Are you astro jaded - lacking enthusiasm and a want to do all astro?

[h0ughy (David)]

I don't know about you guys but of late it has been very difficult to keep the astro flame burning. With work commitments and family life it is getting increasingly difficult to undertake virtually anything astro related. The weather has been crap, the seeing about the same, it is even ho hum when brilliant imaged have been posted by other people. What is happening???

Well, maybe I need a dose of this???????????

[[1ponders] (Paul)]

I don't think you are on your own Dave. It has been a quiet year, apart from Duckadang (which I haven't even finished processing yet....hang on I haven't even started!!!) but like any good pendulum it will swing back again.

Frankly I think you need to send some of your gear up here. That way you have a very good excuse to bring the family on holidays.

[GTB_an_Owl (Geoff)]

What's this h0ughy ! - doing a Ving

BRAZEN advertising !!!!!!!!!!

OUTLANDISH!!!!!!!!

come visit us at the pony club next week and we will cure what ails you Dave


geoff

[[1ponders] (Paul)]

Good onya Geoff. Get him out there and under it. Hog tie him and drag him behind the car if you have to0.

[iceman (Mike)]

I'm hoping it's just what I need to rekindle my enthusiasm and motivation.

[Dennis]

Sometimes, a change is as good as a rest.

If you just cannot muster the enthusiasm to set up the rig and do some imaging, then;

• Choose your best “grab and go” ‘scope and do 30 mins of visual stuff.
• If you don’t have a “grab and go” ‘scope – buy one!
• Or, cut out a Bahtinov Mask from A4 overhead transparency;
• Look at the Moon;
• Review your cable routing set up;
• Download a new astro application for your PDA;
• Re-design your red screen filter mask;
• Learn something new about Photoshop;
• Organise your image directories on your drive(s);

Etc, etc.

Cheers

Dennis

[erick (Eric)]

Are you astro jaded? Nope

[Dave47tuc (David)]

Dave,
This is a common problem. Especially if you have been in the hobby for a long time. I have been observing for a long time.
My observing now has dropped off a lot. The internet has changed things for a lot of people. You can get your quick fix of Astro stuff on line instead of observing or reading a good astro book.

But I tend to look at observing now like art or classical music or even poetry.
I try to savor the moments when they come. Life is so busy so I see observing a a real way of relaxation.

I also think other hobbies are good for you. I play cricket and love my fishing. Astronomy use to be above these things. Now I prefer to do other things first before Observing.

But when observing I find it best to do it with friends and really take in those views.

So your not alone there. Star party's are great but can be hard on the wallet as well.

[RB (Andrew)]

It hasn't been a good year in terms of the weather.
I find that I'm put off setting up knowing I'll be affected by cloud during the night.
If I had an observatory then that would make things a lot easier, until then I'll have to persevere.

Hang in there Davo !

[Terry B]

Originally Posted by h0ughy

I don't know about you guys but of late it has been very difficult to keep the astro flame burning. With work commitments and family life it is getting increasingly difficult to undertake virtually anything astro related. The weather has been crap, the seeing about the same, it is even ho hum when brilliant imaged have been posted by other people. What is happening???

Well, maybe I need a dose of this???????????

This is why I've started doing photometry. I'm sick of just doing pretty pics and feel I can do worthwhile research as well as enjoy the night sky.

[snowyskiesau]

Being limited to observing from a Sydney suburban backyard and having no transport to
get to a better observing place all helps to dim the enthusiasm.
Add to that, looking for work and you just can't be bothered setting anything up, even the binoculars are gathering dust.

I been considering putting my C8s up for sale - just can't work up the enthusiasm for that either.

[Astrod00d]

Yep, it's easy to become jaded, I think it's the weather basically. Travel to a dark sky site can be an obstacle too.
My solution in times of cloud, haze or wind is to fine-tune my gear to make the the best use of the time I can spend under dark skies.

Here's one for you Dave. I know you own a 127mm APO...
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...ad.php?t=36126
Shameless self-promotion I know...

Cheers,

Rob

[xstream (John)]

Originally Posted by h0ughy

Well, maybe I need a dose of this???????????

The one thing I always look forward to, great times with great friends...... certainly makes it all worthwhile.

[leon]

Yep, I was there Dave not to many weeks ago, but it dose pass, and now I'm getting fired up for the Vic/South event, booked and ready to go, but it is still 38 Days away.

Leon

[RB (Andrew)]

Originally Posted by xstream

The one thing I always look forward to, great times with great friends...... certainly makes it all worthwhile.

Here, here, well said John !

[Wavytone]

Originally Posted by h0ughy

...it is getting increasingly difficult to undertake virtually anything astro related....

You need to focus, focus on what you're doing, and why !

The "big wet" in Sydney 1990-91 killed astronomy off for me - we had 18 months where EVERY weekend - I kid you not - every weekend with at least 100% cloud cover if not actually raining. When I realised the scope had not been out once in 12 months I got rid of all my gear. In subsequent years I turned out to a couple of astrocamps but the interest was gone.

Gaining a very bright, curious and eager 11 year-old understudy has persuaded me it's time to get into it again but the focus is quite different - planning to work our way through the practical experiments in the "Workbook for Astronomy" by Gerry Waxman. I did that stuff in year 11 but there's no reason why it can't be attempted at an earlier age if they have a good grasp of maths up to quadratic equations and basic trig.

For those of you without solid astronomy training this book is a very useful exercise.

[spacezebra (Petra)]

Astro jaded! You have got to be kidding me!

Border Stargaze 2008, Deep Sky Night on the 27th of this month, beautiful night tonight, IISAC at the end of October Wooooohooooo !!!

Who has time to get jaded!

Come on guys - cheer up!!!

Cheers Petra d.

[h0ughy (David)]

Originally Posted by [1ponders]

I don't think you are on your own Dave. It has been a quiet year, apart from Duckadang (which I haven't even finished processing yet....hang on I haven't even started!!!) but like any good pendulum it will swing back again. Frankly I think you need to send some of your gear up here. That way you have a very good excuse to bring the family on holidays.

I have been patiently waiting mate

and I did consider that when I was there, whether I leave the gear with you and return. not a stupid idea that one, that way all i have to do is fly up and hire a car to get out there

Originally Posted by GTB_an_Owl

What's this h0ughy ! - doing a Ving

BRAZEN advertising !!!!!!!!!!

OUTLANDISH!!!!!!!!

come visit us at the pony club next week and we will cure what ails you Dave


geoff

I have done the next best think Geoff - i have paid for the wife and kids to go to halifax holiday park for the first dark week of the holidays without me

Originally Posted by [1ponders]

Good onya Geoff. Get him out there and under it. Hog tie him and drag him behind the car if you have to0.

might be good for the back and stretch it out?

Originally Posted by iceman

I'm hoping it's just what I need to rekindle my enthusiasm and motivation.

yes mate I really wished I was going

Originally Posted by Dennis

Sometimes, a change is as good as a rest.

If you just cannot muster the enthusiasm to set up the rig and do some imaging, then;

• Choose your best “grab and go” ‘scope and do 30 mins of visual stuff.
• If you don’t have a “grab and go” ‘scope – buy one!
• Or, cut out a Bahtinov Mask from A4 overhead transparency;
• Look at the Moon;
• Review your cable routing set up;
• Download a new astro application for your PDA;
• Re-design your red screen filter mask;
• Learn something new about Photoshop;
• Organise your image directories on your drive(s);

Etc, etc.

Cheers

Dennis

yes Dennis - I will be making a mask

Originally Posted by erick

Are you astro jaded? Nope

glad to see a normal person

Originally Posted by Dave47tuc

Dave,
This is a common problem. Especially if you have been in the hobby for a long time. I have been observing for a long time.
My observing now has dropped off a lot. The internet has changed things for a lot of people. You can get your quick fix of Astro stuff on line instead of observing or reading a good astro book.

But I tend to look at observing now like art or classical music or even poetry.
I try to savor the moments when they come. Life is so busy so I see observing a a real way of relaxation.

I also think other hobbies are good for you. I play cricket and love my fishing. Astronomy use to be above these things. Now I prefer to do other things first before Observing.

But when observing I find it best to do it with friends and really take in those views.

So your not alone there. Star party's are great but can be hard on the wallet as well.

well not as hard on the wallet as they used to be - I am just not allowed out now

Originally Posted by RB

It hasn't been a good year in terms of the weather.
I find that I'm put off setting up knowing I'll be affected by cloud during the night.
If I had an observatory then that would make things a lot easier, until then I'll have to persevere.

Hang in there Davo !

come on RB yu were going to invite me to your new observatory for the unveiling of the guidescope

Originally Posted by Terry B

This is why I've started doing photometry. I'm sick of just doing pretty pics and feel I can do worthwhile research as well as enjoy the night sky.

that does sound ok, might have to have a look at how one does that

Originally Posted by snowyskiesau

Being limited to observing from a Sydney suburban backyard and having no transport to
get to a better observing place all helps to dim the enthusiasm.
Add to that, looking for work and you just can't be bothered setting anything up, even the binoculars are gathering dust.

I been considering putting my C8s up for sale - just can't work up the enthusiasm for that either.

yep no one wanted my C8 so I decided to hoard it rather than give it up for next to nothing

Originally Posted by Astrod00d

Yep, it's easy to become jaded, I think it's the weather basically. Travel to a dark sky site can be an obstacle too.
My solution in times of cloud, haze or wind is to fine-tune my gear to make the the best use of the time I can spend under dark skies.

Here's one for you Dave. I know you own a 127mm APO...
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...ad.php?t=36126
Shameless self-promotion I know...

Cheers,

Rob

i filled mine with stuff - already have a few ed80 cases

Originally Posted by xstream

The one thing I always look forward to, great times with great friends...... certainly makes it all worthwhile.

oh very true , that's why I love Qld astrofest, i did like SPSP, until I couldn't get enough power to keep me running with imaging, and as for IISAC - it is laid back, casual and relaxed - get to meet normal people like myself gosh I miss it

Originally Posted by leon

Yep, I was there Dave not to many weeks ago, but it dose pass, and now I'm getting fired up for the Vic/South event, booked and ready to go, but it is still 38 Days away.

Leon

well nothing like a happy camper

Originally Posted by Wavytone

You need to focus, focus on what you're doing, and why !

The "big wet" in Sydney 1990-91 killed astronomy off for me - we had 18 months where EVERY weekend - I kid you not - every weekend with at least 100% cloud cover if not actually raining. When I realised the scope had not been out once in 12 months I got rid of all my gear. In subsequent years I turned out to a couple of astrocamps but the interest was gone.

Gaining a very bright, curious and eager 11 year-old understudy has persuaded me it's time to get into it again but the focus is quite different - planning to work our way through the practical experiments in the "Workbook for Astronomy" by Gerry Waxman. I did that stuff in year 11 but there's no reason why it can't be attempted at an earlier age if they have a good grasp of maths up to quadratic equations and basic trig.

For those of you without solid astronomy training this book is a very useful exercise.

I like the tools of the trade, the finding of stuff and imaging what I have seen (and not seen ) visually

Originally Posted by spacezebra

Astro jaded! You have got to be kidding me!

Border Stargaze 2008, Deep Sky Night on the 27th of this month, beautiful night tonight, IISAC at the end of October Wooooohooooo !!!

Who has time to get jaded!

Come on guys - cheer up!!!

Cheers Petra d.

You brazen lady of the night, you made me get a Lightbridge thanks

[RB (Andrew)]

Originally Posted by h0ughy

come on RB yu were going to invite me to your new observatory for the unveiling of the guidescope

You'll be the first Houghy, for the unveiling/rolling off ceremony.
That guidescope better cut the mustard.

[h0ughy (David)]

Originally Posted by RB

You'll be the first Houghy, for the unveiling/rolling off ceremony.
That guidescope better cut the mustard.

Ahhhh yes from such a little seed something huge may develop............. thus the rumour continues to live on.......... RB has a tasco scope......