Astronomy

[TrevorW]

You know I was contemplating today whether or not to set my scopes up for an imaging session tonight because of lingering whispy cloud, why I like astronomy as a hobby, considering it can be frustrating, technically challenging, expensive and sometimes one can feel out of their depth and then it dawned on me why I like it as a hobby and have done so on and off since I was a kid.

Its because the stars have always been there and will be until the day I die something solid and reliable permanent to appreciate and everytime I look at them or try something different whether it's imaging or spectral anaylsis I see something new to appreciate and broaden my knowledge along the way.

Its not spiritual but it makes you ponder how insignificant you are in the scheme of things and even though we whinge about the weather or a jet stream or clouds it doesn't really matter as we can enjoy our hobby even when we're not behind our scope and really appreciate those nights we are.

[dannat (Daniel)]

you can just marvel at the wonder of space, using your eyeballs or a crappy pair of binocs & get the same feeling

[Jen]

i couldn't have said that better myself Trevor

[Glenhuon (Bill)]

You got it Trevor. Clouded out here too but spent half the day just giving the scopes/eyepieces a service and updating the software ready for when it clears. Always something to look forward to viewing or imaging. A most absorbing hobby, covers everything from computing, electronics, metal and woodwork, optics, and even ancient history. How many other hobbies have such a range of diverse facets

Cheers
Bill

[Ric]

So true Trevor, as Daniel said even a pair of binoculars on a cloudy night will still reveal amazing sights through the sucker holes.

I find that the anticipation of a great night and seeing or imaging something spectacular or what you haven't seen before is what keeps me going.

Cheers

[garyp]

so true trevor. No matter what changes are happening in our lives the stars are always there, solid and reliable as you say.

The great thing with astronomy is we can make it as simple or as challenging as you like. sometimes a night using only binoculars can be the most enjoyable.

Cheers

Gary