Most common question you get...

toc (Tim) · #1 14-02-2013, 06:32 PM

...when a co-worker finds out you have a telescope: 'boy I bet you can really spy on your neighbours with that!'. Kill me. Kill me now.

Shark Bait (Stu) · #2 14-02-2013, 06:42 PM

Happens sometimes at the Mt Coot-tha public viewing nights. If they have not looked through an eyepiece and it is quiet, I will point it at the Brisbane's CBD.

They are surprised to discover the view is upside down and back to front.

mental4astro (Alexander) · #3 14-02-2013, 06:48 PM

"How far can you see with it?"

I'm still to figure out how to answer that one without going into a lecture...

Hmm, it just occurred to me to say "about 300 million light years on a good night.". What do you think?

MrB (Simon) · #4 14-02-2013, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mental4astro

"How far can you see with it?"

I'm still to figure out how to answer that one without going into a lecture...

Hmm, it just occurred to me to say "about 300 million light years on a good night.". What do you think?

"To infinity and beyond"

LewisM · #5 14-02-2013, 06:59 PM

"Can I see Cancer - it's my zodiac sign"

"Is that the Hubble telescope?" (got that one this past Halloween)

"Can you see Martians with that thing?"

omegacrux (David) · #6 14-02-2013, 07:30 PM

Anything up there ?
I usually reply no not much !

David

Iain.k (Iain) · #7 14-02-2013, 07:35 PM

The worst
"So you must be pretty good at astrology and all that"

brian nordstrom (As avatar) · #8 14-02-2013, 07:47 PM

" How much power does it have ? "
About 150kw ?

.
Brian.

CJ (Chris) · #9 14-02-2013, 08:41 PM

How much was it?
Can I see Uranus?

toc (Tim) · #10 14-02-2013, 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CJ

Can I see Uranus?

That never gets old

DavidU (Dave) · #11 14-02-2013, 09:40 PM

Ah yes, my sister is into astrology as well.
oh my............

Astroman (Andrew Wall) · #12 14-02-2013, 10:22 PM

not a common question, but I was talking to someone and he believed that the stars were actually getting their light from our own Sun. He was surprised to learn that they were actually suns themselves and our Sun was a star... At least he went home smarter that day....

taminga16 (Greg) · #13 14-02-2013, 10:53 PM

How far can I see with my eyes? Andromeda with an explanation and distance is always a good answer.
Greg.

TrevorW · #14 14-02-2013, 10:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CJ

Can I see Uranus?

To which I reply only if you show me yours first

CJ (Chris) · #15 14-02-2013, 10:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TrevorW

To which I reply only if you show me yours first

It all depends on whose asking

Stardrifter_WA · #16 14-02-2013, 10:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toc

...when a co-worker finds out you have a telescope: 'boy I bet you can really spy on your neighbours with that!'. Kill me. Kill me now.

Ummm, that's not so unusual, but it does depend on how good looking your neighbour is, hey

A few years ago I had a couple of high end 3rd Gen Night Vision devices that I had to take home from work overnight. I took them around to my brothers place to show him and the first thing he wanted to do was look over the fence to see if his neighbour was having a swim, as, apparently she was well known for her nudity....some people

No, he didn't actually look there, but he was amazed by how good these devices are and what you could see in total darkness. Most people just don't get to see stuff like this. Those were the days; when I got to play around with some really cool stuff.

From my experience a lot of people are Luddites when it comes to technology and they have a tendency to ask stupid question, but hey, they don't know any different, so don't be too hard on them. I always to my best to educate them, as their questions are usually genuine.

Cheers Peter

CJ (Chris) · #17 14-02-2013, 11:27 PM

Lots of people use a joke, sometimes clumsy, as an icebreaker in all kinds of social contexts, including me. It's easy to forget how much seemingly obvious trivial knowledge you pick up that those who haven't been exposed to astronomy or scopes haven't. A bit of patience is a good thing in most aspects of life.

toc (Tim) · #18 15-02-2013, 12:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Astroman

not a common question, but I was talking to someone and he believed that the stars were actually getting their light from our own Sun. He was surprised to learn that they were actually suns themselves and our Sun was a star... At least he went home smarter that day....

Jesus, has he been living in a cave his whole life? thats mind boggling. And rather scary.

Ric · #19 15-02-2013, 02:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mental4astro

"How far can you see with it?"

I'm still to figure out how to answer that one without going into a lecture...

Hmm, it just occurred to me to say "about 300 million light years on a good night.". What do you think?

I get that one too

I tell them I can see back in time with it.

That gets them thinking for a while.

mental4astro (Alexander) · #20 15-02-2013, 04:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ric

I tell them I can see back in time with it.

This sentence got me thinking, Ric. One can see 3billion years back with the 13 magnitude quasar 3C 273 in Virgo. Should make things interesting their reaction