The aim of this study is to determine the attitudes and opinions of pre-service social studies teachers regarding astronomy education. Astronomy education, which deals with topics such as supernovae, asteroids, black holes, solar system and space, is considered important in understanding the situations encountered in daily life and having an idea. The research, which was designed according to the survey method, was conducted in the 2023-2024 academic year. Quantitative data were obtained according to the "Astronomy Attitude Scale (ATS)" adapted by Türk & Kalkan (2017), and qualitative data were obtained with the "Interview Form" developed by the researcher. Independent t-test and One way ANOVA were used to analyze quantitative data. Content analysis was used to analyze qualitative data. Among the variables of the study, it was determined that grade level, gender, academic grade point average, whether or not to follow scientific publications, and the settlement unit lived in before starting university did not affect the attitudes of pre-service social studies teachers towards astronomy education. According to the qualitative findings, it was determined that they summarized that space and planets come to mind when astronomy education is mentioned, social studies courses are related to astronomy, pre-service social studies teachers do not have enough knowledge about astronomy, they need to know astronomy-related topics, the values and skills in the social studies curriculum can be gained through astronomy education, and astronomy science should be included as a separate course in the social studies teaching undergraduate program.
Social studies teaching, astronomy education, pre-service social studies teachers, attitude, opinion.