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There are two different major categories
of Astronomy: there is the observational
Astronomy best left for amateurs and
hobbyist, and Astrophysics. The difference
between these two categories is for what the
observations is used. |
Amateur astronomers and hobbyists will used
telescopes for casual viewing, used
CCD and film
cameras to capture objects of interest, and even
perform
asteroid and
comet hunting. The
Astrophysicist is more concern with data, raw
CCD images, and rarely looks looks through a
telescope.
The data they examine is used to help shape theories
and models.
It is not uncommon for an amateur astronomers to
be able to recite, by memory, at least a dozen
constellation names as well as know when to view a
planet. It is also not uncommon for amateur
astronomers to discover
supernova,
comets and
asteroids even before the professional is able to
steer his or her equipment. It is also not uncommon
for a professional astronomer to recite the names of
only the most common constellations, and have no
clue when best observing
planets times are.
Both are on two different paths. I say this
because it is important to realize that what the
professional astronomer do is equally as important
to what an amateur does. The purpose of this site is
to hopefully educate those willing to learn and to
point them in the right direction so they can
understand the world they see when they look up at
night. This section on physics is an important
one. Don't let the word "physics" scare you because
chances are, you know the concepts already - you
just simply do not understand fully on how to
conceptualize them. For example, everyone knows what
gravity is. We know it keeps us on the ground. It
also keeps our
atmosphere where it is. But we may
not understand is why that is. In the case of
gravity, this is really the result of the force
between two bodies interacting with one another.
This section will introduce and briefly explain the
major concepts in physics as used in Astronomy. Of
course, these are "universal" in that gravity as it
pertains to objects in space also pertains to
objects on Earth. Put on some Mozart or
Vivaldi (The Four Seasons preferably) and enjoy as
you read this Physics section.
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