Amateur contributions to science

[iceman]

A nice article on the BBC science website about amateur astronomers (and astrophotographers), and how important their work is in the scientific community.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/5328762.stm

Some nice mentions of Dave Tyler (from the UK), as well as some of his images. The picture of him and his family in the observatory has Damian Peach on the left as well.

[Blue Fire]

Wow, a great read! I had known that amateurs contributed significantly, but this article opened my eyes quite a bit further. I can't quite call myself even an amateur yet by comparison, but at least I try to spread my interests in astronomy to other folks, especially young people. Kudos to all you other folks in this forum!! Cheers to the amateurs!

[higginsdj]

It really doesn't do justice to just how much amateurs do contribute. However one should make a distinction between those who regularly contribute and those who are a little more sporadic.

There is a very small percentage of amateurs who 'do science' on a regular basis world wide and a very small percentage compared to the number of professionals. BUT, I wonder how many discoveries the average professional would make throughout their lives? I would hazard a guess that it is a lot less than the average amateur who contributes regularly. W ehave the likes of:

Dave Herrald (B) - Pushing the boundaries of Planetary Satellite astrometry (the only person in the world doing this type of work in recent history),
Bill Bradford (B) - Visual Comet Survey (need I say more)
Bob Evans (B) - Visual Nova and SN Survey (need I say more)
Vello Tabur (B) - Visual and Photographic Survey, Comets, Nova and Variable Stars
Col Bembrick (B), Tom Richards (B), Myself (S) - Minor Planet and Variable Star Photometry
Gordon Garrard (B)(S) - Sidding Spring Survey - Minor Planet and Comet discovery
John Broughton (S) - NEO Survey

(B) Berenice Page Medallists - ASA
(S) Gene Shoemaker Grant Winners - TPS

As I said - just the tip of the iceberg and the fields are wide open for more to join our ranks.

Cheers

David Higgins
http://www.david-higgins.com

[David]

Great Read Mike,
Just imagine one late night at Kulnura after midnight Tocam on your scpoe, in clear darksky, wops I forgot you leave before 10 :lol: :lol: but seriously there could be another David Tyler amoung us, wouldn't that be great!