Hi Ron,
I do pop in from time to time, rarely post, think of you and the great nights out in Cambroon, I just don't get time to use the gear much but its one of those hobbies you can just come back to after 5 or 10 years. Do you ever see Paul these days? Is he still in the same place?
Hi Ron,
I do pop in from time to time, rarely post, think of you and the great nights out in Cambroon, I just don't get time to use the gear much but its one of those hobbies you can just come back to after 5 or 10 years. Do you ever see Paul these days? Is he still in the same place?
Take care until next time. Den.
Hi Denis, re Paul yes now and then and also by phone.
He is of soon over to Africa for a while
He will be calling round here in the coming days.
Cheers
I agree Tony. Watched it with a couple of workmates who are just generally interested and they enjoyed it and it promoted a lot of discussion/questions. So I would say that's exactly what the aim was. Good stuff. Saw Peter Ward's Eta Carinae in there too . Cheers Richard
very disappointing with the show, only bright part for me was the inclusion of a bit of Aboriginal sky lore. It was after all directed towards the complete layman as such it may have done the job. For me I won't waste another clear night watching it.
5 minutes in, it was obvious it was aimed at the astronomy-unaware. Which is GOOD! How else are we expected people to get interested - throw them straight into deep cosmology and particle physics? I mean, come now people, think outside YOUR square.
After those 5 minutes, I went outside and used my telescope, just as I do most clear nights. I hope it elicited the same response in the astro-neophytes - at least to look UP instead of looking at the idiot box all night watching something useless (like De Grasse's "Cosmos" - an insult to Carl Sagan's memory!).
If you want cosmology and particle physics and quantum mechanics, I suggest you don't look on the television - try reading a book, a scientific article or even do the online free course.
5 minutes in, it was obvious it was aimed at the astronomy-unaware. Which is GOOD! How else are we expected people to get interested - throw them straight into deep cosmology and particle physics? I mean, come now people, think outside YOUR square.
After those 5 minutes, I went outside and used my telescope, just as I do most clear nights. I hope it elicited the same response in the astro-neophytes - at least to look UP instead of looking at the idiot box all night watching something useless (like De Grasse's "Cosmos" - an insult to Carl Sagan's memory!).
If you want cosmology and particle physics and quantum mechanics, I suggest you don't look on the television - try reading a book, a scientific article or even do the online free course.
At one point two of the professors started going deeper in a discussion and Julia quickly redirected the show to avoid Joe Public's eyes glazing over.
They obviously went to a lot of effort to produce a show that might get more people interested in astronomy or science in general. With the rise of anti-science politicians we need as many voters as possible to support scientific endeavor and introductory, entertaining shows may help achieve that.
Now we need a modern version of Julius Sumner-Miller to help get kids more interested. I have fond memories of watching his show. As a kid I found him a little crazy, a little scary but very entertaining.
Have you considered that the show was aimed at the general public, not people already involved in astronomy?
Couldn't agree more Tony, some of the comments here surprise me. Did anyone seriously think that this would be aimed at those with a moderate to advanced interest in the subject.
It is outreach intended to spark an interest in the field by people with little knowledge or prior interest and hopefully it succeeds in getting more to look up at the night sky....
I found it entertaining and hopefully engaging for the general public.
I also did a letter drop in my street pointing out that the show was on and invited people over after it finished to look through the scope tonight and tomorrow night.
IMHO it was cringe-worthy in general. I was dismayed by the 'expert' waving a laser around the sky while right behind him someone was observing ( or acting as though they were). I am sure there are people rushing out to buy lasers online today. If you have ever had some well- meaning idiot move one over the open end of your scope you will know what they can do. Imagers hate them as they can ruin a long sub in an instant.
Lasers can have instruction value when no one is at a scope or imaging, but last night no one cautioned their use, and he should have known better.
I appreciate that ABC made an effort to promote astronomy, but there are plenty of folks on IIS, that do public outreach sessions everytime they set up out at places like Bretti and the kids and their parents wander over to have a look. Guys like Allan L always make time for these folks. We all have a potential role in promoting our hobby, passion, or obsession.
IMHO it was cringe-worthy in general. I was dismayed by the 'expert' waving a laser around the sky while right behind him someone was observing ( or acting as though they were). I am sure there are people rushing out to buy lasers online today. If you have ever had some well- meaning idiot move one over the open end of your scope you will know what they can do. Imagers hate them as they can ruin a long sub in an instant.
Lasers can have instruction value when no one is at a scope or imaging, but last night no one cautioned their use, and he should have known better.
Some people have to get "real" and remember this is a show aimed at the general population and hopefully inspiring them.
Many people have no idea that some of those points of light are actually planets in our solar system and even more surprising some have no idea what a Star is
Also the Laser Pointer used in the show is purely instructional ....how else can he convey to the Audience where he is pointing to??? in a live realtime setting like that ??
Im not sure the Nanny State disclaimers would help apart from wasting air time
But I do agree in general that people do need to be aware and responsible with handling such devices
Phil, I was about to point that out about LIVE TV - it's not like they can instantaneously superimpose a graphic over the Crux to show people what he is referring to. And public disclaimers and warnings - really, have we reached the complete Nanny State?
Star parties are GREAT for outreach, but how many societies actually bother to print flyers, purchase radio air time, or TV to advertise they are hosting a star party? Never ONCE saw it where I lived most of my life. The community won't know about it unless you tell them, and the first step in telling them is putting an educational piece on TV. All day yesterday on ABC on the kid's shows was ALL about stars, episodes with telescopes in them and so on. KUDOS ABC!!! Mum and Dad's interest in something is often sparked by a 2 year old nagging to do or see something.
Some of the respondants in this thread sound like the stereotyped grumpy old man that keeps all the balls from kids that come over the fence. Take the self-imposed tunnel vision glasses off and see through the eyes of others. You looked up once, LET THEM BE GUIDED IF NEED BE.
Some of the respondants in this thread sound like the stereotyped grumpy old man that keeps all the balls from kids that come over the fence. Take the self-imposed tunnel vision glasses off and see through the eyes of others. You looked up once, LET THEM BE GUIDED IF NEED BE.
You crack me up Lewis, and you're absolutely right too.
I thought it was a marvellous outreach, even my kids watched most of it.
We all have a potential role in promoting our hobby, passion, or obsession.
I strongly agree.
But, a lot tend to just pick fault with, or whine about those that do .
We may not agree with what is presented or how it is presented. If you criticise, then state a better way of doing it. I think the laser was a good way of demonstrating and I'm sure it was used responsibly. Didn't actually see anybody imaging in my pictures.
Jump on the band-wagon and use peoples interest in the series to promote your interest and expertise (or crawl back under your rock). I'm sure Brian Cox and your ABC won't mind either way.
I, for one, look forward to the many other ways some people come up for promoting EVERYONES interest in this healthy hobby.
Ladders are dangerous - please be sure to include a safety caveat with your images from now on Barry. We wouldn't want someone falling off one after rushing out to buy a ladder after seeing it in your images .
Ladders, if placed in front of an astrophotgraphers scope, also ruin long subs
and you're absolutely right too. 
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