| Abstract from DBPedia | Amateur astronomy is a hobby where participants enjoy observing or imaging celestial objects in the sky using the unaided eye, binoculars, or telescopes. Even though scientific research may not be their primary goal, some amateur astronomers make contributions in doing citizen science, such as by monitoring variable stars, double stars, sunspots, or occultations of stars by the Moon or asteroids, or by discovering transient astronomical events, such as comets, galactic novae or supernovae in other galaxies. Amateur astronomers do not use the field of astronomy as their primary source of income or support, and usually have no professional degree in astrophysics or advanced academic training in the subject. Most amateurs are hobbyists, while others have a high degree of experience in astronomy and may often assist and work alongside professional astronomers. Many astronomers have studied the sky throughout history in an amateur framework; however, since the beginning of the twentieth century, professional astronomy has become an activity clearly distinguished from amateur astronomy and associated activities. Amateur astronomers typically view the sky at night, when most celestial objects and astronomical events are visible, but others observe during the daytime by viewing the Sun and solar eclipses. Some just look at the sky using nothing more than their eyes or binoculars, but more dedicated amateurs often use portable telescopes or telescopes situated in their private or club observatories. Amateurs can also join as members of amateur astronomical societies, which can advise, educate or guide them towards ways of finding and observing celestial objects. They can also promote the science of astronomy among the general public.アマチュア天文学（アマチュアてんもんがく）とは、天体を観測し、理解を深めることを楽しむ趣味である。 アマチュア天文家達は、一般的に、夜、天体イベントを見るが、日食のように日中行われるイベントもある。観測機材は望遠鏡、双眼鏡等で冷却CCDカメラを使用する者もいる。彗星や小惑星、超新星の発見、流星、掩蔽の観測等、プロの天文学者に劣らない学術的貢献をしている者も少なくない。 一般的なアマチュア天文家達は、本職の天文学者とは異なり、支援や収入を得ない。 (Source: http://dbpedia.org/resource/Amateur_astronomy) |
