Astronomy 101

What is astronomy? How do you get started as an amateur astronomer? It is easier than you think.

Posted by Noah Moses
23 May, 2002 05:05:39

Astronomy is the study of space, which includes the Sun, our moon, the planets and their moons, asteroids, comets, stars, nebula (gas clouds), galaxies (a large group of up to billions of stars) like our own Milky Way Galaxy, black holes, and many other things.

The field of astronomy is probably the science field that is related to the most other science fields. It involves physics, chemistry, cosmology (which is very closely connected to astronomy), optics, nuclear science, and others.

Professional astronomers have to get at least a masters degree, but most astronomers with a masters degree are just helpers for astronomers with doctorate degrees.

Being an amateur astronomer however requires no college education, takes very little money, and can be a life-long hobby. Many amateur astronomers have contributed to astronomy, such as discovering Comet Hale-Bopp. All being an amateur astronomer requires is a good set of binoculars and star charts.

Related Links

What's Up in Astronomy
http://learnwhatsup.com/astro/
A very informative site with star charts.

International Space Station News
http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/station/index.html
Tons of information on the International Space Station.

The Messier Database
http://www.seds.org/messier/
A website with infomation and pictures of all the deep space objects on the Messier list.

The Astronomy Net
http://www.astronomy.net
The Astronomy Net is a good website with lots of good info, pictures, and discussion forums.

Inconstant Moon
http://www.inconstantmoon.com/
A good website for learning more about our moon. Has lunar tours and maps.

The Nine Planets
http://seds.lpl.arizona.edu/nineplanets/nineplanets/nineplanets.html
A good site with lots of information on the planets of our solar system and their moons.

Orion Telescopes and Binoculars
http://www.telescope.com
Orion sells lots of VERY good astronomical equipment, and the website also has lots of good info for beginning astronomers, such as star charts and how to choose a telescope.

Learn the Night Sky
http://www.visitingmoon.org/betelgeuse/index.htm
A good website that will help start you out learning the night sky.

Astronomy.com
http://www.astronomy.com
The website for Astronomy Magazine. Lots of good information on astronomy.

Space Calendar
http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/calendar/
A very up-to-date website run by the NASA Jet Propulsion Lab. Has lots of astronomical events listed.