Astronomy
From Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Astronomy is looking at and the study of planets, stars, galaxies, and other objects found in outer space. Astronomy is one of the oldest sciences. It has been practiced long before written history began.
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[edit] Astronomy a long time ago
The early astronomers were traders and sailors who needed the stars to guide them at night. Farmers, who needed to find out when planting, flooding, or harvesting times were coming, looked at the rising and setting of certain constellations in the sky. Ancient people who built things like Stonehenge, and the native North American medicine wheels, probably studied the sky for religious or sacred reasons. All these people needed accurate knowledge of the phases of the Moon, the most north and most south seasonal points of the sun, and other information for their purposes.
Some people called astrologers believe they can predict the future by studying where the planets are in the sky when a person is born. Astrology is not regarded as a science these days. In the past, Astrology and Astronomy were closely linked, and people kept careful records of what they saw. These records have been very important to astronomers during the past two centuries, as they were trying to understand the Universe.
[edit] Being an astronomer
Not only is astronomy a very old pastime; it is also one that ordinary people can do with very cheap equipment. There are two types of astronomers: professional and amateur. Often the only difference between them is that amateurs don't get paid for their work! Amateur astronomers have discovered a lot of new and useful things, usually about new asteroids or comets, but sometimes about events such as the birth or death of stars. People often think they need an expensive telescope to look at the stars, but in fact all you need to get started is a pair of binoculars! However, if you are planning a more ambitious project, such as the Hubble Space Telescope, you may need some more expensive equipment... and a lot of money! A famous amateur astronomer is Sir Patrick Moore, who presents 'The Sky at Night' (BBC TV, UK)
In fact, binoculars are the best tool for a new astronomer. Many new astronomers start off by buying expensive or poorly made telescopes, but do not know how to use them. Then they find that they do not know what they are looking at, and soon become frustrated and go on to another hobby. If you are starting out, first buy yourself a book or a chart showing the constellations and most important stars. Take some time to learn and understand the motions of the Earth, the moon, and the planets. Then you can begin to learn about the sky with only your eyes, your binoculars, and a simple journal like a notebook. take notes about what you see. You may find you have discovered a new star, or are the first to see a new event in the sky!
Other reasons binoculars are so good for beginners are that they don't cost much, and they can be easily and quickly taken out of their case without lots of setting up and taking down again, as you would do with a telescope. With binoculars you can see interesting things such as the moon's craters, double stars, many star clusters such as the Pleiades, and the moons of other planets. Binoculars are even better than telescopes for looking at things such as the closer galaxies or very bright comets. After you are familliar with the main star constellations and other main features of the night sky, then it will be time for you to buy a telescope!
[edit] Kinds of astronomy
Astronomy has become a very large science in the past few hundred years, and there are many different types of astronomy.
Lunar astronomers study the moon, while planetary astronomers study the planets near our sun, and the planets near other stars. Some astronomers study special types of stars, like when two stars are next to each other. Other astronomers study distant galaxies, which are very large groups of many stars.
There are also astronomers who never look at the sky at all. These theoretical astronomers use physics and mathematics in combination with computers to create models of how the universe behaves, then they compare their models to what is observed. They want to understand and predict the events which happen in the universe, and understand how the universe was formed.
[edit] Related topics
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