page_title: Amateur astronomy
section_title: Common tools
hierarchical_section_title: Amateur astronomy / Common tools
caption_attribution_description: Afrikaans: Sterrekundiges wat tuisgaan by ESO se La Residencia, die BGT-sterrewag se hotel diep in die Chileense woestyn, het 'n uitsig op die hemeltrans soos min ander op aarde. La Residencia is ontwerp deur die Duitse argitekte Auer+Weber+Assoziierte en bied 'n oase vir dié wat by ESO se Paranal-sterrewag werk. Die Atacama-woestyn is een van die mees ongenaakbare landskappe denkbaar. 'n Uiters droë klimaat, intense ultravioletbestraling van die son en die hoë hoogte is hier jou daaglikse metgeselle. Snags ervaar La Residencia egter van die beste waarnemingstoestande ter wêreld. La Residencia en ESO se BGT – gehuisves by die Paranal-sterrewag – is ver van bronne van ligbesoedeling en ervaar buitengewoon deursigtige atmosferiese toestande. Op maanlose nagte kan die sterlig so skerp wees en die omgewing so donker dat die Melkweg 'n skaduwee op die grond werp! Hierdie faktore laat hoë kwaliteit wetenskaplike waarnemings toe en bied ongelooflike toestande vir astrofotografie, soos versinnebeeld deur hierdie pragtige skoot deur Luis Calçada, 'n grafiese bewegingsontwerper by ESO se hoofkwartier te Garching, Duitsland. Hier oorspan die Melkweg die hemelgewelf bo La Residencia, terwyl verbygaande personeel 'n oomblik verpoos om die skouspelagtige toneel gade te slaan. English: Deep in the Chilean Desert, astronomers staying at ESO’s La Residencia, the VLT Observatory's hotel, witness a skyscape like few others on Earth. Designed by the German architects Auer+Weber+Assoziierte, La Residencia provides an oasis for those working at ESO’s Paranal Observatory. The Atacama Desert is one of the harshest landscapes imaginable. Extreme dryness, intense ultraviolet radiation from the Sun, and high altitude are a normal part of everyday life. However, come nightfall, La Residencia experiences some of the best observing conditions in the world. La Residencia and ESO’s Very Large Telescope (VLT) — housed at the Paranal Observatory — are far from sources of light pollution, and experience exceptionally clear atmospheric conditions. On moonless nights, the sky can be so clear and dark that light from the Milky Way casts a shadow on the ground! These factors permit high quality scientific observations to be made as well as offering amazing conditions for astrophotography, exemplified in this stunning shot taken by Luis Calçada, a motion graphic designer at ESO’s headquarters in Garching, Germany. In this photograph, the plane of the Milky Way can be seen above La Residencia, as passing staff members take a moment to admire the spectacular sight.
context_page_description: Amateur astronomy is a hobby where participants enjoy observing or imaging celestial objects in the sky using the unaided eye, binoculars, or telescopes. Even though scientific research may not be their primary goal, some amateur astronomers make contributions in doing citizen science, such as by monitoring variable stars, double stars sunspots, or occultations of stars by the Moon or asteroids, or by discovering transient astronomical events, such as comets, galactic novae or supernovae in other galaxies.
  Amateur astronomers do not use the field of astronomy as their primary source of income or support, and usually have no professional degree in astrophysics or advanced academic training in the subject. Most amateurs are hobbyists, while others have a high degree of experience in astronomy and may often assist and work alongside professional astronomers. Many astronomers have studied the sky throughout history in an amateur framework; however, since the beginning of the twentieth century, professional astronomy has become an activity clearly distinguished from amateur astronomy and associated activities.
context_section_description: Amateur astronomers use a range of instruments to study the sky, depending on a combination of their interests and resources.  Methods include simply looking at the night sky with the naked eye, using binoculars, and using a variety of optical telescopes of varying power and quality, as well as additional sophisticated equipment, such as cameras, to study light from the sky in both the visual and non-visual parts of the spectrum.  Commercial telescopes are available, new and used, but it is also common for amateur astronomers to build (or commission the building of) their own custom telescopes.  Some people even focus on amateur telescope making as their primary interest within the hobby of amateur astronomy.
  Although specialized and experienced amateur astronomers tend to acquire more specialized and more powerful equipment over time, relatively simple equipment is often preferred for certain tasks. Binoculars, for instance, although generally of lower power than the majority of telescopes, also tend to provide a wider field of view, which is preferable for looking at some objects in the night sky.
  Amateur astronomers also use star charts that, depending on experience and intentions, may range from simple planispheres through to detailed charts of very specific areas of the night sky. A range of astronomy software is available and used by amateur astronomers, including software that generates maps of the sky, software to assist with astrophotography, observation scheduling software, and software to perform various calculations pertaining to astronomical phenomena.
  Amateur astronomers often like to keep records of their observations, which usually takes the form of an observing log.  Observing logs typically record details about which objects were observed and when, as well as describing the details that were seen.  Sketching is sometimes used within logs, and photographic records of observations have also been used in recent times. The information gathered is used to help studies and interactions between amateur astronomers in yearly gatherings. Although not professional information or credible, it is a way for the hobby lovers to share their new sightings and experiences.
  The popularity of imaging among amateurs has led to large numbers of web sites being written by individuals about their images and equipment. Much of the social interaction of amateur astronomy occurs on mailing lists or discussion groups. Discussion group servers host numerous astronomy lists. A great deal of the commerce of amateur astronomy, the buying and selling of equipment, occurs online. Many amateurs use online tools to plan their nightly observing sessions, using tools such as the Clear Sky Chart.
caption: Places like Paranal Observatory offer crystal clear skies for observing astronomical objects with or without instruments.[11]
exif: {"Image ImageDescription": "Deep in the Chilean Desert, astronomers staying at ESO\u2019s La Residencia, the VLT Observatory's hotel, witness a skyscape like few others on Earth.  Designed by the German architects Auer+Weber+Assoziierte, La Residencia provides an oasis for those working at ESO\u2019s Paranal Observatory. The Atacama Desert is one of the harshest landscapes imaginable. Extreme dryness, intense ultraviolet radiation from the Sun, and high altitude are a normal part of everyday life. However, come nightfall, La Residencia experiences some of the best observing conditions in the world.  La Residencia and ESO\u2019s Very Large Telescope (VLT) \u2014 housed at the Paranal Observatory \u2014 are far from sources of light pollution, and experience exceptionally clear atmospheric conditions. On moonless nights, the sky can be so clear and dark that light from the Milky Way casts a shadow on the ground! These factors permit high quality scientific observations to be made as well as offering amazing conditions for astrophotography, exemplified in this stunning shot taken by Luis Cal\u00e7ada, a motion graphic designer at ESO\u2019s headquarters in Garching, Germany. In this photograph, the plane of the Milky Way can be seen above La Residencia, as passing staff members take a moment to admire the spectacular sight.", "Image Software": "Adobe Photoshop CC 2014 (Windows)", "Image Artist": "L. Calcada"}