Re: Observations about Astronomers

From: Len Philpot (len_at_philpot.org)
Date: 12/31/04 

Date: Fri, 31 Dec 2004 07:44:52 -0600

In article <g-udnVh_UuJReEncRVn-rw@bresnan.com>, ssherrod@bresnan.net
says...
> No, it is B-O-L-O-G-N-A, like Oscar Meyer(sp?). Besides, I have been to more
> star parties than you have. The famous TSP (7 times there) is about 5%
> "normal" people at most and 95% equipment freaks running around with
> propellers on their beanies; I've seen it. Does a "newbie" ask their
> advice??

I must respectfully disagree. I've attended TSP just about every year
since 1989 and the VAST majority of the people I've seen there are
observers, imagers or both who may have traveled quite a distance to
observer and/or image under some excellent skies. Simply having a
serious interest in a hobby does not make one an equipment freak.
Although I have far less equipment than some, I suppose by other's
standards (and your's?), I would qualify as well. So would you, I
suppose. Over the years, I've seen relatively few TRUE equipment
freaks, who have lots and really use little.

I've personally never run across anyone who isn't willing (and
usually eager) to answer questions. Just sit quietly some evening at
the TSP and simply listen - You'll hear that as many as not of the
conversations within earshot are someone helping someone else learn
about astronomy.

 
> The best star party experience is to shut up and watch. It soon becomes
> obvious who is the one(s) to listen to. How does a person "find out about
> the user's situation first"?

It's always wise to consider that you have two ears and one mouth -
Listen twice as much as you talk. :-)

However, part of learning anything is developing an ability to
separate wheat from chaff, and a star party can be a pretty good
place to do just that - Lots of people, opinions, expertise and
whatnot that can often be obtained at zero expense... a lot cheaper
than buying things from a catalog sight unseen only to discover they
aren't what you need.

I agree with Brian - The best advice should /include/ star party
attendance, not consist entirely of it. 

-- 
 -- Len Philpot -> len@philpot.org     <--
 ------ ><> -----> http://philpot.org/ <--

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