Because I'm a nerd...
Astrophotography allows "multiple-personality-nerding" by combining my love of:
- computers and fiddling with/writing software
- astronomy (as someone else said - heck, that stuff really IS up there
)
- electronics (there's always some new toy you need to buy or make
)
- photography (never appealed until I bought a DSLR for AP though, so I've got the cart before the horse compared to many)
- excuse to get out and stay up all hours from time to time and chat and perve on astro-porn with like minded astro-nerds
Did I mention I'm a nerd?
Actually, processing does get pretty addictive - the thrill of "developing" what you yourself captured "in the field"....