Rekindling the Enthusiasm for Astronomy

[garin (Garin)]

I've found the easiest way to re-enthuse myself is to get down with newbies and help them out, whether it be helping them setup their gear or finding those first elsive objects.
The enthusiasium and excitement of new astronomers is infectious and reminds you what you thought when you saw that object for the 1st time being it Orion, Jupiter or 47 Tuc.

Just my thoughts

[norm]

Hi Mike,

I don't think it would be normal for anyone to maintain a constant enthusium for anything over a period of time and not eventually 'hit the wall'. I enjoy DIY stuff around the house and remember I went full bore for the 1st few yrs and managed to achieve a lot with much satisfaction. Health issues and other aspects outside my control suddenly dampened my enthusiam and drive.
I still do DIY stuff around the house, but do it gradually with breaks in between to fit committments with family and friends. Like you I don't do things 1/2 baked and can get obsessive about it.
At the end of the day I guess what I'm saying is tackle things in moderation, don't take it too seriously (it is afterall a hobby) and don't feel guilty not bringing out the gear even when the conditions are right. The stars, galaxies etc aren't going to disappear anytime soon.

My scope hasn't even arrived yet for me to start doing visual observing and sometimes I think what have I done. However when it arrives I know I'll enjoy it, but more importantly I'm not going to commit myself in getting it out every 2nd night and spending hrs at a time. Instead, I'll just do it gradually.

Maybe consider ocassionally going to really dark skies and spending a couple of relaxing nights with the family may rekindle your spirits again.
Bring the scope, but maybe try to keep it simple.
Sometimes when you haven't done something for awhile and then get back into it, the fun begins again.

Good Luck,
Norm

[spacezebra (Petra)]

Hi guys

How can one ever tire of this hobby. For me if its cloudly, I am reading books and listening to astronomy related topics. The History Channel has the lastest in the series of "Universe", which is brilliant IMO.

I also love the public outreach activities and astro society commitments that I am involed in. It keeps me driven and passionate. Remember that there is still a great many people out there that have never looked through a telescope. I think sharing your passion for astronomy with someone else is the greatest buzz!

On other nights we are getting ready for and organising Border Stargaze, which poses its own challenges. It gives me the chance to chat to and form networks with a different people from all walks of life and differing levels of expertise in astronomy. I have formed some good friendships with astronomers from Parkes, Coona and the US and would never have met these amazing poeple if did not have this interest.

However, soon as new moon hits, and weather is good Im out at our Dark Sky site with a simple Dob, crusin the heavens as there is still alot I have not seen and would love to learn about.

Just my thoughts.

Cheers Petra d.

[kinetic (Steve)]

Originally Posted by spacezebra

Hi guys

How can one ever tire of this hobby. For me if its cloudly, I am reading books and listening to astronomy related topics.

I agree!

I pity anyone that goes through life with no hobbies at all.

My advice would be to re-iterate what Doug said,
Don't take it too seriously, the sky will always be there.

I've got young kids and so they have to come first before my selfish
quality hobby time, but I never feel like they are cheating me of
what I enjoy.
Most nights when I open up the dome there are cobwebs on things,
it's been so long between visits.

But I try to enjoy my nights out.
If I wasn't still enjoying the ups (and downs) I would have given it away
25 years ago.

Steve

[mcross]

Originally Posted by Jen

Not having enough spare cash in the bank to buy new toys makes it hard for me to take my hobby to the next level
Hey does anyone know what time the armour guard truck turns up next

That sounds like my wife! Every time we pass one she says "Look, there's an armourguard van..." with a little glint in her eye... it worries me! I don't think you two should get together!

Originally Posted by Satchmo

Mike sounds like you need to take a breather from the self- imposed goal orientated and time intensive direction you've taken. I would knock up a dob mount for the 12" , put it on wheels. Then you can roll it out before dinner, and if it clouds over or you can't be bothered just roll it in.

I must admit, I like the simplicity of my dob on wheels. Sometimes I'll get home late and think "Gee, it's clear tonight" and wheel her out and just start looking. Can see a lot in 20 minutes (if I can find things, that is)!

Mark

[Alchemy (Clive)]

hobbies come and go, i did one particular sport for years and burned out... despite performing at the top level i ditched it and now dont care a jot about it.

i think hobbies should be done because they drive a passion within you, ive done many things over the years ,
Rockclimbing... still got a full lead rack but too old for cranking off two fingers, i dont think the heart could take it either
Canoeing... smashed the canoe and that was that
Bowhunting.... hunted just about every different pest species around, bit more of a pacifist nature lover these days.
Four wheel driving.... after 3 4wd vehicles i found it like driving with the crowd ( no matter where you go so does everyone else)
Landscape Photography... the change to digital killed it, still got the medium format camera but who does cibachrome prints these days.
Bushwalking.....Still like it but finding time is hard
Fishing... as above

point being do what pleases you not what you feel an obligation to do (particularly as you have the website), life allows us to explore different things and experience the joy of doing new things. This probably is a bit different from most responses, but you dont HAVE to do astronomy or any particular thing , put it down for a while and the interest may be rekindled... maybee not , does it really matter in the big picture.

i wouldnt mind getting a couple of sea kayaks and doing that one day....

cheers clive.

[Jen]

Originally Posted by mcross

That sounds like my wife! Every time we pass one she says "Look, there's an armourguard van..." with a little glint in her eye... it worries me! I don't think you two should get together!

tell her to call me

[gaa_ian (Ian)]

A couple of things have helped keep me interested:
* I realized early on that sharing the skies with others is what motivates me
* So I take the opportunities that allow me to do this
* I have branched out into other Astronomy related areas (Eg: My Science Show
* I have other social outlets such as sailing that refresh and inspire me (social events too)
* Above all I have sought to keep it simple when I am observing
* Simple = Satifying
* Complex = Lots of potential for frustration

[beren]

Its been a lean time for me so far this year with opportunities to get the gear out, the weather has really conspired against me to both enjoy general observing and make some adequate progress with imaging But with the festive season coming up, annual break time and the summer constellations returning to the early evening I always get re-energised {doubling so if the surfboard gets used during the days }

[TrevorW]

Lost the desire, no never, waned yes but never lost. Ever since I was a young lad I've always wished I could fly amongst the stars to coin a phrase "to journey were no other man has been".

Hobbies galore over the years, if I had saved what I'd spent on these I could have had that 14"RC and Paramount mount by now.

Rekindle that desire, easy just go to a dark spot on a clear night and look at the stars above.

My journey will come one day if there is life after this, one can only hope.

[xelasnave]

Well having rested for a week now away from the stupid stupid world I can say this... take a break relax do little recharge regroup and stuff like that... one can get caught up in stuff and it all gets too much... at least thats what I feel looking back on the events of the last month..even 3 months... too much on my plate... and Mike you strike me as maybe having a fair bit on your plate so maybe take some time simply to relax with the most important person in your life...

The Sun is out here and it was clear last night..man that makes things seems better...I mean its always good but nice weather is cool.

alex