Even though a lot of people claim to be into astronomy, they just want people to tell them about astronomy. 98% of those people wouldn't actually be willing to put in the months of research it takes to make a discovery, amirite?
You can still be interested in something without wanting to spend countless hours, days, and years to make a discovery. That is like saying that someone cannot study art histoy without attempting to be a famous artist. Ok, bad analogy, but you get the idea.
Sorry. I had to fix the typos and it looks like I came in right as you replied. And fair enough. However in the Science community Astronomy is typically referred to as the study of the stars. Astro meaning Star. Cosmology is typically the study of the Universe as a whole.
It's fine. That's what I assumed OP meant as well. So thanks for clearing up, especially for me. I've gotten so used to calling Astronomy only the study of the stars that it has kind of become it's only meaning in my head.
It's not only limited to astronomy - it seems everyone that watches a documentary on Animal Planet, Nat Geo, or Discovery is an expert on the subject, shamelessly quoting researchers they didn't hear about before the documentary.
Astrology, among many other things, interests me. Space is beautiful and mysterious and extremely interesting. But just because I like it doesn't mean I have to become an expert.
Astrology and astronomy, while very different, also have similarities. Both are very interesting. I was assuming that the post could be refering to space in general. But really it could apply to anything.
I admit my wording was pretty terrible, what I meant was most people that are interested in the subject aren't interested enough to put in the years of research and observation to understand it all by themselves. That was my bad.
I personally don't care about the sort you're probably talking about, but a lot of people say they do. I like cosmology though. I've been watching documentaries since 2nd grade.
I like to learn about astronomy, but there's no way in hell I have enough money to buy telescopes and make charts and discoveries.
Ain't nobody got time for that. I've got the SAT to study for.
So people aren't allowed to state an interest in something unless they can prove they're worthy? I think astronomy is cool, but I don't know the first thing about it. Why is that a bad thing? I like to go to planetariums, and I like to sit down in my garden and look at the stars. Do I have to have permission from an expert to enjoy these things? Can't you just be happy that people are expressing an interest? If this seems like I'm criticising, please don't take it that way...I am genuinely confused.
I study astronomy now, as in an extreme devotion to it. Whenever someone asks what I do and says they're really into the same thing, I want to have a discussion about the actual concepts, not looking up at the sky in my backyard about it.
You can still be interested in something without wanting to spend countless hours, days, and years to make a discovery. That is like saying that someone cannot study art histoy without attempting to be a famous artist. Ok, bad analogy, but you get the idea.
I came here to say that. It's like OP thinks to be interested in something you have to want to do it.
Exactly, can't the knowledge itself be enough?
Astronomy is typically about stars and constellations. What you're speaking of is Cosmology.
Sorry. I had to fix the typos and it looks like I came in right as you replied. And fair enough. However in the Science community Astronomy is typically referred to as the study of the stars. Astro meaning Star. Cosmology is typically the study of the Universe as a whole.
I'm not saying you're wrong. Very clearly you're right. I'm just saying that these are the "unofficial" definitions.
I literally just said you were right.
It's fine. That's what I assumed OP meant as well. So thanks for clearing up, especially for me. I've gotten so used to calling Astronomy only the study of the stars that it has kind of become it's only meaning in my head.
Oh I know! I'd be lying if I said that wasn't part of why I love it.
98% is awfully specific haha.
It's not only limited to astronomy - it seems everyone that watches a documentary on Animal Planet, Nat Geo, or Discovery is an expert on the subject, shamelessly quoting researchers they didn't hear about before the documentary.
Very true. Im not entirely sure why I used 98%. I guess any other high percentage would have worked as well.
People claim to be in to astronomy? I get made funny when I talk about astronomy!
Astrology, among many other things, interests me. Space is beautiful and mysterious and extremely interesting. But just because I like it doesn't mean I have to become an expert.
Astrology is the pseudoscience that predicts your personality based on when you were born.
Yes... And it's based off of movements in space.
Astrology and astronomy, while very different, also have similarities. Both are very interesting. I was assuming that the post could be refering to space in general. But really it could apply to anything.
I enjoy astronomy. It's one of my bigger hobbies. Why do i have to discover something to prove that i like it?
I admit my wording was pretty terrible, what I meant was most people that are interested in the subject aren't interested enough to put in the years of research and observation to understand it all by themselves. That was my bad.
I personally don't care about the sort you're probably talking about, but a lot of people say they do. I like cosmology though. I've been watching documentaries since 2nd grade.
I like to learn about astronomy, but there's no way in hell I have enough money to buy telescopes and make charts and discoveries.
Ain't nobody got time for that. I've got the SAT to study for.
I hate how people say they're into it and have no supporting evidence.
"Yeah, I like astronomy, stars are cool and stuff"
"Name 5 different stars."
You don't want to know how many times I've heard the only answer as "The sun."
I mean seriously, offhand I can name so many without even looking them up.
The Sun
VY Canis Majoris
Betelguese
Alpha Centauri
WR 104
Polaris
RW136A
R126
Mu Cephie
Sirius
And those are some of the well known stars, too!
It just irritates me a lot.
So people aren't allowed to state an interest in something unless they can prove they're worthy? I think astronomy is cool, but I don't know the first thing about it. Why is that a bad thing? I like to go to planetariums, and I like to sit down in my garden and look at the stars. Do I have to have permission from an expert to enjoy these things? Can't you just be happy that people are expressing an interest? If this seems like I'm criticising, please don't take it that way...I am genuinely confused.
...'stars are cool and stuff' =/= 'I am really into astronomy'.
Just saying.
I think we're on two different fields here.
I study astronomy now, as in an extreme devotion to it. Whenever someone asks what I do and says they're really into the same thing, I want to have a discussion about the actual concepts, not looking up at the sky in my backyard about it.