How does your partner react to your astronomy hobby ? - Page 2

mickoking · #21 03-09-2006, 06:47 PM

I chose number 2. Pammie is quite happy for me to spend some time with one of my 'scopes and doesn't have any major issues when I buy stuff, but she doesn't participate very much with observing which is a shame coz she's got great observing eyes. Pammie was very supportive when I decided to donate my 250mm Dob to our local primary school rather than trying to sell it

The only rub is she is not quite as supportive of my more radical ideas like moving abroad when I finish my TAFE course.

spacezebra (Petra) · #22 03-09-2006, 07:05 PM

Now that we have all heard the guys point of view.... (this is a long one you may need a coffee)

I think that it is a interest where both parties can benefit. While David does not share my enthusiasm, he does enjoy the camping and social aspects of the interest, to which I encouarge that he come along and meet the gang.

Its not all astronomy, and I must admit that I enjoy the social side of it as well, this web site is a good example of the social aspect. It is also about meeting people, and sharing ideas and projects, and if the partner is feeling leftout bring them along and incorporate into experince something that you can both do, its all about balance eg. incorporate a picnic or a walk together and take time out to enjoy the scenery before getting into observing, set some limits and IMO you can reach a happy medium.

David loves the fact that he can help me nut out any tech issues that I have - and likewise he comes out now and then to have a squiz at what I am looking at.

Since taking this interest more seriously, I must admit that I have found it to be a very male dominated interest, my astro society is a good example and seeing this from a female perspective it could be perceived to be a "boys club" (no offence guys), which has deterred women I know from joining. While it has not deterred me personally, I can see that even some web sites, and not excluding this web site (no offence Mike) could be perceived as very male orienatated as well - guys out number the women in terms of membership and no female moderators, so in effect it could be argued that a boys club has been created. This is not to say, this is what has actually happened, just to say it would be good to see more women involved.

Anyway, off the feminist soapbox

I have a bank account dedicated to telescope supplies and a set account is saved each forntnight, so nothing gets purchased until there are enough $$ there to afford it, and it does not impact on the day to day stuff primarily because it is budgeted for, so no savings no EP's.

Thats about all.. (edited for clarity)
Cheers Petra

Starkler (Geoff) · #23 03-09-2006, 07:20 PM

Petra, going off topic a bit I don't perceive any intent to make IIS a boys club in any way. Certainly when amateurs of the female gender join up and post they are welcomed just as heartily as males. It just seems to be case that ladies interested in astronomy appear to be few in number.

As for myself, I chose option 4 but I dont have a current partner.
The ex had a predisposition to jealousy if my attention was directed at things other than her

The results so far seem to indicate that most of you have it pretty good

I think being "astronomy friendly" will have to be a pre-requisite of any future partner i happen to get

spacezebra (Petra) · #24 03-09-2006, 07:28 PM

I totally agree that it is not the intent - but what I was saying is that it could be perceived to be, by partners (looking at it from a women's (partners) perspective).

The imbalance is sad, I also agree and yet there are so many talented/intelligent female astronomers out there - and not necessarily in the public eye, and encouraging women into this field.

Sorry - off the topic a bit

Cheers Petra

Quote:

Originally Posted by Starkler

Petra, going off topic a bit I don't perceive any intent to make IIS a boys club in any way. Certainly when amateurs of the female gender join up and post they are welcomed just as heartily as males. It just seems to be case that ladies interested in astronomy appear to be few in number.

cahullian · #25 03-09-2006, 07:32 PM

My missus doesn't understand my facination (especially in winter)

but tolerates it without too much fuss.

johnno · #26 04-09-2006, 01:27 AM

I have to admit,
Kathy,is not all that interested,but will come and have a look at something interesting,if I ask her,would she like to take a look.

She supports me in my interest,in this hobby,and the many others,I am in to.

We have NEVER had any harsh words,over any of my hobbies,so I guess I am one Lucky man.

Having been very happily married over 32 years,we still love each others company,and have learnt to respect each others space,as well.

Regards.
John

astro_nutt · #27 04-09-2006, 07:29 AM

I picked number 2..my wife understands that I can enjoy my hobby/science/leisure activity without being too much of a burden on anyone!!...and some nights when conditions are right..she will drag herself away from the heater for a peek at the eyepiece until she starts to shiver!!..(I might invest in an electronic EP so she can watch it on TV!)
She is very supportive and copes well with the chaos I create in the workshop..and the hours I spend looking up info...plus time spent observing up the bush..
I'm lucky to have someone like her!!

ving (David) · #28 04-09-2006, 10:15 AM

and to show how variable it can be....

last night we had a little discussion:

me: "I want to upgrade my mount some time in the future..."
her: "is that before or after you get a DSLR?"
me: "before, the mount i want cost a little less anyhow"
her: "youre not spending a grand on just a hobby, it not like you are professional or anything"
me: "er... thats a realatively cheap mount!"
her: "well you didnt ask me first, what happened to discussing first?"
me: "i think you only heard 2 words didnt you? "new mount". the rest of the key words were "want" (not "i am getting") and "sometime" (not "now")... we are discussing it now."
her: "oh, ok..."

*sigh*
she was quite happy for me to let me out to use the telescope tho

I think shes just alittle afriad of expenditure ATM as moneys a bit tight.

anna · #29 04-09-2006, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xstream

I think you already know my answer Geoff

All I need to do is win tattslotto to pay for her habit/obsession.

Just to set the record straight.
My beloved "tech support" would not be complete without his daily
fix of IIS.

rogerg (Roger) · #30 04-09-2006, 12:24 PM

I'm quite lucky. My partner likes the outdoors and country, but not the cold. She'll find me new locations to observe in the country where she can photograph the native critters and I can do observing, works out very well.

She only views stuff when there's a group around and she can be chatting to someone (I'm usually quite absorbed in it, and busy telling the scope what to do, so not good company).

She makes a point of mocking the names we give objects, referring to any globula cluster as "A sneeze" and in particular 47 Tuc as "the sneeze", Rosetta as "the skull" .. and I can't remember which she thinks is an elephant... it's makes it entertaining anyway

As for buying stuff etc, she's a little more tough on that, but only as far as is practical - we do need to pay off the house after all. I tried to sell her the idea of a $90,000 Allira 20" system on the weekend, she didn't give me the OK

The biggest problem is when I want to observe late and go to bed at 2am, waking her up. Do that a couple of nights in a row and I'm not too popular.

Roger.

Shawn · #31 04-09-2006, 05:15 PM

Mine reckons I should take up something cheaper, like fishing...thats great coming from someone that collect horses...

[1ponders] (Paul) · #32 04-09-2006, 05:28 PM

I think that's a good idea Shawn. How much is a 35 ft cruiser with twin 5 litre V8s pushin' it

fringe_dweller · #33 04-09-2006, 05:39 PM

the missus isnt a problem, I find friends and aquaintances can be the worst - typical bewildered response 'you are unable to attend my/our *insert momentous important occasion* because you are going to be looking at a dot/smudge in the sky instead!!!???? whaaa!!'

Shawn · #34 04-09-2006, 06:10 PM

Good point Paul, when you put it like that..

Id say about the same amount as four horses.. So I still win ...

jjjnettie (Jeanette) · #35 04-09-2006, 06:35 PM

Options 3,4,5 and 6 just about covers the range of feelings at our place.
Oh well.

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #36 04-09-2006, 10:03 PM

Cheryl is very supportive of my Hobby. And she encourages our boys too.

As for herself, she likes to come out and look at certain objects (even in the cold) but it's not a hobby that she is into herself. She does enjoy looking at things though.

She always asks if our SVAA nights were good, or if we found anything new and exciting to look at. She LOVES the pics posted in here, and reads thru my Astro Mags.

She also likes the friends we have made thru Astronomy.

I have not ticked any boxes above as I am in between 1 & 2.

gaa_ian (Ian) · #37 04-09-2006, 10:55 PM

I chose option #3, But I must say SWMBO is keen for me to get the kids involved !
& she did fuel my obsession in the first place !
Little did she know the monster she would create

.

OneOfOne (Trevor) · #38 05-09-2006, 09:14 AM

My wife is quite supportive, she loves it when we have friends or neighbours over for a squizz. She loves to roll off her little "buzz words" ("the rings of Saturn are wonderful", "you will love the Jewell Box", "the moons of Jupiter are great"). In fact, she is the one that suggested we need to extend the house so we have somewhere to store the scope. Currently it sits in a box I made for it and sits on the floor at the back of the house. If the door is open, you can see it when you look down the hallway. She reckons it "looks like a coffin".

We have been away once with the scope and was really keen to invite the couples in the neighbouring self contained cottages for a look one night and loved the experience! Actually, that was the night I proposed to her!

We sort of have our own "spending money" and I say nothing when she gets new clothes or her hair done, and she says nothing when I get a new eyepiece.

Maybe that is why I married her?

Lee · #39 05-09-2006, 10:48 AM

I've got a plywood box my father and I made for the Dob.... it looks like a small coffin! You should see it on the roofracks.... even has handles on the side for ease of tying down.... does look spooky.....

Odlaw · #40 06-09-2006, 08:14 AM

As I am just getting back into it. She at this stage is supportive, but uninterested. Since I have been showing pictures of the scope to family and friends, I have had many requests for viewing nights. My brother in law, father in law, family friend and neighbour have all said I wish I could get a scope.
I may have started something.

By the way, 10 days untill pick up.... getting more excited.....