Jon Isaacs
Postmaster
Reged: 06/16/04
Posts: 12070
Loc: San Diego, California
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Hello Folks...
Over on Astromart someone suggested that there were very few young astronomers these days, that most were older. I asked this same question in the beginners forum over there and it does seem that most of the folks over there are in their 50's with few in their 20's and 30's. I don't really want to believe this is representative of the hobby, maybe it is representative of astromart...
My experience observing is that I meet quite a few younger observers and it also seems like Cloudy NIghts is more attractive to the younger astronomer... I know you are out there... I know that this is not just an hobby for us older folks, that there are plenty of young people with their sharp, clear eyes enjoying the night sky.
So, "How Old Are You??"
I am 58....
Jon Isaacs
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~Steph~
Texas Wildflower
Reged: 06/11/05
Posts: 21658
Loc: North Texas
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I'm 41, and just started astronomy last year when I was 40.
Maybe you could set this up as a poll with a 5-year or so range of ages (not sure what the limit is on the number of choices you can have in a poll, if any)? Be nice to see what the results are within a range without having to keep track manually! 
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Steph
10" RCX400 ~~ 4" TV102 ~~ WO ZS80FD ~~ PST
Serenity Observatory 
HansenAstro | CN Member Websites
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fellers
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 12/29/05
Posts: 1094
Loc: NY by ADK park
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29
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MVAS Observatory
Old Forge
The farmer allows walkers to cross the field for free, but be aware that the bull charges.
"SUA SPONTE"
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Galaxyhunter
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 01/02/06
Posts: 894
Loc: Northern Illinois
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A young 48
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Carl
Hawkeye Observatory
Observatory - "Hawkeye"
Scope - 18"f4.5 on a GEM
8" f4.9 Orion piggy backed
Drive - Sitech Technology
DSC - Sky Commander
Planetarium - MegaStar
Camera - ST2000XM
Desire - comes & goes
Talent - ZERO, NONE, NADA (But I can Wish)
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Moonsight
super member
Reged: 02/12/06
Posts: 115
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I am 38 and just started in Jan 06'.
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Jim52
sage
Reged: 01/18/04
Posts: 342
Loc: Kirkland.Illinois
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"Jim52" is now 54!
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Jim Sheehan SVP 8 EQ/Wilcox Rings
Orion 120 ST
Orion Starblast
Cheap 10X50's
2 reflectors,1 refractor,1 great wife!
Only 372 Herschels to go!
"Seems like just one time I'm feeling good...Thank the Lord for the nighttime" Niel Diamond
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miniventures
Something Else
Reged: 09/13/03
Posts: 11056
Loc: Powell Butte, Central Oregon
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I am 54 this year.
One of the beauties of working as a volunteer in a public observatory is that I get to see lots and lots of young people come to be introduced to the wonders of the night sky. We frequently have youngsters come again and again and boy, are they good once they're hooked! Two of the summer paid staff are kids in their late teens and several volunteers are in their mid teens. A nephew and a niece of mine (in their 20's) have bought telescopes and are avid observers back in MA since they have been introduced to the sky here in Central Oregon and both plan their vacations and come here during times when the observatory is open.
You're right, John, I think that there are lots of young folks who enjoy this hobby and I can think of more than a few who are members of CN.
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LarryC
Volunteer
http://www.sunrivernaturecenter.org
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novbabies
Postmaster
Reged: 06/05/05
Posts: 15678
Loc: Northern Georgia!
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51, started in 1962 (first scope 1966; still remember my first observations of Jupiter with the song "One, Two, Three" playing in the background...and mistaking the Pleiades for the Little Dipper...)
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Good Seeing!
Mark
Orion 12" XTi f/4.9
VERY old Edmund 6" f/8 reflector
Assorted binoculars
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Rcade
professor emeritus
Reged: 09/04/04
Posts: 728
Loc: GA
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The big 50. I started when I was 8 though with a 3" Tasco my Dad got me for Christmas.
I think lots of young people are interested if exposed. I have to almost run them off once they look in my scope, so they are interested. They also tend to come back if the opportunity is there. I think that for most young people they just are not getting the right opportunities.
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Clear Skies,
Rob Cade
Cave Astrola Deluxe 8" f8 (Achilles)
Stellarvue NH-II in Stardust Blue (Cleopatra)
Celestron C9.25 (Maltese Falcon)
Celestron C6R-GT (Criminal Intent)
Oberwerk 15x70
Vixen Polaris Mount
Clear Sky Chart == Macon, GA
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mister_wavey
member
Reged: 09/11/05
Posts: 80
Loc: Abergavenny, Wales, UK
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35
Cheers,
Stuart
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16" Stargazer
Orion XT10
Orion 10x50
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novbabies
Postmaster
Reged: 06/05/05
Posts: 15678
Loc: Northern Georgia!
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BTW, re youth-challenged, I get the same impression, that we're getting to be an older bunch...
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Good Seeing!
Mark
Orion 12" XTi f/4.9
VERY old Edmund 6" f/8 reflector
Assorted binoculars
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microbes
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 12/12/04
Posts: 1192
Loc: Romulus, Sector 12
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50
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Dirt Cheap Astronomy
Voyager 114X900 Newt EQ2 * Sky Chief 60X700 EQ1 * Cometron 62X300 EQ1
Sears Ultra Wide 7X50 Binos * Vintage 16X50 Binos EQ1
Books, Barlows, Eyepieces, Camera Adaptors & Other Esoteric Junk.
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Jamie76
professor emeritus
Reged: 10/30/05
Posts: 583
Loc: Northern Wisconsin
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Just turned 30 in March. I think the older you are the more disposable income you have to spend on hobbies...that may be a reason you don't see as many younger people. Therefore, the more "mature" crowd here needs to start donating their telescopes to us younger people to carry on the tradition. 
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mistyridge
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 10/28/05
Posts: 2268
Loc: Loomis, CA -26Mi E of Sacto.
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Jon don't want to ruin your stats but...a long 64. Been in and out of the hobby since I was 10.
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Mike F
Misty Ridge Observatory
Stellarvue SV115T "WOW"! What a view.
Stellarvue SV70ED
Stellarvue Nighthawk
18" f/4.5 Teeter's, Swayze mirror
12.5" f/5 Astrosky, OWL mirror
15X70 Binos
Mounts: DM-6,M-1,CG-5(ASGT)
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comwiz
member
Reged: 04/12/06
Posts: 18
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Im 14.
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Maverick
sage
Reged: 08/06/03
Posts: 256
Loc: 41:06:38.819N 81:28:51.650W
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I'm 31
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Todd
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 02/23/04
Posts: 1381
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36.
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FAB
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 08/06/04
Posts: 2324
Loc: Blythe, CA USA
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Harry Truman had been president for three years when I took up this hobby. 67!
FAB
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Floie
10.0" Hardin Dob
6.0" Konus Refractor
3.0" Celestron Tabletop Newtonian
10X50 Binoculars
Bristoscope 772212 Microscope
http://home.earthlink.net/~blhtvl
&
http://home.earthlink.net/~astroclub
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JayKSC
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 01/01/05
Posts: 753
Loc: Florida
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An "older bunch"? Nah, I still think there's new people getting into the hobby.
24 here, started at this when I was 14, did astrophotography at 15, CCD imaging at 16, and became a dedicated "serious" observer at 17.
Jay
KSC FL
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Refractor manic. 
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Phil Wheeler
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 12/31/05
Posts: 1192
Loc: Los Angeles Beach Area
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Quote:
Hello Folks...
Over on Astromart someone suggested that there were very few young astronomers these days
I think there are lots of "young" astronomers (I'm 69).
I started at 16 using a 6" newt on a pier (a high school friend's) in Tigard, OR .. a suburb of Portland. So I've been at it, off and on, for 53 years.
Phil
Edited by Phil Wheeler (04/16/06 12:02 PM)
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