Now Know Somebody

[Patterson (Wayne)]

Received some very encouraging replies to my earlier posts when I didn't know anybody, so thought I'd have another crack at ancient history.

1957 was a very good year for a young amateur astronomer. I'd just finished my first telescope, an 8 inch f8 reflector whose construction I mentioned earlier. In the middle of a Canadian winter I was busy observing, oblivious to the minus 15 degree temperatures. My parents thought I was a lunatic. It was during one of these sessions that I first learned of a thing called frostbite. Finding it difficult to do things with gloves on, (and anyway gloves were for wimps), I went bare-handed for an hour or so. The thing about frostbite is that you don't realize the onset until it's too late, just a slight ache in the fingers which goes away after a while. It's when you get inside and begin to warm up that it hits. The agony was unbearable. I thought my fingers were gone for good but I was very lucky, just a bit of skin fell off in the days following.

1957 was also an International Geophysical Year. The Dominion Astrophysical Observatory in Canada called for volunteers to participate in a meteor observation program and I was one of the first cabs off the rank. With forms in hand, lying comfortably on a lawn chair and staring eastward at 4 AM in the morning, I recorded hundreds of meteors and had a grand time during meteor showers. The Perseids were particularly good that year. My parents by now were quite convinced I was a lunatic.

And who could forget 4 Oct. 1957. Sputnik 1 was launched and I watched goggle-eyed as this second magnitude star floated serenely across the sky, disappearing suddenly into the earth's shadow. Even my parents were impressed and my lunatic status diminished somewhat. A month later along came Sputnik 2 which was even more eye-popping, as I recall almost as bright as Jupiter. Having a dog myself I wasn't too happy that there was also a doggy up there in Sputnik 2 with a short life span. But somebody had to be first.

And that was 1957, the beginning of the space age, and suddenly being an amateur astronomer meant that you weren't a complete weirdo after all. Somewhere between being really cool and a total nerd, which wasn't bad when you're 13.

[Stardrifter_WA]

Great story Wayne, being there and living it live, wow! I was only 3 then. As for being weird, my whole family think I am nuts looking to the stars; they just don't get it. They think science is some form of voodoo. But then, to be fair, I don't get their passion for golf either. "A good walk spoiled" someone famous once said.

But, I understand your enthusiasm, as I clearly remember turning on all the outside lights when John Glenn passed over Perth, so misguided we were in those days; mind you, nobody even considered the light pollution then, as the skies in the out suburbs of Perth were very dark in those days. Sadly, not now.

The came the moon landing. That was an exciting time to be alive, and a little confusing with the Vietnam war going on at the same time; such a dichotomy, the war being beamed into our lounge room along with the moon landing. But seems so long ago now. The age of technological advancement; a wonderful time to be alive, for sure.

Cheers Peter

[Kunama]

1957 was indeed a historic year. The space race was on in earnest and as Sputnik circled the globe I was busy under the North Star (Polaris to you science folks) teething.
Great to hear your recollections Wayne.
The earliest events I recall were the announcement of Yuri Gagarin's flight and the death of JFK.

[Ric]

Hi Wayne

Great write up, I can relate to frostbite, very nasty and extremely painful. Like you I only lost a bit of skin but it's a path I never intend to venture down again.

Ever since then all the bones in my fingers ache every winter, I live in fingerless gloves for about three months of the year.

[ZeroID (Brent)]

Originally Posted by Patterson

And who could forget 4 Oct. 1957. Sputnik 1 was launched and I watched goggle-eyed as this second magnitude star floated serenely across the sky, disappearing suddenly into the earth's shadow. Even my parents were impressed and my lunatic status diminished somewhat. A month later along came Sputnik 2 which was even more eye-popping, as I recall almost as bright as Jupiter. Having a dog myself I wasn't too happy that there was also a doggy up there in Sputnik 2 with a short life span. But somebody had to be first.

I've still got all the newspaper cuttings I collected when Sputnik launched in a Scrapbook downstairs ( who remembers Scrapbooks ?? !! ). I would have been 8 and a half !!
I collected cuttings right into the Apollo days, must dig them out and have a look.

[GraemeT (Graeme)]

Originally Posted by ZeroID

I've still got all the newspaper cuttings I collected when Sputnik launched

Thanks for the nudge, I've got 'em too ..... somewhere. Must dig them out.

[Patterson (Wayne)]

Thanks to all for the nice comments on my geriatric recollections. Brent and Graeme, am envious of your newspaper cuttings of Sputniks 1 & 2. Never thought of doing that at the time and now kind of regret it. What a moment in the history of astronomy. I assume it made the front pages but can't recall.

As for light pollution in those days I too was blessed for a few years, until the local council figured street lights would be a good idea, especially one right opposite my back yard. After a few frustrating nights I got mad and decided to improve my pitching skills one early morning. Strange how after ten minutes of practice a stone accidentally took out the light bulb. Blessed darkness once again descended. It took the council 6 months to replace it!

Cheers all

Wayne