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Re: (meteorobs) re: Watching For Fun
Hello All,
I couldn't resist jumping in on this thread. All of the postings I have read seem to agree that there is a place for all types of observers. I for one do it (all too rarely) just for the feeling of pure awe at the vast plan of which we are but a nearly infinitesimal part. If you want another clue, read Robert Lunsford's July 22 post for his comments about Orion. I also take my 10-year-old out with me. He enjoys looking and learning. What I am trying to do is pique his interest in the natural sciences. In adddition to meteor watching and star gazing, we also birdwatch, hike, look at plants and animal signs, and just enjoy nature. Maybe I will have a budding scientist someday, or maybe he'll wind up selling shoes (no slight intended, just an illustration). In any case, I hope he will enjoy the wonders of nature as I do.
As far as video observing goes, if it contributes to the science of the thing, do it !!! Just because we have instant satellite communications with anywhere in the world hasn't stopped radio amateurs from enjoying their hobby. Why should video stop us, even those who are more serious about observing than I?
Perhaps a bit more sophisticated equipment for recording times and observations for the serious visual observers is in order. I'm thinking of a way to get the highly accurate time signals from the GPS constellation onto one track of a stereo tape recorder. As this is happening, the observer could be recording his observations on the other channel. This method, if employed widely, could give some accurate correlation to meteor reports from multiple sites. If I have a little free time, I'll try to play with the idea and see if I can at least come up with a paper design.
I am about to leave the ever cloudy New England skies for the Seattle area. I hear that's not an improvement, but we'll see. I'll be out there for the next 6 to 8 months. If anyone can suggest any good dark sky sites in the area, I'd appreciate the input.
Thanks and clear skies,
Howard T.
> At 10:06 AM 7/22/99 -0500, Gregg wrote:
>
> >Count me in, Bob, where watching for fun is concerned.
>
> Nice post, Gregg. I, too, enjoy just sitting out under the night sky once
> in a while, sans recorder, light, charts, and all other paraphernalia, just
> to enjoy the spectacle. I used to do it a little more often, in the
> pre-marriage, pre-children, pre-responsible job, pre-night school days. As
> far as your Perseid record goes, I say more power to you. Life is not a
> string of numbers, real life is (or should be) a string of oohs and aahs at
> the wonder of it all. When we lose sight of the wonder, lose our oohing
> and aahing, that's the time to quit visual meteor observing.
>
> In the end, true meaninglessness is defined as strings of numbers that wind
> up in obscure papers in dusty journals stacked in the back of some library.
> I find true meaning in my taking my older daughter out to watch Perseids,
> and sharing her excitement. Years from now, those will be important
> memories. When I think back on more than 20 years of meteor observing, I
> remember a few spectacular meteors, yes -- but mostly I remember a whole
> bunch of great folks that I've observed with over the years. Oh, I play
> the science game, but once in a while I am reminded, as this discussion has
> done, of what is really important. What Gregg is doing, he does for his
> personal satisfaction - and if he's happy, who are any of us to call what
> he does worthless? If some abrasive, semi-literate buffoon wants to attack
> him, let him have at it. I have once again activated the filter feature of
> Eudora, and posts from anyone who acts less than sentient on the list are
> once again directed to the trash without passing before my eyes. I highly
> recommend it... makes for a much better meteorobs experience.
>
> JB
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