Editing Astronomer

{{short description|Scientist in the field of astronomy}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2019}}
{{Use American English|date=September 2024}}
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[[File:IAU 2006 General Assembly- Result of the IAU Resolution Votes (iau0603g).jpg|thumb|upright=1.5|A voting session is conducted in 2006 [[International Astronomical Union]]'s general assembly for determining a [[IAU definition of planet|new definition of a planet]]]]

An '''astronomer''' is a [[scientist]] in the field of [[astronomy]] who focuses on a specific question or field outside the scope of [[Earth]]. Astronomers observe [[astronomical object]]s, such as [[star]]s, [[planet]]s, [[natural satellite|moons]], [[comet]]s and [[galaxy|galaxies]] – in either [[observational astronomy|observational]] (by analyzing the data) or [[theoretical astronomy]]. Examples of topics or fields astronomers study include [[planetary science]], [[Sun|solar astronomy]], the [[Star formation|origin]] or [[stellar evolution|evolution of stars]], or the [[galaxy formation and evolution|formation of galaxies]]. A related but distinct subject is [[physical cosmology]], which studies the [[Universe]] as a whole.

==Types==
Astronomers typically fall under either of two main types: [[observational astronomy|observational]] and [[theoretical astronomy|theoretical]]. Observational astronomers make direct [[observation]]s of [[Astronomical object|celestial objects]] and analyze the data. In contrast, theoretical astronomers create and investigate [[Conceptual model|model]]s of things that cannot be observed. Because it takes millions to billions of years for a system of stars or a galaxy to complete a life cycle, astronomers must observe snapshots of different systems at unique points in their evolution to determine how they form, evolve, and die. They use this data to create models or [[simulation]]s to theorize how different celestial objects work.

Further subcategories under these two main [[branches of science|branches]] of astronomy include [[Planetary science|planetary astronomy]], [[astrobiology]], [[stellar astronomy]], [[astrometry]], [[galactic astronomy]], [[extragalactic astronomy]], or [[physical cosmology]]. Astronomers can also specialize in certain specialties of observational astronomy, such as [[infrared astronomy]], [[neutrino astronomy]], [[x-ray astronomy]], and [[gravitational-wave astronomy]].

== Academic ==
{{For|subdisciplines|Outline of astronomy}}
===History===
[[Image:Justus Sustermans - Portrait of Galileo Galilei (Uffizi).jpg|left|thumb|upright|[[Galileo]] is often referred to as the father of [[modern astronomy]]. Portrait by [[Justus Sustermans]].]]
[[Image:JKepler.jpg|right|thumb|upright|[[Johannes Kepler]], one of the fathers of [[modern astronomy]]]]

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[[History of astronomy|Historically]], astronomy was more concerned with the [[classification]] and description of [[phenomena]] in the sky, while [[astrophysics]] attempted to explain these phenomena and the differences between them using [[Scientific law|physical laws]]. Today, that distinction has mostly disappeared and the terms "astronomer" and "astrophysicist" are interchangeable. Professional astronomers are highly educated individuals who typically have a [[Doctor of Philosophy|PhD]] in [[physics]] or astronomy and are employed by research institutions or universities.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.noao.edu/education/astfaq.html |title=Frequently Asked Questions About Becoming an Astronomer |access-date=29 March 2009 |publisher=NOAO | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090403101540/http://www.noao.edu/education/astfaq.html| archive-date= 3 April 2009 | url-status= live}}</ref> They spend the majority of their time working on research, although they quite often have other duties such as teaching, building instruments, or aiding in the operation of an observatory.

The [[American Astronomical Society]], which is the major organization of professional astronomers in [[North America]], has approximately 8,200 members (as of 2024). This number includes scientists from other fields such as physics, [[geology]], and [[engineering]], whose research interests are closely related to astronomy.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://aas.org/about-aas |title=About the AAS |access-date=18 November 2024 |publisher=AAS| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20241002195522/https://aas.org/about-aas|archive-date= 2 October 2024 | url-status= live}}</ref> The [[International Astronomical Union]] comprises about 12,700 members from 92 countries who are involved in astronomical research at the PhD level and beyond (as of 2024).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.iau.org/public/themes/member_statistics/ |title=IAU Member Statistics |access-date=18 November 2024 |publisher=IAU}}</ref>
[[File:南公懷仁像.jpg|thumb|upright|Portrait of the Flemish astronomer [[Ferdinand Verbiest]] who became head of the Mathematical Board and director of the Observatory of the Chinese emperor in 1669]]

Contrary to the classical image of an old astronomer peering through a [[telescope]] through the dark hours of the night, it is far more common to use a [[charge-coupled device]] (CCD) camera to record a long, deep exposure, allowing a more sensitive image to be created because the [[light]] is added over time. Before CCDs, [[photographic plates]] were a common method of observation. Modern astronomers spend relatively little time at telescopes, usually just a few weeks per year. Analysis of observed phenomena, along with making predictions as to the causes of what they observe, takes the majority of observational astronomers' time.

===Activities and graduate degree training===
Astronomers who serve as faculty spend much of their time teaching undergraduate and graduate classes. Most universities also have [[outreach]] programs, including public telescope time and sometimes [[planetarium]]s, as a public service to encourage interest in the field.<ref name="harvard-outreach">{{cite web |title=Public outreach project |url=https://astronomy.fas.harvard.edu/public-outreach-project|publisher=Department of Astronomy, Harvard University |access-date=15 September 2024 |date=2024}}</ref>

Those who become astronomers usually have a broad background in physics, [[mathematics]], sciences, and [[computing]] in high school. Taking courses that teach how to research, write, and present papers are part of the higher education of an astronomer, while most astronomers attain both a [[Master's degree]] and eventually a PhD degree in astronomy, physics or [[astrophysics]].<ref name=harvard/>

PhD training typically involves 5-6 years of study, including completion of upper-level courses in the core sciences, a competency examination, experience with teaching undergraduates and participating in outreach programs, work on research projects under the student's supervising professor, completion of a [[Thesis|PhD thesis]], and passing a final [[oral exam]].<ref name="harvard">{{cite web |title=Graduate program requirements |url=https://astronomy.fas.harvard.edu/requirements |publisher=Department of Astronomy, Harvard University |access-date=15 September 2024 |date=2024}}</ref> Throughout the PhD training, a successful student is financially supported with a [[stipend]].<ref name=harvard/>

== Amateur astronomers ==
{{main|Amateur astronomy}}
While there is a relatively low number of professional astronomers, the field is popular among [[amateurs]]. Most cities have amateur astronomy clubs that meet on a regular basis and often host [[star party|star parties]]. The [[Astronomical Society of the Pacific]] is the largest general astronomical society in the world, comprising both professional and amateur astronomers as well as educators from 70 different nations.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.astrosociety.org/about.html |title=About Us |access-date=29 March 2009 |publisher=[[Astronomical Society of the Pacific]]| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090225074145/http://astrosociety.org/about.html| archive-date= 25 February 2009 | url-status= live}}</ref> 

As with any [[hobby]], most people who practice amateur astronomy may devote a few hours a month to [[stargazing]] and reading the latest developments in research. However, amateurs span the range from so-called "armchair astronomers" to people who own science-grade telescopes and instruments with which they are able to make their own discoveries, create [[Astrophotography|astrophotographs]], and assist professional astronomers in research.<ref name="explore">{{cite web|url=https://explorescientificusa.com/pages/explore-alliance-astrophotography-ambassadors-jack-newton|publisher=[[Explore Scientific]]|title=Explore Alliance Astrophotography Ambassadors - Jack Newton|access-date=15 September 2024|date=2024}}</ref><ref name="tejassvi">{{cite web |vauthors=Tejassvi T |title=A starry-eyed weekend |url=https://gogeomatics.ca/a-starry-eyed-weekend/ |publisher=GoGeomatics Canada |access-date=15 September 2024 |date=10 June 2022}}</ref>

== See also ==
* [[List of astronomers]]
* [[List of women astronomers]]
* [[List of Muslim astronomers]]
* [[List of French astronomers]]
* [[List of Hungarian astronomers]]
* [[List of Russian astronomers and astrophysicists]]
* [[List of Slovenian astronomers]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

=== Sources ===
* {{Cite book |last=Dallal |first=Ahmad |contribution=Science, Medicine and Technology |author-link=Ahmad Dallal |editor-last=Esposito |editor-first=John |title=The Oxford History of Islam |date=1999 |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]], New York |isbn=0-300-15911-0 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/islamsciencechal0000dall}}
* {{Citation |last=Kennedy|first=E.S.|title=A Survey of Islamic Astronomical Tables; Transactions of the American Philosophical Society| date=1956|location=Philadelphia| publisher=[[American Philosophical Society]]|volume=46|issue=2}}
* {{Cite encyclopedia
  | last = Toomer
  | first = Gerald
  | title = Al-Khwārizmī, Abu Jaʿfar Muḥammad ibn Mūsā
  | encyclopedia = [[Dictionary of Scientific Biography]]
  | volume = 7
  | editor = Gillispie, Charles Coulston
  | publisher = [[Charles Scribner's Sons]]
  | location = New York
  | date = 1990
  | isbn = 0-684-16962-2
  }}

== External links ==
* [http://www.aas.org American Astronomical Society]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20180907185732/http://eas.unige.ch/ European Astronomical Society]
* [http://www.iau.org International Astronomical Union]
* [http://www.astrosociety.org Astronomical Society of the Pacific]
* [http://www.space.com Space's astronomy news]

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[[Category:Astronomy]]
[[Category:Astronomers| ]]
[[Category:Science occupations]]