Astronomers usually fall under either of two main types: observational and theoretical. Observational astronomers make direct observations of celestial objects and analyze the data. In contrast, theoretical astronomers create and investigate models of things that cannot be observed. Because it takes millions to billions of years for a system of stars or a galaxy to complete a life cycle, astronomers must observe snapshots of different systems at unique points in their evolution to determine how they form, evolve, and die. They use this data to create models or simulations to theorize how different celestial objects work.
Historically, astronomy was more concerned with the classification and description of phenomena in the sky, while astrophysics attempted to explain these phenomena and the differences between them using physical laws. Today, that distinction has mostly disappeared and the terms "astronomer" and "astrophysicist" are interchangeable. Professional astronomers are highly educated individuals who typically have a PhD in physics or astronomy and are employed by research institutions or universities.[1] They spend the majority of their time working on research, although they quite often have other duties such as teaching, building instruments, or aiding in the operation of an observatory.
The American Astronomical Society, which is the major organization of professional astronomers in North America, has approximately 7,000 members. This number includes scientists from other fields such as physics, geology, and engineering, whose research interests are closely related to astronomy.[2] The International Astronomical Union comprises almost 10,145 members from 70 countries who are involved in astronomical research at the PhD level and beyond.[3]
Portrait of the Flemish astronomer Ferdinand Verbiest who became Head of the Mathematical Board and Director of the Observatory of the Chinese emperor in 1669
Contrary to the classical image of an old astronomer peering through a telescope through the dark hours of the night, it is far more common to use a charge-coupled device (CCD) camera to record a long, deep exposure, allowing a more sensitive image to be created because the light is added over time. Before CCDs, photographic plates were a common method of observation. Modern astronomers spend relatively little time at telescopes usually just a few weeks per year. Analysis of observed phenomena, along with making predictions as to the causes of what they observe, takes the majority of observational astronomers' time.
Astronomers who serve as faculty spend much of their time teaching undergraduate and graduate classes. Most universities also have outreach programs including public telescope time and sometimes planetariums as a public service to encourage interest in the field.
Those who become astronomers usually have a broad background in maths, sciences and computing in high school. Taking courses that teach how to research, write, and present papers are also invaluable. In college/university most astronomers get a PhD in astronomy or physics.
While there is a relatively low number of professional astronomers, the field is popular among amateurs. Most cities have amateur astronomy clubs that meet on a regular basis and often host star parties. The Astronomical Society of the Pacific is the largest general astronomical society in the world, comprising both professional and amateur astronomers as well as educators from 70 different nations.[4] Like any hobby, most people who think of themselves as amateur astronomers may devote a few hours a month to stargazing and reading the latest developments in research. However, amateurs span the range from so-called "armchair astronomers" to the very ambitious, who own science-grade telescopes and instruments with which they are able to make their own discoveries and assist professional astronomers in research.
Kennedy, E.S. (1956). "A Survey of Islamic Astronomical Tables; Transactions of the American Philosophical Society". 46 (2). Philadelphia: American Philosophical Society. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
astronomer, astronomer, scientist, field, astronomy, focuses, their, studies, specific, question, field, outside, scope, earth, they, observe, astronomical, objects, such, stars, planets, moons, comets, galaxies, either, observational, analyzing, data, theoret. An astronomer is a scientist in the field of astronomy who focuses their studies on a specific question or field outside the scope of Earth They observe astronomical objects such as stars planets moons comets and galaxies in either observational by analyzing the data or theoretical astronomy Examples of topics or fields astronomers study include planetary science solar astronomy the origin or evolution of stars or the formation of galaxies A related but distinct subject is physical cosmology which studies the Universe as a whole The Astronomer 1668 by Johannes Vermeer Contents 1 Types 2 Academic 3 Amateur astronomers 4 See also 5 References 5 1 Sources 6 External linksTypes EditAstronomers usually fall under either of two main types observational and theoretical Observational astronomers make direct observations of celestial objects and analyze the data In contrast theoretical astronomers create and investigate models of things that cannot be observed Because it takes millions to billions of years for a system of stars or a galaxy to complete a life cycle astronomers must observe snapshots of different systems at unique points in their evolution to determine how they form evolve and die They use this data to create models or simulations to theorize how different celestial objects work Further subcategories under these two main branches of astronomy include planetary astronomy galactic astronomy or physical cosmology Academic EditFor subdisciplines see Outline of astronomy Galileo is often referred to as the Father of modern astronomy portrait by Justus Sustermans Historically astronomy was more concerned with the classification and description of phenomena in the sky while astrophysics attempted to explain these phenomena and the differences between them using physical laws Today that distinction has mostly disappeared and the terms astronomer and astrophysicist are interchangeable Professional astronomers are highly educated individuals who typically have a PhD in physics or astronomy and are employed by research institutions or universities 1 They spend the majority of their time working on research although they quite often have other duties such as teaching building instruments or aiding in the operation of an observatory The American Astronomical Society which is the major organization of professional astronomers in North America has approximately 7 000 members This number includes scientists from other fields such as physics geology and engineering whose research interests are closely related to astronomy 2 The International Astronomical Union comprises almost 10 145 members from 70 countries who are involved in astronomical research at the PhD level and beyond 3 Portrait of the Flemish astronomer Ferdinand Verbiest who became Head of the Mathematical Board and Director of the Observatory of the Chinese emperor in 1669 Contrary to the classical image of an old astronomer peering through a telescope through the dark hours of the night it is far more common to use a charge coupled device CCD camera to record a long deep exposure allowing a more sensitive image to be created because the light is added over time Before CCDs photographic plates were a common method of observation Modern astronomers spend relatively little time at telescopes usually just a few weeks per year Analysis of observed phenomena along with making predictions as to the causes of what they observe takes the majority of observational astronomers time Astronomers who serve as faculty spend much of their time teaching undergraduate and graduate classes Most universities also have outreach programs including public telescope time and sometimes planetariums as a public service to encourage interest in the field Those who become astronomers usually have a broad background in maths sciences and computing in high school Taking courses that teach how to research write and present papers are also invaluable In college university most astronomers get a PhD in astronomy or physics Amateur astronomers EditMain article Amateur astronomy While there is a relatively low number of professional astronomers the field is popular among amateurs Most cities have amateur astronomy clubs that meet on a regular basis and often host star parties The Astronomical Society of the Pacific is the largest general astronomical society in the world comprising both professional and amateur astronomers as well as educators from 70 different nations 4 Like any hobby most people who think of themselves as amateur astronomers may devote a few hours a month to stargazing and reading the latest developments in research However amateurs span the range from so called armchair astronomers to the very ambitious who own science grade telescopes and instruments with which they are able to make their own discoveries and assist professional astronomers in research See also EditList of astronomers List of women astronomers List of Muslim astronomers List of French astronomers List of Hungarian astronomers List of Russian astronomers and astrophysicists List of Slovenian astronomersReferences Edit Frequently Asked Questions About Becoming an Astronomer NOAO Archived from the original on 3 April 2009 Retrieved 29 March 2009 American Astronomical Society Home AAS Archived from the original on 2 August 2009 Retrieved 14 August 2009 About IAU IAU Retrieved 14 August 2009 About Us Astronomical Society of the Pacific Archived from the original on 25 February 2009 Retrieved 29 March 2009 Sources Edit Dallal Ahmad 1999 Science Medicine and Technology In Esposito John ed The Oxford History of Islam Oxford University Press New York ISBN 0 300 15911 0 Kennedy E S 1956 A Survey of Islamic Astronomical Tables Transactions of the American Philosophical Society 46 2 Philadelphia American Philosophical Society a href Template Cite journal html title Template Cite journal cite journal a Cite journal requires journal help Toomer Gerald 1990 Al Khwarizmi Abu Jaʿfar Muḥammad ibn Musa In Gillispie Charles Coulston ed Dictionary of Scientific Biography Vol 7 New York Charles Scribner s Sons ISBN 0 684 16962 2 External links EditAmerican Astronomical Society European Astronomical Society International Astronomical Union Astronomical Society of the Pacific Space s astronomy news Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Astronomer amp oldid 1131593297, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
