What is the future for _amateur_ astronomy?

[AJames]

Iceman, you said;

"A lot of people are scared of the perceived politics,..."

They should be.

"Astropolitics" for want of a better word is far more widespread than people think. It is not only the internal politics, the power plays, and the observed malcontent; it is also the rising commercial interests within the amateur ranks. Often the mere existence of dollar signs can be very lucrative for some individual's participation - turning away from what the Society is supposed to do. In such circumstances membership can be not welcoming and deliberately discouraging.

While I agree the majority of groups I have experienced are usually passive and useful to new and established individuals, some groups are just not so innocent.

My general advice would be to go to a number of Society functions and meetings to see what they are like. Certainly talk to several people - and not necessarily only the management running the show - and you will get an idea of what the group is like. If you do get that funny feeling of "this is not for me" or "not my cup of tea", don't hesitate to go looking for some other groups in your area where this may not happen.

[rumples riot]

Well having been actively involved in astronomy for over 30 years now, I have seen a lot of things happen.

Equipment now is more affordable than ever. In the 80's I looked at get an SCT and it would have cost nearly 15K just for an 8". I built my own with some friends and a metal workshop and it still cost me over 5K with tracking.

I have seen societies work and self destruct in all manners. The advent of the internet means that you no longer have to be a member of a backward thinking society or one in which the elders (for want of a better word) consider that they know best. This is especially in regard to new advances. I have met so much resistence to new ideas of late I wonder whether it is worth sharing the knowledge in the first place. The newbies don't know one way or the other and trust the ill informed word of the elders and the elders don't read or have contact with the internet or think the ideas are bunkem. Not everyone mind you, but there are plenty. Funny being told that you are using the wrong scope for planetary imaging by some old nutter that should stay home and keep quiet.

So yes astronomy will change, but societies will always be there, amateurs are still contributing to the science, always have. And; the equipment will get more advanced and cheaper all the time. I wouldn't mind better that in 20 years time the entrance level scope will have tracking, electric focus and a cooling system.

It is a big hobby and there is lots of money in it, no need to worry about the future, astronomy will always be there.

[rogerg (Roger)]

Will astronomy clubs/societies etc still be relevant and/or growing and why?
Of course they will, as they provide the social avenue to Astronomy. There will always be some people interested in that aspect of the hobby. There will always be those who prefer to talk about it than do it, or talk about it and do it. To some degree though places like Ice In Space already are and will replace clubs/societies.

Will communities like Ice In Space affect the clubs/societies?
Yes, already are I believe (see above).

How do you percieve the threat of light pollution -- will it kill us (metaphorically)?
We will learn to live with it. I expect new technologies will largely negate it's effects for visual and photographic aspects of the hobby.

Will the CCD revolution kill visual observing?
No, rather it will enhance it. I expect there will be a day soon when the average novice doesn't know or care that their "eyepiece" is actually ccd+adaptive optics+realtime image processing+realtime electronic filtering+screen, because it'll be the same size as our eyepieces and have no cords or plugs like our eyepieces, BUT will vastly enhance their view through the telescope. I'm amazed this hasn't already happened and I think is only a matter of time before the components are cheap enough for it to occur.

What will the "kit" of the amateur astronomer be like?
Simplified. Technologies will merge and new ones will arrive, but overall I think the trend in electronics is towards simplification - wireless, amalgamating devices, Don't Make Me Think technologies, etc.

Will the contribution of amateurs to the science of astronomy change and how?
No, stay the same (minor, but present). Our technology will advance, so will the technology of the pro's, and probably always at the same ratio's as current.

Will amateur astronomy only be practiced by the well-heeled or will it diversify further?
This will depend on economic factors. Astronomy for most of us is a hobby, if we didn't have spare cash we wouldn't be doing it. If there's a large economic down turn then the number of people involved will dramatically decrease and only the more well heeled will be able to be actively involved on a regular basis. At the moment, relatively speaking, people have spare cash and have time to do activities other than work to survive, that could very easily reverse.

Will amateurs still be making telescopes/equipment?
Depends on the economic outlook. While we have money to buy equipment we'll do so because it's easier, leaving only a handful of DIY people. If we end up in a situation with less spare money for hobbies, people will revert to DIY, but of course it'll be DIY cooled CCD cameras as well as DIY mirrors.

[Noddy]

My opinion is that, like all other groups within society today, unless we, the ageing population mentor and encourage young people to get involved, get training and experience then, like many professions and employment groups, amateur astronomy may well die. The future is our hands. This is where astonomy groups/clubs/web sites can play a big part.
What is the average age of amateur astonomers?

[netwolf]

Hmm very interesting discussion.

I would like to add my 2cents to the CCD question.
I think it will enhance visual observation. An integrating low light video camera can provide more visual detail for all to see on a monitor or screen. It can also be setup for remote viewing over the internet.

As to communities and socites. As far as I am concerned online is the way of the future, local communities linked globally via online forums. The internet removes limitations of geography. Also with translation technology we have also removed the limitation of language. We can now think globally and act globally. We can review, research and buy equipment from anywhere in the world.

All that being said, I still find it most enjoyable to share an observing session with other people. The human craving to share and talk and use our 5 senses will always drives us to form local communities that report back to the global communities.

This also means that armatures will be able to contribute more to Science. As we have more eyes on the skies linked via the internet. There is no limit to the possibilities.

As the communities grow and link with each other we will be able to more readily combat global issues like light and environment pollution.
We saw this not so long ago with Ken (the ballarat dragon's) petition.

We are only limited by our imagination and our will to act to make it happen.

Regards
Fahim

[ngcles]

Hi All,

Interesting thoughts, keep 'em coming!

Fascinating views on what effect CCDs are having.

Les D