  This article presents the results of the first survey conducted in Belgium
about the interest and knowledge in astronomy. Two samples were studied, the
public at large (667 questionnaires) and students (2589 questionnaires), but
the results are generally similar in both samples. We evaluated people's
interest, main information source, and attitudes towards astronomy, as well as
their supposed and actual knowledge of the subject. The main conclusion is
that, despite a poor self-confidence, people do know the basic astronomical
concepts. However, that knowledge is not deeply rooted, as reasoning questions
show well-spread misconceptions and/or misunderstandings.

Physics Education;Earth and Planetary Astrophysics