Astronomer

The Astronomer, 1668, by Johannes Vermeer

An astronomer is a scientist in the field of

astronomy who focuses their studies on a
specific question or field outside the
scope of Earth. They observe astronomical
objects such as stars, planets, moons,
comets and galaxies – in either
observational (by analyzing the data) or
theoretical astronomy. Examples of topics
or fields astronomers study include
planetary science, solar astronomy, the
origin or evolution of stars, or the
formation of galaxies. Related but distinct
subjects like physical cosmology, which
studies the Universe as a whole.

Astronomers usually fall under either of

two main types: observational and
theoretical. Observational astronomers
make direct observations of celestial
objects and analyze the data. In contrast,
theoretical astronomers create and
investigate models of 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 these data to
create models or simulations to theorize
how different celestial objects work.

Further subcategories under these two

main branches of astronomy include
planetary astronomy, galactic astronomy,
or physical cosmology.

Academic

Galileo is often referred to as the Father of modern

astronomy

Historically, astronomy was more

concerned with the classification and
description of phenomena in the sky, while
astrophysics attempted to explain these
phenomena and the differences between
them using physical laws. Today, that
distinction has mostly disappeared and
the terms "astronomer" and
"astrophysicist" are interchangeable.
Professional astronomers are highly
educated individuals who typically have a
PhD in physics or astronomy and are
employed by research institutions or
universities.[1] 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.
The number of professional astronomers
in the United States is actually quite small.
The American Astronomical Society, which
is the major organization of professional
astronomers in North America, has
approximately 7,000 members. This
number includes scientists from other
fields such as physics, geology, and
engineering, whose research interests are
closely related to astronomy.[2] The
International Astronomical Union
comprises almost 10,145 members from
70 different countries who are involved in
astronomical research at the PhD level and
beyond.[3]
Guy Consolmagno Vatican Observatory, analyzing a
meteorite, 2014

Contrary to the classical image of an old

astronomer peering through a telescope
through the dark hours of the night, it is far
more common to use a charge-coupled
device (CCD) camera to record a long,
deep exposure, allowing a more sensitive
image to be created because the light is
added over time. Before CCDs,
photographic plates were 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 sometimes
planetariums as 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.
Emily Lakdawalla at the Planetary Conference 2013

Amateur astronomers
While there is a relatively low number of
professional astronomers, the field is
popular among amateurs. Most cities have
amateur astronomy clubs that meet on a
regular basis and often host star parties.
The Astronomical Society of the Pacific is
the largest general astronomical society in
the world, comprising both professional
and amateur astronomers as well as
educators from 70 different nations.[4] Like
any hobby, most people who think of
themselves as amateur astronomers may
devote a few hours a month to stargazing
and 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

Specific …

1. "Frequently Asked Questions About

Becoming an Astronomer" . NOAO.
 Archived from the original on 3 April
2009. Retrieved 29 March 2009.
2. "American Astronomical Society
Home" . AAS. Archived from the
original on 2 August 2009. Retrieved
14 August 2009.
3. "About IAU" . IAU. Retrieved 14 August
2009.
4. "About Us" . Astronomical Society of
the Pacific. Archived from the original
on 25 February 2009. Retrieved
29 March 2009.

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

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

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