Thank you Glen and others,
‘For Science’ would be the crux of the rest of this message. The future is in our hands, as always, if only we could work together positively and peacefully.
Some current attempts and suggestions/invitations:
- Contributing to science. We watch the BOSS team as exemplar (not just in what’s achieved or for names but in how people can team up ‘for science’).
We need more of an ‘astronomical science’ focus (and training/systems –so we need to divide-and-conquer), right from basic reporting of events to responding to pro-am requests.
.
- Spectroscopy, specifically, although massively important both in the past and right now!, seems to have been so neglected for all sorts of reasons. We have a gaping hole in basic understanding, play/explore/investigating, and pro-am contributions. It is hoped that more of us look into this. It is nowadays economical and simple to do; then decide to what depth you wish to take it.
Astrophotographers are needed please, who already have fantastic gear, to start taking spectral images. Many among us can team up on the processing side. But also please show startlingly beautiful colourful spectral images to the world –your skills and gear will show things up more than the basics.
.
- Societies and Clubs are in a perfect position to make it happen. Please (return to) have an observational/field science component ie doing –not only talks, with no less facilitation than for socialising. Serving just ‘what the customers want’ has an analogy in ‘kids want sugar’ or ‘--- want ICE’, with consequences.
Societies and Clubs, as an example for 2), can also readily include a grating filter (only about $200) in the eyepiece kit for members and the public. And let us join efforts across Societies, embracing all non-members too.
.
- SOUTH celestial focus. Traditional and current texts cover so much of northern hemisphere perspectives that many of us have not embraced or promoted seeing with SH eyes. Example, how many texts have and how many Outreach show: Esb 365, (arguably) the reddest star which is right by beta Crucis, or H3945 the blue-orange pair quite as beautiful as Albireo, or gamma Velorum the spectral gem?
We can be, collectively the custodian-watcher of eta Carinae; like (….I have a dream….) every astrophotographer takes one set (of it or another chosen adopt-an-object) every session when available.
Hopefully, many of us
field astronomers and field observers (either term is an alternative to amateur that can misrepresent or is unhelpful in collaborating with the ‘professional’) will
team up one way or another. One endeavour (‘what happened in 2016’) that invites participation is via Southskyscience; much work has progressed -info in separate posts and future communications.
Thanks again for this discussion.
Team