Amateur Astronomers Can Make Significant Contributions
NPR
Thursday, March 5, 2015
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Astronomer Kevin Alton at home in Cedar Knolls, New Jersey. (Photo courtesy of Kevin Alton)
It used to be that “amateur astronomy” meant dragging a telescope into the backyard or up to the roof, gazing at celestial wonders, tracking meteor showers or maybe snapping a photo of the Moon. Major scientific breakthroughs were left to the professionals.
Today, an explosion of publicly-available space data and advanced technology means hobbyists can make significant contributions to the field, all without leaving their den. From the Here & Now Contributors Network, Todd Bookman of WHYY reports.
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