People who "dont" get Astronomy

[that_guy (Tony)]

I know theres a discussion about this in another thread but i wanted to start a new one and discuss why people dont get astronomy. My friend at school asked me why i bother wasting thousands of dollars on gear just to look at some fuzzy patch thats already been discovered and observed... i always respond to, why do you play guitar when someone with better equipment and better talent played the same music your playing? and my brother always says, why do you waste money on all this crap when you can look at it on the internet? " thats like saying why do you play music when you can listen to it?" they are always speechless after that... haha
and my other friend says "wats the point of studying space at all? it doesnt affect us directly" and i respond "wats the point of studying evolution and archeology when it doesnt affect us directly?" again, speechless respond haha but they always always ask me over and over again... i just dont get them???

cheers
tony

[mental4astro (Alexander)]

Hi Tony,

You may be aware that 'amateur' astronomy is the only relm of professional science where amateurs actually make a definite contribution to the pool of knowledge.

The majority of comets, asteroids, supernovae, etc. are actually made by amateurs. Collectively amateurs have more eyes on the sky than the professionals do. Most of the above now carry amateur's names .

As an example, there is one particular fellow here on IIS whose work on Saturn is intergral to several universities planetary work. His work has been invaluble to confirm observations carried out by the Cassini probe, and to first set eyes on new features such as storms, only then confirmed in turn by Cassini!

As to 'not getting' it, that is a hairy one. I've even had ASIO set on me by some poor ignoramus who refused to believe my TRUSS dob was a telescope, not a "suspicious device". I know it's a telescope. You know it's a telescope. Most people only think of a telescope as a brass refractor used by pirates. REALLY!

Alas astronomy has a bad rap as being "rocket science stuff", so most folks immediately set up a mental block.

[that_guy (Tony)]

haha you got that right alex but its really sad how people are more skeptic about telescopes and astronomy than they are astrology and star signs

[Steffen]

Originally Posted by mental4astro

The majority of comets, asteroids, supernovae, etc. are actually made by amateurs.

Really?? I've got to sign up to one of those advanced celestial body making classes...

(sorry, couldn't resist )

Cheers
Steffen.

[jjjnettie (Jeanette)]

I really dislike the automatic assumption that I use my scope to look through windows.

[Steve Heaton (Steve)]

Yeah tried that but found all the peoples clothes stayed on even though they were upside down

[that_guy (Tony)]

Originally Posted by Steve Heaton

Yeah tried that but found all the peoples clothes stayed on even though they were upside down

hmm maybe a different bandwidth filter

[tlgerdes (Trevor)]

I like the quote from Men In Black

"A person is smart................... People, are dumb, panicky, dangerous animals and you know it"

[Ric]

I used to try and explain astronomical things to people at work but always met with strange looks and a round of Uranus jokes.

Now I just don't bother unless they come to me with a question.

[ballaratdragons (Ken)]

Tony, just tell them that when an asteroid crashes into Earth, the first they will know of it is when their arse is a waft of ash blown into the atmosphere.

But you on the other hand with your wacky useless hobby of Astronomy will atleast enjoy the views of seeing it coming for months, and probably even photograph it



I have no idea why people just don't get it.

[bartman (Bart)]

Originally Posted by that_guy

My friend at school asked me why i bother wasting thousands of dollars on gear just to look at some fuzzy patch thats already been discovered and observed... i always respond to, why do you play guitar when someone with better equipment and better talent played the same music your playing? and my brother always says, why do you waste money on all this crap when you can look at it on the internet? " thats like saying why do you play music when you can listen to it?"

I hear you Tony!
I had to think hard about justifying $1000's just to capture pics that somebody has already done and posted on the net.

But it is the challenge and the gratification you get when getting those shots yourself! Like you said - playing a guitar to make music......one day they may become a rockstar........doing astronomy may one day get you a comet or asteroid or SN named after you!!!!

Bartman

[OneOfOne (Trevor)]

I always think that astronomy is about the only hobby where people are likely to be interested in having a look.....

"wan't to see my new stamp from Botswana?"..., "sorry, is it that late..."

"I am practising my guitar tonight, wan't to come and listen", 'na, I have a headache"

"what do you think of my new Ming Chinese vase?"...."looks like a guzunda!"

I know what you mean though.

[CraigS]

So rather than: "Why don't other people get it ?"

"Why do you get it ?" ...

But it is the challenge and the gratification you get when getting those shots yourself! Like you said - playing a guitar to make music......one day they may become a rockstar........doing astronomy may one day get you a comet or asteroid or SN named after you!!!!

Apart from challenge and gratification, is it about achieving immortality ?...

The majority of comets, asteroids, supernovae, etc. are actually made by amateurs. Collectively amateurs have more eyes on the sky than the professionals do. Most of the above now carry amateur's names

(Just wondering.)

For me, understanding the concepts behind how the universe works, is my passion.
Images just aren't satisfying enough for me … actually, at times, the images just frustrate me if I can't understand what they're showing.

Sometimes, I feel alone in this …

Cheers
PS: Please don't misunderstand me …. I fully appreciate and respect everything everyone does when it comes to visual and imaging. There are some very deep feelings we all share, I think. Others also share the similar deep feelings .. about other issues. That's what makes us human ..

[mental4astro (Alexander)]

Originally Posted by mental4astro

The majority of comets, asteroids, supernovae, etc. are actually made by amateurs. Collectively amateurs have more eyes on the sky than the professionals do. Most of the above now carry amateur's names .

Hey! that's what I've been led to believe from the various publications that supposedly serve our hobby,

Sheesh, try to up lift some bloke's spirit, and you all come running with a pin!

[lacad01 (Adam)]

Good come-backs Tony The same questions could be directed at nearly any kind of hobby or pastime, I don't really worry if people think it's a waste of time or money, there could be far worse things to waste time and money on that give momentary satisfaction. Life's too short to be concerned about what other people think and I'm in constant awe of the wonders of this amazing universe.

[Trixie (Carey)]

I have been lucky that most people are really interested when I mention astronomy.

Then again, maybe they are just greatful I am not boring them with palynology for once!

[ZeroID (Brent)]

Do you think that the whole concept of 'SPACE' intimidates or even threatens some peoples ideas ? It can be pretty frightening when you think about it's immensity as an actuality. It's just so .... BIG!!

I think also that the names, weird designations and hieroglyphics of Astronomy and the jargon is just too much for some. There is a lot of crossover in this hobby and you need to have a number of skills in optics, photography, physics, computers, software, engineering, electronics, chemistry, woodworking, construction .. ...

Hmm, I think I just defined why I LIKE astronomy ....

(Sorry about all the icons, just couldn't resist )

[AdrianF (Adrian)]

I usually get "found ET yet?" and what a waste of money, this usually by people who think that going to the pub every night spending their money only to see it go down the drain is ok

Adrian

[ballaratdragons (Ken)]

Originally Posted by kinetic

http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...2&postcount=32

Steve

I wonder who sees the most stars, or is more 'Spacey'

[shelltree (Shelley)]

Originally Posted by kinetic

http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...2&postcount=32

Steve

Some people will just never understand.

For me, I couldn't imagine not knowing or not wanting to know what's out there. It's our origin, our home and the reason we are. How could anyone not be completely awe struck by that prospect!? Plus I don't think people 'get' that these "fuzzy blobs" are in fact galaxies, nebula or globular clusters many thousands of light years away! I mean, that just blows me away. That I am looking at a view from thousands of years ago is phenomenal and makes me giddy. It's the experience of seeing these things for yourself, witnessing and learning what they represent, what they are made of and what they will eventually become.

And maybe people just see it as a hobby, a way to pass the time on a clear night when there is nothing better on tv but it is so much more than that. It's about discovery, it's about documenting what we see and feel and how we fit in to the shaping of the universe. Could it be that we don't explain this to people adequately enough and therefore they don't understand the money and effort spent?

My rambling 2c