Astronomy: Research Methods

Since I was a little kid, I've always gazed up into the night sky and continue for hours on end. I often wonder what was up there and marveled on how big the sky is. My artwork and literary work has a lot of astronomy in it and I like reading literary work based on astronomy and its mysteriousness. Why do I like astronomy and its mystery? Because it's always being discovered and it continues to nourish my learning and gives me enlightenment, that we aren't the center of the universe and that there are whole other worlds out there. It's a constant exploration.
Here is some of my artwork based on astronomy and wonder:

 Painting 2'X2' on MDF; water mixable oils.

Painting 16"X20" on canvas; water mixable oils 

Also my photography is very much sky driven: 

Why do I gravitate toward the sky and its wonderment? Because we as humans seem so Earth bound, maybe afraid to go out into space? I don't blame us....I'm kinda scared too, but I've conquered my fears before and I believe that mankind can too. But there are constant new technological advances that can propel us out into space such as Ion Engineering: 

Ion Engines

Ion Engines are the most exciting new rocket propulsion system since the Chinese invented the rocket about a thousand years ago.
Most rocket engines use chemical reactions for power. They combine various gases and liquids to form chemical explosions which push the rocket through space. Chemical rocket engines tend to be powerful but have a short lifetime.
Ion Engines use electric fields instead of chemical reactions. Ion Engines tend to be much less powerful, but they are so efficient, they can last for years before running out of fuel.
These activities should help you understand how Ion Engines work.

Before you can understand the entire Ion Engine, you need to understand some basics about electric charges. 

http://dawn.jpl.nasa.gov/mission/ion_engine_interactive/index.html