Post by glactus on Jun 17, 2011 6:46:15 GMT
Amateur Astronomers
Amateur astronomers all over the world have made a tremendous contribution to astronomy, helping us to unfold the mysteries of cosmology, finding new objects to pass on to their professional counterparts who have access to huge telescopes to confirm their find, searching for the telltale signs of xoplanets, and helping us to find our place in the vastness of the Universe..
Amsat
Many amateur astronomers are also Ham radio operators, belonging to that wonderful organization AMSAT who have dozens of little satellites in low Earth orbit. These people ask for no pay and yet provide us with unique world wide radio coverage, relaying essential information to minimize the effects of earthquakes, tsunami and cyclones that ravage our planet.
Apollo 11 - Eagle landing site
Owning a telescope, even a small one, will turn you into a humble person. for you will realize how insignificant we really are in this living of a life.
A little telescope will show you where all the Apollo landing sites are on the Moon, the planets, and the Andromeda galaxy, and some amateur astronomers have larger instruments, to take them deeper into the Universe, to far away worlds, to where the whispers of the cosmos are calling us, and to where ancient civilizations abound..
Looking at the Sombrero galaxy
Credits: landing site is a NASA image
Space art by Glactus
Telescope in avatar: Meade 16"LX 200
Astronomer in avatar: Glactus