Astronomy (the branch of science that deals with celestial objects, space, and the physical universe as a whole) has always been the dominion of both professional and amateur astronomers.
Through the centuries the balance of astronomical discoveries (both optically and mathematically) has shifted back and forth between both groups of astronomers.
As of late the balance has shifted decidedly to professionals due to the creation of larger and larger telescopes and those being located in more and more remote locations around the world.
Someone might say to an amateur astronomer in his/her backyard, "What's the point? Why spend the money and the time doing imaging and viewing on your own? Go online and you will find more information and better (by far) images of objects in the night sky than you will ever produce!"
True. But even the word "amateur" explains why!
Amateur comes from the Latin word "amare", which means, “to love.” An amateur does it for the love of it, the beauty of it, the opportunity to be part of it, for personal enjoyment, reflection and to share that love with others... even if the telescope or the images produced are not up to the grade of being "professional".
And as of late, the tools the amateur uses, though on a much smaller scale than the pros have, have allowed the amateur to produce night sky images superior to what the pros were producing 20+ years ago!
And all is not lost for the amateur astronomer!
Amateurs are still making surprising discoveries even before the pros know about it! And if it were not for the interests, the love of it, there would likely be less support for what the pros do in government.
So go ahead, get outside at night!
Look up!
Even without a telescope there is beauty and more to be seen that cannot be had by looking online!
Do it for the love of it!
God created it to be seen, enjoyed and more!
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