Astronomy - An Introduction

by Owen Jones


Although astronomy is the oldest science, it is still at the forefront of not only scientific thought, but also that of the public at large. Who hasn't gazed up at the galaxy while walking home late at night and wondered? Having said that though, the ancient people of definitely the northern hemisphere, but probably both hemispheres, knew the movements of the stars and planets better than most of us do nowadays.

They understood even then, thousands of years ago, that most stars seem to appear in the Eastern skies at night and travel on circular paths. They also noticed that some 'stars' were 'wanderers' (we call them planets) and that sometimes they travelled 'against the flow'.

They also named clusters of stars that we now call constellations or even galaxies and knew that those visible in the winter were different from those visible in the summer.and that others were visible all year round. The average common man of 5,000 - 10,000 years ago almost certainly knew more about the movement of the celestial bodies than the average common man of our times. (I mean men and women here, naturally).

They learned how to calculate or at least find the extremities of the sunrise and went to extraordinary lengths to mark those points with huge stone structures, such as Stonehenge in the United Kingdom, probably to facilitate the location of certain positions of the sun or other planets or stars, which may have been vital to their religious beliefs or crop cycles.

In 1609, Galileo invented the first artificial device for studying the stars and planets. It was the first astronomical telescope and through it he was able to observe things millions of miles away that no one had ever seen before. Because of the deductions he drew from his observations, he clashed with the Roman Catholic Church and was often in serious danger for his life, so radical were his discoveries.

But humankind was not to be put off, and since then we have gone on to build ever bigger and ever better astronomical telescopes through which we can even detect radio waves, microwaves, X-rays, infrared waves and gamma waves from outer space. Forty years ago, we even travelled to our Moon. and we have sent rockets to eight of the nine planets in our Solar System, as well as to quite a few comets and asteroids.

Where will we go next? That decision was always up to the government of the United States and the old USSR, but now there are other players in the field. What will China or India want to explore with their possibly slightly different outlook on life? Or will it be only a question of financial benefit?

The world may be in a state of change and power may be shifting from its traditional seats in the West, but it has not diminished interest in questions that scientists think can only be answered in space. These are exciting times for the science of astronomy, but then man has always found astronomy exciting.




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Buy Your New 8 Reflector Telescope Online With Some Best Deals

By Albert Williams

The internet is the best source available for choosing the right telescope of 8 reflectors. Whether it is an 8 reflector you want or a 6 reflector, you will find it right on the internet which helps you to choose and you also are provided with all the information regarding the telescope of 8reflector.

There are umpteen numbers of online companies on the internet that you would come across that offer an 8 reflector telescope but some of he best in business are mentioned below, so check it out to know about some great deals

UK Telescopes

The UK Telescopes is definitely one of the best places that you can go if you want to get an 8 reflector telescope for yourself. Their aim is to provide you the customer with the right telescope at the right price, while at the same time offering a good range of accessories and combination packages at competitive rates.

In case you need help, you can always find them to be helpful and help you with your needs, and that is why if you are troubled with any queries, they are right there to answer them. Even if you are in the need to learn more regarding the telescope or the way of utilizing it, they are always willing to help you and also ensure that the shopping for the right telescope can take place effortlessly and promptly.

Telescope Planet

Another company that you may want to check out for an 8 reflector telescope is Telescope Planet. They offer one of the largest and most comprehensive selections of reflector telescopes in the world, and therefore are definitely at least worth checking out if you are looking for a telescope.

They provide you with the best kind of telescope, and do not get surprised if you find all sorts of telescope and the different products. If you are interested in a telescope of 8 reflector or any other one, you are sure to find the desired one and with accessories as well.

The telescope that you find here are of the finest quality and you also get a guarantee from the company so that you are not disappointed in the future. They are sure to help you in case you are in need of it, and provide you with all the basics of the telescope as well, and at any time of the day.

The above mentioned companies are not the only options for buying telescopes but certainly the best one. You are free to check out other companies and than compare. You can take as long as possible to check to come across the ideal telescope that appeals to your requirement and also effortlessly fits your budget. - 32540

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Astronomy Telescope, Endless Possibilities For Imagination And Education

By Dale Smith

Hundreds of years ago, some of the people that loved lying on their backs outside at night and looking at the stars became a serious endeavor. A few of those same people are responsible for the invention of the telescope and having the ability to look into the heavens like you were right there on a star. The astronomy telescope led to many of today's discoveries of space and all that we know of that is in it.

Thanks to men like Galileo dedicating themselves to thinking up ways to get a closer look at what was up in the skies, the telescope is ours to still enjoy. There have been many improvements on the astronomy telescope and they just keep getting better.

If you are considering buying a telescope, you should be aware that there are different kinds of telescopes and you will get different viewing capabilities from each one. One kind is a refractor telescope. This astronomy telescope works by the way the air bends when it hits a medium. In the case of the refractor telescope, this medium is glass. When the air hits the glass, you will have light which is what you will actually see through the lens. The light comes from bouncing off the stars and planets by the sun on the other side of our earth.

Another kind of telescope you may like to have is called a reflecting telescope. The viewing through this one is possible through mirrored reflections of the light. You will have a view of the same stars and planets only in a different kind of reflection. What amazing thinking on the part of Galileo and all those other great thinkers in our past.

If you are interested in learning about the stars and being able to see them clearly while doing so, then you need to go online. You can find many telescope dealers that will help you in choosing the right telescope for you. You will also need to get a few accessories such as a tripod, eyepieces, finders, specialty cleaning supplies, and a dust cover. One very important accessory is charts of what you are looking at.

Talking to someone about the telescope that you want will be a lot easier if you know a little bit about them ahead of time. You will also want to know what kind of accessories you are going to need to go ahead and buy along with astronomy telescope as well. You are going to need extra eyepieces, a tripod, a dustcover, and some finders along with a chart of the skies.

Never be in bright lights right before you plan to go and use your telescope. This is going to cause your eyes to limit your view. View the skies on clear nights and keep your telescope moving, but slowly so you will be able to stay in focus.

Making the choice to get an astronomy telescope will bring you hours of enjoyment and discovery. These are great to get for the kids in your family and is one awesome way to spend time with them, imagining and gazing into the heavens and seeing what is up there that we don't know about yet. - 32540

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Space Astronomy And The Different Types

By Dale Smith

First off, the general word astronomy is the study of outer space and everything in it to the last detail. In order to study all that mass it has to be broken down into separate categories. These are just a few types of space astronomy. Some of the different types include planetary, solar, stellar, and galactic. Understanding the different types of astronomy might give you a basic knowledge of how things are broken down in the universe.

Planetary astronomy and science studies the planets and moons, comets and asteroids, icy satellites and dwarf planets. They study the physical mass and composition of these bodies as well as the theories behind the formation of the planets mostly within our solar system. Computer simulation, mathematical modeling, or by physical means using a robotic vehicle to collect specimens are some of the ways to help study. Research can be conducted by earth based laboratories or space exploration. They examine the dust around younger stars and how they move through space. They also study interior and exterior surfaces, what their atmospheres are like and research the study gravity.

Solar astronomy is a type of space astronomy that covers only the sun. The sun is a major part of the universe that has yet to be entirely understood. Due to the fact that we cannot get too close to the sun, we are limited in the research we can do. However, the sun has made significant changes and every time the sun changes it affects the earth. Studying the sun, the sun's changes, and how it affects the earth is focused in this type of astronomy.

Stellar astronomy is usually studied by both observing and using theoretical modeling. The primary focus of stellar astronomy being that of the stars, observing the various stages and how they form and develop. Looking at the radiation, intensity, and color of a star through photographic means is one way of observing. The other, theoretical modeling, is just that, taking and using known applications or phenomena then building a model. They can then base theories off these models by studying them.

Galactic astronomy is focused on our own Milky Way Galaxy and includes the study of everything inside including nebulae, stars, stellar clusters and dust. While this specifically is the study of the Milky Way, extragalactic astronomy is focused on all other galaxies besides or own. Our own solar system is at home inside the Milky Way and is the most studied and understood, mostly because its closer and therefore easier to study. Due to scientific inventions, we have now mapped some areas of gas and dust clouds within our galaxy that were not possible before from limitations. There are many subcategories to galactic astronomy, but perhaps those will be saved for a future article.

There are many different types of space astronomy. This is because there are so many factors and objects that make up the universe they need to be broken up into different sections. The universe consists of different galaxies, stars, comets, a huge entity known as the sun, and tons of planets. This is a vast and complex system broken down into many subsections to make it easier for us to learn about astronomy. - 32540

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Perception Optics : Find All Your Optical Needs Like Telescopes, Binoculars, Rifle and Spotting Scopes

By Marvin Smith

All company's have to start somewhere, and Perception Optics is no different, but don't be fooled by that because the optics we have are not new in concept; they have been around for a very long time. Optical lenses have existed for ages. Lenses were manufactured for spectacles back in the thirteenth century. The first recorded optical telescopes appeared in the Netherlands in 1608. The following year Galileo greatly improved this design and hence history was made.

Today, with years of inventions, modern technology and a clear understanding about the function of the human eye, we have modern optics which include:

Binoculars: Designed so that both eyes can be used simultaneously to produce stereoscopic vision. Binoculars come in specific applications including compact for easy travel, sport for your favorite game, astronomy for viewing the stars and even "image stabilized" to keep the image from shaking at high magnification.

Telescopes: Consisting of lenses or mirrors and sometimes both which gathers incoming light and brings it to a focus point to be magnified by the eyepiece. Telescopes can be used for direct observation or photographic recording of distant objects.

Spotting Scopes: Excellent uses for bird and nature viewing or determining whether your arrow or gun shot hit the target. Attach a digital camera and you have a powerful zoom lens.

Rifle Scopes: Used by Hunters and competition shooting or anything else you would use a rifle for. Rifle Scopes are invaluable for accurate shots and have none or very little magnification.

Range Finder: Are you ready to stop guessing how far the ball is to the next green, or what distance that prized buck is. The range finder will tell you that as well as determine slope, speed and angle.

Night Vision: Enhances your ability to see in a dark situation with either natural ambient light or artificial light by means of an IR illuminator. Used in my case for fun, but mostly used by local law enforcement and military.

Everyone desires optics, starting with young kids to adults, from homeowners to the work field and from the specialist to the hobbyist. All youngsters need their initial set of Binoculars or an Astronomy class with their original Telescope and in support of those individuals who benefit from hunting or a sporting event then sport optics are just the thing.

Perception Optics has many brand name products with warehouses throughout the country. We started this business with you in mind and will do our very best to satisfy you as a customer. - 32540

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Amateur Astronomy: Astronomy Binoculars For Beginners

By Gary Nugent

Astronomy binoculars and telescopes and other astronomy equipment and accessories are at the heart of of amateur astronomy.

What helped me familiarise myself with the night sky was a good set of binoculars. It was only after using them for a couple of years that I upgraded to a telescope.

That was one of the department store 60mm telescopes we're all warned about, but my folks didn't know any better, and to a 12-year old kid, it opened up the universe.

Good Binoculars For Astronomy

Binoculars have a role to play in astronomy. Good binoculars for astronomy cost less than a telescope and are an excellent choice for someone familiarising themselves with the night sky.

They don't provide the same magnifications as a telescope (but magnification isn't everything) but binoculars do show a much wider field of view which makes it easier to navigate across the sky.

And, since you're using both eyes, you suffer less eyestrain. You also have the added benefit of being able to see the "big" picture.

Binocular viewers are available for telescopes and those who use them (even though they cost a couple of hundred dollars and you need two eyepieces for each one) swear by them (rather than at them!). However, since these are a piece of specialised equipment, they will cost more than a pair of binoculars.

A typical set of binoculars will be 10x50s (10x magnification and front lenses 50mm in diameter). More powerful models are available - 20x60s cost from $150 upwards and you can get 20x80s for as little as $90 (yes, cheaper than 20x60s).

Astronomy binoculars are quite heavy and you can tire easily pointing them at the sky for an extended period. Also, because of their higher magnification, any shake in your hands will also be magnified and stars will bounce around in the view.

If you plan to look at the sky for extended periods, you'd be advised to use a tripod with a binocular adaptor. This lets you securely mount the astronomy binoculars on it and easily point them around the sky without strain.

Binoculars are also great for looking at large scale celestial objects such as comets. The Moon through 20x binoculars is a revelation, bringing it close enough to see topography but also, you'll see it in three dimensions, something a telescope can't do as you only look though one eyepiece instead of two.

Good astronomy binoculars for beginners are available from a wide range of manufacturers: Celestron, Meade, Zhumell, Barska, Pentax and Canon.

Serious amateur astronomers may want to invest in top-brand models from Nikon, Vixen, Kowa and Fujinon. Expect to pay $1,000 and upwards to $5,600 depending on the make and model. Why would anyone want to pay so much for a pair of binoculars? They're the best instrument for comet hunting for one. The 3-D view they give makes you feel like you're out in space. The better models use interchangeable eyepieces so you can change the magnification and field of view.

Conclusion

You can start using a pair of binoculars much more quickly than setting up a telescope so if the weather is very changeable where you live, they're probably a better option for sky watching. Naturally, binoculars go into your luggage a lot more easily when you're travelling allowing you to view the sky from your holiday destination with ease.

All in all, astronomy binoculars are a much better option for casual viewers because of their portability, usefulness for both terrestrial and astronomical observing and their cost in comparison to a decent telescope.

As with almost everything else in life, you get what you pay for. There are binoculars that cost under $10 (being cheap in every sense of the word) and other specialised astronomy binoculars which cost in excess of $5,600. My experience says you will need to spend at least $90 for a pair of binoculars that are worth having, but $140-300 is a more common price range for astronomy binoculars. - 32540

About the Author:

Amateur Astronomy: Good Astronomy Binoculars For Beginners

By Gary Nugent

Astronomy binoculars and telescopes and other astronomical accessories and are at the heart of of amateur astronomy.

What helped me familiarise myself with the night sky was a good set of binoculars. It was only after using them for a couple of years that I upgraded to a telescope.

That was one of the department store 60mm telescopes we're all warned about, but my folks didn't know any better, and to a 12-year old kid, it opened up the universe.

Astronomy Binoculars For Beginners

Binoculars have a role to play in astronomy. Good binoculars for astronomy cost less than a telescope and are an excellent entry point for someone familiarising themselves with the night sky.

They don't offer the same magnifications as a telescope (but magnification isn't everything) but binoculars do show a much wider field of view which makes it easier to navigate across the sky.

Because of this wider field of view, you also get to see the 'big' picture. And, because you're using both eyes, there's less eyestrain.

Binocular viewers are available for telescopes and those who use them (even though they cost a couple of hundred dollars and you need two eyepieces for each one) swear by them (rather than at them!). However, since these are a piece of specialised equipment, they will cost more than a pair of binoculars.

A typical set of binoculars will be 10x50s (10x magnification and front lenses 50mm in diameter). More powerful models are available - 20x60s are priced from $150 upwards and you can get 20x80s for as little as $90.

Astronomy binoculars are quite heavy and you can tire easily pointing them skyward for more than a minute or two. Also, due to their higher magnification, any shake in your hands will also be magnified and stars will bounce around in the view.

If you plan to look at the sky for extended periods, you'd be advised to use a tripod with a binocular adaptor. This lets you securely mount the astronomy binoculars on it and easily point them around the sky without strain.

Binoculars are also great for looking at large scale celestial bodies such as comets. Looking at the Moon through 20x binoculars brings it close enough to see topography particularly along the terminator but also, you'll see it in three dimensions, something a telescope can't do as you only look though one eyepiece instead of two.

Astronomy binoculars for beginners are available from a wide range of manufacturers: Celestron, Meade, Zhumell, Barska, Pentax and Canon.

Serious amateur astronomers may want to invest in top-brand models from Nikon, Vixen, Kowa and Fujinon. Expect to pay $1,000 and upwards to $5,600 depending on the make and model. Why would anyone want to pay such an amount for a pair of binoculars? They're the best instrument for comet hunting for one. The 3-D view they give makes you feel like you're out in space. The better models use interchangeable eyepieces so you can change the magnification and field of view.

Conclusion

You can start using a pair of binoculars much more quickly than setting up a telescope so if you have very changeable weather where you live, they're probably a better option for sky watching. Of course, you can throw a pair of binoculars into your luggage very easily and view the sky from your holiday destination with ease.

All in all, binoculars are a much better option for casual viewers because of their portability, daytime and night-time use and their cost in comparison to a decent telescope.

As with almost everything else in life, you get what you pay for. There are binoculars that cost under $10 (being cheap in every sense of the word) and other specialised astronomy binoculars which cost in excess of $5,600. My experience says you will need to spend at least $90 for a pair of binoculars that are worth owning, but $140-300 is a more common price range for good binoculars for astronomy. - 32540

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