are you an astro evangelist?

[janoskiss]

Since I got into hands-on astronomy, i.e., going outside with a scope and making a conscious effort to look at things faint and far, I am finding myself going to considerable lengths to introduce the uninitiated to the rewards of this persuit.

I'm wondering if this is normal or am I becoming too obsessed. So please, tell me: Are you an astro-evangelist?

Signs that you may be an astro-evangelist (all true for me):

- you try to weave astronomy into everyday conversation a bit more often than most other people find socially acceptable
- you buy binoculars as gifts for birthdays and other occasions
- you keep telling people what celestial objects they should be looking at with the binoculars you bought them
- you never buy a department store telescope as a birthday present for a kid, no matter how attractive the price and/or the pictures on the box might be
- you take tourists from Europe along with your telescope to a dark sky site to show them why Australia is the best place on Earth
- you spell Earth with a capital E.

:astron:

[RB]

Another dead give away is that your star sign is Telescopium.
:astron:

:rofl:
Cheers
RB

[iceman]

haha most definitely true janoss.. and the other one is, that you try to mention your favourite website at every opportunity ;)

[[1ponders]]

guilty as charged.:D

[h0ughy]

I am a sick man, I cant help myself. it is so bad that my wife forbids me to mention anything astronomical in her presence. I do however at work regularly post astro stuff much to the dismay of the intranet operator and some management. I have had solar viewing sessions at lunch times to which over 30 people turned up at that session. I send people images and upcoming events all the time. I also find it very difficult not to mention anything astromonical in any conversation, and yes mike I do drop IIS website at every occasion. That includes any purchases overseas I make.

[RB]

Talk about sick, I dream in monochrome.
:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[toetoe]

I do talk about every couple of days with people at work. I have given up on my wife as she says "yes dear, thats good" when ever she says that i know to shut up :D but i have tried. I do plug IIS when ever i can but i havn't bought any astro gifts for anyone. If i bought astro stuff it would have to be for myself before i give it as a gift. :thumbsup:

[astro_south]

This is me to a tee!

I try to edumakate those around the office, and while I have to put up with the standard astrology jokes, I think there is a general interest that has grown from my bombardment of all things astronomical.

[ballaratdragons]

Interesting point Steve!

I bring Astronomy into most conversations somehow. When I do I always mention IIS.

I have even placed a link to IIS in my Rugby League website on the sponsors page! http://www.sportingpulse.com.au/club_info.cgi?client=%40Central%20H ighlands%20Rugby%20League%402993%40 %40Ballarat%20Dragons%4026738%40%40 %4011%40%407%40&sID=117

[square_peg114GT]

Guilty as charged. :ashamed:

[fringe_dweller]

I try not to mention it too much to civilians - on occassion i have experienced everything from bemused puzzlement to open hostility when mentioning this subject in public - even keen amateur astronomers can find me over the top :D the most common critiscism i hear from friends and acquaintances is - "but there is no money in it" yer well dur!!
Kearn - alleluya and pass the kellner
EDIT: the other most common slant/insinuation i hear from non-astronomers - is like I am to old for looking thru telescopes and astronomy - like it is only for kids!!?? that is one i dont get!!?? why should the universe be only enjoyed by kids!!??? :confused:

[astroron]

I have just had a visit from to very nice looking Jehova's Wittness Ladies and we had a very stimulating conversation on Astronomy and God. We parted on the best of terms.
Please don't start a discusion on the merits of it , just to say that I am guilty as most of being an astronomical evanjelist astroron :thumbsup:

[ballaratdragons]

Ron, it doesn't matter who they are, they are all fair game to be ear-bashed about our obsession!!! Even if the Martians came, I bet a lot of us would be saying things like "I'll get the scope out and show you your Planet from here on Earth"

We just can't help ourselves LOL!

[ving]

makes you want to break out into song doent it ;)

[Mick]

Astronomy is a release for me, most of my friends respect that as I do with there pointless hobbies. :b :wink2:

[atalas]

Come on guy's and girls ,pull your selfs together ! we have a mission to go where no one has gone before ! and Mick keep telling your self that It helps a lot , my friends respect that I mean :lol: have to go and check Astromart now ! don't want to miss out on a bargain , trying to stay on step a head of Houghy .

Louie :scared:

[h0ughy]

What else are you selling Louie :poke: At least i point them to IIS from astromart :whistle: ;)

[TidaLpHasE]

:cool:I would like to say i am, but i havn't a clue what i am talking about when it comes to astro stuffs:shrug:

[ballaratdragons]

Just make it up Trevor LOL!

Trevor - Hey have I showed you mars thru my scope yet
Friend - No
Trevor - Wanna see it?
Friend - No
Trevor - Of course you do, come and look
Friend - OK
Trevor - Can you see it
Friend - WOW, you really can see it!!
Trevor - Yep, cool huh!
Friend - How far away is it?
Trevor - oh about a trillion zillion kilometres
Friend - Really! What else can we see
Trevor - How about the Zwaggle Galaxy
Friend - Hey yeah! Show me that one
Trevor moves scope onto Omega Centauri
Friend - WOW and WOW! How far is that one?
Trevor - About 20 tri-billion million light years
Friend - WOW! Why is it so bright
Trevor - Coz each star is 50 billion times the size of our whole Solar System
Friend - Is that big?
Trevor - Of course it is!
Friend - Why are some of the stars a bit blue?
Trevor - Coz they are made of . . umm . . Ice.
Friend - Ice? but aren't stars hot?
Trevor - Oh, yeah, it's that hot 'Dry Ice'
Friend - WOW! Show me more

and on goes the episode as Trevor tries to explain why Galaxies have all the smoke in them (coz they are on fire) and why is the Southern Cross sitting side on (coz it fell over a few centuries ago).

:lol2:

[toetoe]

Tune in tommoro night for episode #2 where the friend asks Trevor more questions...

[TidaLpHasE]

:confuse3:Ummm, where's that "Zwaggle Galaxy" again Ken?:rofl:

[ballaratdragons]

LOL! Next to that Mega Star in the white stuff crossing the whole sky made of Cosmic smoke.

[beren]

:whistle: Oh no instead of a evangelist i think im a monk , as much as i enjoy mixing and conversing in astronomy etc with others i enjoy more getting out by myself and recharging the batteries and relaxing .

[gaa_ian]

Ken you crack me up :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[h0ughy]

not quite a true statement

should read "Ken you are completely cracked! ":whistle: I bet Trevor is Kens Pen name :rofl:

[gaa_ian]

Lets see, Astronomy Evangelist :confuse3:
- Started an astronomy Club so I would have lots of friends to observe with !
- Monthly Article in the local paper
- Radio guest spots
- 250+ (willing people) on my mailing list
- Anti light polution campaigner
- Suggesting to other people its a good Idea to get up at 4 am (Planets, meteor showers etc)
- School Astronomy nights
- Always travel with a scope
- Etc, Etc

Yep ... I Guess i must be :thumbsup: :cool: :D

[ballaratdragons]

Yes but Ian, do you ever get to look at the sky instead of always talking about it on Radio, at schools, in the paper etc. LOL!!!

Only joking, I know you do!

[rumples riot]

Boy you guys need to get a grip. :rofl: Including astronomy in every conversation. Wow. That is an obsession. Classic signs. :scared:

I rarely mention my hobbies to my friends, they are not really all that interested in Astronomy. Ocassionally I ask them if they want me to bring my scope on a trip away. When I do they really get into the questions and with 12 people it is a long night. However, I would have to say they are more interested in my photographic hobby as this is something they can identify with. Besides during winter I like to socialize with friends and then in the summer they understand.

This also by the way keeps my girlfriend happy and she does not have to worry that I will bore one of her friends to death with Astronomy gobbldeegook. :D

So; no I am not an astro evangelist and happy that I have my obsessions under control. :D

Every conversation, did you hear that........

[ballaratdragons]

Be funny if one of her friends brings the subject up!! Then what'll she do . . . run!!!!

[gaa_ian]

Under control Eh Paul :confuse3:
1626 posts ... I can just hear you ....
I have a dream .... a dream that every man woman & child will have a telescope .... the nations of the earth united ............. :prey2: :rofl:

[ballaratdragons]

I just remembered another incident to show how bad this obsession is:

When my boys were playing Rugby League at Olympic Park during a Melbourne Storm game a few weeks back I made a point of showing everyone in our group (some 30 people) that Venus and Jupiter were the only objects visible in the sky with all the stadium lights on!

Sheesh!

EDIT: Oh yeah, there was also when me and my 2 boys were showing and explaining the recent Venus, Joop, Moon conjunction at footy training to all the players and assistant coaches!

:help2:

[gaa_ian]

Welcome to AAA
Amateur Astronomers Anonomous
Stands up ...Hi, my name is Ian & I haven't looked through a telescope for 24 hrs :clap: :D

[ballaratdragons]

LOL!

My name is Ken, I am a Scope-aholic.

Can I join your AAA Ian?

[gaa_ian]

All welcome Ken ... Automatic m'ship for the top 50 poster here on this forum !

[h0ughy]

Well Mike must be the leader of the pack :rofl:

[h0ughy]

On that note, Mike &/0r moderators who are the top 50 posters on this site?

[ballaratdragons]

LOL! Have you ever looked at who the top 50 posters are!

Sad isn't it.

[h0ughy]

I need to join AAA.

I have not purchased and astronomical item or equipment for over 2 days. I am having withdrawal symptoms and have been needlessly tempted by a GPDX mount. I have help out so far. I need help. I couldn't help myself i needed to find my way! :D thats why I bought a finderscope :doh

I have not spoken about an astronomical item for at least 50 minutes, I need help :poke: . :D

[[1ponders]]

h0ughy if you go into the members link at the top and click on "posts" it will rearrange the members by number of posts rather than alphabetically

[h0ughy]

gaa_ian- All welcome Ken ... Automatic m'ship for the top 50 poster here on this forum !

Well Ian, we need certificates for all of the following automatic memberships......... :rofl: If you see your name you need help ;) :poke:


iceman

ballaratdragons

ving

[1ponders]

rumples riot

asimov

Striker

h0ughy

Starkler

davidpretorius

RAJAH235

atalas

acropolite

slice of heaven

toetoe

janoskiss

seeker372011

beren

gbeal

Robby

gaa_ian

Mick

mhodson

Dave47tuc

Astroman

dhumpie

elusiver

ausastronomer

Orion

cahullian

fringe_dweller

silvinator

Exfso

mick pinner

vindictive666

frogman

rmcpb

Rodstar

xrekcor

Vermin

Comet Hunter

cometcatcher

astro_south

tornado33

westsky

xstream

rowena

Dennis

wavelandscott

MiG

[RB]

Oh :doh: :doh: :doh:

I just missed out by one post.

I think I need help anyway.... :rofl: :rofl:

Be nice guys, be nice.....

:jump2:

RB

[cometcatcher]

Hey I'm on that list. :P

Funny isn't it how we try and spread our hobbies around.

Let me introduce you to my other hobby, the perpetual light society, which wishes to turn the entire planet into a daylight dwelling with lots of lights at night and banners in space. NOT!

[Lee]

Hey - I have only one souvenir so far from NZ - a t-shirt with this on it!
Not an entirely accurate view - must be a kiwi holidaying up north somewhere! :)

[Lee]

:stupid: .... its a sheep, I know..... :ashamed::ashamed::ashamed:

[rumples riot]

Ian, you must remember that I was once a moderator and that was why I have so many posts. (my excuse and I am sticking to it) Still I spend some time here when it is cloudy or raining. Can't shoot photography either terrestrial or astro when this is happening. That seems to be happening quite a lot this year. Farmers must be happy this year. However, I do have a dream........

Hypocrite or not. LOL Rofl. That was really funny Ian.

[gaa_ian]

I'm Glad you enjoyed my little :poke: rumples.
The laughs have been very good here these past few days. :rofl:
Some medicine I have needed, having lost an old friend in the hang gliding community (My other passion) to a very tragic accident :(
(RIP Bernie)

[janoskiss]

Hang gliding. Isn't that an awesome thing to do! I used to fly using club gear, but now I'm 25 kg heavier and don't have access the resources anyway. Would love to get back into it. :love:

Sorry about your friend, Ian. It feels like the most natural and safest thing when you're up there. I had three stacks, all through my own stupidity. Two big ones:

1. Landing my behemoth Moyes Mars 190 in the surf at Portsea -- in the off-limits military/navy zone; the glider was torn to bits by the waves.

2. Landing a Moyes Mission 170 on top of trees (one tree per wing tip, me in the middle at 30+feet) near Lorne. I was trying to get more lift off a larger hill behind a small one, but went down in the gully in between. I climbed down from the trees using the glider and batten bags. We actually managed to retrieve the glider and got it repaired for around $600 IIRC.

All my incidents were due to my inexperience and hot-headedness, and happened after 3+ hours of non-stop flying. Hardly a scratch on me though. I was very lucky, and the gliders seemed to be very good at absorbing the impact.

[gaa_ian]

Yep ... Hang gliding is a great thing.
Most of the accidents happen with the Inexperienced & the very experienced.
A sad but true fact.
I have flown over 350 hrs, over the last 20 yrs & always adopt the Motto, "better to come back and fly another day" if the conditions deteriorate/are not good enough.
When you are at 10,000 ft with an eagle on your wing tip, the world is your oyster !