Righto - this is silly, but it's something that a member of the public one outreach night pointed out as a concern, and as a "barrier" to her entering amateur astronomy. She stood there on the field, pointing to and counting the number of knobs my rig had on it and then, bemused and confused, asked me what they all did. That was half an hour-worth of yakkin'. LOL! "If it needs that much adjustment, it can't be easy to learn" was her main comment.
I thought it amusing, so I played along. We counted 49 knobs (def: adjustment devices that could be turned by hand without a tool) on the scopes and mount, and 12 buttons (excluding the laptop keyboard). No wonder people look at these things and think "too complex". I don't think so, but then again... it's my hobby.
Admittedly I wouldn't have this particular setup running on a non-public night (all for show really), but it illustrates the point. No wonder people wrongly think that you need a degree to run one.
Well, I have just been complaining recently about being daunted when confronted by a large number of cables as I try to get into some more serious astronomical work that involves electronic equipment...but I guess its all in the head - attitude wise, that is. I don't think the knobs would phase me, they're much neater.
This topic could go into some seriously risque territory very quickly with the right comment
However, if a few controls were going to worry her, then I'd suggest to her not to use her microwave or her stove, considering they have numerous knobs and buttons as well, or the remote for her TV/Austar/Foxtel. Some people make the most inane comments.
I've loved things astronomical all my life but that rig would certainly have frightened me off, if I thought that's what I would have to learn to use to get into practical astronomy.
I hope you told her how simple the humble Dobsonian was to use!
My little Dob has ONE little switch, to turn the Rigel Quikfinder on.
Doesn't detract from the fun I have searching the night skies.
Aren't public nights designed to attract people, not put them off?
However, if a few controls were going to worry her, then I'd suggest to her not to use her microwave or her stove, considering they have numerous knobs and buttons as well, or the remote for her TV/Austar/Foxtel. Some people make the most inane comments.
Ah yes... but there's a difference between a bunch of simple "turny-onny" knobs and and "adjusty-wusty". If something requires adjustment, as such, the question "what is that for?" springs to mind - and must be accompanied by the inevitable long-winded explanation - especially when dealing with optics and complex celestial behaviour.
Ah yes... but there's a difference between a bunch of simple "turny-onny" knobs and and "adjusty-wusty". If something requires adjustment, as such, the question "what is that for?" springs to mind - and must be accompanied by the inevitable long-winded explanation - especially when dealing with optics and complex celestial behaviour.
All you have to say is..."can't see the damn thing, so I come down here and go 'twang, wing, wong' on these knobs, 'eee-ah, eee-ah' on these ones, and stick this dooby in the slot here and have look. If it all looks nice, then everything's fine"
If it's a what's that for question, you go "You jam that in here, have a look through it and if everything lines up, it's working"
It's the KISS principle, except in these cases, add an "f" between the s's, for "for"
That was half an hour-worth of yakkin'. LOL! "If it needs that much adjustment, it can't be easy to learn" was her main comment.
, I just counted up:-
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