I went to a local highschool, set up my gear with two fellow IIS members, and ranted. I tried really hard to make those young people understand the real science in this, not the known facts. I even went to the extent of giving a little demo on how the science actually works to sussing out exoplanets, with real everday applications to show that it isn't rocket science, but something tangible. I was enthusiastic, and animated (at least that's the feedback I got,
).
Did the actual Transit excite me?
No.
I'm with Chris on this one.
I just shook my head with what was being said on TV about the Transit. And that included from fellow amateur astronomers. It all added to a whole lot of misinformation about the event, and its significance to both professional and amateur astronomers.
Let's face it, to amateurs its significance is only novelty, a chance coincidence of planets and Sun. It is really only to professional astronomers that
THIS Transit is significant now. With the way that technology is today, I doubt any amateur instruments would be making any real contribution to the pool of science with this event. It is only in the realm of professional instruments that real science is being developed.
So I see this as a double edged sword:
1, We as a whole have been lacking in many instances on voicing this properly, forgetting the real new science, only proclaiming the history and already known facts, missing an opportunity to really inform.
2, Many folks who percieve anything to do with astronomy as "rocket science" just tune out and create mental barriers for themselves (this lady I think is one of them). This event only added to their confusion and layers of barriers.
I am happy that many folks were excited by the Transit! I really, really am. Each person with their own reasons! For me, it was to excite young people on how science is something tangible, and not some mystical "rocket science" taboo.