Do electronic gadgets make you less of an astronomer?

OneOfOne (Trevor) · #1 05-05-2006, 02:23 PM

I was viewing some thoughts on Argo Navis, GoTos etc lately and thought I may try a bit of a poll, never done one before.

Basically, if you have a GoTo/Argo Navis type computer control on your scope, does it make you less of an astronomer? Do you have to spend time learning the constellations, finding objects, star hopping to be able to call yourself an astronomer?

If you use DSIs or WebCams does it make you less of an astrophotographer compared to someone who uses film? Do you have to spend time learning to track accurately, process the emulsion, print etc in a dark room before you take the plunge?

h0ughy (David) · #2 05-05-2006, 02:30 PM

Gadgets are a mans best friend. Oh BTW I just received my ZIGVIEW angle view finder!!!

ving (David) · #3 05-05-2006, 02:32 PM

one must define astronomer first!
from dictionary.com

Quote:

as·tron·o·mer n. One who specializes in astronomy

using this definition i guess one would next need the meaning of astronomy.

Quote:

as·tron·o·my n. The scientific study of matter in outer space, especially the positions, dimensions, distribution, motion, composition, energy, and evolution of celestial bodies and phenomena.

the short answer, technology make astronomy easier. but are you involved in the "scientific study of matter in outer space"?

h0ughy (David) · #4 05-05-2006, 02:42 PM

does "study" take into account ones observational abilities

Striker (Tony) · #5 05-05-2006, 02:54 PM

Goto can also teach...yes most of the time I ask the PC to slew to a target and shazam...I have just learnt another target....but some people like the hunt as per Andrews signature which makes him a far better observer then I.

Vermin (Tom) · #6 05-05-2006, 03:05 PM

Where's the "I'm a gadget freak" option?

That would be me, in all areas of life not just this one.

Miaplacidus (Brian) · #7 05-05-2006, 03:19 PM

Weeelllll....

I like gadgets, mostly. That is, when they work. But I also like to have a plan B for when the power supply goes down.

I certainly don't accept that having lots of gadgets makes you more of an astronomer.

ving (David) · #8 05-05-2006, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Miaplacidus

Weeelllll....

I like gadgets, mostly. That is, when they work. But I also like to have a plan B for when the power supply goes down.

I certainly don't accept that having lots of gadgets makes you more of an astronomer.

nor does it make you less... its what you do with it that counts

higginsdj · #9 05-05-2006, 04:26 PM

Poorly worded Poll since it only favours the negative response.......

Try to do the work I do without the gadgets! Does it make me less of an astronomer? Do I care? It gets the job done.

Cheers

David

vespine · #10 05-05-2006, 04:40 PM

I think it really depends what you get out of 'astronomy'.
For me, the main pleasure is just getting out of the house and away from the television / internet / friends / games / distractions and sitting outside in the nature. Slowing my pace right down, letting go of the hustle and bustle and enjoying the 'simple things' so to speak, feeling humbled by the magnificence all around us.
So for me, it's not about the gadgets. Having said that, I AM going to, one day in the not to distant future, purchase Argo Navis. I do believe however that specific piece of equipment will enhance rather then detract from my enjoyment because at the moment I find myself finding lots of things in the sky and not being able to match them back to star charts with any confidence. I think Argo Navis would give me a far greater appreciation of what I'm actually looking at.

Conversly, someone who's into it to actually do 'scientific' research, like measuring and spectrography or discovery, then gadgets would play a far greater role in their approach.

wavelandscott (Scott) · #11 05-05-2006, 04:49 PM

I am basically for gadgets...but it depends on your definition of gadgets...

While a valid case can be made for or against...I think anything that adds enjoyment are basically a good thing...

A different but related question is can gadgets/technology overcome lack of experience (specifically mine)?

To this I'd say yes and thank goodness it can/does...the AN is a good example...it has added viewing time for me...in this case a gadget has nearly eliminated my lack of experience...a trade I am willing to make...

janoskiss (Steve H) · #12 05-05-2006, 05:24 PM

Professional astronomers do nothing but use gadgets (very expensive and very large gadgets). They never look through a scope, or point it manually using a finder. Gadgets make you a pro!

mickoking · #13 05-05-2006, 07:45 PM

G,day cobbers

personally I am not a big 'Techophile', eg I don't own a mobile phone, I pod or home theatre and the computer I'm using is an old reconditioned thing

The same goes with Astronomy. I like searching the skies without the aid of a computer. When you starhop the traditional way you see lots of unexpected sights along the way. Gadgets are good for other people, but for me they just get in the way of seeing the universe.

Just my two bob's worth

AstroJunk (Jonathan) · #14 05-05-2006, 08:52 PM

Do we class parabolic optical surfaces accurate to 1/8th wavelength of light covered with aluminium surfaces an atom or two thick laid down in a vacuum the equivalent of outer space as gadgets or not?

There are few gimicks in astronomy, only technological advances. If one doesn't want to use them then that's ones personal preference. Me - I get pleasure from studying the objects i'm looking for and not the gaps in between. I haven't enough time to spend looking at nothing!!!!

jjjnettie (Jeanette) · #15 05-05-2006, 10:40 PM

If I had the bucks, I'd install an ArgoNavis tomorrow.

#16 06-05-2006, 12:02 AM

I started my hobby in 1988, using setting circles on an alt/az mount, the astronomical equivelant of crank starting your car, today I drive a nice shiny electric start car and love it, gadgets maketh the astronomer, I would never go back, I like to spend my time looking at stuff, not looking for stuff. Having said that, the dobbie has set me back a bit but I use the goto as a pointer now for the dob.

Gargoyle_Steve (Steve) · #17 06-05-2006, 01:02 AM

Ptolemy, Nicolas Copernicus, Tycho Brahe, Galileo Galilei, Johannes Kepler, Christian Huygens, Giovanni Cassini, John Flamsteed ...... and dozens of others throughout history - would anyone doubt the ability of any of these men as astronomers?

Each of them was a "gadget" man in one way or another, though to be honest most of these great men not only had to manufacture their own gadgets but also actually invent them first, in order to see more, understand more, discover more.

Would ANY of them have refused to use better telescopes, more accurately ground lenses or mirrors, or any electronic gadgets if they had been available??

I don't think so.

Gadgets are tools, nothing more and nothing less - is a man who uses a power saw, electric planer, orbital sander, etc, any less of a carpenter? Not at all, but sometimes you simply develop different skillsets if you use different tools.

edosaurus_rex · #18 06-05-2006, 08:01 AM

It's our hobby and GoTo is just a means to an end. I personally like to hunt and star hop to objects but don't think I'm any better than the guy with GoTo for doing it.

"How much power is it? How big is it? Do you have your Messier/Herschel/Doubles/Lunar Club certificate? (These are a personal pet peeve of mine) Judging our "astronomical manhood" doesn't mean anything and is a waste of time. I hunt and look at objects because I enjoy doing it and that's all that matters.

Besides, 20 years from now the GoTo guys will be saying, "Well, when I started I only had 15,000 objects in MY database!"

acropolite (Phil) · #19 06-05-2006, 09:34 AM

I'm a gadget freak as well. Go To (or push to with an Argo Navis etc) is a wonderful tool, it enables both experienced and inexperienced users to do far more astronomy, in a given time, than would otherwise be possible with out any electronic help. Tracking allows easy observation and access to astrophotography. As far as learning the night sky, I would have to agree that the learning process is slower than with a dob, but the experience is rewarding just the same and familiarity with the sky comes with time. I searched the sky for several mornings without success for comet Pojmanski, the very first morning I downloaded the data in to my LX I found it, that's the advantage of Go To.

hogly52 (Graeme) · #20 06-05-2006, 01:15 PM

Anything that enhances our hobby, obsession or science is to be applauded. It's an individual choice on how we go about our observations, or record it. Anyway, where do you stop and start defining what a gadget is? Surely, the first gadget we all got our hands on was either a pair of binoculars, a telescope or a camera. I doubt there are few astronomers out there without one of these, or access to one of them at least? Let's just enjoy what we do, however we do it, and with whatever we do it with!

Cheers,

Graeme