Amateur astronomy facts for kids
Amateur astronomy is a fun hobby where people enjoy looking at or taking pictures of amazing things in the sky. They use their own eyes, binoculars, or telescopes. Even though they don't do it for a job, some amateur astronomers help real scientists. They might watch variable stars (stars that change brightness), sunspots on the Sun, or even discover new comets or supernovae (exploding stars) in other galaxies!
Amateur astronomers don't earn money from studying the sky. They usually don't have special degrees in astronomy either. Most are just hobbyists, but some are very experienced. They might even work with professional astronomers. For a long time, many people who studied the sky were amateurs. But since the 1900s, professional astronomy became a separate job.
Most amateur astronomers look at the sky at night because that's when most space objects are visible. But some watch the Sun during the day, especially during solar eclipses. Some people just use their eyes or binoculars. Others use portable telescopes or telescopes in their own small observatories. Many amateurs also join astronomy clubs. These clubs can teach them how to find and observe things in space. They also help share the wonders of astronomy with everyone.
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What Amateur Astronomers Look At
Amateur astronomers observe many different things in space. Some common targets include the Sun, the Moon, planets, stars, comets, and meteor showers (like shooting stars). They also look at "deep sky objects" such as star clusters (groups of stars), galaxies (huge groups of stars), and nebulae (clouds of gas and dust). Many amateurs like to focus on one type of object or event that interests them.
One popular part of amateur astronomy is astrophotography. This means taking pictures of the night sky. It has become much easier with modern digital cameras, including DSLR cameras and special CCD cameras.
Most amateur astronomers observe light that we can see with our eyes. But a few explore other types of light, like radio waves. For example, Grote Reber, an amateur, built the first special radio telescope in the 1930s. He did this after scientists found radio waves coming from space. Some amateurs even build their own radio telescopes!
Tools for Stargazing
Amateur astronomers use many tools to study the sky. What they use depends on their interests and what they can afford. They might simply look at the night sky with their bare eyes or use binoculars. Many use different kinds of optical telescopes. They also use cameras and other equipment to study light from space. To see better, amateur astronomers often go to dark places far from light pollution (bright city lights).
You can buy telescopes, but some amateurs like to build their own. Building telescopes can even be a hobby itself!
Even though experienced amateurs often get powerful equipment, simple tools are sometimes best. Binoculars, for example, don't magnify as much as telescopes. But they show a wider area of the sky, which is great for some objects. Even modern smartphones have a "night mode" that helps take better pictures of faint light at night.
Amateur astronomers also use star charts. These can be simple spinning maps called planispheres or detailed star atlases of the whole sky. There's also lots of astronomy software. This software can create sky maps, help with astrophotography, or plan observing sessions.
Many amateurs like to keep records of what they see. This is usually in an "observing log." They write down what they observed, when, and what it looked like. Sometimes they draw sketches or take photos. This information helps them share their experiences with other hobbyists.
It's very popular for amateurs to share their images and equipment online. Many astronomy discussions happen on mailing lists or online groups. Buying and selling equipment often happens online too. Amateurs also use online tools, like the Clear Sky Chart, to plan their observing nights.
Ways to Find Objects
Some interesting objects in the sky are easy to spot with just your eyes and a star chart. But many others are very faint. You need special ways to find them. Here are a few common methods:
Star Hopping
Star hopping Star hopping is a method often used with binoculars or simple telescopes. You use maps or your memory to find bright, well-known stars. Then, you "hop" from one star to the next until you reach your target. This is a simple way to find objects near bright stars.
More advanced ways to find objects include telescopes with "setting circles" or "GoTo telescopes."
Mobile Apps
Many mobile apps for smartphones help you find objects in the sky. You just point your phone at the sky, and the app shows you what's there! These apps use your phone's GPS and gyroscope. They give you information like the object's name and where it is in the sky. Some apps even help you set up your telescope.
Setting Circles
Setting circles Setting circles are like measuring scales on some telescopes. They help you point the telescope to a specific spot in the sky using special sky coordinates. Newer ones are "digital setting circles" (DSCs). These have computer databases with thousands of objects. They show you exactly how to move your telescope to find what you're looking for.
GoTo Telescopes
GoTo (telescopes) GoTo telescopes have become very popular. These telescopes are controlled by a computer. You just tell the telescope what you want to see, and it moves itself to point at that object! This saves time, letting you spend more time observing. Some GoTo telescopes even use GPS to set themselves up quickly.
Remote-controlled Telescopes
With fast internet, you can even control telescopes far away! This is called "remote telescope" astronomy. It lets amateur astronomers use powerful telescopes in dark locations without being there. You can take pictures with special cameras, and the images are sent to your computer over the internet. There are even "telescope farms" in places like New Mexico and Chile that offer this service.
Taking Pictures of the Sky
Amateur astronomers use many ways to take pictures of the sky. This includes using film, digital SLR cameras (DSLRs), and special CCD cameras. Because CCD cameras are very sensitive, you can use special computer programs to clean up images. This helps remove the effects of light pollution, making astrophotography possible even in cities. Special filters can also help reduce light pollution.
Helping Science
While most amateur astronomers don't do it for scientific research, many do help professional astronomers. Astronomy is one of the few sciences where amateurs can still provide useful information. The Astronomical Society of the Pacific even gives awards to amateurs who make important contributions.
Amateurs often help by collecting data. For example, many amateurs with small telescopes can watch things that professional astronomers with big telescopes might miss. Groups like the American Association of Variable Star Observers help organize these efforts.
Amateur astronomers often watch how bright variable stars and supernovae change. They also help track asteroids and observe "occultations." An occultation is when one object passes in front of another, like the Moon passing in front of a star. This helps scientists learn about the shape of asteroids or the Moon's edge. With more advanced gear, amateurs can even measure the light from space objects. This can provide good scientific data if done carefully.
In the past, amateur astronomers were very important for discovering new comets. Today, large automated systems often find comets first. But amateurs still play a role in finding new things or observing events that need many eyes.
Astronomy Clubs
List of astronomical societies
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There are many amateur astronomy clubs around the world. These clubs are places for people interested in amateur astronomy to meet. Members can be active observers with their own telescopes or just people who enjoy learning about space. Clubs have different goals and activities. A small club in a dark countryside might focus on observing nights and "star parties" (where people gather to observe). A large club in a city might have more indoor meetings with guest speakers because of light pollution. Big national or international clubs often publish their own magazines and hold large meetings.
Famous Amateur Astronomers
Many amateur astronomers have made important contributions to science and culture:
- John Dobson (1915–2014): He helped make astronomy popular and is known for the Dobsonian telescope.
- Robert Owen Evans (1937–2022): He holds the record for visually discovering the most supernovae.
- David H. Levy: He discovered or co-discovered 22 comets, including Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9, which crashed into Jupiter!
- Sir Patrick Moore (1923–2012): He hosted the BBC show The Sky at Night for many years and wrote many astronomy books.
- Grote Reber (1911–2002): A pioneer in radio astronomy who built the first special radio telescope.
Citizen Science Projects
Amateur astronomers also help with ongoing "citizen science" projects. These are projects where everyday people help scientists.
- XO Project: An international team of amateurs and professionals working together to find planets outside our solar system.
- Many amateurs help with the Zooniverse project, which involves looking at real scientific data to make discoveries.
Awards for Amateur Astronomers
- Amateur Achievement Award of Astronomical Society of the Pacific
- Chambliss Amateur Achievement Award
See also
- Astronomical object
- Caldwell catalogue – A list of astronomical objects for observation by amateur astronomers.
- Clear Sky Chart – Weather forecasts made for amateur astronomers.
- List of astronomical societies
- Messier catalogue – A famous list of space objects many amateurs use.
- Observation
- Observational astronomy
- Sidewalk astronomy
- Star party
