Astronomy Definition and 832 Threads

Hi all, This question may seem innocent, but I can't see a clear boundary between the two. Who could explain it please. (as short as possible).

Alright, so basically, I'm freaking over this. Not littiorally, because the assignment isn't worth THAT much. But I've been working on my astronomy assignment ALL DAY. And there's some questions I can't get. I can't seem to find the answers (with reasoning) anywhere. I've tried yahoo answers...

Below are some questions. I have struggled with these questions so any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you so much. The Earth orbits the Sun: a. in a perfect circle b.in an ellipse with the sun at the center c.in an ellipse with the sun at the focus d.in a shape...

The question asks to find a new expression for a function, by substituting suitable expressions for the elimination of lambda and T. The function is: b(x)= h^4 * c^3 * U(sub-lambda) / 2*(kT)^5 In this case: U(sub-lambda)= U(sub-lambda)(lambda,T) - Planck Blackbody Function x= lambda*k*T /...

Working on a homework for a general astronomy class. Just want to make sure I'm not being inaccurate. Please let me know if I goofed something up. Thanks! RQ7: The word “apparent” in “apparent visual magnitude” is used to denote its dependence on viewing distance. These numbers refer to...

If one's interests lie in Astrophysics, what would be the best courses to achieve a BA, MA, and then PhD in given the following circumstances: The highest level degree offered at this college/graduate school in Astrophysics is a BA, while both MA and PhD degrees are offered in both Physics...

would Astronomy be worth it? please help hello everybody I am 22 years old, and up until recently i was working for a well known bank as a bus./personal banker. i was making about 50k-60k a year depending on my bonuses. i just got fired a few months ago because a manager got a hold of my...

I am looking into a graduate program in either physics or astronomy. I plan on studying astrophysics and cosmology, but am not sure which route I should move towards- a phd in physics or phd in astronomy since I heard that if you get a phd in astronomy rather than physics it hurts your options...

I am a high school student. I hope to get my bachelors in physics and astronomy but i heard that there is low job opportunities for that degree (i know for PHD in physics and astronomy the story is different) And i hope to do PHD in physics and astronomy while i am doing a job(Because i have...

What is the difference between Astronomy and Cosmology?

Looking for a connection to astronomy for a history of mathematics report on 19th century mathematicians. I don't do astronomy. Would like to know of any mathematical developments of Riemann that are used in astronomy that I can understand (which expressly excludes any thing with the word tensor...

Do you folks suppose its wise to get an Physics + Astronomy degree after engineering? Would it be a good career choice? I'm currently about to finish my first year in electronic engineering. Due to a lot of factors, I was unable to choose Astronomy when I enrolled. However, I've been...

Here is the summary of attraction forces (F = GMm/r2) during Total Eclipse when the Moon “M” is between Sun “S” and Earth “E”. Sun (F1 = GMm/r2) Moon (F2= GMm/r2) Earth (F1 = GMm/r2) = S - M = 4.1984 x 1020 (F2 = GMm/r2) = M - E = 2.2 x 10^20...

Hello, I am planning to offer a one-semester elective course in astronomy at my school, and I am looking for suggestions and ideas about what to include in the curriculum. I do not have many examples to pull from around here--the rural schools don't often teach it. We're going to have to...

Hi, I have to write about 3000 words on the M-sigma relationship, about how the mass of a black hole is related to the random velocities of objects in the core of galaxies. I'm not much of an astronomer, i am currently doing a physics degree (second year now) but i had to take a single...

Homework Statement assume that the rotation period of saturn at the equator, very deep in the atmosphere is 10 hrs. higher in the atmosphere, the equatorial winds blow west to east at 250 m/s. What would be the rotation period of this higher level in the atmosphere? also know - maximum...

Hi, i am new here, so am not really sure wheather i am asking this qus at the right place. I have a Lab based qus. I just did the atomic spetra analysis using a diffraction grating, analysing hydrogen gas. But but when i calculate the wavelengths of the lines, its way off from the literature...

Homework Statement You observe that in a rich cluster of radius 2 Mpc, galaxies move with a typical speed of 1500km s^(-1). Estimate the mass of the cluster. Homework Equations I can't seem to find any type of formula that makes sense to me in regards to this question. The Attempt...

I heard that this year is the Year of Astronomy. Being a "physicist" at the university, a local science teacher invited me to help out with writing some talks/presentations for the students at their high school on the topics of astrophysics... So, why 2009? What is so special? What is going...

Hey everyone, I was hoping if any experienced astronomers could help me out here. I'm looking to buy my first telescope, my main interest is in observing the planets, the moon, I don't know if this is too much or not, but I would maybe want to see some moons of the other planets and maybe get a...

I'm currently wrapping up my two year degree at community college and am looking to transfer to a 4 year university in a year. I'm looking to major in astronomy/astrophysics, but I'm not sure what the difference is between those two terms. To me, they almost seem interchangeable. Some...

I've been reading and reading and trying to figure this out, but I just can't. Any help anyone can give will be appreciated. It is probably simple as hell, but for some reason my stupid brain can't get it.. The formula/equation is: What I have to do is: Now, I'm not looking for...

Basically I've changed my mind about doing engineering and have decided to pursue my true passion, astronomy. My question is, do I major in astrophysics or astronomy? I am not sure if "astronomy" is a major. Also, will I be stuck teaching after all is done?

Astronomy for AS extended project need help! + tips! Hi i want know what sort of things can i include for a basic level astronomy. Despite doing physics I need some tips which i could include I am currently at college i will update it soon in more detail thanks

Homework Statement I am given a table with the abundances of atoms of different elements per 1000 Si atoms. The question wants me to tabulate the fraction of mass of the Earth that each element, and different oxides contribute. But to do this I need to know how many Si atoms there are so I...

Homework Statement How does the speed of light's finiteness limit the size of our observable universe? Using the speed of light (c = 3 x 10^8 m/s), estimate the age of the observable Universe in years given its estimated size of about 10^26 m. Homework Equations The Attempt at a...

Hi everybody i've got some fantastic astronomy pictures.:smile: if you've got any let's share them

Homework Statement Define what is mean by polytrope and polystopic index n. (This is work 2 marks) The Attempt at a Solution A polytrope is a solution for denstity for the polytropic equation of state. Polytropic index is defines as: y = 1 1/n So do you think I have...

I am a physics major at a school with a limited program and no astronomy of astrophysics options. However, my goal is to go to Grad school for a cosmology/astrophysics. I would bet I know most of what is covered in the one astronomy related course my school offers, which is basically a survey...

http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap081215.html I saw this on Digg and decided to post it on here. Enjoy.

Hi all, I want ask about any magazine related to telescopes & astronomy? like scientific american magazine.

My dad wants an astronomy textbook for Christmas. He's always been at least somewhat interested in the subject and he also wants to be conversant with me on the subject. My high school astronomy class was a mixture of history, light math/theory, and general factoids about -- stuff. I don't...

I know that the bigger the telescope aperture, the more photons you can collect, and the fainter the objects you can see. I also know that the bigger the telescope, the smaller the diffraction disc of a point source imaged with it, and therefore the greater the angular resolution (i.e. the...

Hello, Can someone tell me which are the correct answers to these questions please ? 1.The reason astronomers use telescopes in space is because the Earth's atmosphere a.absorbs all of the light at some wavelengths b.absorbs or scatters some of the light at all wavelengths c.distorts...

Hi all. I am a 49 year-old attorney who is embarking on a second academic career. I am starting an undergraduate degree in Physics at Arizona State in January. I'm good at math and love science. I am a bit apprehensive about returning to school though. I understand its a long haul, but I am...

Homework Statement The WIYN 3.5m telescope has a multi-object spectrograph called “Hydra.” The instrument has 100 independently deployable fibers that can be placed anywhere over a 1 degree field of view (FoV). Assume the FoV is a circle one degree in diameter. You can get a spectrum...

Can anyone help me with this question? Or at least lead me in the right direction? Two students are having a discussion after studying the Hubble Law. Student 1: According to the Hubble Law space is expanding. Therefore our galaxy is bigger today than it was in the past and will keep...

Hey all, I've been interested in the stars all my life and I know a bit about astrophysics from booklearning and what's been taught in school and whoud one day like to make a career out of it but I've never actually used a telescope before. A few weeks ago my parents saw me looking at some...

Here is a pleasant survey on aesthetics and astonomy. I put it in GD instead of the astronomy thread because I think the point of the survey is to try and reach outside of the scientific community for aesthetic advice on the presentation of astronomical images. Astroart

Hi, I'm looking to go into astronomy and do a little physics as well. My question is which are the top astronomy schools in Canada? I've looked at University of Victoria and it looks pretty solid, as well as Western. I was also wondering what are the chances of becoming an astronaut? The...

Hello, I am new! Hi! I am new to PF and I am Considerably new to physics. I have been interested in physics since i was in year 7 (a year ago) so that makes me 13 years old. I am not learning physics at school, but i am very keen on physics and astronomy. It is kinda easy for me to introduce my...

In this statement: "[WMAP data suggest] a lower limit on reionization of z > 6.7 with 3\sigma confidence." What is the meaning the of the 3-sigma part in this context? See also my other thread here: https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=261118 Based on the responses there, I still...

What an ambitious emerging field of research! Anyone else as into this as I am? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gravitational_wave_astronomy The LISA and LIGO projects are MIND-BLOWING. I can't believe I am so lucky as to be alive in this age. There's never been a better time to be alive. I...

This question has been stumping me on my Astronomy homework for the past couple of days. I've tried to input the question into any of the other formulae that we've studied, but I keep drawing a blank on it. Homework Statement Given the size of Triton's orbit(a = 355,000,000 meters) and...

Hi guys, I'm doing a BSc degree but have yet to choose my major. I'm considering majoring in Astronomy and Astrophysics. What are the job prospects for an B.Sc in Astronomy grad? Will Physics be a safer choice for a major? Any opinions would be valued :)

I just got accepted into BYU's undergrad astronomy program, but there is more I want to do in life. They offer a physics degree and an astronomy degree. I would like to take a language or two though for more skills. So the question I have is, is it necessary to have an astronomy degree to go to...

What are your favorite books to read on subjects ranging from Astronomy, Physics, Astrophysics, Hard Sci-Fi, and many other books in the scientific arena? Even if you don't read any of those genres, what are you favorite books? I am a HUGE reader of Philosophy but lately, I have been...

Okay, so I'm going to be a senior in high school and it's time to start thinking about college. My interests are astronomy/astrophysics, particle/ quantum physics, and nuclear physics. This is cool and all, but I can't decided on which one or combonation of them to major in. I have a love for...

Hi, I couldn't decide whether this was more maths or more astronomy, but I settled for maths. Sorry for the long description, I think the answer is quite simple, and I'm making a meal of it! I am currently writing some planetarium software for use on my website. I have calculated the Alt/Az...

I am looking for a book to read that will give me a good introduction to astronomy. I am going to be a freshman in college this fall and am looking for a not too advanced but interesting book with good pictures that will provide a good outline of astronomy. Thanks