John Dobson TV Special

Glenn Dawes · #1 16-11-2006, 09:36 PM

Hi all,

Just thought I'd let you know that the ABC are advertising a programme on John Dobson next Sunday night (19th) at 10.10pm.

Regards

Glenn

spacezebra (Petra) · #2 16-11-2006, 09:38 PM

This Sunday is the 19th or next Sunday?

Cheers Petra

h0ughy (David) · #3 16-11-2006, 09:48 PM

thanks Glenn, this was brought up by another avid IIS memebr earler this week. Glad there are people outthere watching out for us!

stephenmcnelley · #4 17-11-2006, 12:08 AM

Reminders are good, have never seen this show so look forward to it immensely, i bet the ABC reception out here will be dodgy as usual for the program

Gotta get a digital set top box thingy

Glenn Dawes · #5 17-11-2006, 07:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spacezebra

This Sunday is the 19th or next Sunday?

Cheers Petra

Hi Petra,

Sorry for the confusion, it is this Sunday (19th)

Regards

Glenn

spacezebra (Petra) · #6 17-11-2006, 07:48 AM

Thanks Glen for confirming this.

Its in my diary.. Thanks for the post, I agree with David its good to have these eagles eyes out there.

Cheers Petra

spacezebra (Petra) · #7 19-11-2006, 07:30 PM

Dont forget - have the VCR primed and ready to go....

http://www.abc.net.au/compass/
Compass: A Sidewalk Astronomer
Sunday 19 November at 22:10

John Dobson is an eccentric philosopher and a man of the people who popularised the amateur telescope. John takes to the streets with his telescope revealing sublime images of the moon and the planets to passers by, and he is not backwards in sharing his theories about the universe and its origins either.

Cheers Petra

gaa_ian (Ian) · #8 19-11-2006, 08:50 PM

I will certainly be watching this one too, I have it in my Diary with an Alarm so I don't miss it !

jjjnettie (Jeanette) · #9 20-11-2006, 12:30 AM

That was such a good program!
Inspirational! What a character he is.
Did you see that beautifully carved wood scope at that star party! A work of art.

Starkler (Geoff) · #10 20-11-2006, 01:12 AM

I very much enjoyed it. JD is certainly a very interesting person and has some rather unconventional views about the universe.

Well worth the watch.

CoombellKid · #11 20-11-2006, 02:00 AM

Dang! missed it. the problem with having a TV in the bedroom ZzzzZzzzZzzz....

Hey but I'm up to see the Wallabies take on Ireland : )

regards,CS sunny days

Rob

gaa_ian (Ian) · #12 20-11-2006, 02:16 AM

Bugga ! I few glasses of wine & a DVD & I forgot all about it .... Doh !!
I will have to get one of those set top boxes so I can Catch these things on ABC2 !

CoombellKid · #13 20-11-2006, 02:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gaa_ian

Bugga ! I few glasses of wine & a DVD & I forgot all about it .... Doh !!
I will have to get one of those set top boxes so I can Catch these things on ABC2 !

Mmmmmmm ABC2, do you know when and what time?

regards,CS sunny days

Rob

iceman (Mike) · #14 20-11-2006, 05:44 AM

Doh, forgot to record it!

Rodstar (Rod) · #15 20-11-2006, 06:15 AM

Thanks Glenn for the heads up on this very enjoyable program.

It provided a fascinating insight into JG Dobson. What an amazing enthusiasm he displayed for sharing his love of antronomy. His sidewalk astronomy work reminded me of those who stand on street corners selling "The Big Issue"; there is such apathy, but when someone does take the time to stop and chat, good things can happen.

I loved his description of the human psyche. He said we are genetically programmed to understand trees, rain, cats, dogs etc, but when we see the moon or Jupiter or a galaxy through a telescope for the first time, our genes fall silent and our gonads (at least those of us who have them) become stones. By looking out into the cosmos we have the opportunity to see our true place in the universe, and perhaps shed some of our hubris.

As for John's theories of cosmology.....sounds like he may have smoked one too many bongs. Then again, maybe he knows something the rest of us don't!

xelasnave · #16 20-11-2006, 06:47 AM

I too mised the show as I have no tv here n Sydney. So far this is the only show that I regret missing.
However I spoke to a friend an hour ago who related much of the show to me.
I wish I could have heard his alternate views on cosmology as I suspect we share similar views on the big bang.
I doubt if his ability to think outside the square could be put down to smoking he obviously has an very active mind evidenced by his design of a mount that has made astronomy accessible to many more people.
My friend had met him many years ago and commented that he indeed was a very interesting and likable chap.
I think we need people who can question some of the large leaps in logic current cosmology asks us to make.
I would enjoy hearing his views on inflation for example perhaps he does not even bother with it if he does not accept the big bang theory.
If they run it again I would buy a tv as I very near did simply to be able to see the show....but not for anyother reason.
alex

Ric · #17 20-11-2006, 07:33 AM

It was a great program and JD is one very interesting person. Whether his theories are right or wrong is another thing but he has definitely earned a place in the history of astronomy.
I agree JJJ, the handcrafted telescope that was shown was a stunning piece of art, obviously one persons statement to the world.

cheers

Omaroo (Chris Malikoff) · #18 20-11-2006, 08:08 AM

As a teacher, his monotonic voice would put me to sleep in minutes - even if his off-beat sense of humour was firing. He is an interesting fella, but at the end of it I can't see what all the fuss is about. All he did was to adapt an existing style of cannon mount (long tube) to hold another type of long tube - telescope. It's not as though he "invented" anything. He himself made sure that point was understood. I guess the public needs a figure to hold up and admire, and that's OK.

A historical figure worthy of all the adulation? Sorry, but I don't see it. He looks like a nice bloke and great character who has given his time to spread the word - and for that he is always to be rightly remembered.

John K · #19 20-11-2006, 09:18 AM

Watched most of this last, great stuff, really liked his alternative theory of cosmology. Very humble guy who acknowledged that he did not necessarily invent a totally new design but adopted an old idea, however if it was so simple why did not others do it before him? He could have easily have pattented the idea but decided to share it with everyone. His attitude to life and sharing the universe with others is very unique and spiritual. His name will go down in history for his amazing work.

jjjnettie (Jeanette) · #20 20-11-2006, 09:51 AM

The program will be repeated on Friday 24th at 9.30am and 7pm.
On ABC2.