I’ve heard that computer science is as much about computers as astronomy is about telescopes. Is this a fair comparison?

Answer 1

That is not a bad analogy. You need to understand computers to start with, but computer science covers software development, databases, networks, algorithms, subjects like artificial intelligence, simulations, operating system software, computer ethics, software methodology, ERP systems, and more. I teach HIgh School Computer Science and have a Masters in it. I am also an amateur astronomer who worked at NASA. I have a telescope:-)