My Interest in Astronomy is?

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Date: 10 Sep 2006 18:15:05
From: Willie R. Meghar
Subject: My Interest in Astronomy is?

Sometimes some of the postings that show up on sci.astro.amateur are
enough to make a person wonder: Does this person or that person ever
actually go outside and look upward?

*You* are hereby invited to provide a brief (or not so brief) essay on
*your* astronomical interests and activities.

Here's mine:

Most often I observe deep sky objects from my back yard, usually with
a 5.1 inch or smaller telescope or binoculars. Occasionally I observe
various solar system bodies as well. Most of the time I record my
observations via the old-fashioned pencil and paper method. Observing
notes are sometimes supplemented by attempted drawings.

Observing plans include a list of a few hundred objects -- mostly deep
sky; but some double stars are also on the list. I've often neglected
the moon; but now have plans on observing that body as well. The sun
is an occasional daytime target with the aid of a white-light solar
filter.

Books remain important to my interest. I'll never know all that I
would like to know. My personal astronomy library consists of over 50
books and over a dozen star atlases.

On most clear, transparent nights I try to get out for an observing
session of either long or short duration. If I'm feeling tired I'm
more likely to forego setting up a major telescope and choose instead
to set up a smaller scope or engage in some binocular or naked eye
observing. I try to maintain flexibility in my night to night
observing plans in order to comply with how I feel and the nature of
atmospheric conditions.

I'm quite fortunate to have a dark (NELM 6.5) sky right outside my
door on moonless nights. If I had to pack up my equipment and travel
several miles to an observing site I would likely end up doing
significantly less deep sky observing.

Willie R. Meghar

Date: 10 Sep 2006 21:13:02
From: SkySea
Subject: Re: My Interest in Astronomy is?

Thanks for sharing yours.

I like to peruse the sky just to be able to learn where objects are. I
mean *learn*, so that I can go out and find things without having to
look them up in charts later. This of course limits my repertoire (my
mind isn't what I think it used to be). At star parties, I can usually
give budding stargazers a pretty comprehensive tour of the night sky
very quickly.

I do use charts. My other interest is in video taping asteroid
occultations (one coming up on Tuesday night). I can reach about mag
11 with the setup I've got. Then I send in the video tape to those who
do the real work. They use the soundtrack where the shortwave time
signal has bee recorded to acquire accurate timings. Visually, I can
reach almost mag 13, so there are typically a few opportunities per
month to lose sleep.

Though I'm no sidewalk astronomer, I do keep folks at work up to speed
with what's going on in the sky. We have to check in on an internal
web site and list our activities/locations for the day. I'm usually in
the office, so I post the event(s) of the day instead.

Becoming a double-star observer piques my interest.

I enjoy catching satellites, Iridium flares, the ISS... watching the
sky turn diferent colors as night comes on, the usual stuff.

>Willie R. Meghar <NoMail@thisaddress.net> wrote:
>*You* are hereby invited to provide a brief (or not so brief) essay on
>*your* astronomical interests and activities.

=============
- Dale Gombert (SkySea at aol.com)
122.38W, 47.58N, W. Seattle, WA
http://flavorj.com/~skysea

Date: 10 Sep 2006 21:18:43
From: Matthew D. Mills
Subject: Re: My Interest in Astronomy is?

"Willie R. Meghar" <NoMail@thisaddress.net > wrote in message
news:2ka9g29hmrpvbfdf6rvn81gb91sitien49@4ax.com...
> Sometimes some of the postings that show up on sci.astro.amateur are
> enough to make a person wonder: Does this person or that person ever
> actually go outside and look upward?
>
> *You* are hereby invited to provide a brief (or not so brief) essay on
> *your* astronomical interests and activities.
>
Here's mine:
Minor planet astrometry and comet photometry are my primary astrophotometry
interests. http://www.minorplanetproject.com/
Second would be hunting supernova.

Next, most clear nights I enjoy viewing through my dob from a darksite.
Current astronomical events keep me busy. Whether it is a sunspot, bright
comet or a transit. I seek out things you don't see every night or day.

My lifetime astronomy project is viewing all the objects in the SkyAtlas
2000.0 Companion 2nd ed. from my latitude.

My dream is to observe the total eclipse of August 21, 2017!
Matt Mills
Observatory Code H51

Date: 11 Sep 2006 01:25:42
From: Chris L Peterson
Subject: Re: My Interest in Astronomy is?

On Sun, 10 Sep 2006 18:15:05 -0600, Willie R. Meghar
<NoMail@thisaddress.net > wrote:

>Sometimes some of the postings that show up on sci.astro.amateur are
>enough to make a person wonder: Does this person or that person ever
>actually go outside and look upward?
>
>*You* are hereby invited to provide a brief (or not so brief) essay on
>*your* astronomical interests and activities.

First and foremost, imaging. Much of this is technical, not aesthetic
(primarily photometry).

Next, instrumentation. I love the tools of astronomy, which I frequently
design or modify.

Theory. My training is in astronomy and physics, and I read the major
journals and try to keep up with developments from planetary science
through cosmology.

Education. I teach astronomy, and run community programs. Everybody
loves astronomy, which is very gratifying to an educator.

What I don't like much? Actually looking at things through a telescope
(although living under LM 7 skies I do spend a lot of time doing naked
eye and binocular observing). But I don't get a fraction of the joy
looking at an object through the EP that I do imaging it.

_________________________________________________

Chris L Peterson
Cloudbait Observatory
http://www.cloudbait.com

Date: 10 Sep 2006 21:25:02
From: Starlord
Subject: Re: My Interest in Astronomy is?

*You* are hereby invited to provide a brief (or not so brief) essay on
*your* astronomical interests and activities.

I've always enjoyed stargazing, even for the many long years before I got a
scope. My first scope was an Orion DSE 12.5 f4.8 Dob over in Hawaii (it's
still there rotting away mostly) and within a short time after getting it I
learned about John Dobson and his ways hit a bell for me. I now live in
Rosamond, CA. and I have 3 scopes, my 4.25 f9 stargazer steve dob, my home
built (many of you helped with it) Babylon 8 8inch f8 Dob (which is
undergoing a slow repair job on it) and the donated 10inch f5 Dob I'm using
now.

I take a photo now and then of the moon, but only with my cameras telephoto
lens (Topcon Super D) I used to have an Exacta with even more lens but it
got ripped off some years back and I've only slowy been recoving for the
loss of both my Exacta & Topcon Super D at that time.

But I have became a self styled "Sidewalk Astronomer", first in Hawaii and
then over here, as just about everyone knows who reads my postings about the
goings on up at the corner where I set up.

When I'm at home I do my own star gazing here and I have a HIDDEN spot
northwest of town I can go to too and I need to get up there maybe next
month.

I also am the keeper of the Telescope Buyers FAQ which I need to do some
updating of it now, but every once in awhile I get an e-mail some someone
thanking me for having it out there so they can read it and help skipping
over some of the pitfalls in the telescope buying world. Hay I just figured
out, I've had that for 12 years under my control now, not bad if I say so
myself.

I have also battled the spread of lights in the area, got the RSCD to set a
standard for street lighting, and am doing battle right in my back yard as a
card playing place has put up 2000 watt QH type lights and they not light up
the whole area, he says he's ordered shields, we'll see.

I tryed to win an ebay auction for a 12.5 mirror, but couldn't beat the
snipper who grabbed it.

Most of my stargazing is just normal looking at the wonderfull sights in the
sky overhead, and just helping people out with their scopes.

--
The Lone Sidewalk Astronomer of Rosamond

Telescope Buyers FAQ
http://home.inreach.com/starlord
Sidewalk Astronomy
www.sidewalkastronomy.info
Astronomy Net Online Gift Shop
http://www.cafepress.com/astronomy_net
In Garden Online Gift Shop
http://www.cafepress.com/ingarden
Blast Off Online Gift Shop
http://www.cafepress.com/starlords
Astro Blog
http://starlord.bloggerteam.com/

Date: 11 Sep 2006 15:25:29
From: SkySea
Subject: Re: My Interest in Astronomy is?

Assuming shipping cost for the whole scope is a limiting factor, is
there no one who could extract the mirror from the unused dob and send
just that to you? Seems cheaper than buying a mirror.

>"Starlord" wrote:
>My first scope was an Orion DSE 12.5 f4.8 Dob over in Hawaii (it's
>still there rotting away mostly)
...
>I tryed to win an ebay auction for a 12.5 mirror, but couldn't beat the
>snipper who grabbed it.

=============
- Dale Gombert (SkySea at aol.com)
122.38W, 47.58N, W. Seattle, WA
http://flavorj.com/~skysea

Date: 11 Sep 2006 09:59:59
From: Starlord
Subject: Re: My Interest in Astronomy is?

That would mean the old dob would have to be ready for the trash heap, and I
would never say to distory a useadble scope. I know of a guy who used to
work at JPL, he's got a old 13.1 inch dob in his shead, he even says it's
gone past the useable stage and I've offered to buy the mirror for 5 years,
then by chance he said in the chat room he's in every friday night what his
church is and I stopped asking him then because I know it's not his anymore,
so it's a grand sized mirror that's nothing more than a mouse nest now,
haveing been stored for 15+ years and not used since it was put away.

Living in a trailer, there's no way I could make a mirror, it would have to
be done outside and with the dust,etc during the weather we have is not a
good place to make one.

The ebay one had not been bid on for close to 5 days, on the last day it
went from my top bid of $50 to over $500 for it and costly shipping too, (it
eas in victorvill so I could have driven there to pick it up).

Most mirror owners keep the mirror and put it in a new OTA if the old one
becomes un-useable. I was unta happy with the donation of the 8inch f8
mirror that had been sitting in a saa users closeit for a number of years, I
got it and it became the hart of Babylon 8, right now while I've slowly been
repairing the rockerbox and will dress up the ota a bit the mirror is next
to me in here in the bottom draw of my file case. Once I have the rockerbox
done (awainting when I can afford a 24 inch disk of ebstar) the mirror will
once again catch some starlight.

I live on a fixed income, so things get done in a slow way over time.

--
The Lone Sidewalk Astronomer of Rosamond

Telescope Buyers FAQ
http://home.inreach.com/starlord
Sidewalk Astronomy
www.sidewalkastronomy.info
Astronomy Net Online Gift Shop
http://www.cafepress.com/astronomy_net
In Garden Online Gift Shop
http://www.cafepress.com/ingarden
Blast Off Online Gift Shop
http://www.cafepress.com/starlords
Astro Blog
http://starlord.bloggerteam.com/

"SkySea" <SkySea@aolREMOVE.com > wrote in message
news:45057f54.1511218@news.qwest.net...
> Assuming shipping cost for the whole scope is a limiting factor, is
> there no one who could extract the mirror from the unused dob and send
> just that to you? Seems cheaper than buying a mirror.
>
>>"Starlord" wrote:
>>My first scope was an Orion DSE 12.5 f4.8 Dob over in Hawaii (it's
>>still there rotting away mostly)
> ...
>>I tryed to win an ebay auction for a 12.5 mirror, but couldn't beat the
>>snipper who grabbed it.
>
> =============
> - Dale Gombert (SkySea at aol.com)
> 122.38W, 47.58N, W. Seattle, WA
> http://flavorj.com/~skysea

Date: 11 Sep 2006 09:11:52
From: oriel36
Subject: Re: My Interest in Astronomy is?

SkySea wrote:
> In other words, "I don't actually do any observing. I'm here to be a
> pest."
>

You are an observer of celestial sphere geometry, a calendrical
merry-go-round which has all the appeal of a celestial peep show.It
would be fine in itself except that you justify the convenience using
the axial and orbital motions of the Earth,or rather,the theorists have
built on that celestial sphere geometry.

By default you call yourselves astronomers,for allied with the
theorists who once occupied the lowest rung in astronomy as 'geometers'
,you have managed,albeit temporarily,to destroy two of the greatest
astronomical achievements known,the clock system correlated to axial
rotation and the Copernican reasoning behind heliocentricity.

Although nothing prevents astrophotographers from severing their ties
with the theorists or dynamicists,they prefer the cozy title of
'astronomers' bestowed on them by theorists who cannot even get basic
astronomical facts right such as the value for axial rotation.

Kepler's designation still stands and I do not care how many
observational astronomers or theorists imagine otherwise but I will
note that observational astronomers can make the transition to
encompass heliocentric astronomy -

"To set down in books the apparent paths of the planets [ vias
planetarum apparentes] and the record of their motions is especially
the task of the practical and mechanical part of astronomy; to discover
their true and genuine path [ vias vero veras et genuinas] is . . .the
task of contemplative astronomy; while to say by what circle and lines
correct images of those true motions may be depicted on paper is the
concern of the inferior tribunal of geometers" Kepler

I see people here talk of money neccessary to be astronomers when
people like Copernicus Kepler did not even have a telescope,they
produced exquisite insights to enjoy out of nothing more than intuitive
and intellectual intelligence and a method based on an orbitally moving
Earth.An astronomer should have the same status as a great composer of
music but as this era it is all instruments and goto programs and the
music has long since left this once noble discipline.

Are you happy with 'definitions',good,you get what you deserve.

> >"oriel36" <geraldkelleher@yahoo.com> wrote:
> [Usual insults, condescending diatribe, etc. snipped]
> =============
> - Dale Gombert (SkySea at aol.com)
> 122.38W, 47.58N, W. Seattle, WA
> http://flavorj.com/~skysea

Date: 11 Sep 2006 09:54:32
From: Richard Adams
Subject: Re: My Interest in Astronomy is?

Willie R. Meghar wrote:
> Sometimes some of the postings that show up on sci.astro.amateur are
> enough to make a person wonder: Does this person or that person ever
> actually go outside and look upward?
>
> *You* are hereby invited to provide a brief (or not so brief) essay on
> *your* astronomical interests and activities.
>

Got into astronomy as I'm getting older, looking to explore old
interests I hadn't had time, money or ability for. While money is still
an issue, I'm finding a little here and a little there is all that's
needed. I'd love to do astro-imaging, but will have to make do with the
equipment I have presently.

I've been a member of the local astronomy club for 3.5 years now and
enjoy the lectures. I participate in star parties as weather and health
permit, recently taking a trip with the scope to a national park for a
few nights to share with the visitors there.

I get out twice a month and like examining nebulas, globular clusters
and even a planet, now and then. Jupiter, Saturn and Mars are fine, but
I'm trying to get Uranus and Neptune, which the dew prevented last trip
out. I'm currently planning a late autumn week-long trip to take the
telescope on for some extended viewing.

Date: 11 Sep 2006 06:37:42
From: Czar7
Subject: Re: My Interest in Astronomy is?

...with the little commentary from Oriel not withstanding here are my
interests...

I find that I enjoy the hunt in this little hobby of ours. I enjoy
tracking down objects that are difficult to spot or only occur
occasionally. This takes me from unique celestial events, to tracking
Herschell's from my light polluted backyard, to trying to see Aurora's
in the Mid Atlantic region. Chasing occultations, eclipses and other
rare events seems to really catch my attention.

I have dabbled with photography but found I was not very good at it.
I took up drawing my observations when I went through the Messier list
and have kept at it. I am not great but I like having a visual record
of my observation. It just seems to make the whole thing more real.

I also like sharing the sky with the public. The club I belong to
(Westminster Astronomical Society) is very active in public outreach.
We do a large number of Night Sky Network presentations and our
calendar is filled with public events each month. I found that
explaining the night sky to others, helps me understand it better
myself. I also love it when that child or parent looks into the
eyepiece and says "cool...I've never seen anything like that before".

Just my two cents...and personaly feel that one should first look up
and build the questions. Then look down and find the answers. Then
look up again to make sure the answers are correct. But most
importantly, never stop looking up...with or without the answers!

Dave

Date: 11 Sep 2006 04:07:19
From: oriel36
Subject: Re: My Interest in Astronomy is?

Willie R. Meghar wrote:

> Sometimes some of the postings that show up on sci.astro.amateur are
> enough to make a person wonder: Does this person or that person ever
> actually go outside and look upward?
>

An astronomer does not look upwards,he looks into the celestial arena
and enjoys the motions of the Earth and the participation of the other
planets in their annual motion around the Sun.

You look up into your Ra/Dec celestial sphere geometry and think my
making an object appear bigger or trying to define it makes you an
astronomer but it does not,observational astronomy is only a small
facet in a sprawling and magnificent astronomical existence.Telescopes
have a tendency to cut the observer of from what he is
observing,astronomy proper involves a focused appreciation of the
motions the observer in involved in.The justification of the Ra/Dec
system using the axial and orbital motions of the Earth by way of the
return of a star to a meridian alone determines that people are not
astronomers in the true sense of the word.

Celestial sphere geometers who create the impression of 'looking up'
can be identified by another thing -no apprecaition of celestial scale
as it actually is.Probably due to being constantly pleased with their
tools rather than the sheer magnificence of the solar system and the
motions of the planets around our parent star. I am criticising
observational astronomers for that awful cozy relationship with
Newtonian theorists who build on the Ra/Dec convenience thereby
destoying much of Western astronomical methods and insights from
Copernicus to Roemer.

Before an astrophotographer looks 'up' again,perhaps they should look
at one image of Venus,a planet that is roughly the same size as the
Earth,pass before our parent star -

http://picture.atmob.org/gallery/albums/PeturNielsen/Venus_transit.jpg

Knowing the scale and sheer power of Sun, the vast orbital geometries
and a sense of our planetary motion makes a person far more an
astronomer than magnification so before you criticise another perhaps
you all should see where you stand.

BTW - The thought of celestial sphere 'educators' infecting people who
know no better is repulsive in itself.I urge genuine astrophotographers
to become familiar with the two step process which keeps the pace of a
clock hand in sync with axial rotation and terrestial longitudes,in the
pre-Copernican creation of the 24 hour day and the heliocentric
adaption to axial rotation as an independent motion hence no
background stars are required to justify the correlation between
clocks and axial rotation at 15 degrees per hour precisely.

> *You* are hereby invited to provide a brief (or not so brief) essay on
> *your* astronomical interests and activities.
>
> Here's mine:
>
> Most often I observe deep sky objects from my back yard, usually with
> a 5.1 inch or smaller telescope or binoculars. Occasionally I observe
> various solar system bodies as well. Most of the time I record my
> observations via the old-fashioned pencil and paper method. Observing
> notes are sometimes supplemented by attempted drawings.
>
> Observing plans include a list of a few hundred objects -- mostly deep
> sky; but some double stars are also on the list. I've often neglected
> the moon; but now have plans on observing that body as well. The sun
> is an occasional daytime target with the aid of a white-light solar
> filter.
>
> Books remain important to my interest. I'll never know all that I
> would like to know. My personal astronomy library consists of over 50
> books and over a dozen star atlases.
>
> On most clear, transparent nights I try to get out for an observing
> session of either long or short duration. If I'm feeling tired I'm
> more likely to forego setting up a major telescope and choose instead
> to set up a smaller scope or engage in some binocular or naked eye
> observing. I try to maintain flexibility in my night to night
> observing plans in order to comply with how I feel and the nature of
> atmospheric conditions.
>
> I'm quite fortunate to have a dark (NELM 6.5) sky right outside my
> door on moonless nights. If I had to pack up my equipment and travel
> several miles to an observing site I would likely end up doing
> significantly less deep sky observing.
>
> Willie R. Meghar

Date: 11 Sep 2006 03:52:26
From: oriel36
Subject: Re: My Interest in Astronomy is?

Willie R. Meghar wrote:
> Sometimes some of the postings that show up on sci.astro.amateur are
> enough to make a person wonder: Does this person or that person ever
> actually go outside and look upward?

An astronomer does not look upwards,he looks out on the celestial arena
and enjoys the motions of the Earth and the participation of the other
planets in their annual motion around the Sun.

You look up into your Ra/Dec a celestial sphere geometry and think my
making an object appear bigger or trying to define it makes you an
astronomer but it does not,observational astronomy is only a small
facet in a sprawling picture.

Celestial sphere geometers who create the impression of 'looking up'
can be identified by one thing -no apprecaition of celestial scale as
it actually is.Probably due to being constantly pleased with their
tools rather than the sheer magnificence of the solar system and the
motions of the planets around our parent star.

Before an astrophotographer looks 'up' again,perhaps they should look
at one image of Venus,a planet that is roughly the same size as the
Earth,pass before our parent star -

http://picture.atmob.org/gallery/albums/PeturNielsen/Venus_transit.jpg

Knowing the scale and sheer power of Sun,orbital geometries and
planetary scales makes a person far more an astronomer than
magnification so before you criticise another perhaps you all should
see where you stand.

>
> *You* are hereby invited to provide a brief (or not so brief) essay on
> *your* astronomical interests and activities.
>
> Here's mine:
>
> Most often I observe deep sky objects from my back yard, usually with
> a 5.1 inch or smaller telescope or binoculars. Occasionally I observe
> various solar system bodies as well. Most of the time I record my
> observations via the old-fashioned pencil and paper method. Observing
> notes are sometimes supplemented by attempted drawings.
>
> Observing plans include a list of a few hundred objects -- mostly deep
> sky; but some double stars are also on the list. I've often neglected
> the moon; but now have plans on observing that body as well. The sun
> is an occasional daytime target with the aid of a white-light solar
> filter.
>
> Books remain important to my interest. I'll never know all that I
> would like to know. My personal astronomy library consists of over 50
> books and over a dozen star atlases.
>
> On most clear, transparent nights I try to get out for an observing
> session of either long or short duration. If I'm feeling tired I'm
> more likely to forego setting up a major telescope and choose instead
> to set up a smaller scope or engage in some binocular or naked eye
> observing. I try to maintain flexibility in my night to night
> observing plans in order to comply with how I feel and the nature of
> atmospheric conditions.
>
> I'm quite fortunate to have a dark (NELM 6.5) sky right outside my
> door on moonless nights. If I had to pack up my equipment and travel
> several miles to an observing site I would likely end up doing
> significantly less deep sky observing.
>
> Willie R. Meghar

Date: 11 Sep 2006 15:37:42
From: SkySea
Subject: Re: My Interest in Astronomy is?

In other words, "I don't actually do any observing. I'm here to be a
pest."

>"oriel36" <geraldkelleher@yahoo.com> wrote:
[Usual insults, condescending diatribe, etc. snipped]
=============
- Dale Gombert (SkySea at aol.com)
122.38W, 47.58N, W. Seattle, WA
http://flavorj.com/~skysea

Date: 11 Sep 2006 15:52:40
From: Chris L Peterson
Subject: Re: My Interest in Astronomy is?

On Mon, 11 Sep 2006 15:37:42 GMT, SkySea@aolREMOVE.com (SkySea) wrote:

>In other words, "I don't actually do any observing. I'm here to be a
>pest."

Observing isn't a requirement for an astronomer. But understanding what
the word "astronomy" means sure is!

_________________________________________________

Chris L Peterson
Cloudbait Observatory
http://www.cloudbait.com

Date: 11 Sep 2006 21:07:47
From: Joe S.
Subject: Re: My Interest in Astronomy is?

Date: 11 Sep 2006 20:41:13
From: starburst
Subject: Re: My Interest in Astronomy is?

Steady. How's yours?

Date: 11 Sep 2006 14:19:46
From: Don't Be Evil
Subject: Re: My Interest in Astronomy is?

Willie R. Meghar wrote:
> Sometimes some of the postings that show up on sci.astro.amateur are
> enough to make a person wonder: Does this person or that person ever
> actually go outside and look upward?
>
> *You* are hereby invited to provide a brief (or not so brief) essay on
> *your* astronomical interests and activities.
>
> Here's mine:
>
> Most often I observe deep sky objects from my back yard, usually with
> a 5.1 inch or smaller telescope or binoculars. Occasionally I observe
> various solar system bodies as well. Most of the time I record my
> observations via the old-fashioned pencil and paper method. Observing
> notes are sometimes supplemented by attempted drawings.
>
> Observing plans include a list of a few hundred objects -- mostly deep
> sky; but some double stars are also on the list. I've often neglected
> the moon; but now have plans on observing that body as well. The sun
> is an occasional daytime target with the aid of a white-light solar
> filter.
>
> Books remain important to my interest. I'll never know all that I
> would like to know. My personal astronomy library consists of over 50
> books and over a dozen star atlases.
>
> On most clear, transparent nights I try to get out for an observing
> session of either long or short duration. If I'm feeling tired I'm
> more likely to forgo setting up a major telescope and choose instead
> to set up a smaller scope or engage in some binocular or naked eye
> observing. I try to maintain flexibility in my night to night
> observing plans in order to comply with how I feel and the nature of
> atmospheric conditions.
>
> I'm quite fortunate to have a dark (NELM 6.5) sky right outside my
> door on moonless nights. If I had to pack up my equipment and travel
> several miles to an observing site I would likely end up doing
> significantly less deep sky observing.
>
> Willie R. Meghar

Good question.

A lot of my interest is in things that, unfortunately, are not readily
visible in a small-medium telescope, like the Kuiper Belt and Sedna.
Also cosmology, the very large scale structure of the observable
universe, and spacecraft.

I live in an area with strong light pollution, so my usual telescopic
targets are planets and doubles. Now that it's starting to get dark
earlier, but isn't yet too cold, I set up in my front yard and show
neighbors and kids the moon, planets, and a couple bright nebulae.
Saturn and Albireo are two of the most popular. I'm also working on
learning and teaching the constellations and brighter stars. If
nothing else, that facilitates setting my telescope's goto.

Once in a while (like once a year) I get together with a friend or two
and go out to the middle of nowhere in West Virginia.

I belong to a club that has a dark site that isn't really all that dark
despite being an hour drive out of town (Cleveland). The light
pollution comes from a population 25,000 city about 10 miles away.
Nevertheless, we have a great time at star parties. I get to compare
my 8" dob to the club's 12" dob and 16" EQ newt. I never really
appreciated dobs until I tried using an EQ the size of a cannon. It's
the thing for Neptune, though. I also try out other member's rigs like
ETX's (frustrating) and APO's (nice, but not worth it for visual use).
One member has a home-built 10" f/8! I know how kids feel standing on
the crate now.

So, despite work, kids, clouds, lights, rain, snow and January cold, I
do manage some observing.

Greg

Date: 11 Sep 2006 19:42:44
From: Rick Evans
Subject: Re: My Interest in Astronomy is?

"Willie R. Meghar" <NoMail@thisaddress.net > wrote in message
news:2ka9g29hmrpvbfdf6rvn81gb91sitien49@4ax.com...
> Sometimes some of the postings that show up on sci.astro.amateur are
> enough to make a person wonder: Does this person or that person ever
> actually go outside and look upward?
>
> *You* are hereby invited to provide a brief (or not so brief) essay on
> *your* astronomical interests and activities.

These days almost all my observing is DSO imaging with a
modified webcam in light polluted Northeast skies. For most
"missions" I just drive the equipment, a computerized Meade
127ED to the local elementary school parking lot and try to
image what's most overhead.

Less often I'll drive 45 miles to the much less light polluted
Myles Standish State Forest for an overnight session. Another favorite
darkish location is astro friendly Town of Harvard MA.

A few of my earlier images can be seen on the "mysite ..." website
below.
There are plenty of unpublished images which I might publish someday
once I stop letting perfection be the enemy of good enough :)

--
Hilton Evans
----------------------------------------------------------------
Lat +42� 11' 07"
Lon -71� 04' 35"
----------------------------------------------------------------
http://www.chempensoftware.com
----------------------------------------------------------------
http://mysite.verizon.net/hiltonevans33050/astroimaging/astroimaging.htm

Date: 11 Sep 2006 10:39:11
From: W8MJE
Subject: Re: My Interest in Astronomy is?

1. Reading about cosmology and astronomy, and following contemporary
debate and theory;

2. Using my telescopes for the puely aesthetic pleasure of wandering
through the night sky.

I remember ten years ago I had my 5" refractor set up on a Losmondy
G-11 and invited some friends and neighbors over to view Hyakutake. A
friend's nine year old daughter spent more time at the scope than
anyone, clutching the guide controls and scanning the sky. "It's like
flying through space", she said. Exactly.

I sold the big mount and scope and now use small refractors mounted
alt-az and a Questar, but the feeling is really still the same.

mike

http://findascope.com

Date: 11 Sep 2006 10:36:05
From: oriel36
Subject: Re: My Interest in Astronomy is?

Chris L Peterson wrote:
> On Mon, 11 Sep 2006 15:37:42 GMT, SkySea@aolREMOVE.com (SkySea) wrote:
>
> >In other words, "I don't actually do any observing. I'm here to be a
> >pest."
>
> Observing isn't a requirement for an astronomer. But understanding what
> the word "astronomy" means sure is!
>
> _________________________________________________
>
> Chris L Peterson
> Cloudbait Observatory
> http://www.cloudbait.com

A person needs only basic judgements of the observed motions of planets
to realise our motion around the Sun allows us to see the motion of
the other planets around the Sun.

http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/image/0112/JuSa2000_tezel.gif

The greatest advancement in astronomy is the re-discovery,using
contemporary imaging,of the great Copernican insight of the faster
Earth overtaking the slower moving outer planets thereby affirming that
planetary orbital motion is seen directly from Earth.

The dynamicists are too busy defining things to notice that Newton
failed to grasp this now easy to understand concept -

"For to the earth planetary motions appear sometimes direct, sometimes
stationary, nay, and sometimes retrograde. But from the sun they are
always seen direct," Newton

Unless somebody has a severe disability,the correct statement is that
planets are seen to move forward,backwards(retrograde) and forwards
against the background stars but are seen to move directly around the
Sun from an orbitally moving Earth.

Do that and then you can call yourself an astronomer,anyone can !.How
long do you think you can manage to disguise the mangled view of Newton
?,the 9/11 of heliocentric astronomy.How many more generations of good
kids will be made to believe the nonsense that astronomy is equations
and abtruse technical language only understood by the elite few with a
bit of magnification thrown in.

It is not about Newton being wrong for his view is just another poor
mutation among many,this is about how enjoyable the Copernican method
and insight is along with the exquisite later refinements by Kepler and
Roemer.

Date: 12 Sep 2006 06:20:09
From: John Carruthers
Subject: Re: My Interest in Astronomy is?

oriel36 wrote:

snip usual insults.

> A person needs only basic judgements of the observed motions of planets
> to realise our motion around the Sun allows us to see the motion of
> the other planets around the Sun.
> Unless somebody has a severe disability,the correct statement is that
> planets are seen to move forward,backwards(retrograde) and forwards
> against the background stars but are seen to move directly around the
> Sun from an orbitally moving Earth.<<

Yes, we know !! How many times ?
Do you really think you alone know this ?!! that you alone can see or
read ?
What any 5 year old can see and read? A simple, easily observed fact ?
certainly not worth 1000 + post on one subject, get a life man.
jc

Date: 12 Sep 2006 17:06:45
From: Marty
Subject: Re: My Interest in Astronomy is?

I'm a casual, low tech, sightseer. I've been interested in astronomy
all my life, and I've been stuck at the "intermediate amateur" stage for
35 or 40 years. I love the night sky, and I enjoy picking my way
through and around it. I spend most of my time under the night sky
naked eye, followed by binoculars, and then my old C8. I'm lucky enough
to live in a tiny Iowa town with at least half decent skies, and I could
never live in a place where it doesn't get dark.
Marty

Date: 12 Sep 2006 05:53:15
From: John Carruthers
Subject: Re: My Interest in Astronomy is?

Willie R. Meghar wrote:

>
> *You* are hereby invited to provide a brief (or not so brief) essay on
> *your* astronomical interests and activities.
>
> Here's mine:
>
My greatest joy is looking out at the plane of our Galaxy and
visualising our place in it, then looking further out toward M31,
seeing our relative positions and motion within the local group of
galaxies and so on out to the Coma and Hercules clusters.
I built my first 6" F7 instrument from scrap, made my own optics,then
moved on to build a 1/25 wave 10". Being on disability benefits means
everything has to be made from scrap or on a tight budget. I built a
small Orrery for fun and still make bespoke sundials.
I had never looked through any kind of optical instrument at the night
sky before the 6" first light, it was an epiphany for me. I count
myself lucky I had no preconceptions.
I then started to seek out more information about the objects I could
see, first from the popular press then via various OU courses. I now
hold a Cert APS (Open) and have been proposed as FRAS. My Mensa(UK)
membership now lapsed) allowed me access to their "SpaceSIG" where I
made a few contributions to the magazine. I am now active in our local
AS (SEKAS) as publicity officer.
Living in a semi rural site means that on a good night M33 is just
about naked eye :-)
I can load up the 10" Dob and within 15 minutes drive be at a dark site
overlooking an eastern sea horizon, superb for planets, transits etc.
The public nights we hold there usually attract a dozen or more
instruments and crowds of various sizes. If a bright comet is around
it's not unusual to get up to 100 punters throughout the evening.
I've recently started webcam imaging and I have played with
spectroscopy using a full aperture prism. My next project (after this
year's exams) is to try IR imaging.
jc

Date: 12 Sep 2006 18:09:51
From: Matthew Ota
Subject: Re: My Interest in Astronomy is?

My primary interest in astronomy is:

Education. Sharing my telescope so others can see the universe. See the
following URL,
scroll down to "Back in California":

http://www.nasa.gov/vision/universe/watchtheskies/s_o_c_2003.html

90% of the time my telescope is set up, it is for somebody else to look
through.

I have dabbled in astroimaging, but since the TIE program left Mt.
Wilson my interest in imaging ebbed.

http://ocastronomers.org/astroimages/album.asp?action=byphotographer&name=Matthew%20Ota

Since 1998, an estimated 2,000 people have viewed through my eyepieces
at venues ranging from Yucca Valley, Orange County schools and museums,
the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, the Headquarters of the Carnagie
Observatories in Pasadena, and even at home in Gardena.

I currently serve in the outreach program at the historic Mt. Wilson
Observatory as a "visual" 16 inch telescope operator. Schools and other
clients come up the mountain to view and image through the 60 and 16
inch telescopes.

When I served as a 24 inch TIE operator at Mt. Wilson, schools
worldwide logged in to image through the historic telescope, which has
now been moved to a school in Colorado.

Currently I am serving on the board of trustees in the Orange County
Astronomers, one of the largest astronomy clubs in the USA with over
700 members.

I am also a member of my local club, the South Bay Astronomical
Society, and I represent the Cassini Huygens mission to Saturn on
behalf of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory as a volunteer with the Saturn
Observation Campaign. When Saturn is visible I do exclusive Saturn-only
telescope viewing and outreaches and explain the spacecraft and prorgam
to viewers.

Matthew Ota
the sole 10 inch LX250 telescope operator of Gardena, California

Date: 13 Sep 2006 20:59:45
From: Don't Be Evil
Subject: Re: My Interest in Astronomy is?

Ernie Dunbar wrote:
> Don't Be Evil wrote:
> > I belong to a club that has a dark site that isn't really all that dark
> > despite being an hour drive out of town (Cleveland). The light
> > pollution comes from a population 25,000 city about 10 miles away.
> > Nevertheless, we have a great time at star parties. I get to compare
> > my 8" dob to the club's 12" dob and 16" EQ newt. I never really
> > appreciated dobs until I tried using an EQ the size of a cannon.
>
> 16" EQ newt? What kind of mount do they use for that thing? I've been
> humming and hawing over what I'd build when I eventually build that
> cabin on the hilltop, and that sounds like just the thing. 16" is kind
> of big for any sort of tripod though, so it would be nice to know what
> they used.

It's a Meade Starfinder on a pier in a building with a roll-off roof.
Ed Ting discusses it at the bottom of this page:
http://www.scopereviews.com/page1r.html
Our experiences agree with his. It would be much better with a larger
mount and/or a lighter tube. Beyond that, you have to use a ladder
with it, and sometimes almost climb on top of the tube to reach the
eyepiece.

I'd get a dob for visual use, or an SCT/RC for imaging. The largest
practical EQ newt seems to be 10". A15" f/4.5 dob will let you stand
on the ground most of the time.

When it becomes cabin time for me, I'd like to build some kind of
robotic goto mount that drives a 36" newt and keeps a viewing platform
positioned near the eyepiece. It wouldn't be cheap, but neither is a
16" RCX.

Greg

Date: 13 Sep 2006 17:28:29
From: TBerk
Subject: Re: My Interest in Astronomy is?

Willie R. Meghar wrote:
> Sometimes some of the postings that show up on sci.astro.amateur are
> enough to make a person wonder: Does this person or that person ever
> actually go outside and look upward?
>
> *You* are hereby invited to provide a brief (or not so brief) essay on
> *your* astronomical interests and activities.
>

- I like the Natural Sciences, among other interests.
- I seek a better understanding of the Universe around me.
- I enjoy outdoor activities.

- And of course there is the "Ooooh, check that out..." factor.

To tell the truth I have been away from actually participating in the
things I remember I used to like, so my log book of 'been there, done
that' is a bit sparse lately. Despite this I find some enjoyment in
weeding out the chaff here in NG, I find more signal than noise so far.

TBerk

Date: 13 Sep 2006 15:07:16
From: Ernie Dunbar
Subject: Re: My Interest in Astronomy is?

Don't Be Evil wrote:
> I belong to a club that has a dark site that isn't really all that dark
> despite being an hour drive out of town (Cleveland). The light
> pollution comes from a population 25,000 city about 10 miles away.
> Nevertheless, we have a great time at star parties. I get to compare
> my 8" dob to the club's 12" dob and 16" EQ newt. I never really
> appreciated dobs until I tried using an EQ the size of a cannon.

16" EQ newt? What kind of mount do they use for that thing? I've been
humming and hawing over what I'd build when I eventually build that
cabin on the hilltop, and that sounds like just the thing. 16" is kind
of big for any sort of tripod though, so it would be nice to know what
they used.

Date: 13 Sep 2006 14:59:12
From: Ernie Dunbar
Subject: Re: My Interest in Astronomy is?

Willie R. Meghar wrote:
> Sometimes some of the postings that show up on sci.astro.amateur are
> enough to make a person wonder: Does this person or that person ever
> actually go outside and look upward?
>
> *You* are hereby invited to provide a brief (or not so brief) essay on
> *your* astronomical interests and activities.

When I was a kid, I read about all sorts of objects in space that you
couldn't see without a telescope. Fantastic stories in textbooks of
galaxies and nebulae and far-away planets. Naturally, I wanted a
telescope so that I could see them. At the time, I couldn't so much as
locate any of the planets (and without a whole lot of clear nights to
find out either). but that was beside the point.

I'm 31 now, and I finally have my own telescope. I occasionally observe
the planets, but mostly I hunt down those galaxies, nebulae, and star
clusters that you can't see with the naked eye. I'm also currently
working on my Messier list, since only about 5 people have ever
officially completed it in the local RASC chapter. :)

Date: 14 Sep 2006 20:26:35
From: Stephen Paul
Subject: Re: My Interest in Astronomy is?

Willie R. Meghar wrote:
> Sometimes some of the postings that show up on sci.astro.amateur are
> enough to make a person wonder: Does this person or that person ever
> actually go outside and look upward?
>
> *You* are hereby invited to provide a brief (or not so brief) essay on
> *your* astronomical interests and activities.

My interest is in casual observing, casual imaging, and equipment
discussion.

I'm not really interested in the deeper science of the hobby, although I
try to be able to talk about it intelligently by reading from time to time.

Stars themselves are pretty amazing. I like to read about stars. Neutron
stars, carbon stars, white dwarfs, black holes, gamma ray bursters,
supernovae, planetary nebulae, star forming regions... gee, I guess I'm
more interested than I realized. :-)

How anyone can read even the shortest of essays on such subjects and not
be at least casually interested is beyond me.

Rock on,
Steve Paul

Date: 15 Sep 2006 07:04:48
From: Dave Mitsky
Subject: Re: My Interest in Astronomy is?

Don't Be Evil wrote:

Edit

> It's a Meade Starfinder on a pier in a building with a roll-off roof.
> Ed Ting discusses it at the bottom of this page:
> http://www.scopereviews.com/page1r.html
> Our experiences agree with his. It would be much better with a larger
> mount and/or a lighter tube. Beyond that, you have to use a ladder
> with it, and sometimes almost climb on top of the tube to reach the
> eyepiece.
>
> I'd get a dob for visual use, or an SCT/RC for imaging. The largest
> practical EQ newt seems to be 10". A15" f/4.5 dob will let you stand
> on the ground most of the time.
>
> When it becomes cabin time for me, I'd like to build some kind of
> robotic goto mount that drives a 36" newt and keeps a viewing platform
> positioned near the eyepiece. It wouldn't be cheap, but neither is a
> 16" RCX.
>
> Greg

A former ASH member owned a 16" Meade Starfinder. He lugged the thing
around in a step van and always set it up himself, despite offers of
assistance. It was good optically but was definitely undermounted.

ASH owns a 12.5 " Cave Astrola, which was also seriously lacking in the
mount department. After many years of so-so service, we were forced to
remount the scope. Unfortunately, there are very few options available
nowadays for equatorially mounting large OTAs. The club ended up
buying a Mountain Instruments MI-250, which cost many times what the
scope was worth. I was in favor of selling the Cave and buying a large
Dob and equatorial platform but sentiment won out.

http://www.mountaininstruments.com/pages/mi250Go-To.html

A photo of 12.5" and the old mount can be seen at
http://www.astrohbg.org/gallery2/Tour-of-Naylor/125_cave

Dave Mitsky