Re: replicating "old" science

Jerry,

You should make the distinction that you are referring to professional
astronomy educators, not professional astronomy researchers. Professional
observatories doing original research are quite a different matter.

With that distinction made, I wholeheartedly agree with you. Many colleges
and universities could benefit from the experience of advanced amateurs in
their area if they want to begin or improve an observing program. Many
professional astronomers don't have much hands-on experience with
telescopes.

Mike Simmons

On Thu, 25 Aug 2005 00:56:07 -0500, Calling Veronka wrote:

> It seems to me you are right in the heart of what "amateur" astronomy is all
> about. There is nothing wrong and everything to gained by confirming past
> discoveries and stretching technology to do this. Keep in mind most
> "professionals" at universities and colleges operate below the level of
> advanced
> amateurs, these days. In fact, in my area colleges and even universities are
> beginning to rely on what amateurs are doing including club observatories.
> Thereis a lot of astronomy to do and plentyof room for good amateurs. This
> may always be the case.
> jerry
>
>
> Pierre Vandevennne wrote:
>
>> It's often said that current amateur images, both planetary and deep sky,
>> in many ways match or surpass the images taken in the 60s and possibly 70s
>> by large professional observatories. But can today's amateur
>> replicate/verify past scientific milestones? What I have in mind isn't
>> doing amateur science but rather educational experimentations demonstrating
>> the achievements of the past, in the spirit of physics classes when one has
>> an Archimedes scales, a Van der Graaf generator, magnets etc...
>>
>> Assume one is interested in the nature of galaxies I believe measuring the
>> parallax of certain star is doable for the amateur. Following Cepheid
>> variables is too. Obtaining spectra of galaxies showing redshift can
>> definitely be done as M. Gavin has nicely shown. But is it possible, with
>> today's amateur technology, to catch Cepheids or RR Lyrae stars in nearby
>> galaxies? Do SNs eventually offer a good substitute (they are still
>> secondary indicators, I believe)? In fact, I am interested by that type of
>> experiment in general. Measuring the speed of light by following Jupiter's
>> satellites, comes to mind. Any ideas welcome!
.

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