Quote:
Originally Posted by Wavytone
What's the point ?
It's only point now is educational - to show littlies learning basic science these things are real, by letting them see first hand and in high school or Uni, repeat fundamental experiments.
There's also some satisfaction in getting the maths right for something you have calculated by going out and observing it (lunar occultations, eclipses, comet orbits and so-on). A few people actually do this stuff (and write software for all to use) and it remains essential that observers occasionally check that it's right.
The days of amateurs making any real contribution of scientific value are long gone simply because the size and complexity of the equipment needed to do so are wel beyond any amateur.
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Wavy,your last statement is way off beam.
We have just had a member here being part of a scientific paper as the discover of a galaxy which has very interesting characteristic and being part of a team of professional astronomers in writing such paper.
We have Amateur Supernova discovers who are involved with professional teams, Memember of the AAVSO who do variable stars used by professional astronomers.
Need I go on
