Re: Matching Amateur Astronomers by Category of Experience to Telescopes?
- From: "Steve Paul" <smarshallpaul@xxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Thu, 1 Oct 2009 14:36:12 -0400
wsnell01@xxxxxxxxxxx wrote:
I suspect that a large majority of today's amateur astronomers started
out on their own, without seeking advice or even knowing where to seek
advice. These are the "survivors" of a much larger group of people
most of whom who would have dropped out even if they had ideal
equipment, perfect skies and plenty of advice. There are simply too
many other things competing for most people's time and attention. The
current population of amateur astronomers wouldn't have enough time to
help more than a small fraction of beginners anyway.
BTW, there isn't anything particularly wrong with the C8 as a
beginner's telescope, except maybe its cost, if purchased new.
That's how I started. And I also had a C8 early on, for a time.
I started out shooting stars with a flashlight in the backyard at night and
launching Estes rockets at day during the Apollo missions. I was like, 10,
and I was inspired. I am still amazed when I look at the moon and
contemplate the fact that man flew up there, and stood on the surface.
I'll never get over it, ever, and I'm glad. I wish my kids could catch just
a hint of how that makes me feel about being alive, and being human. Humans
are amazing. No matter how screwed up I may be, I love being human, and I
revel in the knowledge that there are humans of great intelligence and
motivation in the population, making up for my burnt out and lacking will,
and making strides toward a more complete understanding of the universe and
all that's in it. I'm proud of them, and to be of the same species.
The love of technology and desire to be in the sciences that developed out
of that awareness drew me primarily to explosives, mechanics, motors, and
electronics. Only later did I find that I was unable to pass a shop that had
a telescope on display, without stopping in and fiddling with the knobs,
looking at the price, and wanting one. It didn't even matter that I didn't
know how to use it. But I would always pass, knowing that the purpose for
what it was truly intended, was outside of my experience, and I had little
spare time, or spare will to devote.
Years later, my wife saw how I gleemed over scopes and bought me an
inexpensive store brand refractor as a gift, and so it began, and ended.
After trying, and failing, to get a focused image of Jupiter, several
thousands of dollars, several iterations of equipment, and several years
later, I had had enough experience with observing and imaging to know that
all I really need, is a chair, a bottle of water, and some bug spray.
Using a telescope is now just icing on the cake. I am now, and always have
been, a big picture kind of guy. Having seen globulars, opens, galaxies,
PN's and nebulae of varying sizes and shapes in the eyepiece of up to a 12"
aperture, and through imaging, in great detail, I am now content to sit in
my chair with a small rich field scope and some bug spray, look at the sky,
outline the constellations and remind myself what objects I've seen (or
never did find) there, and pointing the scope in that direction. The images
taken and observed are retrieved from memory. I don't need to see the detail
now in real time. A simple whisp of their light in a small scope is enough
to remind me of their place and their glory.
I always try to remember that it's _my_ hobby, and I'll do it whatever way I
like. I encourage others to do the same. If you chase someone elses idea of
what makes it worthwhile, you will end up disappointed and unfulfilled.
-Steve Paul
.
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