4. Work of Astronomers and Scientists
4. Work of Astronomers and Scientists
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Describe the role of astronomers and their contributions to the field of astronomy
Welcome to the exciting world of astronomy! Astronomy is the branch of science that focuses on understanding where the universe came from, how it has changed over time, what it's made of, how far things are from each other, and how everything in space moves around1.
Have you ever gazed up at the night sky and wondered about the countless stars, planets, and galaxies that fill our universe? Well, that's exactly what astronomers do every day. They're like cosmic detectives, exploring the mysteries of the cosmos and helping us unravel the secrets of the universe. In this lesson, we'll discover how astronomers study everything from the birth of stars to the farthest reaches of the universe and how their work has shaped our understanding of the cosmos. So, let's put on our celestial detective hats and start exploring the wonders of astronomy!
Fig. 4.1 Astronomer
Scientists, known as astronomers, dedicate their time to exploring the vast wonders of the universe. They investigate a variety of celestial objects, like stars, planets, galaxies, asteroids, and comets. Their mission is to unlock the secrets behind these objects, understanding their characteristics, behaviours, and how they evolve. Additionally, astronomers study the broader structure and movements of the entire universe.
Astronomers use a variety of tools and techniques to carry out their cosmic investigations. They employ telescopes, both on Earth and in space, to capture information from far-off celestial objects. Astronomers also use computer models and simulations to explore complex cosmic processes, such as how galaxies form or what happens around mysterious black holes.
Through their work, astronomers are constantly expanding our knowledge of the universe and helping us understand where it all came from and how it's constantly changing2.
Galileo Galilei (February 15, 1564 – January 28, 1642)
Fig. 4.2 Galileo
Galileo Galilei was an Italian astronomer and mathematician born in Pisa, Italy, who made significant contributions to the field of science.
Galileo is often called the "Father of Observational Astronomy" because he changed the game by using telescopes to explore and learn about the celestial objects in the sky. He didn't just stop at watching the Moon; he pointed his powerful telescope at Jupiter and found the biggest moons circling that giant planet, now known as Galilean moons. This was a pretty big deal!
a. Astronomers at Work
a. Astronomers at Work
The majority of astronomers operate from observatories, which are usually equipped with a distinctive dome-shaped structure. The observatory's dome can be opened to allow the telescope inside to point at different areas of the night sky. Telescopes have a remarkable ability to make distant objects appear closer than they actually are, enabling astronomers to view features such as craters and mountains on our Moon and the moons of Jupiter3.
Astronomers use telescopes to gather information from stars, planets, and other space bodies. Sometimes, they journey to far-off or high-up places to use high-powered telescopes for their research. And guess what? Some lucky astronomers get to join space missions or play with data collected by amazing space telescopes like Hubble or Kepler4!
b. Space Probes and Missions
b. Space Probes and Missions
Scientists in space agencies launch robotic spacecraft, astronauts, satellites and probes to explore planets, moons, asteroids, and comets in greater detail. These missions provide direct observations and measurements that are impossible to obtain from Earth, enhancing our understanding of celestial bodies.
Some space probes, like Pioneer 10, take off and never return from outside our solar system. Some spacecraft, such as the Hubble Space Telescope, spend their whole lives in orbit around the same planet5.
Space probes are like super-smart robots that do science investigations in space. What's interesting is that they don't have any people on board - it's all machines! These probes have been a huge help to scientists who want to learn more about our solar system. Unlike the rockets that bring astronauts back to Earth, most space probes aren't built to return home. Some have even touched down on other planets! A few lucky ones even get to hang out in orbit around other planets, studying them for a really long time6.
All the information these space probes gather is like a treasure trove for scientists. It helps us understand things like the weather and other changes on planets that aren't Earth. Plus, this knowledge is very useful when planning new space missions, like the ones we dream of sending to Mars and Saturn!
Watch this video to learn more about Space Probes:6
Vid. 4.1 Space Probes
Glossary
astronomy: the science that studies space, stars, planets, and everything in the universe.
celestial objects: things found in space such as stars, planets, moons, comets, and asteroids.
cosmos: another word for the universe or everything that exists in space.
astronomer: a scientist who studies stars, planets, and other things in space.
simulation: a computer model used to show how something in space works or changes over time.
black hole: an area in space where gravity is so strong that not even light can escape.
space probe: a robot sent into space to explore planets, moons, and other objects uncrewed (without people on board).
satellite: an object that orbits a planet. It can be natural (like the moon) or made by humans.
spacecraft: a vehicle designed to travel in space.
galilean moons: the four largest moons of Jupiter discovered by galileo—Io, europa, ganymede, and callisto.
Summary
Astronomers are scientists who explore the universe, studying celestial objects like stars, planets, galaxies, asteroids, and comets.
They use tools such as telescopes, computer models, and simulations to understand the universe's secrets, characteristics, behaviours, and evolution.
Telescopes are crucial for astronomers to gather information from distant celestial objects. They make far-off objects appear closer, enabling the study of features like craters and mountains on the Moon and moons of Jupiter.
Space agencies launch robotic spacecraft, satellites, and probes to explore planets, moons, asteroids, and comets up close.
References
1 Astronomy Summary. Britannica, n.d, link
2 What does an astronomer do? Career Explorer, n.d, link
3 20+ Famous Astronomers: Scientific Contributions That Changed the World. The Planets, n.d, link
4 What Physicists and Astronomers Do? US Bureau of Labor and Statistics,n.d, link
5 Space Probes. Star Child, n.d, link
6 Space Probes. National Geographic, n.d, link
7 Mangalyaan, India’s first Mars mission. The Planetary Society, link
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