Posted by Davin Flateau on 27 Apr 2005 at 3:35 pm.
Filed under General.
Astronomy is a scientific field where amateurs can conduct meaningful — and sometimes groundbreaking — research. Often times, the data that thousands of amateurs collect would be impossible to get by any other means. The sky is a huge place, and professional astronomers are usually focused on relatively few objects or phenomena. But with millions of stars, galaxies, comets, asteroids and other objects out there, a great deal of the Universe is waiting to be studied by people with telescopes, binoculars, and a desire for making a scientific contribution about the universe around us.
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Variable Stars: The American Association of Variable Star Observers (AAVSO) has been collecting data on the brightness fluctuations of stars for almost 100 years. These fluctuations can be caused by companion stars or other objects moving in front of one another, or natural fluctuations in the star itself. Almost anyone can contribute data - you don’t even necessarily need a telescope. The AAVSO also helps folks who want to hunt down exploding stars - or even supernova that have blown themselves to bits in distant galaxies thousands or millions of years ago. Now that’s some exciting science!
Comets: Ever wonder what it would be like to have a comet named after you? It’s as easy as discovering one! Many comets have been discovered by amateurs, the most famous probably being Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 (which bears amateur David Levy’s name) that collided with Jupiter in 1994. It’s not easy- kind of like looking for a needle in a haystack with a microscope. But that doesn’t deter many dedicated amateurs all over the world from sweeping the skies with their telescopes and binoculars. Some people are even discovering comets by looking closely at internet pictures of the sun taken by the SOHO spacecraft every day. There’s even an annual award! David Levy himself has a book about becoming a comet hunter, so you can learn from one of the masters.
Asteroids: Asteroid hunting generally requires a lot more equipment, but your chances of success are a lot greater, too. Many asteroid hunters have discovered dozens of asteroids. A computerized telescope with the right software, coupled with a CCD camera is necessary for observing and recording the faint reflected sunlight from these large hunks of rock and metal orbiting around the sun with us. But while searching for undiscovered asteroids, you can also report positions for existing ones, or even long neglected or lost asteroids that astronomers need more information about. A good, if a bit dated guide to hunting asteroids is available online from Sky and Telescope.
Occultations: When an object like a star, planet, asteroid or comet disappears and reappears behind the moon, it’s a great opportunity to gather data about its size, composition, brightness and other factors. Astronomers need precise timing and observations gathered from many places on the earth as the object disappears and then reappears - a perfect job for coordinated teams of amateur astronomers! The International Occultation Timing Association (IOTA) is where you want to check in for more information.
These are just a few opportunities for amateur astronomers to contribute to the body of astronomical knowledge. Sky and Telescope magazine has a great set of articles about how amateurs and professional astronomers are working closer than ever before.
Davin Flateau
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