The Hubble Space Telescope
By: Ali Ismail
0778-842 5262 (United Kingdom)
aliismail_uk@yahoo.co.uk
WHITHER AMATEUR ASTRONOMY?
Professional scientists think that the amateur still has apart to play
It is one of my disappointments that throughout the South Asian region and in the social implants they have made in Europe and North America matters concerned with the universe tend to be connected with astrology rather than with astronomy.
Whatever the predictive and explanatory powers of the former “science” there can be no doubt that astronomy is the basis of astrology.
At any rate, over here in the West, astronomy is the major point of contact with the firmament and all that it contains. There can also be no doubt that astronomy is a bona fide science whatever classification different people may put its dubious relative into.
Like all sciences, astronomy had an amateur background. However, unlike almost all the other “hard” sciences, astronomy retains strong vestiges from its days of infancy insofar that the category “amateur astronomer” is not an empty one.
Who has ever heard of an “amateur physicist” or an “amateur chemical engineer”? All the branches of mankind’s exploration of the physical universe had non-monetary and non-professional early histories.
In many cases interest in the sciences flowed from the study of philosophy. In Scotland, even today, degree awards in physics are formally described as for achievements in “natural philosophy.” The last science to leave the nursery of philosophy was experimental psychology (from the Greek meaning “study of the soul”), which broke away in the late 19th Century. There are still a few “amateur psychologists” around in the form of people who have acquired a smattering or more than that of knowledge and skills about human and animal thinking and behaviour.
Astronomy is, as far as I am aware, the only really hard science which is still teeming with amateurs, the ranks of whom occupy almost every country under the sun.
Yet, time progresses and I almost regret to say that some think that the role of the amateur astronomer is becoming restricted.
This is not surprising. Astronomy is a mathematically based subject with an exact methodology and with ways of proving and disproving hypotheses. Experiments are difficult to perform because of the subject matter but predictions about phenomena can and do get performed.
For example, the existence of the planetoid Pluto was observationally and mathematically postulated before and not after it was discovered with a telescope by comparing photographs of the same patch of night sky over different periods of time.
Another factor is that the equipment used by astronomy has become more and more expensive as time goes on. A few centuries ago anybody who could fork out for a Newtonian or Cassegrainian telescope for his back garden was availing himself of the best and most advanced tool available for sky watching at night.
A few centuries ago the entire cosmos was the sphere of interest of the gifted amateur astronomer. He could, if he wished, restrict himself to the Solar System only. Alternatively, he could look further afield and observe and study the Milky Way. If he was particularly enquiring he could even venture beyond into the other galaxies and consider their appearances through his telescope as a pioneer, if he was clever.
Nowadays, perhaps regrettably, astronomy has become yet another professional speciality and has narrowed in its scope insofar that other sciences are muscling their way into traditional astronomical turf.
Geologists are investigating other planets in the Solar System, perhaps with a weather eye out in the search for another home for Mankind when this planet becomes uninhabitable for atmospheric reasons.
Meteorologists are carefully examining the climates of all the planets close to us with gaseous envelopes for the same reasons. Various different kinds of trusted engineers are involved in the designs of spacecraft. Computer boffins are involved in building and programming the computers to navigate them.
Truly, the field of astronomy is shrinking by the month. Therefore, in my view, it is only slightly short of amazing that this declining science still maintains an amateur wing.
Even within the arguably shortening compass of astronomy proper there is a divide between deep space and near space. The whole region of faraway observation has become the province of the professionally qualified astronomer and cosmologist.
This is emphasised, par excellence, by the phenomenon of the Hubble Space Telescope which orbits the Earth and is devoted to deep space. Apart from the short period after it was first commissioned as a working instrument (there were teething troubles) it does almost nothing but examinations of the furthest reaches of the cosmos.
It has penetrated into the extremely distant parts (in distance and in time) of the universe to the point where visible light cannot get to it easily and the beginning of the universe can be faintly glimpsed.
Additionally, the advent of radio astronomy has put a new element of advanced technology and high expense to the astronomical budget. Only the richest amateur astronomer can afford to possess even a small radio telescope capable of penetrating cloud cover.
Observations through non-visual wavelengths, for example, by using infrared filters on telescopes are arguably only for the most dedicated and persistent souls in the amateur astronomical fraternity.
Wikipedia the free Internet encyclopaedia rather optimistically puts the situation thus: “Collectively, amateur astronomers observe a variety of celestial objects and phenomena. Common targets of amateur astronomers include the Moon, planets, stars, comets, meteor showers, and a variety of deep sky objects such as star clusters, galaxies, and nebulae.
“Many amateurs like to specialise in observing particular objects, types of objects, or types of events which interest them. One branch of amateur astronomy, amateur astrophotography, involves the taking of photos of the night sky. Astrophotography has become more popular for amateurs in recent times, as relatively sophisticated equipment such as high quality CCD cameras has become more affordable.
“Most amateurs work at visible wavelengths, but a small minority experiment with wavelengths outside the visible spectrum. The pioneer of amateur radio astronomy was Karl Jansky who started observing the sky at radio wavelengths in the 1930s, and interest has increased over time.
“Non-visual amateur astronomy includes the use of infrared filters on conventional telescopes, and also the use of radio telescopes. Some amateur astronomers use home-made radio telescopes, while others use radio telescopes that were originally built for astronomy research but have since been made available for use by amateurs. The One-Mile Telescope is one such example.”
Dr Markus Boettcher of Ohio University says: “I see a very bright future for amateur astronomy. Of course, there's no chance for an amateur astronomer to compete with large professional observatories, but that is actually not a relevant point at all. If you are looking for opportunities for amateurs to contribute to science, you will still find many of them around.
“These are in particular projects in which one needs telescopes to follow objects consistently over a long time. For once, this is needed for the science of irregularly variable stars or a special class of galaxies that we call active galaxies. Long monitoring observations are also needed to track the positions of solar-system objects like asteroids or comets.
“Professional telescopes are notoriously oversubscribed and can hardly be used for such intensive monitoring projects. One needs dedicated people with unrestricted access to telescopes, and amateur astronomers can and do make a very valuable contribution to science this way.
“In addition, amateur astronomy clubs are making an invaluable contribution to spreading the excitement for the science of astronomy to the general public. We at Ohio University have very close ties to amateur astronomy organizations in our area on many on our public outreach programs. This is an important aspect of our science for which, unfortunately, the professionals often don't have the time that we should spend to communicate to the generalpublic.
“Amateur astronomers do an excellent job as the bridge between the professional astronomers and the general public.”A completely different point, though, is that astronomy is an amazing hobby, and is just fun to do, no matter whether it actually makes a contribution to the advancement of science. Or are you also asking why it makes sense to play music in an amateur orchestra if you have no chance of competing with the professionals?”
Dr William Harris of McMaster University says: “On this continent, Canada and the United States, amateur astronomy is thriving. There are far more amateur astronomers than professional astronomers.
“The amateur astronomers are taking very great advantages in technology – telescope astronomy. There are very good cameras. The electronic digital cameras are excellent.
“The ability to use the tools enables them to do the observations they want.
“Light pollution is a problem but people can still work in this way.
“The basic interests of amateur astronomers are different from the professionals. It is the pure enjoyment of observing.”
The principal reason why I am encouraging our readers to take up astronomy as a hobby is that in all recorded history an interest in this field is directly proportional to general socio-technical advancement and a decline in it usually heralds a general fall in the standards of the society concerned.
Therefore, if you can, sit up late at night and watch Sir Patrick Moore on the telly.
WHITHER AMATEUR ASTRONOMY?
Professional scientists think that the amateur still has apart to play
It is one of my disappointments that throughout the South Asian region and in the social implants they have made in Europe and North America matters concerned with the universe tend to be connected with astrology rather than with astronomy.
Whatever the predictive and explanatory powers of the former “science” there can be no doubt that astronomy is the basis of astrology.
At any rate, over here in the West, astronomy is the major point of contact with the firmament and all that it contains. There can also be no doubt that astronomy is a bona fide science whatever classification different people may put its dubious relative into.
Like all sciences, astronomy had an amateur background. However, unlike almost all the other “hard” sciences, astronomy retains strong vestiges from its days of infancy insofar that the category “amateur astronomer” is not an empty one.
Who has ever heard of an “amateur physicist” or an “amateur chemical engineer”? All the branches of mankind’s exploration of the physical universe had non-monetary and non-professional early histories.
In many cases interest in the sciences flowed from the study of philosophy. In Scotland, even today, degree awards in physics are formally described as for achievements in “natural philosophy.” The last science to leave the nursery of philosophy was experimental psychology (from the Greek meaning “study of the soul”), which broke away in the late 19th Century. There are still a few “amateur psychologists” around in the form of people who have acquired a smattering or more than that of knowledge and skills about human and animal thinking and behaviour.
Astronomy is, as far as I am aware, the only really hard science which is still teeming with amateurs, the ranks of whom occupy almost every country under the sun.
Yet, time progresses and I almost regret to say that some think that the role of the amateur astronomer is becoming restricted.
This is not surprising. Astronomy is a mathematically based subject with an exact methodology and with ways of proving and disproving hypotheses. Experiments are difficult to perform because of the subject matter but predictions about phenomena can and do get performed.
For example, the existence of the planetoid Pluto was observationally and mathematically postulated before and not after it was discovered with a telescope by comparing photographs of the same patch of night sky over different periods of time.
Another factor is that the equipment used by astronomy has become more and more expensive as time goes on. A few centuries ago anybody who could fork out for a Newtonian or Cassegrainian telescope for his back garden was availing himself of the best and most advanced tool available for sky watching at night.
A few centuries ago the entire cosmos was the sphere of interest of the gifted amateur astronomer. He could, if he wished, restrict himself to the Solar System only. Alternatively, he could look further afield and observe and study the Milky Way. If he was particularly enquiring he could even venture beyond into the other galaxies and consider their appearances through his telescope as a pioneer, if he was clever.
Nowadays, perhaps regrettably, astronomy has become yet another professional speciality and has narrowed in its scope insofar that other sciences are muscling their way into traditional astronomical turf.
Geologists are investigating other planets in the Solar System, perhaps with a weather eye out in the search for another home for Mankind when this planet becomes uninhabitable for atmospheric reasons.
Meteorologists are carefully examining the climates of all the planets close to us with gaseous envelopes for the same reasons. Various different kinds of trusted engineers are involved in the designs of spacecraft. Computer boffins are involved in building and programming the computers to navigate them.
Truly, the field of astronomy is shrinking by the month. Therefore, in my view, it is only slightly short of amazing that this declining science still maintains an amateur wing.
Even within the arguably shortening compass of astronomy proper there is a divide between deep space and near space. The whole region of faraway observation has become the province of the professionally qualified astronomer and cosmologist.
This is emphasised, par excellence, by the phenomenon of the Hubble Space Telescope which orbits the Earth and is devoted to deep space. Apart from the short period after it was first commissioned as a working instrument (there were teething troubles) it does almost nothing but examinations of the furthest reaches of the cosmos.
It has penetrated into the extremely distant parts (in distance and in time) of the universe to the point where visible light cannot get to it easily and the beginning of the universe can be faintly glimpsed.
Additionally, the advent of radio astronomy has put a new element of advanced technology and high expense to the astronomical budget. Only the richest amateur astronomer can afford to possess even a small radio telescope capable of penetrating cloud cover.
Observations through non-visual wavelengths, for example, by using infrared filters on telescopes are arguably only for the most dedicated and persistent souls in the amateur astronomical fraternity.
Wikipedia the free Internet encyclopaedia rather optimistically puts the situation thus: “Collectively, amateur astronomers observe a variety of celestial objects and phenomena. Common targets of amateur astronomers include the Moon, planets, stars, comets, meteor showers, and a variety of deep sky objects such as star clusters, galaxies, and nebulae.
“Many amateurs like to specialise in observing particular objects, types of objects, or types of events which interest them. One branch of amateur astronomy, amateur astrophotography, involves the taking of photos of the night sky. Astrophotography has become more popular for amateurs in recent times, as relatively sophisticated equipment such as high quality CCD cameras has become more affordable.
“Most amateurs work at visible wavelengths, but a small minority experiment with wavelengths outside the visible spectrum. The pioneer of amateur radio astronomy was Karl Jansky who started observing the sky at radio wavelengths in the 1930s, and interest has increased over time.
“Non-visual amateur astronomy includes the use of infrared filters on conventional telescopes, and also the use of radio telescopes. Some amateur astronomers use home-made radio telescopes, while others use radio telescopes that were originally built for astronomy research but have since been made available for use by amateurs. The One-Mile Telescope is one such example.”
Dr Markus Boettcher of Ohio University says: “I see a very bright future for amateur astronomy. Of course, there's no chance for an amateur astronomer to compete with large professional observatories, but that is actually not a relevant point at all. If you are looking for opportunities for amateurs to contribute to science, you will still find many of them around.
“These are in particular projects in which one needs telescopes to follow objects consistently over a long time. For once, this is needed for the science of irregularly variable stars or a special class of galaxies that we call active galaxies. Long monitoring observations are also needed to track the positions of solar-system objects like asteroids or comets.
“Professional telescopes are notoriously oversubscribed and can hardly be used for such intensive monitoring projects. One needs dedicated people with unrestricted access to telescopes, and amateur astronomers can and do make a very valuable contribution to science this way.
“In addition, amateur astronomy clubs are making an invaluable contribution to spreading the excitement for the science of astronomy to the general public. We at Ohio University have very close ties to amateur astronomy organizations in our area on many on our public outreach programs. This is an important aspect of our science for which, unfortunately, the professionals often don't have the time that we should spend to communicate to the generalpublic.
“Amateur astronomers do an excellent job as the bridge between the professional astronomers and the general public.”A completely different point, though, is that astronomy is an amazing hobby, and is just fun to do, no matter whether it actually makes a contribution to the advancement of science. Or are you also asking why it makes sense to play music in an amateur orchestra if you have no chance of competing with the professionals?”
Dr William Harris of McMaster University says: “On this continent, Canada and the United States, amateur astronomy is thriving. There are far more amateur astronomers than professional astronomers.
“The amateur astronomers are taking very great advantages in technology – telescope astronomy. There are very good cameras. The electronic digital cameras are excellent.
“The ability to use the tools enables them to do the observations they want.
“Light pollution is a problem but people can still work in this way.
“The basic interests of amateur astronomers are different from the professionals. It is the pure enjoyment of observing.”
The principal reason why I am encouraging our readers to take up astronomy as a hobby is that in all recorded history an interest in this field is directly proportional to general socio-technical advancement and a decline in it usually heralds a general fall in the standards of the society concerned.
Therefore, if you can, sit up late at night and watch Sir Patrick Moore on the telly.
THE END
This article was published in the 27 September 2006 issue of the Bangla Mirror, the first English language weekly for the United Kingdom's Bangladeshis - read everywhere from the Arctic to the sub-Antarctic.
posted by Ali @ 11:14 AM
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