Amateur astronomy

The modern day telescope is a complex device made up of carefully placed parts that have evolved over hundreds of years. Since it’s creation in the 16th century, it has been used for significant discoveries contributing towards many scientific discoveries. From refraction to reflection we have made significant advancements in this seemingly basic technology to allow us to see both clearer and further. As knowledge of our planet and surroundings grows, as does the technology we use to survey it.…

The wonders of space leave countless nations all over the globe in demand to discover further. Especially in this day and age, room for the development of new and innovative technologies can aid in the prediction of massive catastrophic collisions and uncover alternative eco-friendly ways humans rapidly consume and dispose of resources. These ideas have lead to the suggestions of permanently inhabiting new life off of planet Earth. It may seem like a far-fetched idea, however, scientists,…

Standard scientific vocabularies define COSMOLOGY as A Branch of Astrophysics or as Metaphysical Science which studies the origin, structure, dynamics, evolution, and eventually the destiny of The Universe. What is Astrophysics? It is the branch of astronomy that uses the principals of physics and chemistry in studying The Universe. What Is Metaphysical? ‘Metaphysical’ is Something Highly Abstract and/or Overly Theoretical, that is difficult or impossible to observe by the own physical senses.…

PREHISTORIC TO MIDDLE AGE ASTRONOMY Over the course of countless millennia, astronomy has served as a widespread source of curiosity amongst mankind. The stars, planets and various other objects that engulf our skies have captured the interests of this world’s inhabitants, from the simplest of tribesmen to city dwelling scholars and philosophers alike. As early as 32,000 years ago, humans are believed to have been tracking cosmic cycles like our Moon’s phases (Burnham, Dyer & Kanpipe 22).…

Maya contributions to astronomy influenced life in colonial America. The Maya were extremely talented astronomers who believed manifestations of the gods came in visible form through celestial bodies and their movements. Priests and other Maya astronomers studied the motion of these celestial bodies, believing they could see the gods walk across the sky. They observed and recorded the movements of the stars and planets to collect these celestial signs that foreshadowed disasters, destinies of…

abilities are minuscule today, it isn’t just worthless rust. “This device is just extraordinary, the only thing of its kind,” says Mike Edmunds of Cardiff University in the UK, a scientist who worked on the device. “The design is beautiful, the astronomy is exactly right…In terms of historical and scarcity value, I have to regard this mechanism as being more valuable than the Mona Lisa.” Many like him agree, this device really is one of a…

How was the world formed? How did humans become prominent in the world today? These are questions that get asked everyday and a very select few of people can answer them. Out of the select few, one stands out the most and that is Carl Sagan. Carl Sagan is a very prominent astronomer, cosmologist, and an author. Carl Sagan is well known for his books: Cosmos, Broca’s Brain, The Dragons of Eden, and Contact. He also narrated show called Cosmos: A Personal Voyage. He is also well known for his…

Francois Arago’s “Report to the Chamber of Deputies” is a report presented about a proposed bill, granting M. Daguerre and to the son of M. Niepce life pension granting them a national reward due to their invention, which could not be protected by ordinary patent laws. He discusses the invention by the two men: the Daguerreotype. It is a machine that reproduces images received in the camera obscura onto copper plates. He noted that Daguerre should be well credited for the effort, time and money…

Have you ever wondered or thought about how the first telescopes were used and how they looked? Throughout history, there have been many inventions and innovations added into a telescope. Telescopes can vary in shape, size, and even color, but are all used for similar reasons. The development of the telescope dates back to around the 1600s and are still being developed and made today. Today, there are several telescopes that can be identified by people who worked and contributed into making some…

and his criticism of Aristotle left him abandoned by his colleagues. Galileo Galilei was then fired from the University of Pisa. It did not take him long to go looking for a new job, and began working at the University of Padua, teaching math, astronomy, and mechanics. His father later died in 1591, leaving him responsible for to care for his younger brother Michelangelo. During his 18 years of working at University of Padua, he for his entertaining lectures and had plenty of people who liked…