological study of scientific workshop, communication and public understanding.