Astronomy is a wonderful science whereby individuals are encouraged to find out what lies beyond the earth. Astronomy in its broadest sense is the scientific investigation of objects and events taking place outside the Earth’s atmosphere. But what is astronomy? In this article, the author gives a brief understanding of this fascinating science: its evolution and its functions.
What is Astronomy?
In its broadest sense, astronomy refers to the branch of science that deals with objects within the universe other than the Earth. Science uses mathematics, physics and chemistry to explain how some of these objects developed or came into being. Many fields within astronomy can be studied; those include planets, moons, stars, galaxies, asteroids and comets. They also explore other phenomena like supernovae explosion and the cosmic microwave background radiation.
Understanding what is astronomy requires delving into its two main branches: Historical and modern practical astronomies and theoretical astronomies. Observational astronomy is in that it primarily relies on collection of data from and with the use of telescopes and other instruments. While theoretical astronomy employs this data to make constructions and guesses for the phenomena that are observed on the sky.
The History of Astronomy
The story of astronomy actually goes back to the prehistoric men. Ancient scientists used their bare vision in observation of celestial objects and the movement of these objects. Civilizations such as the Babylonians advanced in the mathematics behind celestial events such as lunar eclipses by developing certain models.
But as time went on new inventions took over, notably and specifically the invention of the telescope greatly affecting astronomies. This made astronomies possible and enabled observers to see distant galaxies and stars in comparison to a deeper degree. I agree with a statement made by Wise 2013 they found that the work of Copernicus and Galileo help to replace the geocentric model of the Universe in which the earth was deemed to be the center point of the universe with the heliocentric model of the universe which placed the Sun at point of centrality.
The Importance of Astronomy
Studying astronomies information is one of the greatest ways of expanding knowledge on the universe. It aids in the realization of general questions pertaining to existence, reality and life. For instance, astrophysicists’ research black holes to learn about how gravity warps the universe or search for exoplanets to guess about life forms out there in the cosmos.
Also worthy of note is the fact that astronomies stimulates technological development. Most of the tools used in astronomical research similarly find uses in other areas such as in the field of medicine and telecommunication.
Basic Astronomy Information
For those new to this field, basic astronomy information includes understanding key terms like:
Celestial Objects: These are stars, planets, moons, asteroids, and comets.
Light Years: A unit of measurement of distance to explain how far light can travel in one year.
Constellations: Part of the universe coordinated in a particular manner to be easily distinguished as a figure at night.
These are fundamental ideas that every individual who wants to know basic astronomy information access.
Careers in Astronomy
You might be asking yourself what is astronomies? or if you are aspiring to be an astronomer, the following job opportunities are available. Possible careers include research assistant in a university or researcher in the space department or Federal government like NASA or even modern space companies.
Astronomy Career Information
Some common Astronomies career information include:
Astronomer: Specialized in conducting studies on heavenly bodies.
Astrophysicist: Uses physics knowledge to explain how space objects behave.
Planetary Scientist: Observes objects in the solar system and beyond including planets.
This often comes with a bachelor’s degree in physics or astronomies, and proceed to graduate school to further their education.
Information about Astronomy and Space
Astronomies, in addition to investigating information about space, investigates ideas about space as well. For example:
Cosmology: Concerned with the study of how the universe was formed and developed.
Astrobiology: Considers the possibility of existence of life beyond Earth.
These fields cut across with different sciences, thereby making astronomy a contrasting field of study.
Observational Techniques
Spectroscopy is among the observational astronomies processes that are used to collect data on celestial bodies. Some methods include:
- Optical Astronomy: Observes stars and galaxies with visible light.
- Radio Astronomy: Specializes in observing radio waves released by extra-terrestrial bodies.
- Infrared Astronomies: Concerned with the identification of heat particles emitted by cooler bodies such as dust clouds or even galaxies several light years away.
All methods offer different views of different aspects within the universe.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it is very important that we try to define what is astronomiesas a science. Astronomy is a broad science that encompasses the science of the amazing as it tries to explore the complex universe. Cosmology science has been as old as man and in the modern world astronomers and astrophysicists are continuously searching for the bigger picture of existence.
If you are thinking about a job in this fascinating area of specialty or just interested in the subject of astronomies, there is tons of data regarding this science. We look up at the stars in the sky and are made aware that there is still a lot yet to be explored in the universe.
