Astronomer

A voting session is conducted in 2006International Astronomical Union's general assembly for determining anew definition of a planet

Anastronomeris ascientistin the field ofastronomywho focuses their studies on a specific question or field outside the scope ofEarth.They observeastronomical objectssuch asstars,planets,moons,cometsandgalaxies– in eitherobservational(by analyzing the data) ortheoretical astronomy.Examples of topics or fields astronomers study includeplanetary science,solar astronomy,theoriginorevolution of stars,or theformation of galaxies.A related but distinct subject isphysical cosmology,which studies theUniverseas a whole.

Types

Astronomers usually fall under either of two main types:observationalandtheoretical.Observational astronomers make directobservationsofcelestial objectsand analyze the data. In contrast, theoretical astronomers create and investigatemodelsof 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 orsimulationsto theorize how different celestial objects work.

Further subcategories under these two mainbranchesof astronomy includeplanetary astronomy,galactic astronomy,orphysical cosmology.

Academic

For subdisciplines, seeOutline of astronomy.

Galileois often referred to as the Father ofmodern astronomy.Portrait byJustus Sustermans.

Johannes Kepler,one of the fathers ofmodern astronomy

Historically,astronomy was more concerned with theclassificationand description ofphenomenain the sky, whileastrophysicsattempted to explain these phenomena and the differences between them usingphysical laws.Today, that distinction has mostly disappeared and the terms "astronomer" and "astrophysicist" are interchangeable. Professional astronomers are highly educated individuals who typically have aPhDinphysicsor astronomy and are employed by research institutions or universities.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.

TheAmerican Astronomical Society,which is the major organization of professional astronomers inNorth America,has approximately 7,000 members. This number includes scientists from other fields such as physics,geology,andengineering,whose research interests are closely related to astronomy.TheInternational Astronomical Unioncomprises almost 10,145 members from 70 countries who are involved in astronomical research at the PhD level and beyond.

Portrait of the Flemish astronomerFerdinand Verbiestwho 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 atelescopethrough the dark hours of the night, it is far more common to use acharge-coupled device(CCD) camera to record a long, deep exposure, allowing a more sensitive image to be created because thelightis added over time. Before CCDs,photographic plateswere 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 sometimesplanetariumsas 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

Main article:Amateur astronomy

While there is a relatively low number of professional astronomers, the field is popular amongamateurs.Most cities have amateur astronomy clubs that meet on a regular basis and often hoststar parties.TheAstronomical Society of the Pacificis the largest general astronomical society in the world, comprising both professional and amateur astronomers as well as educators from 70 different nations.Like anyhobby,most people who think of themselves as amateur astronomers may devote a few hours a month tostargazingand 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

• List 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 astronomers

References

Sources

• Dallal, Ahmad(1999). "Science, Medicine and Technology". In Esposito, John (ed.).The Oxford History of Islam.Oxford University Press,New York.ISBN0-300-15911-0.
• Kennedy, E.S. (1956),A Survey of Islamic Astronomical Tables; Transactions of the American Philosophical Society,vol. 46, Philadelphia:American Philosophical Society
• Toomer, Gerald (1990). "Al-Khwārizmī, Abu Jaʿfar Muḥammad ibn Mūsā". In Gillispie, Charles Coulston (ed.).Dictionary of Scientific Biography.Vol. 7. New York:Charles Scribner's Sons.ISBN0-684-16962-2.

External links

• American Astronomical Society
• European Astronomical Society
• International Astronomical Union
• Astronomical Society of the Pacific
• Space's astronomy news