Stupid comments and uninformed questions.

[TrevorW]

How many rings does uranus have ???

mine-

"I've got a $60 scope will it give me 300x magnification"

[RB (Andrew)]

When I show my astrophotos to some on my iPod and they say "c'mon that's not real is it ?"
One guy was questioning authenticity because the Horsehead really did look like a horse head.

[jjjnettie (Jeanette)]

Originally Posted by RB

When I show my astrophotos to some on my iPod and they say "c'mon that's not real is it ?"
One guy was questioning authenticity because the Horsehead really did look like a horse head.

Did YOU take that picture? insert look of disbelief.....

[dugnsuz (Doug)]

"So Doug, discovered anything new up there?"



...yes, Uranus!

[RB (Andrew)]

Originally Posted by jjjnettie

Did YOU take that picture? insert look of disbelief.....

And when you say yes, they walk away still bewildered.

Also some people find it hard to understand why we can't see that sort of detail at the eyepiece.

[pgc hunter]

the whole "Nibiru" thing grates my nerves.

[higginsdj]

Those who discover "new phenomina" on Google sky....

[Terry B]

When a "friend" introduces you to someone and states that you are into astrology.
Grrrrr

[bojan]

All of the above, yes.. and more.

[DavidU (Dave)]

The question I get asked a lot is "how far can you see with that thing"?
It is difficult to answer without going into limiting magnitudes and SQ.

[ngcles]

Hi jjj & All,

Wonderful question and poll. I probably spend more time dealing with these questions than anyone else on this forum because I work at Sydney Observatory doing public astronomy. It is interesting at this early stage that despite the large number to select from, the poll is fairly even.

I can't say that I find any of them to be exceptionally irritating per se, in fact I look forward to most of them because it gives me a chance to detonate myths (which I quite enjoy) (I bet you didn't know that eh?) -- perhaps with the Uranus jokes being the exception. If you think you're "over it" just imagine how many times I've heard the rings around Uranus line (almost invariably delivered by an 8-10 year-old boy who's convinced he invented it first). I usually respond with something like "oh really! Gee I haven't heard that one in nearly ... oooh ... must be half an hour (while wearing a suitably dismissive facial expression).

Perhaps the one that causes the most chagrin (and teeth grinding) for me personally has been identified by Petra re "can't this telescope see through clouds?". You simply wouldn't believe how many times people have said this to me. Usually followed up by "I thought this telescope would take us so close that we'd be above the clouds?". There are some seriously dopey people out there folks.

I find the astrology questions the most interesting actually and give me a good excuse to talk about precession of the equinoxes, the conservation of angular momentum and demonstrate with my gyroscope (and yes I do have a gyroscope at work for this express purpose), and a host of other things that smash astrology to pieces.

The other night about a week ago I received some wonderful and unexpected support from a member of my group. One lady was moderately enthusiastic about astrology and reckoned that it had to have "something in it" and always read her stars in the paper. She was dumbfounded when another member of the group piped up and said "Well I used to work in the office for the Daily Telegraph back about 10 years ago and I can tell you about a quarter of the time the astrologer failed to meet deadline and we simply used to make up his predictions for the day in the office" -- true story.

Before a couple of years ago I could count on at least one question a month about Nibiru and particularly looked forward to dealing with them, but they seem to be thinning nowadays. Haven't seen a Mars/Moon hoax email this year strangely.

As Robh said, probably one of the most difficult things is when people don't ask questions at all. They're the hardest nights and they usually co-incide with a small group and cloud meaning you really earn your money and go home somewhat hoarse.

Great poll and questions!

Oh and BTW jjj -- you've mis-spelt "Elenin" ...


Best,

Les D

Edit: P.S The question I am asked most is " ... and where can I buy a laser like that?" followed by "Will that laser burn skin too?" -- to whch I normally reply: "I don't know? Stick out your hand and we'll see ..."

[jjjnettie (Jeanette)]

Originally Posted by ngcles

Hi jjj & All,



Oh and BTW jjj -- you've mis-spelt "Elenin" ...


Best,

Les D

Again??!!
cheers Les

Oh, I forgot all about the "Face on Mars" business.
And while we're still on the Red Planet....how about Bio-Station Alpha.

[leon]

Although I agree, that some of the above questions, can bring us to tears so to speak.

I do believe that some people ask these questions in good faith, as they really don't know much about the astro world, and have taken everything that is printed, said by the media, and so on as gospel.

Maybe, unless it's completely stupid, give them the some points for at least asking in the first place.

Some of the comments here seen to suggest that we are a bit above the general public who have no idea about Astronomy, as we would have no idea about some of the hobbies and such, that they may be proficient at, and regard us as dills when we ask stupid questions.

Leon

[GrahamL]

I've given up on the astrology/ astronomy conversations , and quickly change the subject whenever it pops up.

[jjjnettie (Jeanette)]

Originally Posted by leon

I do believe that some people ask these questions in good faith, as they really don't know much about the astro world, and have taken everything that is printed, said by the media, and so on as gospel.

Maybe, unless it's completely stupid, give them the some points for at least asking in the first place.

Some of the comments here seen to suggest that we are a bit above the general public who have no idea about Astronomy, as we would have no idea about some of the hobbies and such, that they may be proficient at, and regard us as dills when we ask stupid questions.

Leon

I made it clear in the beginning that "I'm not in any way putting people down who ask so they can be informed, that is GOOD. "
And I'll talk any ones ears off if they keep asking questions.
It's the only way anyone learns. And when I don't know the answer to a question, I'll learn too by doing some research.
But the answers fall on deaf ears, all too often.
I had a close encounter with 2 Nibiru believers last Saturday....oh boy.

[renormalised (Carl)]

Originally Posted by jjjnettie

I had a close encounter with 2 Nibiru believers last Saturday....oh boy.

That's only going to get worse as the next 16 months or so rolls on. It'll be bedlam for much of next year.

You know what's going to be the most hilarious event of them all....when nothing at all happens and then these twits are left with an empty, disappointed feeling and wondering why it never occurred. Then, you'll start hearing all the excuses in the world as to why nothing happened and new "amended predictions" as to when it was supposed to occur. Or you'll be hearing about how we "dodged a bullet" etc. Anything to rationalise their fantasies and in some cases their insanity.

But, and I'll take the opposite view here, if it actually occurs (for whatever reason), then we're all going to be left carrying the can and with a lot of egg on our faces. Though, it would be something we'd have little or no control over, if it's a natural disaster. So why fret and worry about it.

[leon]

Maybe My response was a bit strong, if so I apoligise, however there are some people who really dont have a clue, and to them it is a genuine question, IMHO.

Leon

[jjjnettie (Jeanette)]

OH no need to apologise Leon. We're all friends here.
Yes, there is a line that can be crossed. And no one likes to feel they're being patronised.

[kustard (Simon)]

One of my favorite quotes from Futurama:

Professor: "I'm sorry, Fry, but astronomers renamed Uranus in 2620 to end that stupid joke once and for all."
Fry: "Oh. What's it called now?"
Professor: "Urectum. Here, let me locate it for you."

But seriously, having astronomy and astrology mixed up almost drives me to murder. My wife now warns people if they ask me about my scope not to call it astrology as she knows how I go off at people about it.

[kinetic (Steve)]

My dome story...

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

Steve