8-1 Discussion

In these last two modules, you looked at different scientific communications about the Deepwater Horizon oil spill and submitted (or will soon submit) your presentation. In your post, explain any challenges you encountered in adapting your presentation for your specific audience. Did you find any of the scientific communications you studied or used in this course helpful when tailoring your message to your audience?

In response to your peers, compare and contrast their experience in presenting their information with your own experience. Offer suggestions about how you overcame, or would overcome, similar challenges.

To complete this assignment, review the

Discussion Rubric

document.

RUNNING HEAD: ASTROMETRY 1

ASTROMETRY 2

Astrometry

Student’s Name

Institutional Affiliation

Date

Astrometry is the science of measuring the precise position of stars and monitoring their movements such as periodic shifts and any wobble at the stars’ positions. The specialists for the measurement of stars are referred to as astronomers, and they use a variety of techniques to track different earth objects. To find planetary items or to measure the distances of the stars, astronomers usually use telescopes or large area cameras, which are used to take clear pictures at various determined intervals (Penoyre, et al, 2020).

Then they study these images and detect solar system objects using their movements around the background of the stars because they are stagnant. Suppose any activity is observed per unit time. In that case, the astronomers look at the parallax, which could be caused by the earth movement during this time and consequently, the heliocentric distance to this object is calculated (Deller, et al, 2019). With the photographs’ help taken over a set period, and the calculations are done on the object, any unusual movement is obtained.

Astrometry is the earliest method that was used for the search of extrasolar planets. It is a very effective method because it can be applied to many stars, unlike photometry. Astrometric is significant because its measurements are used in the constrain of specific models in celestial mechanics. Besides, this technique is useful in other areas, such as galactic astronomy and stellar dynamics. It is also essential in the cosmic distance ladder because it is used to establish the parallax distance for the stars found in a milky way.

References

Deller, A. T., Goss, W. M., Brisken, W. F., Chatterjee, S., Cordes, J. M., Janssen, G. H., … & Lyne, A. (2019). Microarcsecond VLBI pulsar astrometry with PSRπ II. Parallax distances for 57 pulsars. The Astrophysical Journal, 875(2), 100. Retrieved from https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.3847/1538-4357/ab11c7/meta

Penoyre, Z., Belokurov, V., Wyn Evans, N., Everall, A., & Koposov, S. E. (2020). Binary deviations from single object astrometry. Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 495(1), 321-337. Retrieved from

https://academic.oup.com/mnras/article-

abstract/495/1/321/5828731

Running

head:

7

–

4 PART TWO

1

7-4 PART TWO 1

7-

4 Part Two

Student

‘

s Name

Institutional Affiliation

Course Nam

e a

nd

Number

Instruct

or

‘s Name

Due Date

Astrometry is a branch in Astronomy that deals with celestial objects’ motion and positioning and is identified as a scientific branch towards the end of the 19th century. Scientists and astronomers became intrigued by the angle between celestial objects, spectroscopy, color, and photometry, which involves light intensity. Therefore, it entails concepts in astrophysics and physics through measurements and triangulation (Crosta, 2019). Astrometry is related to natural science because it involves studying planets, stars, galaxies, and satellites within and beyond the Earth’s solar system.

Astrometry plays a significant role in general world views. In ancient times, celestial objects were used to identify seasons and times of the year. The sky has been used to navigate across oceans and decide what crops are best to plant at a specific time of year. The issue is relevant to the audience as it gives the context of the human race and their place in the Universe, reshaping how they view the world. It reveals hints of history that can best describe what many have in mind, such as the age of the Universe and the timeline humanity has left before the Earth is destroyed in a cosmic event. Understanding the Universe from this point of view helps them understand the stars’ elements and how they relate to humanity. This aspect is inspiring and somewhat paints a beautiful image of the Universe in today’s culture. Through these measurements and triangulation, humanity can determine large objects, furthest distances, explosions and massive cosmic events, and highest temperatures in other planets and galaxies as man seeks to find other life across the Universe.

The target audience will deduce different concepts and applications about these celestial objects from this research and outcomes. For example, astrometry is applied in galactic astronomy, stellar dynamics, and celestial mechanics. Similarly, the field is useful in identifying objects by their unique motions. This is important in time management, given that UTC is synchronized to the Earth’s rotation through astronomical observations.

Astrometry plays a significant role in error correction. For instance, different factors affect celestial objects’ measurements, such as errors by the observer, imperfections of the instruments, and atmospheric conditions. Most of these errors can be mitigated through different techniques like improvements and compensations to existing data through astrometry (Crosta, 2019). This data is then analyzed statistically and computed to reveal data estimates and the range of error.

I selected this issue because I have an interest in learning more about the Universe and celestial objects. I was intrigued by how instrumental it was in keeping time with the UTC used as a synchronized timer measuring the Earth’s rotation through astronomical observations. I find it essential to establish the parallax distances in the Milky Way galaxy. I believe that it gives more insight into how we understand the Universe beyond us, which is also an aspect we can adapt to daily. Similarly, the tools used in astrometry have been influential in other fields such as communication, photography and imaging, and even in medicine.

My investigation into Astrometry’s field shaped how I thought about the Universe and how scientists discover or deduce the proximity of a celestial body to our planet’s atmosphere. Using a scientific lens, I managed to gain a new understanding, different from my own, on how diverse research can be and how different theories can apply in different contexts yet achieve similar results. For example, astronomy as a scientific study has always been understood in Greek philosophy and history with examples from the Greek goddess Andromeda and how different constellations have various meanings within the Greek context. However, from a scientific approach, there is more to learn, such as how the distance of one celestial object from another can be a danger to our solar system and how to decipher time and distance through these measurements.

Reference

Crosta, M. (2019). Astrometry in the 21st century. From Hipparchus to Einstein. La Rivista del Nuovo Cimento, 42, 443-510. Retrieved from

https://doi.org/10.1393/ncr/i2019-10164-2

Running head:
7
–
4 PART TWO

1

7
–
4 Part Two

Student
‘
s Name

Institutional Affiliation

Course Nam
e a
nd
Number

Instruct
or
‘
s Name

Due Date

Running head: 7-4 PART TWO

1

7-4 Part Two

Student’s Name

Institutional Affiliation

Course Name and Number

Instructor’s Name

Due Date