About the book: 2017 / The book is a popular story about scientific discoveries made by people who were not professional astronomers. Astronomy is one of the most fascinating sciences, and at the same time one of the few modern fields of knowledge in which non-professional research can bring tangible scientific value. In addition, amateur astronomy is a very spectacular and exciting hobby. Why are the vastness of the Universe attractive to us, how did people discover its secrets, what types of astronomical observations are available to amateurs, and how can amateur astronomers help professionals even now, in the age of high technology and giant telescopes? The reader will learn about all this from the book. For middle school age.