(meteorobs) Why don't more amateurs get it? (Meteors, that is.)

[Bias, Peter V]

It's an acquired taste, but it probably starts with seeing a good meteor shower such as the Perseids or Geminids at maximum.  There is not a long wait before seeing something and boredom doesn't set in.  Some still don't like it and never will, but those that get enthralled will start to wonder about other times of year or other times of night--and they're hooked.
Meteor-watching is not for everybody. I like the anology of fishing; another one might be like watching chess tournaments--unless you know something about the game it's hard to appreciate what's going on at the tournament and the more you know about chess, the more you like watching others play the game.  
I'm just glad I saw the Leonids in '66 and had this hobby for life.  Funny how a Weekly Reader can change your life!
 
   Pete Bias

	-----Original Message----- 
	From: meteorobs-bounces at meteorobs.org on behalf of Wayne Watson 
	Sent: Thu 9/20/2007 8:36 AM 
	To: Global Meteor Observing Forum 
	Cc: 
	Subject: Re: (meteorobs) Why don't more amateurs get it? (Meteors, that is.)
	
	

	I've heard it said that looking for meteors is like fishing. Maybe so.
	
	DAVID HOURDEQUIN wrote:
	> I missed the PBS program but have often considered the question Lew has posed.  Even in our own club, there is a sense of passivity about the actual act of observing, whether it's with the naked eye, binoculars, telescopes or otherwise, that never ceases to amaze me. 
	>
	> I do think enthusiasm is contagious.  Our imaginations and interests are often triggered by some random event or circumstance that we had not anticipated or mayby even resisted at first.   I also believe some are born with an intrinsic nature and passion for learning and a deep appreciation and curiosity of and about those things that draw our interest.  When the spark of light ignites the curious, wonderful things happen and that first event blossoms into a wonderful passion - a lot like 'love'.
	>
	> I think a lot of people "don't get it" about a lot of things.  It is sad, because those of us who do, yearn for companionship and sharing of the fun.  My best nights under the stars have been with a companion or companions who enjoyed the fellowship and the beauty of God's Creation. 
	>
	> All this being said, it seems that our ongoing calling is to guide and facilitate the journey of others, however we are able, in experiencing that which we enjoy so much.
	>
	> Looking up,
	>
	> David Hourdequin
	> Highlands, NC
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	--
	           Wayne Watson (Watson Adventures, Prop., Nevada City, CA)
	
	             (121.015 Deg. W, 39.262 Deg. N) GMT-8 hr std. time)
	              Obz Site:  39° 15' 7" N, 121° 2' 32" W, 2700 feet
	
	           "Education is not the filling of a pail but the
	            lighting of a fire." -- William Butler Yeats
	
	                    Web Page: <www.speckledwithstars.net/>
	
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