Hi Tony,
You may be aware that 'amateur' astronomy is the only relm of professional science where amateurs actually make a definite contribution to the pool of knowledge.
The majority of comets, asteroids, supernovae, etc. are actually made by amateurs. Collectively amateurs have more eyes on the sky than the professionals do. Most of the above now carry amateur's names
.
As an example, there is one particular fellow here on IIS whose work on Saturn is intergral to several universities planetary work. His work has been invaluble to confirm observations carried out by the Cassini probe, and to first set eyes on new features such as storms, only
then confirmed in turn by Cassini!
As to 'not getting' it, that is a hairy one. I've even had ASIO set on me by some poor ignoramus who refused to believe my TRUSS dob was a telescope, not a "suspicious device". I know it's a telescope. You know it's a telescope. Most people only think of a telescope as a brass refractor used by pirates. REALLY!
Alas astronomy has a bad rap as being "rocket science stuff", so most folks immediately set up a mental block.