I was going through some old paperwork today tracking down any old references I have for my job interview.
Whilst looking, I found and old copy of 'The Night Sky' from Bintel dated 'May 1991'.
Here is the Funny story on the front cover: (see if you can remember this Greg)
TELESCOPE SETS AMATEUR ON FIRE!
In a scene reminiscent of a slapstick comedy film, Sydney amateur astronomer Andrew Murrell was recently set on fire by his own telescope!
During a week of observing with his 20" Dobsonian telescope at Mt. Kaputar near the Warrunbungles Mountains of central NSW, Andrew was posing for a photograph beside his telescope when it set fire to his jeans! Apparently the telescope was aiming near enough to the Sun to project a beam of concentrated light out the open side. Andrew, standing proudly beside his twenty inch toy felt the warm glow of pride turn to ashes as Greg Bryant raised the alarm by calmly announcing, "Andrew, you're on fire!" Andrew was then put out by willing on-lookers.
This incident raises a number of questions which must be answered: Why didn't Andrew feel the heat first? Why did he aim the telescope near the Sun? Why did Greg tell him he was on fire? Which nickname will Andrew now use, "Hot Pants" or "Smokey"?
