Telescope Reviews: When You Were A Kid Astronomer?

Wow, these are great stories. For me, I was a regular kid, kinda straight, a little smart and had a love for science. My Dad was a science teacher and showed us kids the wonders of insects, rocks and all things earth science. Since he was a teacher, he had the summers off and he would load us four kids in the 64’ Chevy wagon (along with two dogs) and head off to some national parks across the country (every summer). I was lucky to see things from Mt. Rushmore to Little Big Horn.

Back in 1975 when I was 15, my Dad decided to take a class from this guy in SF. He asked if I was interested in helping. This was an interesting request and I decided to go with him to check it out. We met his kind of strange man with a long gray pony tail who spoke very funny and was very grumpy. He was very smart and I could tell he intimidated my Dad a little. Little did I know this was the now famous John Dobson (Dobsonians). We were grinding and building Newtonians to his very inexpensive design, with old “portholes” from ships as the mirror blanks and a tool that he lent each participant. I really got into the fact that I would be able to see lots of cool things in the sky-- at that time I really only knew of the planets and the moon. I spent every night on my back in our yard looking at the stars and using an old set of Bushnell binoculars to try and figure out what was what. I was having fun, but there was no one who could help (no computers back then and of course no friends that were interested). Frankly, I enjoyed being alone.

We ended up making two, a 10” and an 8”. My poor Dad cursed every step of the way, and I tried to encourage him the best I could. John D would verbally abuse him when he didn’t get something right or didn’t’ understand. My Dad put over 100 hours into making these instruments and I know he would have quit if it wasn’t for me.

When they were done, I begun to spend every clear night outside looking at things—I was hooked!! Jupiter blew me away, and I saw clusters, nebula and even galaxies. I learned the constellations and the stars like a map of California (where I am from). We went to star parties, saw incredible stuff, and joined the Astronomical Society of the Pacific and the SF Sidewalk Astronomers. Like many of you, I got up at all times of the night to catch a particular object or comet.

None of my friends were interested and it was funny that whenever some company came over to our house my Dad would excitedly ask me to show them Jupiter or Saturn or the Moon. I realized that many of them were just being polite and really didn’t care. I believe I taught my father something when I finally told him that not everyone thinks Astronomy is so neat like us. Only a few will appreciate it, but most people never look past their everyday environment, work, school and stuff and I knew he understood.

Being that he was a teacher in SF, we spent many nights at schools showing hundreds of kids the celestial wonders. If there was a field trip, we were part of the night time attractions. I remember kids’ looking down the tube saying there’s a picture in there isn’t there? Maybe we touched some of them—I don’t know.

I wrote a report when I was in the 8th grade on Astronomy. It was the only time I ever took an assignment seriously and remember typing the thing out for weeks and adding pictures. Most of it was about my own adventures. I still keep that report in my office. I dedicated the report to my father—what a great man. I got an A+ on it—the only assignment I ever got an A on.

By the time I was eighteen, I had seen all nine planets, a couple of minor planets and all the Messier objects--many from my own 10” and others at star parties through some very nice set-ups.

I grew up a relatively normal middle class kid, played sports, was very competitive and happy go lucky about life.

As I got older I realized that many amateur astronomers had similar personalities. Most were loners--spending so many nights by yourself, the scope, and an endless list of things to look at. Most are above average smart, a little analytical and have the enthusiasm of a kid when looking and showing and explaining to others about this well, unusual hobby. Good people…

Now at 47, with a 12 and 13 year old that I would love to get interested in this hobby, however, I remember what I told my Dad so many years ago. It’s not for everyone, only a few will appreciate the vast wonders of the night sky. I won’t push them---but I wonder if they will.

Edited by BrianFitz (10/21/08 12:41 AM)