It was Ballarat's Astronomical Society's turn to have John Dobson as the special guest. And what a night it was!!!!
Only 26 of us there. The night started with a relaxed BBQ. Did I say relaxed? John Dobson turned up in carpenters overalls with the bum out of them! And hundreds of jokes.
After sitting around just gas-bagging about anything I asked John would he mind signing my telescope if he gets the chance (I took my OTA and black texta with me). He said "Yeah, let's go for a walk and do it now". So just he and I went for a stroll up to the carpark and talked about Australia, the Australian drought, and a dozen other subjects walking along at a snails pace (He is 89). We got to the car and he signed my scope, then he hung around the car just talking about anything. We spent probably 20 minutes enjoying conversation when a car load of visitors pulled in (they did not know it was a special night). John walked over and started talking to them. After they went down to the buildings John and I strolled back as it was nearly time for him to do his talk.
The talk itself became a floor show as he made the 'Know-alls' feel stupid and cracked more jokes, baffled the brilliant and made the beginner feel confident. He told stories that had nothing to do with astronomy and thoroughly entertained all of us.
Then the inevitable question came up from one of the members. 'How did the Dobsonian mount get your name?'
Here's Johns official answer: "My friends named it to annoy me. I am always complaining about how telescopes are named after people, you know, Cassegrain, Schmitt, Maksutov. So they started calling our portable mount 'Dobsonian' to annoy me cause I'm always complaining. It stuck. I didn't invent the mount or they would have been using the term 'Dobsonian Cannons' over a hundred years ago if I did."
It was a great night and we could tell that John enjoyed the relaxed, low key atmosphere after speaking to a huge crowd in Melbourne the night before. When I get tonights photos emailed to me I'll place them in here.
He certainly is an interesting fella!
Last edited by ballaratdragons; 16-04-2005 at 01:33 AM.
Is Reg's autograph on a telescope? If not, how am I going to view the sky?
Geoff, Isaac Newton is dead! But I heard that Huygens was spotted down at the supermarket with Elvis and Galileo!!
Photo soon as I get hold of a camera.
I reckon Cassini would run rings around those guys I met John Dobson way back in 1988. He inspected my 8" Dobsonian at a star party and passed it the genuine article as it had a rock taped to the back as a weight. As you would probably have learnt, John likes everything low tech. and affordable.
Yep, he said he still uses and prefers his focusers made from 1.5" chromed brass drain pipe and a cardboard tube to slide in and out!
He also made a 10" scope and mount from scratch in 7 hours!!!!!! Ground, polished and silvered both mirrors, made the cell, spider, focuser and mount, assembled it all, and used it. It was at a workshop to teach others how to make telescopes. I wonder how many of the attendees did the same?
Sounds like a great night Ken.
A man of Humility & great humor
I am impressed with what the 12" dob can do after my first view of the Humonculous nebula (around Eta Carina), what have you seen of it with your 12" dob
Amazing Night with John Dobson!
L.
