Whats the difference between amateur and professional astronomers?
Amateur astronomers view the heavens for personal enjoyment whereas professionals are performing a scientific study to answer specific questions. Amateurs are more likely to engage in viewing for its aesthetic qualities or to overcome a recreational challenge. Professionals are more likely to emphasize quantitative measurements and repeatability. Having said that, there is no clear line between amateur and professional astronomers per se. Many amateurs make significant scientific contributions such as comet discoveries or asteroid measurements, and many professionals are exhuberant members of local astronomy clubs. Virtually all of the people at NSP consider themselves amateur astronomers.
