Why do you love astronomy?

shane.mcneil · #1 10-10-2009, 07:57 PM

Recently when talking to people about the night sky, I've noticed that there are two types of people. Some peoples eyes light up with interest. Other peoples eyes glaze over, wishing I would stop talking.

So it got me wondering, why do people love astronomy? What do we get out of it? Considering all of the expense and time that we put into it, why do we feel it is worth it?

Just wondering if anyone would like to comment.

All the best.

Shane

Rhino1980 (Ryan) · #2 10-10-2009, 08:30 PM

For me, it's because Astronomy is the science that asks the biggest questions of all: What is existence all about?

Also, the phrase "What that bloke doesn't know about plumbing, isn't worth knowing" can't be applied to Astronomy and Astrophysics: We'll never know it all and everything is worth knowing.

Nothing else captures the imagination like being able to (maybe) one day explore a limitless supply of new locations.

And the biggest thing? When I went through the darkest and most troublesome time in my life, Astronomy and the seemingly endless supply of things to learn helped me through it all.

stephenb (Stephen) · #3 10-10-2009, 09:31 PM

I think I am a rare breed in this hobby. I am in both camps. I enjoy the hobby when I can, but don't become all bitter and twisted because it's cloudy, or I haven't got the spare time. My eyes don't "glaze over" but I can certainly take or leave some of the more deep and meaningful astronomy and cosmology theories - I'd prefer to leave some of that to the more dedicated in the hobby to chew over. I have other interests in my life which are far more important than astronomy, including family, work and other hobbies.

I have been fortunate that I do have one or two work colleagues who are interest in what I do. A few months ago I assisted the daughter of a work colleague with her science project, so that was enjoyable.

xelasnave · #4 10-10-2009, 09:58 PM

Looking up one must be struck with the realisation that we are so insignificant, not only at a personal level but also as a species...I look at m31 and think wow our species is probably younger than the light from that relatively close galaxy.....and while all that is washing over you to still except that your time is important and as far as your personal observation is concerned that your existence can only be considered to be eternal because you can not define from recollection when you got here or from observation when you left.
AND such deep thoughts flow easily when astronomy is your game.
alex

Outbackmanyep · #5 10-10-2009, 10:11 PM

To me the whole thing is mind blowing, puts things into perspective, and it also keeps me out of pubs and clubs and away from things that otherwise gets me down or gives me headaches....like watching the news etc (its all bad news) and many other things that would take me a while to type here!

It's like...whenever i am observing on my own i am at peace......

Shep · #6 10-10-2009, 10:29 PM

I like it because I find it really peaceful and energising as well. Its puts me in a good place, and its hard to carry baggage from everyday stuff when you get out there and look at all that bigger picture mind blowing stuff.

shane.mcneil · #7 11-10-2009, 06:58 PM

Thanks for your comments everyone. I think I like astronomy for two reasons. The science of astronomy tells us how got here. And as for the visual, just knowing your looking at something so big and so far away that it looks so small, is great. I think astronomy is a form of exploring. Finding what's out there. I'm always interested in what we don't know.

If only it would stop raining.

Shane.

supernova1965 (Warren) · #8 11-10-2009, 07:03 PM

It forces me to get moving and doing something you know get out in the big bad world. Get my body moving you know use it or lose it. If my neurosurgeon can fix my problems I will be really able to get some viewing done.

avandonk · #9 11-10-2009, 07:22 PM

We are on spaceship Earth (it really should be called Water) and a large part of the instrument panel is in the sky. The everchanging sky tells us when to to wake up, go to sleep, get to the pub before it shuts, plant crops and many more. It also has a garden of plants at various stages of development to give us an insight into the eons that have passed so that we may exist.

Every atom in your body and all you see around (that is not Hydrogen or Helium) you was made in the core of a star. The elements heavier than iron were made in many novae and supernovae.

It is that simple!

Bert

Robh (Rob) · #10 11-10-2009, 07:40 PM

Astronomy for me is a complete interest-
I can explore the skies and enjoy its infinite gems.
I can study and speculate about the origins of stars, galaxies and the Universe as a whole. It feeds my scientific and mathematical curiosity.
I can philosophise about the purpose of our existence. I find a certain peace at night under the stars, a sense of awe and a conviction that we are no accident of nature.
Of course, you share all the above with people of like interest.
Thus, astronomy for me is hands-on and visually exciting, an intellectual challenge, a spiritual endeavour and a focal point for people everywhere.

Regards, Rob.

AdrianF (Adrian) · #11 11-10-2009, 08:02 PM

I get to forget the stress's of the day for awhile. It relaxes me even if the &*(&^%$ EQ6 wont behave.

Adrian

Benno18 (Ben) · #12 11-10-2009, 08:27 PM

when I started out, I thought it would be an easy thing to get in to and using a telescope was for babies. It took me about 6 months to even get used to the (now) tiny scope I had.
Then one night Saturn decided to jump in to my view. . . . . At that moment many laps of the back yard were done with my shirt over my head, yelling the words 'YES I GOT IT!!!!!" Like i had just scored the winning goal in the soccer world cup.

Thats why I do it. They feeling you get when you find something new, outrageous, big, little. Its almost undescribable the rush of adreliline that you get.

P.S Laps are getting smaller, and there is less screaming. The wife dosnt like it too much. But then i show her what i found. I think she gets it (

)

kustard (Simon) · #13 11-10-2009, 08:46 PM

My dad had a large A3 sized astronomy book he got from Readers Digest and I'd sit and look at it every chance I got. Later on I got into science and physics at school and would use our binoculars to look at easy-to-find objects and the rather poor smudge of an effort in 1986 of Halley's Comet.

I love the science side of astronomy as well as trying to get ancient photons to hit my retina.

I could sit for hours (and have) just looking at the beautiful structure of 47 Tuc, finding various asterisms within it, and I never get tired of finding NGC4755 and NGC5128.

I've seen those glazed eyes and kinda feel sad for those people though I'm sure they think I'm a nut

erick (Eric) · #14 12-10-2009, 10:21 AM

1. Because I am stardust
2. Because observing makes me feel great.

toryglen-boy (Duncan) · #15 12-10-2009, 11:07 AM

i am starting to ask myself that very same question ...

but only because the weather is so awful, i havent been able to do anything for about 6 weeks !!

Baddad (Marty) · #16 12-10-2009, 11:54 AM

Hi All,

That is a good question; why do I like astronomy?

Perhaps it is a search for god? No, no,

not the religious type. Where did we come from? Life is itself a mystery, as are the stars.

Perhaps it is a search for the mother. Stardust is what we are made from.
Is that the mother?
The more we learn the more we realise just how little we know.

Are those stars still there? We can see them, but are they still there?
How can we determine a correct answer.

The quest goes on. Our curiosity will reveal secrets slowly and this is what I believe we are chasing. The secrets of life and the universe.

Cheers Marty

beefking (Nathan) · #17 12-10-2009, 11:59 AM

it's a hard one to answer - I suppose one thing I love is that moment of cognition(? I think that's the right word) that can come pretty suddenly.

a good example is the last time I was looking at Jupiter - the seeing was excellent, and my scope was properly collimated (so all the stars were aligned

) and it was like looking out of a portal. I've never felt so physically and imaginatively transported - stepping away from the eyepiece was jarring. I felt like I had actually seen Jupiter, as opposed to merely viewed it. (and the rational side of me says "what a load of wank")

I had a similar experience looking at the area around markarian's chain - mind=blown.

Darth Wader (Wade) · #18 12-10-2009, 01:51 PM

I'm searching for Nibiru, so I can then run around yelling "THE END IS NIGH"

Nah, I love astronomy because to me it's pure. I realise that sounds a little corny but everything about it is very peaceful and calming to me. I love discovering an object and then looking it up on Stellarium later rather than planning to see it first. I love viewing the planets and tracking down the more obscure ones (I will get you Neptune!). I love getting up before dawn, viewing for a few hours and then watching the sun rise. Most of allI love being outside and in the dark and quiet when my daughter is crying!

I'd like to think that I'm a better person for my interest in the hobby because it's given me a whole new outlook on life in general, our home planet and the fragile nature of the universe.

erick (Eric) · #19 12-10-2009, 03:54 PM

It's also having occasional wins! I had tentatively arranged with someone who hadn't been out observing for well over a year to go out Sunday evening. Weather forecast turned into "Mostly cloudy" and showers. A cloudy front with rain came through mid afternoon but there were sunny breaks so we said, OK, let's go. Packing, a fair amount of driving and as we travelled the patches of blue sky increased. We set up at sunset to little cloud, then had four hours of cloudless skies until we packed up. Had a simply marvellous evening! Mostly from her wonder as she reacquainted herself with old favourites and met new ones.

Ric · #20 12-10-2009, 04:16 PM

At 3:00am in the morning on a clear perfect night when the frogs are croaking and things are going bump in the forest then astronomy almost becomes meditation for me.

It just cant be beaten for relaxation.

Cheers