12-13-2015, 07:54 PM
Thanks, beejee, but seriously, if you want to get to know the night sky, amateur astronomers are the best. Try and find one!
Most professional astronomers are really physicists and are much more interested in specific phenomena and aren't always that good at describing the night sky. That doesn't mean all pro-astronomers don't know the night sky, but a serious amateur will beat us all of the time!
Most comets, for instance, are discovered by amateur astronomers and named after them.
I wanted to explain more, but getting very tired now and there's little improvement in sky conditions here. Happy to take this discussion further if you want.
Most professional astronomers are really physicists and are much more interested in specific phenomena and aren't always that good at describing the night sky. That doesn't mean all pro-astronomers don't know the night sky, but a serious amateur will beat us all of the time!
Most comets, for instance, are discovered by amateur astronomers and named after them.
I wanted to explain more, but getting very tired now and there's little improvement in sky conditions here. Happy to take this discussion further if you want.