[AJames]

Originally Posted by astroron

In actuality, why can't we produce our own material for ourselves instead of creating others who don't really relate directly to regular observations of the southern sky?
The Deep Sky Observer and other publications of the Webb Society now and in the past have had lots of Southern Hemisphere observations in them over the years.
Also doesn't Hartungs do exactly what you mention in the above quote.
Have you written in or published any Southern hemisphere books or mags?.
I for one enjoy the Webb society and look forward to my quarterly journal
Ron

Ron,
You raise some interesting points. Certainly, I agree that the Deep Sky Observer (DSO) and the other publications of the Webb Society as a whole are excellent. I have some early copies of most of them, and have used some of them as references while developing my own written text. In fact, I have had actually published in the DSO a couple of articles on southern constellations and objects, and was even involved in the double star section. In fact, I can say I have even gained a little bit from the Webb Society.
The Webb Society certainly has contributed greatly to the amateur astronomers cause, and the articles they produce on the whole are professional, relevant and innovative.
Since their beginnings, they have built up a decent base of international observers - on both deep-sky and double stars - many of whom I have and still correspond with.

However, the issue I'm raising here is more to do with the information provided on our southern skies - an especially towards Volume 7 - that is the gust of the title of this thread.

IMO, I would not recommend this Southern volume to new observers as it does not properly cover the skies in this part of the world.

This was the advice originally asked for by John B.

To your reply, the reason I think that the knowledge of the southern sky is grossly neglected is because the southern community is so deeply divided - being split and fragmented into many different Societies and groups - especially within Australia - who rarely combine together, or have the opportunity too, working towards some common cause or goal.

(Oddly the communities of New Zealand, South Africa and lately South America have all woken up to the idea of of becoming independent antipodean observers not being held in the yoke of their northern cousins.)

My specific example of what sort of things that can be achieved is the Astronomical Society of South Africa, who have many experienced observers that are producing useful observations. See http://www.assabfn.co.za/deepsky.htm
(and also http://assa.saao.ac.za/html/32_deepsky.html )
Observers, like Auke Slotegraaf, are starting to produce a useful Deep-sky observing database of bright southern objects.

Ie. http://www.psychohistorian.org/astro...-ngc-2808.html
or
http://www.psychohistorian.org/astro...-ford-20070414

Compare this with the various southern hemisphere observations produced by the Webb Society.

For observational information for southern observers, download his "Deep-Sky Observer's Companion" at;
http://www.assabfn.co.za/activities/...anion_assa.pdf

Only imagine for a moment if this level of sophistication by number of very talented and brilliant southern observers and images would achieve if only if they would co-operate like this in, say, throughout Australia?

Why should their works be fragmented like"plucking a chicken", and place here and there instead of making the local community so much stronger through their own works?

Yet there is one point I can't disagree. If you "...enjoy the Webb Society and look forward to my quarterly journal.", then you must be getting something out of it. Clearly learning and understanding observational techniques is universal to all amateurs - and the quality of the Webb Society in this regards has got it in spades.

Regards,
Andrew

Comment: While you have also challenged me as to what have I published. Sadly most of what I've put out has had to be made beyond Australian shores - mainly as there is nowhere to publish papers except in local amateur journals or try their luck with the professional journals. This is the exact same reason why intermediate amateurs have to exported their works in groups like the Webb Society - and this is the core of my point. It is a pity most of our local astronomers never get to see these works - unless you join the Society itself - the "carrot" so to speak. Actually, I do have one or two projects that I've been working on for a few years now, one nearing its end. (The details of which will be presented as a paper at the upcoming 23rd NACAA in Penrith during Easter 2008. This will be my 7th paper presented to a NACAA in the last few decades.)

Personal Note: Well another truth, away from the questions here, is I am an amateur astronomer who has become slightly embittered over several decades about the total lack of co-operation among his fellow visually observing amateurs. (Some once accused me of turning to the "dark side" for doing this - which for an amateur is surely a decent complement!
I have taken my own interests in other directions, away from bureaucracies of the amateur scene - much of which I see as often the blatant commercialisation by my other fellow amateurs - selling out for financial advantage or some semblance of fame or even notoriety.
I soon learnt from my own experiences that you might as well do what you want instead of bashing your head against the weight of the formal establishments. This is in fact why I have produced on the net the "Southern Astronomical Delights" pages;
( http://homepage.mac.com/andjames/index.htm ) .
Best of all this work is my own, and although I might have many faults and may not be the best writer in the world, but I am answerable to no one. Besides, it is also free to anyone who wants to read it!

Quote:
"The average man has a carefully cultivated ignorance about household matters - from what to do with the crumbs to the grocer's telephone number - a sort of cheerful inefficiency which protects him." Crystal Eastman