Astronomy | Astronomy Observatory

Have A Hobby ? It Will Help You Understand Yourself Better

Why is it important to have a hobby? A person who focuses on earning money and enjoying materialistic benefits will often forget how important other things are. Having a hobby will help the person understand that there is something more important than just enjoying material benefits in life.

One does not have to opt for grand hobbies like astronomy. Of course, the idea of peering into a telescope is a lesson in humility. You will understand how small we are and how we have been chosen by destiny to enjoy our time here. Small matters that often irritate us will become minuscule when we realize how small we are.

Or take the idea of collecting stamps. Once you start collecting stamps, you realize that there is an inexhaustible supply of new ideas in this hobby. Each and every new stamp promises to bring forth another new unknown stamp which may revolutionize the collection. We realize how much time it takes to master something as insignificant as a collection of pieces of paper with the designs printed on it.

Many persons criticize hobbies as being a waste of time. Well, the truth is that time that is spent on trying to earn money can be classified as a waste of time. However, time that helps us understand ourselves and our role on the planet better is definitely not a waste of time. Of course, you have the option of ignoring the philosophical aspects and focusing only on the fun and joy of having a hobby where you can spend some time on productive purposes for some fun and relaxation.

Filed Under: Galaxy, Observation · Tagged With: Astronomy, Hobby, Telescope

Information on Observational Astronomy

Most people know that astronomy is the study of objects whose beginnings are from outside the earth’s atmosphere. Astronomy is one of the oldest natural sciences and acquires information by observing and collecting data about the formation and development of celestial bodies. The majority of information about space objects is retrieved from a type of astronomy labeled observational.

Observational astronomy is the study of viewing and scrutinizing bodies in space with astronomical equipment. This area of astronomy can be divided into subfields due to location on electromagnetic spectrum. Continue to read to view some of these fields in observational astronomy.

Radio Astronomy

A branch of astronomy that uses radio waves to study space. Karl Jansky made the first radio wave discovery in the 1930’s. Radio emissions have been found in stars and galaxies.

Infrared Astronomy

Infrared astronomy is a subfield of astronomy that studies objects viewable infrared radiation. William Herschel’s discovery of infrared light led to this branch of discovery in 1830’s.

Optical Astronomy

Visible Light or Optical is the oldest form of astronomy. This type of astronomy uses telescopes to observe and collect data.

Ultraviolet Astronomy

This subfield of astronomy uses ultraviolet wavelengths observed by earth’s atmosphere to record information. Ultraviolet astronomy is used for blue stars supernova remnants.

X-ray astronomy

X-ray wavelengths are used to study celestial bodies. High-altitude balloons and spacecrafts are used in X-ray astronomy.
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Observatories

The activity of viewing space happens in an observatory. Observatories are constructed for studying meteorology, geology and astronomy among other sciences. There are three main categories of observatories: ground -based, space- based and airborne.

Ground-based locations use radio telescopes and are positioned on Earth’s surface. They outnumber all other kinds of observatories. Space-based types are launched into outer space and used in X-ray astronomy. Balloons or airplanes released with astronomical equipment are airborne observatories.

Filed Under: Astronomy · Tagged With: Astronomy, Observatory, Radio astronomy

Studying Astronomy

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The study of Astronomy and/or Astrology is a very interesting course of study. For the budding scientist it is a vast abyss, waiting to be observed and for new discoveries to be made every day. There is just too much going on in the sky. The desire to be a scientist, especially an astronomer, starts long before the college years. Everyone knows a kid who just loved to be outside when the sky was clear, with a telescope facing the sky, waiting for the perfect angle to view the Big Dipper. He will camp out to observe a lunar eclipse and if there is a once in our lifetime occurrence predicted to be in the sky, you won’t be able to keep him away. He is ready and waiting for days, just to get that glimpse. He can see pictures in books, but nothing compares to watching it in person.

He is fascinated by what he sees when he looks in that telescope. He is overwhelmed at how the sky comes alive night after night. There is another world out there. A world he dreams about becoming a part of, he longs to study it, get to know it, revel in it. Maybe it is not a world of people driving cars around, rather an entire universe of burning glory in our sky every night. Stars are moving, burning out, beginning again all over the galaxy all the time. The study of their perfect dance night after night is a full time job, a career. To make a career out of watching the perfect waltz, that synchronized dance that occurs in the sky each night, is the culmination of years of looking through that telescope, wishing on those stars.

Filed Under: Astronomy, Galaxy · Tagged With: Astronomy, Big Dipper, Telescope

Naming A Star

They say there are millions of stars, millions upon billions of stars in the sky. What we see when we look into the sky at night, we see a mere fraction of the activity that is going on in the heavens. The stars are dancing and darting their way through the night. The amazing thing is that these stars can be located. Astronomers can pinpoint exactly where a star is in the sky, They have charts and sky maps and coordinates, and for the most part they can tell you where a star is at any given time. Astronomers have identified clusters of stars, Supernovas, asteroids, millions of bright lights just littering the sky with blinking, twinkling light. The stars seem to be having one big huge disco party in the sky.

It only stands to reason that someone here on the Earth, millions of miles away from those stars came up with the idea to own them. It is a charming concept, and of course, someone is making a profit on it. For a fee, somewhere around $20 you can name a star. You can actually look at a chart and choose your star. You name the star, especially cheesy Valentine’s Day gift, perfect birthday gift for a young scientist. Imagine applying to MIT someday and putting on the application under “miscellaneous”, “by the way, I own a star. It is named for me.” Sounds prestigious. Kids love it, some marketing genius somewhere is sitting back just counting the money. Who is going to be able to prove which star is theirs, who is going to question you when you show it to them. But the bottom line is, how cool is it to own one?

Filed Under: Astronomy, Stars · Tagged With: Astronomy, Earth, Supernova

A Trip To The Planetarium

Unless you are a certified Science geek, a trip to the Planetarium does not seem to make you leap for joy, as of course it does for the Science geeks. However, you signed on for this trip, off with the entire sixth grade class for the class trip of the year. You know that you will be carrying about 10 lunches and make numerous trips to the bathroom all day long. Well you signed on for this and hey, you might actually learn something new.

You arrive at the Planetarium. The Science geeks can barely contain themselves. They already have their heads together in search of a new star, galaxy or planet as they are sure that this discovery will happen soon. You are thinking that you probably lost a lunch or two along the way and now you will have to buy those kids stars and moon shaped chicken nuggets. They could do worse.

The class is shuffled into the Planetarium. The lights begin to dim. You have already been to the bathroom several times, but you are thinking this would be a good time for you to sneak out and use the bathroom yourself, for the next half hour while the Science geeks get their fix and the rest of the class just punches on each other in the dark. Just as you are about to sneak out, a shooting star passes right by your left ear. What was that? The dark cavernous ceiling/sky begins to come alive with the different lights of the night. The stars are shining like ten carat diamonds, as the planets appear to begin a ritual dance they have perfected all those years hanging out together in the sky.

Twenty minutes later you are looking for the DVD of the amazing light show you just saw and planning a popcorn and planet watching party with the Science geeks. Hey, you actually did learn something new.

Filed Under: Planets, Stars · Tagged With: Astronomy, Planetarium, Star

Astronomy Observatory Kits Or A Hole In The Roof? Which Option To Choose?

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Is it advisable to modify the roof of your house to convert it into an astronomy observatory? Or should you opt for an observatory from scratch? Both options have their pros and cons. Modifying the roof of your house is a much simpler affair. Contrary to what most people believe, you do not always need the dome to have an astronomy observatory.

Rather, you need a gap in the roof that will help you place the telescope in such a manner that it is completely free of obstructions. The biggest advantage of having a dome is that you get a clear view of a wide expanse of the sky. However, if you are an amateur astronomy expert and if you are just beginning to take serious interest in this science, even a gap in your roof can help you set up your own amateur astronomy observatory.

On the other hand, going in for kits that will help you set up the observatory from scratch will help you treat this hobby like a formal task. Many persons set up an observatory in their bedroom or in their guestroom by making a hole in the roof. However, the fact that the observatory situated inside the house means that people never take the effort necessary to understand astronomy.

The end result is that the gap in the roof remains closed all the time and there is no point of having the telescope in the house. If you have sufficient space, you can set up the astronomy observatory in your garden. It need not be a very big affair.

You just need sufficient space to stand, sit and move around a bit and also place your telescope. If you make use of the right kit, you can set up the observatory on your own so that you can save costs on establishment expenses.

Filed Under: Observation · Tagged With: Amateur, Amateur astronomy, Astronomy, Beginners, NASA, Observatories, Observatory, Telescope

The History of the Supernova

: Image by NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center via Flickr

Learning about the supernova is important to understand all the we now know about it. The earliest recorded supernova was in 185 AD. Then it was observed by the Chinese Astronomers. They weren’t sure what it was at the time but documented the occurrence. Only years later did they learn that it was, in fact, a supernova. The brightest recorded supernova was in 1006. It was, once again, noted by Chinese astronomers. Since that time there have only been three more supernovas with the last being the one spotted in the Milky Way Galaxy in 1604. The last two of the supernovas had a very profound effect on the development of astronomy in Europe. They were able to use it in order to prove that the universe did function beyond the start and the moon and the planets.

One of the biggest advancements for supernovas and beyond was the making and improving upon the telescope. In 1885 the observation of the supernovas in other galaxies were important. These supernovas are not just an interesting thing to see. As a matter of fact they are an important tool in the world of astronomy. They are important in measuring the distances out there in outer space. They used the supernovas in the science lab too. They took the supernovas and built models from them. By doing this they were not only able to get an accurate replica of what it did but also how it helped other interpret the information they were seeing, such as how the distances were between two objects.

The role of the supernova is a big step in learning more about the universe. Seeing a supernova is just one of the many occurrences that led people to believe that there needed to be the exploration of space. Our knowledge of these supernovas grow and the result is a better understanding of the history of our universe.

Filed Under: Galaxy · Tagged With: Astronomy, Galaxies, Hubble Space Telescope, Milky Way, Milky Way Galaxy, NASA, Supernova, Supernova remnant

Astronomy Fact Sheet: What is a Supernova?

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In the wonderful world of astronomy there is a beautiful event called the supernova. What is this large, bright burst of light? What does it do in the system? How is it named?

Let’s explore a little bit about the supernova and what makes this type of universe phenomena so amazing.

A supernova is a huge explosion that happens out in the universe. It is extremely bright. So bright that it actually outshines the whole solar system that it occurs in. When a star or planet has such a burst of radiation it shines brightly in the universe, as described above then quickly fades away until nothing.

The occurrence of the supernova occurs for one of two reasons. Either there is combination of nuclear fusion that causes the energy to be quickly turned on or in some cases turned off. The energy shines out brightly and quickly the core of the star or planet that showed this type of energy, folds into itself and quickly disappears from the universe.

There hasn’t been an occurrence of a supernova in the Milky Way, the solar system that Earth is in since 1607. However a supernova occurs about every 50 years in other solar systems and universes that surround the Milky Way.

The naming of a supernova is a fairly unique process. When a supernova occurs a notice gets sent out by the International Astronomical Union. In it it contains the name that is being officially assigned to the supernova that occurs. The way the name is made is that it has the year the supernova occurred in and an assigned one or two letter abbreviation. The first supernova to occur during the year is assigned the letter A all the way through Z. Once it reaches the letter Z it starts over with two lower case letters such as aa. There has never been a need to go beyond two letters.

Filed Under: Galaxy, Planets, Stars · Tagged With: Astronomy, Earth, Hubble Space Telescope, International Astronomical Union, Milky Way, Solar System, Star, Supernova

Astronomy: Observing Heaven and Above

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Astronomy is the study of objects in outer space. It should not be confused with astrology. Often people tend to get confused between astronomy and astrology. But these two are different even if there are some common connections. Astrology does use the concept of the movements of celestial bodies for its astrological calculations.
Astronomy runs back into ancient times, as a science studied by prehistoric people. The Egyptian monuments are one such relic that identifies the advancements made during that time in astronomy. Indians, Greeks, and Babylonians were the pioneers in astronomy. A lot of inventions and discoveries in astronomy can be found in all these countries.

During those times, the sky at night was extensively studied from astronomical observatories. In the modern era, the telescope has been one instrument that has helped the cause of astronomy. What was observed using naked eyes is now observed using telescopes.

By the twentieth century, astronomy evolved to become a subject with theoretical and observational applications. Observational astronomy is the foundation of theoretical astronomy. What was observed was brought to the table and analyzed using laws of physics in the Universe.

More than professional astronomers, amateurs contribute to the growth of astronomy. Some of the things that are happening in the sky can’t always be monitored by professional observatories on Earth. This is where amateurs pitch in.

Another version of astronomy called radio astronomy deals with the studying of wavelengths. Radio waves are studied for their frequency, amplitude and a lot of other properties. Radio waves coming from space are captured and studied by physicists. The space has a lot of magnetic flux that could cause the discharge of radio waves. The resultant radio waves act as a basis to understand the source of the radiation and in general the event that is happening in some part of the Universe.

Recently, 2009 was declared as the year of astronomy. The International Astronomical Union is stepping up efforts to improve the field of astronomy.

Filed Under: Galaxy, Observation · Tagged With: Amateur, Astronomy, Babylonians, Beginners, Education, Greeks, International Astronomical Union, Telescope

Five Reasons to Visit an Astronomy Observatory

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There are as many reasons to visit an astronomy observatory as there are stars in the sky and each reason is as individual as the person who visits one.

Sometimes teenagers get wrapped up in their own lives that they forget that they are one small part of a giant universe. A family with teenagers may choose to visit an astronomy observatory so that the teens can see for themselves that the world literally does not revolve around them. Perhaps it can help the teen put their daily problems into perspective.

There has been a lot of talk that the world is going to end on December 12, 2012. If someone would like to check the stars to see for themselves if the Mayan Calendar is right after all, an astronomy observatory is the place to find out.

People who are visiting Rome and would like to have a spiritual experience while viewing the stars may find the Vatican Astronomy Observatory is just the place for them. The observatory is near the Pope and the stars at the same time and in the middle of the breathtaking Italian countryside.

There are many myths surrounding the secrets of the sky. An astronomy observatory can help someone understand why the moon looks like a fingernail at certain times of the month and if it is really made out of green cheese.

When a child shows a budding interest in science, they can taken to the nearest astronomy observatory. While they may not choose to become an astronomer, the wonders they see out there in space may spur their imagination and encourage them to wander outside to see what other wonders nature has to offer them. Viewing the beauty of a supernova or solar flare will bring out the best in people of all ages.

Filed Under: Observation · Tagged With: Astronomy, Observatories, Observatory, Pope, Rome, Royal Observatory Greenwich, Star, Telescope