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Faraway
member
Reged: 08/29/11
Loc: A white zone
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Getting other people interested
#5298634 - 07/01/12 10:25 PM
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Hello,
From what I read here, astronomy is a social hobby for many of you -- you enjoy inviting others to view what you've snared in the eyepiece. You want to share something that you find exciting with others. I'm of the same mind.
But how do you make astronomy interesting to someone who doesn't see the rave about the little white cloud you're calling a galaxy? I think people are more interested when you give them a context -- some star lore, Hubble photos, fun facts or a 3D tour with Digital Universe or Space Engine. It makes the unimpressive views (compared to NASAs HD photos) more relevant, methinks. Oh, and giving away star charts and planispheres definitely helps. Nobody says "no" to free star charts and planispheres.
What is your method?
---
edit: meant to put this in outreach...
Edited by Faraway (07/01/12 10:30 PM)
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Jon Isaacs
Postmaster
Reged: 06/16/04
Loc: San Diego and Boulevard, CA
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Re: Getting other people interested
[Re: Faraway]
#5299200 - 07/02/12 10:59 AM
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Quote:
Hello,
From what I read here, astronomy is a social hobby for many of you -- you enjoy inviting others to view what you've snared in the eyepiece. You want to share something that you find exciting with others. I'm of the same mind.
But how do you make astronomy interesting to someone who doesn't see the rave about the little white cloud you're calling a galaxy? I think people are more interested when you give them a context -- some star lore, Hubble photos, fun facts or a 3D tour with Digital Universe or Space Engine. It makes the unimpressive views (compared to NASAs HD photos) more relevant, methinks. Oh, and giving away star charts and planispheres definitely helps. Nobody says "no" to free star charts and planispheres.
What is your method?
---
edit: meant to put this in outreach...
I accept that most people enjoy taking a quick look through a telescope for curiosities sake but few are truly bitten the way those of us reading this forum are.
I "enjoy sharing the joy" but I am not primarily a social observer, I do my "serious" observing alone or with a friend.
Jon
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tezster
professor emeritus
Reged: 07/14/09
Loc: Missisauga, Canada
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Re: Getting other people interested
[Re: Jon Isaacs]
#5299239 - 07/02/12 11:32 AM
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My experience has been that you don't "get" people interested who otherwise aren't - you can't grow something out of nothing. In terms of outreach, I think the main purpose is to engage people who already show some degree of interest, by showing/connecting them with people who share their interest, and letting them know there is a community that exists for them to share their enthusiasm. This is especially true for the younger people we see in our outreach programs.
But from a personal standpoint in terms of my observing sessions, they are mostly done on my own.
Outreach as a tool to reach/engage the public vs. actual critical observing sessions are both very different elements of astronomy as a hobby, IMO.
[edited: typo]
Edited by tezster (07/02/12 06:40 PM)
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Jon Isaacs
Postmaster
Reged: 06/16/04
Loc: San Diego and Boulevard, CA
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Re: Getting other people interested
[Re: tezster]
#5299539 - 07/02/12 05:57 PM
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My experience has been that you don't "get" people interested who otherwise aren't - you can't grow something out of nothing. In terms of outreach, I think the main purpose is to engage people who already show some degree of interest, by showing/connecting them with people who share their interest, and letting them know there is a community that exists for them to share their enthusiasm. This is especially true for the younger people we see in our outreach programs.
But from a personal standpoint in terms of my observing sessions, they are mostly done on my own.
Outreach as a tool to reach/engage the publc vs. actual critical observing sessions are both very different elements of astronomy as a hobby, IMO.
Well said...
Jon Isaacs
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tedbnh
professor emeritus
Reged: 11/14/07
Loc: New Hampshire
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Re: Getting other people interested
[Re: Faraway]
#5300049 - 07/03/12 12:15 AM
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When people come to you at a dark-site outreach event, they are voting with their feet based on already having some interest (or why would they drive out to the middle of nowhere?) These people will more likely react positively to the sight of a dim galaxy, planetary nebula or supernova remnant.
When you go to the public, on the other hand (as in a sidewalk astronomy event) there is a little self-selection going on (well, they have to decide to stop and look) but very little investment required by the public. So you get a lot more people who look and go "very nice" and move on. Plus, you won't see dim galaxies from a downtown location. Some small percentage will react much more strongly. But I've had many people say to me, "This is the best thing that has happened to me all day!" That is sure a great feeling. But for those who show little interest, they just move along. Maybe someday they will remember the experience or maybe not. You never know, but you keep trying because you know for some people it's a life changing experience. That's what keeps me going back out.
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MikeBOKC
Post Laureate
Reged: 05/10/10
Loc: Oklahoma City, OK
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Re: Getting other people interested
[Re: tedbnh]
#5300714 - 07/03/12 02:11 PM
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I always enjoy outreach events because no matter how many just walk by or stop for a brief peek there are inevitably a few -- perhaps just one or two -- who are clearly mesmerized, especialy when you explain a little of the context ("that remnant of a dying star is called M57 and it is X light years away . . .")
At the Venus transit event we had hundreds and one older man who had driven there from work looked for quite a while through both my H-alpha and white light scopes and said "Well now I can die having seen it!" Sometimes, and you never know when or with whom, that sidewalk encounter is a defining moment for some people.
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amicus sidera
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 10/14/11
Loc: East of the Sun, West of the M...
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Re: Getting other people interested
[Re: Faraway]
#5300820 - 07/03/12 03:25 PM
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I question the basic premise that we, as amateurs, should actively attempt to interest others in astronomy. Unless they are obviously seeking to add it to their activities, it is pointless to "push" astronomy on someone whose interest, though present, does not extend to making it even a small part of their life's repertoire.
Yes, it's wonderfully experiential. Yes, it can open up new vistas. Yes, looking at that little smudge of a galaxy can be mind-expanding. However, just because we find astronomy delightful, one cannot assume that, simply because someone peeks through our telescope or takes a piece of literature, that they are interested enough to pursue the avocation in the slightest.
I've seen too many instances at public functions where amateur astronomy is given the "hard sell" by well-meaning observers, and its effect, if any, is to dissuade interest in the subject. People will leave thinking that amateurs are pushy and single-minded, which certainly isn't good for whatever image we can lay claim to.
The internet has made it a simple matter for anyone who has an affinity for a specific subject to home in on that particular area of interest. While it's good to "fly the flag" for amateur astronomy, with public events and similar outreach, almost anyone who has any real interest will end up joining the amateur community, in one way or another, and regardless of our efforts.
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skyguy88
super member
Reged: 11/13/06
Loc: Prescott, AZ
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Re: Getting other people interested
[Re: Faraway]
#5301629 - 07/04/12 01:06 AM
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Hello,
From what I read here, astronomy is a social hobby for many of you -- you enjoy inviting others to view what you've snared in the eyepiece. You want to share something that you find exciting with others. I'm of the same mind.
But how do you make astronomy interesting to someone who doesn't see the rave about the little white cloud you're calling a galaxy? I think people are more interested when you give them a context -- some star lore, Hubble photos, fun facts or a 3D tour with Digital Universe or Space Engine. It makes the unimpressive views (compared to NASAs HD photos) more relevant, methinks. Oh, and giving away star charts and planispheres definitely helps. Nobody says "no" to free star charts and planispheres.
What is your method?
---
I've been using (nearly) live video observing for public programs for the last 6 years....probably about 130 events. With the video system I can display a wide range of objects in color, pointing out important features and leading extensive discussion with each object.
Seeing a galaxy in substantial detail with an embedded supernova nearly as bright as the whole galaxy gets peoples attention.
Seeing a planetary nebula in detail with its green oxygen envelope leads to discussion of star formation and destruction, element formation, etc.
Emission nebula with their brilliant red hydrogen shrouds, a full screen view of the moon or a globular cluster, all with extensive discussion really engage visitors. Even the brightly colored alignment stars present a teaching opportunity.
A home made 2 foot galaxy model helps to introduce the scale of the universe and establish our location in the MW.
A handout with comments on some of the seasonal highlights improves the chance that visitors will look further.
I know that visitors are seriously engaged when we're observing together. I guess that I'll never know how much long term impact I've had, but I give it my best shot.
Bill
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David Pavlich
Transmographied
Reged: 05/18/05
Loc: Mandeville, LA USA
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Re: Getting other people interested
[Re: tezster]
#5302170 - 07/04/12 12:35 PM
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My experience has been that you don't "get" people interested who otherwise aren't - you can't grow something out of nothing. In terms of outreach, I think the main purpose is to engage people who already show some degree of interest, by showing/connecting them with people who share their interest, and letting them know there is a community that exists for them to share their enthusiasm. This is especially true for the younger people we see in our outreach programs.
But from a personal standpoint in terms of my observing sessions, they are mostly done on my own.
Outreach as a tool to reach/engage the public vs. actual critical observing sessions are both very different elements of astronomy as a hobby, IMO.
[edited: typo]
That about covers it! If someone isn't naturally curious about the sky and its inhabitants, then they'll look through the scope at the Moon or Saturn or Jupiter or M45 or the ET Cluster (all good outreach objects) and go wow or WOW when they see Saturn for the first time.  Once in a while, a youngster will ask his or her parent(s) if they can get a telescope after viewing several objects at an outreach event. But it's not often.
Our club is happy to do this and explain what it is they're seeing and why we do what we do, but I've never seen or heard any member try to hard sell the hobby. Either you're curious to the point of joining the sleep deprived or you're not.
David
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