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Tehachapi Skywatch: Armchair astronomers an emerging force
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Posted by editor Tue Nov 30, 1999 00:00:00 PST
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0 responses 0 comments Since the beginning of civilization, science as we know it was practiced by amateurs, rolling back the layers of ignorance on their own time. A fortunate handful were given grants by wealthy patrons; but, realistically, one could not expect to earn a living conducting pure science - that is, knowledge for its own sake.

In the field of space research, until recently, astronomy and astrology were one in the same, because the only apparent practical application of the study of the stars was to make superstitious predictions about the future. Kings and other rich men were willing to pay well for good predictions. Those that were lucky - or were able to couch their predictions in adequate vagary - made out. Those who were found to be wrong once too often were retired - summarily. Today we know that the gravitational attraction of the obstetrician had more effect on your birth than the position of Mars.

As science matured and pure knowledge became more valued, it became possible for a person to become a professional scientist. Today, the National Science Foundation, universities, and philanthropists ensure that there is adequate funding for professional scientists to make a decent living. At the same time, the questions at the leading edges of science require more and more education of the scientist to be able to make a meaningful contribution. One must often devote their entire life's work to the advancement of a single question. Further, the modern tools needed to tackle these questions go far beyond a microscope and a slide rule. The necessary tools for serious science are very expensive and sophisticated. As a result, the amateur scientist has become nearly extinct.

Yet, there is one science that still needs and appreciates its amateurs - astronomy. The universe is so vast and the questions about it so numerous that, with a relatively modest investment, a person can educate themselves enough to employ a backyard telescope to do meaningful astronomical research. Many have rigged telescopes to computers to systematically scan the sky for new supernova (exploding) stars. Others are sentinels, looking for asteroids and comets that may threaten earth. If they get lucky, their name be attached to a newly found comet, be the first to report a new supernova or asteroid, and may even save the world. But it should be noted that these dedicated amateur scientists have invested thousands of dollars and hours in the pursuit of astronomy.

Yet, for those us without the time and money for such obsession, there is a new way to advance astronomy that anyone can pursue. All you need is a personal computer and an Internet connection to participate Project Galaxy Zoo. (If you don't own one, you can use one at the library.) The Sloan Digital Sky Survey has taken pictures of millions of distant galaxies - the “island universes” that can be found to the very limits of space. While computers are great at determining exactly where they are in the sky and how bright they are, humans are much better a determining what kind of galaxy we're looking at, how it's oriented, and how it appears to be rotating.

Galaxies come in three basic types - spiral galaxies like our own, in which most of the stars, gas and dust are distributed in a flattened, rotating disc; elliptical galaxies in which everything is more evenly distributed in a roughly spherical shape, and peculiar galaxies, which are those that are neither spiral nor elliptical.  Each type has subtypes based on various features.

To participate in the project, log on to www.galaxyzoo.org. You will be taken through a short tutorial and in three minutes you will start categorizing distant galaxies.

Meanwhile, the Greater Tehachapi Astronomy Club will hold its first gathering for a telescope clinic at the Tehachapi High School on Friday evening, Oct. 26 to show people how to use telescopes. We'll start gathering at 6:30 p.m. near the high school flagpole. If you have a scope and aren't yet comfortable with it, we'll be there to help. If you don't have a telescope, here's your chance to stop by and enjoy one. We'll meet even if there are clouds, but not if it's really raining.

Manned Space Watch
Discovery is go for launch on Tuesday, Oct. 23 to deliver and attach “Node 2” to Space Station Alpha, which will allow the attachment of more modules in the coming months. The mission will be commanded by Astronaut Pam Melroy.
Meanwhile, Peggy Whitson of Beaconsfield, Iowa, has assumed command of Space Station Alpha, becoming the first woman ever to command the station. She was launched to the station earlier this month aboard a Russian Soyuz spacecraft. Go, girls!

Night Sky Watch
With a full moon near perigee on Thursday, our evenings will be bright with moonlight.

Jupiter is still bright in the southern sky, with Mars rising toward midnight.
Venus reaches its greatest western elongation (highest point in the sky) on Sunday, Oct. 28. 

Sunrise/Sunset (PDT)
7:02 AM/6:16 PM

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