Astronomer

An astronomer or astrophysicist is a scientist whose area of research is astronomy or astrophysics.

Related Topics:
Scientist - Research - Astronomy - Astrophysics

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Astronomy is generally thought to have begun in ancient Babylon by the Persian Zoroastrian priests (the magi). Recent studies of Babylonian records have shown them to be extremely accurate for the ancient night sky. Following the Babylonians, the egyptians also had an emphasis on observations of the sky.

Related Topics:
Ancient - Babylon - Persian - Zoroastrian - Magi - Egypt

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Mixtures of religious interpretations of the sky, as mythic tales of the gods, led to a duality that we now identify as astrology. It is important to recognize that before about 1750, there was no distinction between astronomy and astrology.

Related Topics:
Duality - Astrology - 1750 - Astronomy

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Unlike most scientists, astronomers cannot directly interact with the celestial bodies, and so instead must resort to detailed observation in order to make discoveries. Generally, astronomers use telescopes or other imaging equipment to make such observations.

Related Topics:
Celestial bodies - Observation - Telescopes

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