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knowledge (lack of)

GrahamJ

By GrahamJ
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GrahamJ

GrahamJ

Posted
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I have just been flicking through a Nortons star atlas I bought in the 1980s it makes me realise how little I know of this amazing subject. Is it just me or do others amongst you feel daunted by how complex the subject is. Is if sometimes enough just to look and think wow.

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JamesF

JamesF

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Welcome to SGL.

I don't find the scale of the universe particularly daunting. I quite like the fact that there's so much out there for us to (hopefully) explore and understand. And that we are such a tiny part of it I find in a way reassuring. I think it makes the evolution of intelligent life elsewhere pretty much inevitable, probably lots of times over, and that's wonderful. I'd love to have the opportunity to be there if and when the human race first encounters intelligent extraterrestrial life.

James

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TonyD

TonyD

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Yes it is an amazing subject which melds so many varied themes and interests together Graham.

Just off the top of my head:

  • recognising the patterns and structures of the visual sky above our heads
  • physics - everything from Kepler's Laws, the law of universal gravitation, physics of nuclear fusion to explain the stellar life cycle and death, through to optics (telescopes) to quantum mechanics (neutron degeneracy in a neutron star) and special and general relativity (graviational lenses and light bending)
  • mathematics - spherical trigonometry as well as the related mathematics with lenses and other measuring instruments, and the calculations of course, paths of trajectories (conic sections), apparent versus actual altitude of stars due to bending of light in the atmosphere,
  • star lore and mythology - and the related aspects of human society development and anthropology
  • ancient sites and their structure with respect to astronomical events
  • massively fascinating applications of mathematics in modelling solar wind phenomena, magnetosphere, solar flares and internal magetic structures, and the vector calculus and differential equations that all generate
  • geology and structure of the Earth and other planets
  • personal organisation - keeping log books and observation notes
  • The human stories behind endeavour - such as Sputnik or the Apollo missions
  • artistry and sketching - sketching observations from the viewfinder
  • astrophotography and the amazing wealth of expertise needed in so many associated areas (eg manipulating software like Photoshop to stack images and pull out the data that is to be displayed)
  • meteorololgy - checking the weather for good observing nights and atmospheric disturbance

oh boy. the list will go on. and on. and on. I'm sure I've left out loads of obvious areas that should have been on the top of the above list!

What a hobby! What a subject!

Thanks for your post. It enabled me to reflect on what a fantastic thing it is to be interested in things like this. Sadly, there are people out there who aren't interested in anything much. What a thrill they are missing.

Tony

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TonyD

TonyD

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Oh, and sharing the stuff you find out about and see with those around you (partners, children and grandchildren). Even if they are not fully absorbed in this hobby, the enthusiasm and excitement that is radiated certainly can provide wonderful times together.

- Tony

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Mr Q

Mr Q

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Hello Graham and welcome to the SGL. Yes, it can be overwhelming with all that you can see even with a small scope. The good thing is there are enough things to look at to last you a lifetime. The bad thing is you'll never get to see all of them :grin:

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paulck

paulck

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I got my first ever telescope about 7 months ago. I've not looked back since.

So much to understand for us beginners and then think about the top astronomers and physicists... they have so much to find out too. It's really a bottomless pit of learning.

One thing that I really got into was some "Introductory Astronomy" lectures from some US university via youtube.

Here's the link to lecture one:

This might not be everyone's cup of tea, but I like it.

Paul

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JamesM

JamesM

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Hi Graham and welcome to the forum. Astronomy isn't difficult but there is an awful lot of it which is just as well, as we have a lifetime to learn about it and to decide where we might like to specialise. It will certainly never disappoint either but it would help just a tad if the clouds would go on holiday every now and then! :grin:

Clear skies and enjoy the forum

James

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glowjet

glowjet

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Hi Graham and welcome to SGL, it is a very vast subject indeed, it is nice to read about all the various aspects and it does make you think, but I find it enough just to stick with observing and finding my way about the night sky, and has been said before, trying to get your head round the vast distances involved in what you are observing, is mind blowing at times, but very enjoyable all the same :)

John.

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