End of an Era

[AstralTraveller]

It seems that I have been hearing Nick Lomb of the Sydney Observatory on the radio or reading him in the press forever. In fact he has been in his job for 30 years. But according to the SMH today Nick retires this weekend (and the Geminids are his farewell crackers!).

Nick .. Nick, say it isn't so!!

I'm sure all on IIS will join me in wishing Nick all the best for the future and thank him for his tireless work promoting astronomy to the public. He has become an institution in the astronomical community and it will take a while to get used to not hearing Nick explaining this or that bit of astronomical news. I hope he is given a suitable farewell. :hi:

[renormalised]

More time to do some observing yourself, Nick:D

I hope he has a long and happy retirement.

[ngcles]

Hi David & Carl,

Yes it is very sad that Nick is going and he is the last of the "old-brigade" to go. When I say old-brigade, I mean those who were at the obs when it was a working research observatory prior to its re-opening as a public observatory.

There are several academically qualified people with masters levels and PHds who work at the obs in the daytime (and a several at night too), but I don't think they are looking at filling Nick's job with someone else at least for the present.

The announcement of Nick's pending retirement was very low-key. In fact, it was so low-key I missed it and didn't know he was going till Stuart Gary (producer of Star-Stuff) told me on the phone about five weeks ago.

I went to the send-off in the grounds of the Obs last week. In the attached photo (I took) you can see Dr Nick being suitably lauded and farewelled by Fred Watson.

I don't think Nick will be doing much by way of observing in his retirement -- he's moving to Melbourne ...


Best,

Les D

[pgc hunter]

I couldn't help but ROFL at that comment.....

*applause*