A great idea!(?)

[Dog Star (Phil)]

I've just had a great idea and I only tend to get one or two a year so I thought I'd share it.
I've noticed that quite a few of the members here have a pair of nokkies that they use as their primary viewing equipment or as a very handy supplement or alternative and all are very happy with the arrangement.
So it got me thinking.
That Kev bloke down in Canberra reckoned that we'd increase the intellectual capacity of our school kids if we gave 'em all a laptop each. Now whether or not that's true, I'll leave time to be the judge.
However -
Given that next year is the International Year of Astronomy, why don't we supply every household in Australia with a decent pair of nokkies so that the members of each household would have at their disposal the means of discovering the joy and beauty of the glorious Night Sky and be educated in the desirability of cutting unnecessary light pollution?
What better way to introduce people to their rightful heritage as well as expanding their consciousness in an environmentally friendly and chemical- free manner?
Dog Star For Prime Minister, anyone?
Yes, it is clouded over at the moment. Why do you ask?

[Ric]

That's not a bad idea Phil and to be quite honest I've heard a lot sillier ones being sprouted from the hallowed halls in Canberra.

I'll vote for you mate and the Astronomy Party.

[Miaplacidus (Brian)]

Well, I think it is a good idea, but methinks the pollies in Canberra won't go for it. They're all one-eyed, you see...

(Sorry.)

Brian.

[Ric]

Originally Posted by Miaplacidus

Well, I think it is a good idea, but methinks the pollies in Canberra won't go for it. They're all one-eyed, you see...

(Sorry.)

Brian.

Not a problem Brian, they can buy us ED80's instead.

[Dog Star (Phil)]

Ric old mate, you're announcing policy ahead of schedule.
We'll introduce the "Scope in Every Home" policy AFTER we've been elected.
"Get Your Eyes In the Skies
Vote 1 - The Australian Astronomy Party"
(Authorised by Ric and Phil)
C'mon! It's got a certain "ring" to it, hasn't it?
I reckon we could count on at least 5,ooo votes.
I've done a bit of research and found out that the number of Prime Ministers elected from Alice Springs since Federation has so far been "none"
A lesser man would be daunted.
I personally think that statistically it's due.
Get on board people! The spaces are filling fast!

[bloodhound31]

Well, I live in Canberra so i am a nutbag by default.....send them all to my obs!

[AlexN]

Ric, why stop at one ED80... supply us all with 2 ED80's strapped together, with diagonals and matching 20mm ep's in each scope... Now thats a pair of bino's!

Barry... I know someone who'd like to visit your obs... My C11 hates being warm, and would love to chill out!! (I need to man up and install cooling already..)

[bloodhound31]

Originally Posted by AlexN

Ric, why stop at one ED80... supply us all with 2 ED80's strapped together, with diagonals and matching 20mm ep's in each scope... Now thats a pair of bino's!

Barry... I know someone who'd like to visit your obs... My C11 hates being warm, and would love to chill out!! (I need to man up and install cooling already..)

Say the word Alex, visitors are always welcome here. Thats what it's for...

Baz.

[Jen]

hey thats a great idea i dont have a set of bino's yet, i would love a pair
yep you have my vote

[TrevorW]

Pollies ain't one eyed just blind as bats the only star they are aware of is the sun they think shines out of their .....

Great idea, why not get them to throw in a DMK camera and Asus 7" laptop while they are at it and then people could truly appreciate a dark night sky.

Hey maybe it would encourage the masses to then complain about light pollution.

Cheers

[Gargoyle_Steve (Steve)]

Originally Posted by Dog Star

... Given that next year is the International Year of Astronomy, why don't we supply every household in Australia with a decent pair of nokkies so that the members of each household would have at their disposal the means of discovering the joy and beauty of the glorious Night Sky and be educated in the desirability of cutting unnecessary light pollution? .......

Great idea brother, and you know Don and I would stand behind you vote wise - and just so you know the family ain't letting the side down we did a poll of the household here, we still average better than 2 pairs of bino's each and that's counting Don and me and the 3 dogs!

I've got Tim here for the weekend too, thinking about sending him home with a pair of those compact 10x32's. I'm hoping he'll reckon that's pretty cool, and hopefully might inspire him to talk to his teachers and friends at school about what he can see in the sky as well.

[astroron (Ron)]

As someone who has given away two pairs of Bino's and a telescope this year, I have already started the ball rolling
Ron

[leinad (Dan)]

You've got my vote!
I think every household should get a Star Atlas, bino's, and a 'Light Pollution Awareness Guide'.