"Amateur astronomer", "Popular astronomy", "Skygazing", and "Stargazing" redirect here. For the magazine, see The Amateur Astronomer. For Buddhist practice, see Sky gazing (Dzogchen). For other uses, see Stargazing (disambiguation) and Popular Astronomy (disambiguation).
Amateur astronomers watch the night sky during the Perseid meteor shower.
Amateur astronomy is a hobby where participants enjoy observing or imaging celestial objects in the sky using the unaided eye, binoculars, or telescopes. Even though scientific research may not be their primary goal, some amateur astronomers make contributions in doing citizen science, such as by monitoring variable stars,[1] double stars,[2] sunspots,[3] or occultations of stars by the Moon[4] or asteroids,[4] or by discovering transient astronomical events, such as comets,[5] galactic novae[6] or supernovae in other galaxies.[7]
Amateur astronomers do not use the field of astronomy as their primary source of income or support, and usually have no professional degree in astrophysics or advanced academic training in the subject. Most amateurs are hobbyists, while others have a high degree of experience in astronomy and may often assist and work alongside professional astronomers.[8] Many astronomers have studied the sky throughout history in an amateur framework; however, since the beginning of the twentieth century, professional astronomy has become an activity clearly distinguished from amateur astronomy and associated activities.[9]
Amateur astronomers typically view the sky at night, when most celestial objects and astronomical events are visible, but others observe during the daytime by viewing the Sun and solar eclipses. Some just look at the sky using nothing more than their eyes or binoculars, but more dedicated amateurs often use portable telescopes or telescopes situated in their private or club observatories. Amateurs also join amateur astronomical societies, which can advise, educate or guide them towards ways of finding and observing celestial objects. They also promote the science of astronomy among the general public.[10]
^"American Association of Variable Star Observers : The AAVSO Research Portal". Archived from the original on January 4, 2018. Retrieved September 17, 2017.
^Heintz, W. D. (1978). Double Stars. D. Reidel Publishing Company, Dordrecht. pp. 4–10. ISBN 90-277-0885-1.
^Wilkinson, John (2012). New Eyes on the Sun: A Guide to Satellite Images and Amateur Observation. Springer Science & Business Media. ISBN 978-3-642-22839-1.
^ ab"International Occultation Timing Association (IOTA) : Introduction to Observing Occultations". Archived from the original on September 17, 2017. Retrieved September 17, 2017.
^Clay Sherrod, P. Clay; Koed, Thomas L. (1981). A Complete Manual of Amateur Astronomy: Tools and Techniques for Astronomical Observations. Courier Corporation. p. 66. ISBN 978-0-486-15216-5.
^
Marsden, B.G. (1988). Dunlop, Storm; Gerbaldi, Michèle (eds.). Stargazers : The Contribution of Amateurs to Astronomy : Amateur Astronomers and the IAU Central Bureau for Astronomical Telegrams and Minor Planet Center. Springer-Verlag. p. 68. doi:10.1007/978-3-642-74020-6. ISBN 978-3-540-50230-2.
^
Zuckerman, Ben; Malkan, Matthew A. (1996). The Origin and Evolution of the Universe. Jones & Bartlett Learning. p. 68. ISBN 0-7637-0030-4.
^"Sky & Telescope : Pro-Am Collaboration". Archived from the original on September 2, 2017. Retrieved September 17, 2017.
^
Meadows, A.J. (1988). Dunlop, Storm; Gerbaldi, Michèle (eds.). Stargazers : The Contribution of Amateurs to Astronomy : Twentieth-Century Amateur Astronomers. Springer-Verlag. p. 20. doi:10.1007/978-3-642-74020-6. ISBN 978-3-540-50230-2.
^
Motta, M. (2006). "Contributions of Amateur Astronomy to Education". Journal of the American Association of Variable Star Observers. 35 (1): 257. Bibcode:2006JAVSO..35..257M.
Amateurastronomy is a hobby where participants enjoy observing or imaging celestial objects in the sky using the unaided eye, binoculars, or telescopes...
Astronomy is a natural science that studies celestial objects and the phenomena that occur in the cosmos. It uses mathematics, physics, and chemistry...
activities. Amateurastronomy, including a list of notable amateur astronomers Amateur chemistry, including a list of notable amateur chemists Amateur film Amateur...
small SUV, hatchback, or even a sedan. This innovation allowed the amateurastronomy community access to even larger apertures. Many designs have combined...
The RTMC Astronomy Expo was one of the major gatherings of amateur astronomers in the United States. Founded by Clifford W. Holmes and the Riverside Astronomical...
research tool in the field of astronomy. Amateur telescope makers are usually a sub-group in the field of amateurastronomy. Ever since Galileo Galilei...
athletics in Anguilla Asociación Argentina Amigos de la Astronomía, an amateurastronomy civil association Associated Actors and Artistes of America, an association...
galaxy has an apparent magnitude of +8.0, making it easily visible with amateur telescopes, and is considered by some authors to be the galaxy with the...
astronomers, the field is popular among amateurs. Most cities have amateurastronomy clubs that meet on a regular basis and often host star parties. The...
where she posts science communication videos related to astronomy research and amateurastronomy. She has also written two popular science books, titled...
low surface brightness makes it the most difficult Messier object for amateur astronomers to observe. Its relatively large angular (that is, apparent)...
the Beaconsfield Public Library. Pratchett's early interests included astronomy. He collected Brooke Bond tea cards about space, owned a telescope and...
The Astronomy Centre, also known as the AmateurAstronomy Centre, is an astronomical observatory located in northern England which is run by experienced...
the title and lyrics of their song Nine on the Bortle. 4673 Bortle Amateurastronomy Dark-sky movement The End of Night (book) International Dark-Sky Association...
may refer to: an observational astronomer, particularly an amateur. Also see Amateurastronomy. Stargazer (aircraft), a Lockheed L-1011 airliner used to...
growth of organized amateur astronomical groups, sidewalk astronomy has come to be associated with public education about astronomy via free public viewing...
parties are held annually and are an important part of the hobby of amateurastronomy. A naturally dark site away from light pollution is typical. Participants...
galaxy is also the fifth-brightest in the sky, making it an ideal amateurastronomy target. It is only visible from the southern hemisphere and low northern...
July 2003). "Chapter Two: Equipment". The Cambridge Encyclopedia of AmateurAstronomy (PDF). Cambridge University Press. p. 33. ISBN 9780521812986. Archived...
disadvantages and they are used in different areas of professional and amateurastronomy. Atmospheric Cherenkov telescope used to detect gamma rays Infrared...
almost all observational astronomy today uses photography, the term "astrophotography" usually refers to its use in amateurastronomy, seeking aesthetically...
all of the above colors for various purposes. Many companies in the amateurastronomy space have adopted Powerpole connectors, as a large number of astronomical...
Amateur Telescope Making, Ingalls exerted a great influence on amateurastronomy and amateur telescope making in the United States. Ingalls was born in Elmira...
Global Information