John Dobson TV Special [Archive]

spacezebra

19-11-2006, 07:30 PM

Dont forget - have the VCR primed and ready to go....:D

http://www.abc.net.au/compass/
Compass: A Sidewalk Astronomer
Sunday 19 November at 22:10

John Dobson is an eccentric philosopher and a man of the people who popularised the amateur telescope. John takes to the streets with his telescope revealing sublime images of the moon and the planets to passers by, and he is not backwards in sharing his theories about the universe and its origins either.

Cheers Petra

gaa_ian

19-11-2006, 08:50 PM

I will certainly be watching this one too, I have it in my Diary with an Alarm so I don't miss it !

jjjnettie

20-11-2006, 12:30 AM

That was such a good program!
Inspirational! What a character he is.
Did you see that beautifully carved wood scope at that star party! A work of art.

Starkler

20-11-2006, 01:12 AM

I very much enjoyed it. JD is certainly a very interesting person and has some rather unconventional views about the universe.

Well worth the watch.

CoombellKid

20-11-2006, 02:00 AM

Dang! missed it. the problem with having a TV in the bedroom ZzzzZzzzZzzz....

Hey but I'm up to see the Wallabies take on Ireland : )

regards,CS sunny days

Rob

gaa_ian

20-11-2006, 02:16 AM

Bugga ! I few glasses of wine & a DVD & I forgot all about it .... Doh !!
I will have to get one of those set top boxes so I can Catch these things on ABC2 !

CoombellKid

20-11-2006, 02:23 AM

Mmmmmmm ABC2, do you know when and what time?

regards,CS sunny days

Rob

iceman

20-11-2006, 05:44 AM

Doh, forgot to record it!

Rodstar

20-11-2006, 06:15 AM

Thanks Glenn for the heads up on this very enjoyable program.

It provided a fascinating insight into JG Dobson. What an amazing enthusiasm he displayed for sharing his love of antronomy. His sidewalk astronomy work reminded me of those who stand on street corners selling "The Big Issue"; there is such apathy, but when someone does take the time to stop and chat, good things can happen.

I loved his description of the human psyche. He said we are genetically programmed to understand trees, rain, cats, dogs etc, but when we see the moon or Jupiter or a galaxy through a telescope for the first time, our genes fall silent and our gonads (at least those of us who have them) become stones. By looking out into the cosmos we have the opportunity to see our true place in the universe, and perhaps shed some of our hubris.

As for John's theories of cosmology.....sounds like he may have smoked one too many bongs. Then again, maybe he knows something the rest of us don't!

xelasnave

20-11-2006, 06:47 AM

I too mised the show as I have no tv here n Sydney. So far this is the only show that I regret missing.
However I spoke to a friend an hour ago who related much of the show to me.
I wish I could have heard his alternate views on cosmology as I suspect we share similar views on the big bang.
I doubt if his ability to think outside the square could be put down to smoking he obviously has an very active mind evidenced by his design of a mount that has made astronomy accessible to many more people.
My friend had met him many years ago and commented that he indeed was a very interesting and likable chap.
I think we need people who can question some of the large leaps in logic current cosmology asks us to make.
I would enjoy hearing his views on inflation for example perhaps he does not even bother with it if he does not accept the big bang theory.
If they run it again I would buy a tv as I very near did simply to be able to see the show....but not for anyother reason.
alex

Ric

20-11-2006, 07:33 AM

It was a great program and JD is one very interesting person. Whether his theories are right or wrong is another thing but he has definitely earned a place in the history of astronomy.
I agree JJJ, the handcrafted telescope that was shown was a stunning piece of art, obviously one persons statement to the world.

cheers

Omaroo

20-11-2006, 08:08 AM

As a teacher, his monotonic voice would put me to sleep in minutes - even if his off-beat sense of humour was firing. He is an interesting fella, but at the end of it I can't see what all the fuss is about. All he did was to adapt an existing style of cannon mount (long tube) to hold another type of long tube - telescope. It's not as though he "invented" anything. He himself made sure that point was understood. I guess the public needs a figure to hold up and admire, and that's OK.

A historical figure worthy of all the adulation? Sorry, but I don't see it. He looks like a nice bloke and great character who has given his time to spread the word - and for that he is always to be rightly remembered.

John K

20-11-2006, 09:18 AM

Watched most of this last, great stuff, really liked his alternative theory of cosmology. Very humble guy who acknowledged that he did not necessarily invent a totally new design but adopted an old idea, however if it was so simple why did not others do it before him? He could have easily have pattented the idea but decided to share it with everyone. His attitude to life and sharing the universe with others is very unique and spiritual. His name will go down in history for his amazing work.

jjjnettie

20-11-2006, 09:51 AM

The program will be repeated on Friday 24th at 9.30am and 7pm.
On ABC2.

Satchmo

20-11-2006, 10:18 AM

I thought the program concentrated a little too long on his dialogue of epithets and perhaps not enough emphasis on the revolution he started and its evolution : hundreds of thousands of people now own apertures sufficent to see the Universe in a detailed and personal way, unatainable by the average person 30 years ago.

His ongoing legacy stems not just from cardboard tubes riding on space age Teflon and vibration damping plywood, but developing thin mirror lightweight polishing techniques that made there way to Bob Kestner who passed on that wisdom in a series of published articles which I can guarantee that all the opticians supplying large mirrors today 'cut their teeth on' . Omaroo, I notice you don't own a Dobsonian telescope..perhaps you should spend some time with one and you'd understand better the `reverence' people hold for this wonderful man who realised elegant simplicty can sometimes be far more productive than complexity ;)

Mark

casstony

20-11-2006, 10:37 AM

Even though the delivery was monotone, I found the content captivating. I wish I'd had a passionate, eccentric intellectual teaching me in high school physics. In fact I wish I'd had passionate, eccentric, intellectual teachers through all of my schooling.

Omaroo

20-11-2006, 11:11 AM

Mark - please don't get me wrong. I absolutely subscribe to "simple is best". I also understand and acknowledge that he was the "spark" that changed amateur astronomy for so many people.

The only reason that I don't have a Dobsonian is that I haven't managed to get around to getting one yet. I'm very keen to build a 12-16 incher soon.

I think that the Chinese have done more than anybody else to bring large aperture astronomy to the masses. It is they who have developed cheap mirror, tube and accessory production that allows so many to participate.

The thing that I admire Dobson for is his dedication to his hobby, and attempting to bring it to the masses.

gaa_ian

20-11-2006, 11:37 AM

Did Anyone get a recording of this program ?
PM Me PLEASE :)

ving

20-11-2006, 11:38 AM

nice guy? weirdo? eccentric? i dont know...
I personally am not into hero worship. he put a reflector on, what is essentialy a device created in 1326. yes someone had to think of it and adapt it i guess... i wonder who was the first person to say at a picnic "lets throw this blanket on the ground so we dont get grass stains on our clothes". but adapting is what us humans do best and JD is proof :)

Omaroo

20-11-2006, 11:50 AM

David - I have to be careful, being married to one :P, and having lived there for several years, but I think that our American friends are bigger on the 'hero' worship. If Dobson were English then all of this reverance might be somewhat more muted. I think that we Aussies are a little more pragmatic, and merely take a good idea for what it is - just a good idea.

ving

20-11-2006, 12:43 PM

probably right chris. I love to watch the v8 supercars but going up and getting my t-shirt, hat sock, backside signed by one of them? well i just dont see the attraction. Bec tho is another story, she loves it. :) she has her holden hat signed by 90% of the holden drivers (and maybe a ford driver or 2) ;) maybe thats a kid thing?

fringe_dweller

20-11-2006, 02:30 PM

this wasnt the 'sidewalk astronomers/JD' tv show I was thinking of, that was an earlier one then this, which had weaved thru it JD teaching a beginners class on making cheap mirrors/dobs, and they made a solar scope. Also the one i was thinking also had one of my fave JD lines something like 'on dark matter, you are dark matter and your also standing on it'
i think some may of missed the point re JD, hero worship!?:shrug: what the..?
I think, and millions of others obviously, the zen astronomy aside, think he is a shining 'example' of altruism and selflessness.
On one point alone, to forego the patenting the dob mount and subsequent royalties in the interest of popular amateur astronomy and mass enjoyment/enlightenment is astonishing in this 'me me me' aquisition/corporate/money hungry world. (dont forget someone invented and patented the clothes peg! and i'm sure they were admired and hero worshipped for making money outta something 'simple', as many are)
A kinda gandhi of AA and bringing it to the masses if you will mebbe.
I agree with Mark, theres probably many more contributions he has made than the mount, dont be fooled by his example of modesty and humility and common touch.
Theres PLENTY of hero worship going on in oz (especially by the media), sadly mostly for sports people ie swimmers, and the wealthy, and John Howard.

spacezebra

20-11-2006, 05:15 PM

Finally got to watch my taped version of JD on Compass.

I enjoyed the program - and will copy for those that are interested.

Cheers Petra

acropolite

20-11-2006, 06:55 PM

As jjj said, inspirational. I missed the first few minutes. HRH also watched and loved the program. Some of what was in the program can be downloaded from here (http://www.telescopes.com/john-dobson/index.php). Also here's a link to the San Fransisco Sidewalk Astronomers (http://sfsidewalkastronomers.org/)one of many in the US

GrahamL

20-11-2006, 07:17 PM

He sure gave a lot to astronomy over nearly 50 years even without the dob
mount ,and really didn't seek out all the fame that came his way IMO.
http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/6389/Page1.htm

astroron

21-11-2006, 12:12 AM

The only reason the Chinese are putting a large amount of cheap but reasonable quality scopes on the market is that they have a vast amount of very cheap labour, but I can guarantee that in the future they will rise in price as they get a stranglehold on the market, just as the Japanese did with their cars, they where cheap when they first came to Australia,but not anymore.
As for John Dobson, having met him I think what is what you saw on the show is what the man is like in real life, with a strong opinion of his beliefs, and his place in the astronomical community.

Satchmo

21-11-2006, 08:55 AM

Yes, the Chinese have contributed much new except very cheap prices and better quality control. Meade, Celestron and Orion Dobs were around for many years with American made optics and a little more expensive: it took Chinese prices to make these mid size apertures affordable for the casual stargazer.

As far as the large optics for amateur consuption, Jim Brannigan of Coulter started the big 'commercial' dob revolution in 1980 with its 13 and 17.5" thin mirror Dobs, and then Jerry Wilkinson (?)and John Hudek of Galaxy took up the mantle by selling better quality 2" thick mirrors up to 20" which then gave Obsession an optics source for its premium truss Dobs in the early 90's. From there, countless opticians and Dob companies have sprung up. You can be assured that all these early opticians were climbing on the shoulders of John Dobsons work, not accepting what the books said couldn't be done..

All of this happened becasue JD, being a very non-materialistic guy, could handle the flak from the established amateur astronomy community , who laughed at thin porthole glass and altazimuth mounts, until it became apparent the real depth and breadth of the Universe these instruments will show.

I agree with Astroron that prices will increase, and lets hope that the specialist optical cottage industries can survive to give people their 20" F 3.5 mirrors etc when so many people want to move up from their mass produced `one size fits all' scopes.

I had a three hour lunch with John in 1988 , doing an interview for a new Australian Astronomy magazine. I was very dissapointed when the magazine decided not to run the interview and then apparently lost the interview tapes .

I'll save the story he related to me outlining the conception of his son ( involving a mirror grinding barrel, a Uni student and a rattlesnake) for another time :)

Mark

ballaratdragons

21-11-2006, 08:08 PM

Because we were all at camp this weekend I recieved a phone call from our Mayor informing me that she had taped the show for our Astro Association!!!!! :eyepop:

That's a Mayor that works for the people :thumbsup:

AstroJunk

21-11-2006, 09:16 PM

For one, the World Wide Web would be called the Tim Berners-Lee!

There were plenty of large aperture thin mirrors which predated Dobson on alt az mounts and using vinyl bearings, but I don't begrudge his fame. Dobson happened for whatever reason to spark a chain of events in the US which ended in the incredible design of scope that I use today.:prey2:

That's how History works!

Omaroo

21-11-2006, 09:24 PM

Hmmm... I feel as though I'm being shot for my opinion. It's a forum, and that is what I was under the impression I was meant to give. If I have offended anyone here then I apologise.

tbentley

21-11-2006, 09:30 PM

What came through to me was his almost zealot like love of what he did. I admire him far more for that than for anything else. Passion is something that is in fairly rare supply these days. I guess Compass decided to show this because Cosmology was his religion. (Compass is still a religious/spiritual program isn't it?)
Travis

AstroJunk

21-11-2006, 09:33 PM

Don't show weakness, there is nothing wrong with having an opinion contrary to others - Sometimes it's tough being the only one right!

Omaroo

21-11-2006, 09:40 PM

hehe.. No weakness intended. It was actually a shot at being ever so slightly facetious.;)

I don't know - the guy annoyed me although I admire his enthusiasm too.

Ric

21-11-2006, 09:45 PM

Hey Chris, You dont have to apologise for having an opinion. Every one is entitled to there own opinions that is the reason we live in a democracy.

cheers

Lee

21-11-2006, 09:53 PM

Don't apologise.... I thought similar really, a bit of an anti-climax really, but an enjoyable show all the same.

jjjnettie

21-11-2006, 10:35 PM

I agree, everyone has their own opinion and has a right to give it.

Argonavis

21-11-2006, 10:37 PM

JD inspired a group of people to gather around him and built some large trash scopes using porthole glass and plywood. They then took these scopes to National Parks in the US and put on some public star parties. JD and his associates were on a mission.

Once this was profiled in Sky&Telescope his fame was assured. You English never had a chance. The design was quickly copied and improved by the likes of Berry and Kreige. TM magazine was also part of this history. The amateur market in the US has the critical mass to support these publications.

I am not sure his original mirrors made of plate glass flash polished would satisfy too many amateurs today, who are a little more picky on optical quality. Those members of the public who looked through his scopes in the National Parks back in the late 1970's didn't really know the difference.

fringe_dweller

21-11-2006, 10:40 PM

I really picture JD as an anti-hero more than a 'hero' give the bloke a break, like to see how you would all handle being 103 not out and doing what he was doing and being interviewed geez :rolleyes: half of ya will be drooling down your chins probably at that age.
Well maybe some of us find it hard to be all dewy-eyed about the business strategies of a country that amongst other things, makes a profitable business out of, and probably millions of dollars, harvesting and selling the various in demand organs to the highest international bidder, as recently reported, from as many as 10,000 executed prisoners a year, conflict of interest or what? for a supposedly communist country, they sure understand the concept of the free and unfettered market and true capitalism!
I would rather the ethics of someone like John Dobson than those kinda ethics.

AstroJunk

21-11-2006, 10:55 PM

Nah, I'm an Aussie now, with a funny accent, and I've got the passport to prove it:thumbsup:.

I get to win the ashes every year - how good is that :D (on the down-side, I get disappointed by the Soccer twice every World Cup:( )

billp

21-11-2006, 10:55 PM

i've never looked through a telescope ...but have always been strangely drawn to it...a fascination of a kind ? having watched the program on John Dobson sunday night i now want to explore the subject. On the show i saw him grinding a lens [ or maybe the mirror ] for an OTA [ what does that stand for..please excuse my ignorance ] Is this part of builing your own Dobsonian. How is it done? Iask this as i am a glass caster and would like to know more about the mirrors used and if it would be possible to cast the mirror in starphire glass [ low iron glass ] thanks anybody?

astroron

22-11-2006, 10:56 AM

Did you expect everyone to agree with you:rofl: If you put a post on this forum you should expect a different opinion.
Nobody expects an apology, people were only giving their opinion of your opinion:lol:

ving

22-11-2006, 11:05 AM

opinions huh... ;)

while JD has done good things for astronomy in creating his alt/az rocker mount and the sidewalk astro thing, i can think of a person on this very forums who deserves more praise for his work for the australian and zew zealand astonomical community ;)
not mentioning any names as he might get a swollen head :P

just my opinion of course :)

Omaroo

22-11-2006, 11:06 AM

Not at all. That would be a tad boring, no?

As I stated before - I thought that my apology was bordering on the facetious:

1.not meant to be taken seriously or literally: a facetious remark. 2.amusing; humorous. 3.lacking serious intent; concerned with something nonessential, amusing, or frivolous: a facetious person.

If it wasn't taken that way, I apologise.

(Dang... there I go again!)

;)

astroron

22-11-2006, 11:23 AM

From one Englishman to another ,thanks for the English lesson:thumbsup:

astroron

22-11-2006, 11:39 AM

By the way ,you seem to like the word apology, apologise, John Howard could use a few lessons from you:lol: :thumbsup:

Omaroo

22-11-2006, 11:49 AM

... and for that I'm sorry.

:D

ving

22-11-2006, 11:52 AM

:lol:
oh you guys!

Dujon

22-11-2006, 12:53 PM

Any chance of a mod or admin moving this to a new thread? It sounds like an interesting subject to me.

Sorry, Bill, but if it's not done you'll be swamped with 'other stuff'.

norm

22-11-2006, 10:39 PM

I 2nd that motion too!

As for JD, yeah it was an interesting show. Guys definitely quirky. I would imagine his name would rank somehere in the top 100 as a person who has made major inroads/influences to astronomy.

Exfso

23-11-2006, 12:39 AM

Are you sure on this one, as I would love to record it, and looking at the ABC2 programming for those times, it is definitely compass but the program is nothing to do with John Dobson.

acropolite

24-11-2006, 08:54 PM

Didn't happen, perhaps some time in the future. I suspect that the repeats on fridays are of programs that aired several weeks ago.

billp

25-11-2006, 12:59 PM

thanks Dujon....I understand . Will post my future q's on the beginners thread. I saw your posting there from back in june. My reason for posting on this thread however was to tap into the collective wisdom of those with experience. I am very interested in the possibilities of making my own mirror. Thanks for replying.

iceman

11-12-2006, 01:45 PM

Hey guys.

Sorry to bump this thread, just wondering if anyone recorded this show on DVD or something?

I'd like to watch it!

matt

11-12-2006, 01:50 PM

Me too!

I'd be happy to pay for any costs involved in producing a DVD copy.

Please pm me and I'll provide mailing address and money for postage also:)

Omaroo

11-12-2006, 02:23 PM

Yes, I've still got it lodged on my HDD recorder. I've sent a copy off to Nhulunbuy already...... :)

If anyone wants a copy, please PM me and I'll get you to send a pre-paid CD/DVD postpak to me and I'll cut you a copy. It was recorded off our standard definition digital set top box - so the quality is good.

Cheers
Chris

Mike - make sure you stick a couple of IIS stickers for me in yours.... :D