Earth | Observations in Astronomy

Why we need astronomy

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Astronomy and astrology are often confused as being one and the same. They are related to each other at various levels. But still there is no real link between the two disciplines. Astronomy revolves more on physics. This means it can take aspects of mathematics as well into consideration. On an observational level, astronomy describes to us what we see in the heavens. The movements of the planets and other celestial bodies are what astronomy studies closely.

Astronomy provides answers to how the universe will evolve tomorrow. It explains the creation of the universe. The existence of Earth, and its existential calculation is calculated using astronomical calculations.

Right from the big bang to the red shift of the universe, astronomy has made derived answers from years of close observations of movements in the solar system. Astronomy has made so many inroads in everyday life of human beings. The calculation of the sunrise and sunset time is done use observatory calculations of astronomy. Even the amount of time it will take for the sun’s rays to reach Earth is done using astronomy. Astronomy is used to detect possible entries of comets into the Earth’s atmosphere.

Astronomy is used extensively to track the orbital paths of Earth’s man made satellites. When a satellite is off-track, astronomical observatory telescopes either fixed on Earth or space, send alarms to the control station. So much can be done with astronomy. It is truly an indispensable part of our lives.

Without astronomy everything would have remained unknown. The Earth would have still remained a flat surfaced planet, and people would have been frightened to wander far and wide, lest they fell of Earth. Astronomy gave us the universal knowledge of the solar system and the billions of solar systems in the universe. Astronomy also told us that there are a billion more suns in this universe. But astronomy hasn’t yet told us if we are alone in the universe or not.

Filed Under: Astronomy Tagged With: Amateur, Astronomy, Earth, Education, Fort Tryon Park, Inwood Hill Park, Solar System, Telescope

Astronomy: Origins

tars and time–empires have been carved in search of these elements. Civilizations have risen, fallen and been reborn. Fables have been created, passed through generations, defying disbelief. Philosophy, religion and wonder have all been formed. And the world has forever been seeking ways to define what waits beyond. Astronomy was the favored science before it even had a name.

But such a science was not always so precise (not like it is now). Novas confused; planets were mistaken as myths; and there was the certainty that Earth truly was the great center of everything. The desire for answers was limited by misconceptions.

That all changed, however, with the much needed invention of the telescope.

In 1608 Hans Lippershey was a lens-crafter, working tirelessly within the German city of Middleburg. His days were devoted to glass and careful magnification, studying the abilities of the eye, deciphering how an iris could be manipulated (and subsequently improved). And it was through these improvements that he discovered an all too vital truth: the stars could not be seen by determination alone. Their subtleties were all too blurred. But his lenses, when coupled correctly, could increase sight and perception; which would allow all secrets to then be learned.

So the telescope was created.

And it began a small revolution. Lippershey quickly requested a patent for his idea, offering it to the world as an invention without equal. News of this spread across countries, drawing interest (and envy) from others. And soon the telescope was being reimagined, its design pulled apart and then bolted back together. It was improved; it was changed; it was made into a more modern machine.

And the sky seemed suddenly not so far away.

Astronomy has existed since humans could marvel at the moon; but it was simply a science defined to awe and riddles. It was a question without understanding. Through Lippershey and his peers, however, it became an obtainable answer. The telescope made it real.

Filed Under: Astronomy, Satellites Tagged With: Astronomy, Earth, Telescope

Understanding Truth: Astronomy

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It begins with a glance. You look up (Because you must. Because you’re compelled to) and see the worlds that are poised beyond you. There are other stars, other suns, other universes. You want to conquer them all. But, of course, you can’t. You’re limited instead to the answers of your telescope, the texts you so devotedly read. You learn all you can; you observe all you find; and your gaze never falls. It is forever staring beyond.

You are not the first to follow this pattern. And you certainly won’t be the last.

The sky has forever held a fascination for humankind, with civilizations charting its every eclipse and new dawn. And, through this fascination, a study of galaxies has been formed: it is called Astronomy.

Simply defined, Astronomy is the examination of all celestial bodies and occurrences formed beyond Earth. It is dubbed a natural science (far different than the criticisms of the formal sciences or the philosophic humanities). Through it elements of mathematics and religion are combined–allowing the history of the world to be charted by the discoveries found beyond it.

It is not, as some may assume, a collection of assumptions and mysticism. Stars are not shaped into mere stories. They are instead noted, explored and understood. And their patterns have become the foundations of such elements as navigation, time and physics. Through the careful observation of constellations (and all the planets they circle), the world has been offered far more than myths. It has instead received an understanding of creation. The universe is learned.

There are some who would malign this claim, however. They confuse Astronomy to lesser practices (the harmless thrills of Astrology or the premature discoveries made by amateurs). It is instead, though, the oldest science in the world–with origins predating even the empires of Babylon and Assyria–and the most vital. It explains Earth and its place among the galaxies. There is no other methodology that can challenge that.

And there is no methodology that could even try.

Filed Under: Astronomy, Science Tagged With: Astronomy, Earth

The Vital Difference: Astronomy and Astrology

It’s an easy assumption. You chart the sky, noting constellations and their subtle changes, following miles too far to ever reach. You watch the patterns formed in solar shimmers. You find comfort in the bright burns of nebulae. And then… you wonder how they will influence your tomorrow.

The notions of Astronomy and Astrology have been irrevocably tangled since the beginning of civilization itself. Science and religion were once considered the same. All origins were explained through the stars and all answers were formed through their movements. Destiny was both logical and guessed.

But time has offered a distinction. The study of the galaxy is no longer laced human. The philosophies have been separated, divided by their ideals, and are no longer forced to blur together. There remain many still, however, who mistake Astronomy and Astrology. They think them to be interchangeable names. They’re not. And their differences must be known.

Astronomy: a natural science that examines the universe, Astronomy is the study of celestial elements. It relies on mathematical principles to determine both the creation of galaxies and their ultimate fate. It is no longer a religiously guided experience. It is instead a meet of chemistry and astrophysics. It compares light, sound and ultraviolet wavelengths and determines their effects on Earth. It is an established process that can be proven.

Astrology: a belief without defined origin, Astrology decrees that all elements of humanity are shaped by the stars. Predictions of an individual’s personality and future can be made by understanding the sky. Astrological planets (such as the Sun, Moon and Venus) are linked to life and death. Understanding the location of such planets during a person’s birth will explain who they are and what they may accomplish. While widely referenced, this process is still not considered a science. It lacks the necessary analysis.

And therein lies the true difference between these two: Astronomy can be verified while Astrology may only be presumed. While both have their supporters, only one has the reliability of fact.

Filed Under: Astronomy, Satellites, Telescopes Tagged With: Astrology, Astronomy, Earth, Sun

Between Theories and Truths: Astronomy

Astronomy is the exploration (and eventual discovery) of the universe. This is a truth well known among even the most casual of hobbyists. The purpose of science is progress; and the purpose of galaxies is to be understood.

But what may not be understood, however, is that Astronomy is not a singular process. Its rules are not kept to just one idea, one study. It is instead divided into countless fields–each a mastery of their own tiny corner of the stars. There is simply too much beyond this world to gather as one piece. The elements must instead be broken apart and examined individually.

And the two most prevalent examinations are Theoretical and Observational Astronomy.

Theoretical: as the name implies, Theoretical Astronomy is a collection of possibilities. Unlike most sciences–which offer constant proof and consistent answers–this is a realm composed of few facts and more assumptions. Due to the limitations of man (unable yet to reach the far recesses of planets and constellations), Theoretical Astronomy relies of simulations, calculations and good sense. The sky is studied and then predicated through software and computer programs; which comprise the majority of this work. The intention is the future.

Observational: acting as a perfect counter to theories is Observational Astronomy. Through this current patterns and celestial systems are tracked. All data is collected and used to understand the universe as it is at that moment (rather than what it will be). Utilizing telescopes and radio waves, scientists can learn of any irregularities and their effects on Earth, as well as seeking out new possibilities. Unlike the more imaginative Theoretical, this is a field devoted to what is known; not what may be one day be seen. It strives to prove, not simply postulate.

It must be noted, however, that both of these fields play a vital role in understanding the universe. They rely on each other to create progress and discover truth. Neither is more important and both must be used.

Filed Under: Astronomy, Satellites, Universe Beyond Tagged With: Astronomy, Earth, Universe

Space Books: A Source of Knowledge and Imagination

Books on space cover a broad spectrum. There are many interesting publications that are targeted towards kids. Many of these informative books can include colorful illustrations that young children will enjoy, but the level of understanding can go up to college-level and beyond astronomy, covering anything from the observed universe to complex theories and speculative science.

We learn early on that the universe goes on forever, but scientists seem to focus on that, at 10 or 13 billion light years away from Earth, there is some kind of boundary that is the edge of the original energy from the Big Bang. The complex equations that astrophysicists have devised to explain things never seen such as black holes and wormholes are too much for the average person to comprehend.

Assuming we don’t need to know how to solve a differential equation or even algebra, it’s possible to find a book about space that is intriguing nonetheless. Books on skywatching can show the stars, constellations, and galaxies as well as comets and planets in a comical if not at least artistic fashion. With the assumption that the reader is stuck on Earth to do schoolwork or work a nine-to-five job, reading about the mysterious universe around us can at least serve as entertainment.

You can easily find something to read on the planet Earth, the solar system, and the satellites that orbit constantly. Pocket atlases are popular items as well, but the range of reading goes on until you get to authors like Carl Sagan who try to explain everything in one book. You can also read about time and the universe’s ability to make it not seem what we think from Steven Hawking.

Reading about space can also cover theories of hyperspace and travel at light speed. It can blend with science fiction, but space is so vast and unexplored that it is hard not to engage the imagination when you read about possible distant worlds, or even look up at the many stars in the sky.

Filed Under: Astronomy, Planets, Science, Universe Beyond Tagged With: Astronomy, Earth, Solar System

How Dangerous are Asteroids to Earth?

Every so often, a news broadcast will mention the fact that an asteroid is passing close to the Earth. Sometimes the scientific details are unclear, and initially it may seem that there could be some danger. Over the last few years, the planet was lucky a couple of times despite close calls, but there is evidence that it was it was not so lucky in the past.

Wars, the economy, climate change and natural and human made disasters all fuel a sporadic debate on whether an apocalypse could happen. While a complete end to the world is improbable, disasters come and go. They can leave their mark, but for the most part, we weather them out, or in extreme cases, hopefully survive and recover from them.

A giant meteor is thought to have killed the dinosaurs, commonly believed to have happened 65 million years ago. It struck the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico, geologists believe, and the shock wave swept across North America in minutes.

Even in modern times, massive earthquakes have struck California and Malaysia, and hurricanes have caused extensive devastation in Florida and Louisiana. This is nothing compared to what a large asteroid is capable of. There are millions of them in space. In our own solar system, an entire belt of asteroids lies between Mars and Jupiter, possibly containing millions of rocks.

Despite popular perceptions, however, this asteroid belt is not a solid conglomeration of rocks. They are spread apart and you could actually pass through the belt without ever seeing anything. Scientists have estimated it to have a total mass that is a fraction that of the moon. Most of the objects in this area are tiny, while only a tiny percentage of them are a few miles across. Ceres is the largest one; it is hundreds of miles across and is sometimes considered to be a mini planet.

While a few asteroids pass close to earth’s orbit, Scientists keep a close watch on the known objects that do. It is rare for anything large enough to pass by and be any cause for alarm.

Filed Under: Astronomy, Science, Universe Beyond Tagged With: Asteriods, Earth

Astronomical Phenomena: Occultations – Almanacs, Books and Guides

With so many objects in space, one can move in front of the other from time to time, as seen from Earth. Eclipses have fascinated people throughout history, and folklore and religions have been influenced by them. A solar eclipse is amazing, and a lunar eclipse can spark hours of observing, but most people don’t think too much about occultations.

An occulation is very much like an eclipse, but an event is usually considered to be an eclipse when two objects similar in apparent size to one another are involved. The objects can be stars, planets, moons or any other entity, but it is the size as viewed from Earth that determines what we see. This eclipse-like event occurs when something large, like the Moon, obscures a star or other planet from view. The obscured objects have to be blocked by something that appears much larger than them.

Astronomical discoveries have been made just by observing occultations. The ring system of Uranus was discovered this way in the 1970’s. Stars that the planet passed over would dim and brighten several times before the planet moved over them. This led to speculation that there were rings, but this was confirmed when Voyager 2 passed by the planet. The space probe also found this to be the case with Neptune.

The Moon’s occultation of stars has led to discoveries such as binary stars, as one fades before the other. It sometimes passes stars right at its edge, which is a grazing occultation. When this happens, the star can actually disappear behind mountains and appear again through lunar valleys. Multiple observers who space themselves along a path have taken advantage of these events to profile the moons edge, which helps to detail the moons position, and also helped to map lunar topography before man ever went to the Moon.

Filed Under: Astronomy, Science, Universe Beyond Tagged With: Astronomy, Earth, Solar System

Observing the Stars from the Mountain Tops

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Scanning the sky from Earth’s surface is difficult, but it is not always practical to send satellites into orbit. However, the atmosphere makes it hard for telescopes to provide accurate readings because of particles, gases, and temperature variations that can distort pictures. The higher up you go, the thinner the atmosphere is, so that is why there are many observatories placed on the tops of mountains.

You will also not likely to see one near a city. The light pollution would ruin any chances of making accurate calculations or even making new discoveries. Proof is given by the fact that you cannot see that many stars if you live near a city, but when you travel to the country where there is not much light, millions of them light up the sky.

Mauna Kea in Hawaii is over 13,000 feet high and, being far from any cities, is a prime location to look into space. There are 12 telescopes in all on the summit, while the University of Hawaii runs two of them. The site has been determined to be the best for image quality using both optical and infrared imaging. Countries such as the U.S., United Kingdom, Taiwan, Japan, and joint projects from those and others can be found on site.

The site of the Mauna Kea facility was established in 1967. An observatory in Bolivia at just over 17,000 feet was the world’s highest permanent one until the University of Tokyo Atacama Observatory was built in 2009. The optical-infrared telescope was built on an 18,500 foot summit in Chile.

Perhaps the most visible and most accessible of these is the Mount Wilson Observatory in Los Angeles. It first began operating in 1908, and has studied the sun and other stars too, and has been steadily expanded over time There is a 100 inch telescope as well as a 40 inch system and other smaller ones on the site. The site is a popular research destination, although it is sometimes threatened by pollution from nearby Los Angeles and from fires in the surrounding woodlands.

Filed Under: Observatory, Universe Beyond Tagged With: Astronomy, Earth, University of Hawaii