Aspects of ASTRONOMY GADGETS Stargazing gadgets that give you a rare view of the sky above.
id you know that you can see a galaxy approximately 2.5 million light-years away without the help of a telescope? Or even see Moon craters using binoculars? It is incredible how you could look up into the sky and ask: “Is there an afterlife?”, “ Is what we are seeing half of what we are to observe?” These questions triggered Galileo’s invention of an astronomical instrument (the Telescope) as means of observing the sky. This greater context triggered many factors that surround Astronomy, Religion, Science, and society.
Astronomy was not only a subject of a textbook it also included the making of binoculars out of bones and seeing certain stars during certain seasons. It served as the foundation of a map, calendar and a clock. With the help of man-made instruments, ancient people tracked seasons and lunar crates, as well as predicted eclipses. Astronomy was embedded in their DNA. Today these instruments inspire us with beautiful pictures and promise answers to big questions. Security stars or should I say Astronomers practice what we may call an “exciting vigil of adventure,” using amazing astronomical instruments to help us understand more about celestial bodies.
We take a look at instruments to get your gear straight up and start embarking on the mysteries of the universe, galaxies and nebulas. There are two major categories of astronomical instruments. The first category consists of all of the instruments used to observe celestial objects. Generally known as telescopes, these instruments can be used to see, photograph, or otherwise detect objects invisible to the naked eye. The second category pertains to instruments employed for recording or standardizing the data provided by the observational instruments. June 2022 • bricsastronomy.org • BRICS ASTRONOMY MAGAZINE 11
