When I happily wrote about having a possible little section on "Books and Literature", I was particularly influenced, then agreeing with, von Humboldt's following thoughtful words;
"At a period when I studied the heavens, not with the intention of devoting myself to astronomy, but only to acquire a knowledge of the stars, I was disturbed by a feeling unknown to those who are devoted to sedentary life. It was painful to me to renounce the hope of beholding the beautiful constellations near the south pole. Impatient to rove in the equinoctial regions, I could not raise my eyes to the starry firmament without thinking of the Southern Cross..."
Moreover, I was directly inspired by Central Australian DogStar (Phil) thread "Why is it so?", when he replied to a Kevnool very literal interpretation of what defines an amateur astronomer. DogStar's reply was profound; "I'm asking what path
you go down and
why?"
This is generally why I posted these great references to von Humboldt, these questions are somewhat answered - defining both parts of DogStar's thought. (I was also somewhat terrified by gaa_ian (Ian)
thread "Quit Astronomy - I've turned to weather watching".)
IMO, knowledge about astronomy is actually not only just acquired by experience or by shared spoken words (Q&A), but by what someone inspiringly has personally written, expressed, felt (as the quote above says so brilliantly) or being struck by the sheer beauty and wonderment that we call the
Heavens.
von Humboldt understood this point very well, and his word
astrognosy usefully describes the twilight transition between the hard science of astronomy and the uninitiated novice - the casual observer or what we now term amateur astronomers. He also knew, like many here, that feeling or drive expressed from the compelling urge of stargazing and the common addiction that it usually causes. In Humboldt's view, it was the Southern Cross - but in fact it could be any astronomical body of merit. I.e. Alpha Centauri, the LMC or SMC, etc.
Without being disrespectful to other IISers here, how often do I read of some rehashed view or idea, then have knowingly avoiding saying something of some little tid-bit of hidden knowledge in how the original idea was acquired or learnt. In the past, I usually passed it on, but more often than not, I have only found myself as either being classed as a smart-A or one who needed to be brought down by a peg or two by the incessant crescendo of the conforming normalcy of faith in all social equality. After a while you soon learn to keep your cards to your chest and try as best you can to hold your opinion.
Now I am not wanting to be a downer about this, but there some underlying truths to this.
However the secret to this is to guide all types of amateurs to information they can learn and select out themselves - that is not verbal instantaneous opinion but, teaches the concept, and is both thoughtful and rather insightful. I am more than happy to point some
newbee in the right direction or towards some useful resource, but these days I much prefer to help them to learn and discover their own directions and answers. It usefully creates much diversity in the hobby rather than mass-producing the usual bland manufactured views on what "amateur astronomers" should or should not be.
I could say much more, but I would be very interested what other tid-bits happen to inspire others.
"I might be rancid butter, but at least I'm on your side of the bread."
von Humbolt's Inspiring Description of the Southern Cross
Additional Thoughts on Written Astronomical Information
