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Anonymous
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While discussing the fate of amateur participation in planetary observing and their contributing to science with an old friend, we both conclude that except for a hand full of small institutions amateur ground-based data is useless. My argument has always been, or at least for the past 30 years or so, that amateur’s are best at alerting the professionals when they see something unusual or of great interest to them -- that may go undetected otherwise. The list of these activities is well known, so will not mention them here. Most, if not all, of the scientific data for planetary research and discovery is done by orbiting platforms. Such work by us classical ground-based observers has relegated us to the “dying breed” class, even to the “already dead breed class.” 
What bothers me is that some people think that they cannot enjoy our hobby without others participating in it or being in a crowd. To me that is for those who are big into organized astronomy, etc., and to the individual who loves to observe – who cares if he or she is the only one left doing it? I ask, has all the millions that are made in telescope sales and having big star parties reduced light pollution or other irritants people of the night sky face? How will we convince the younger people that astronomy is enjoyable and could benefit their education? Just think that so many of the more well known, professionals in astronomy related sciences have never looked into a telescope to see the real world, er, sky. Just the sheer enjoyment should be enough to interest the younger crowd, but it seems not to be. 
Because amateur data is now useless in some quarters that doesn’t mean we don’t appreciate it and enjoy contributing to someone, even if it just to ourselves.  
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Anonymous
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Don’t get me wrong. Nothing better than to observe with friends. Last November Ron B(ee) dropped in here from San Diego and old Don Parker drove up from Miami to observe and hang out. The sky was clear and seeing “10” so we had a ball and we had a great time enjoying the great sky we have here. It is that organized astronomy seems to be more for socialites and the lonely than for working amateur astronomers. Again, not all organized astronomy is evil in my eyes; it is just too many of such events are not productive. Maybe it’s just when they grow older they tend to get boring to some of us.
For some odd reason I re-read my article, "A Quest for Mars," Sky & Telescope Magazine, Focal Point , Vol. 93, No. 5, May, 1997, and now see that my forte is not in the psychic field and that article opened my eyes to some startling revelations. Not only did I not foresee the improvement in CCD technology, I missed the webcam magic altogether! Oh well, that is why this old engineer retired – make way for younger minds. Now, where did I hide that hip-hop-rap CD my granddaughter sent me 
Edited by spaceydee (08/06/07 06:23 PM)
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Anonymous
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Observe comet Kahutek with a 60mm Tasco was enough to renew my interest in astronomy and telescopes. It began to be fun when joining with the local gang of ATM’ers and making some neat telescopes. Than was many years ago and even though many of the gang are gone now the ones still left still are close and occasionally gather up with our walkers and lean up against a ladder to observe. Such research we used to still goes on and we know it is only for our edification. Who knows, some day someone will be searching through some old logs and find some of our drawings and/or photos and find some exciting new spot on Mars. They will argue about what we saw, or though we saw, and write papers explaining the pros and cons. [line deleted by spaceydee, moderator] Maybe after astronauts return from Mars we’ll know for sure that green men really did not draw those craters. A photo of us waiting for the return of John Carter, a lack of oxygen can effect one’s mental state:
Edited by spaceydee (08/06/07 06:22 PM)
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Ron B[ee]
Tyro
Reged: 04/27/03
Posts: 4719
Loc: CA
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Quote:
Don’t get me wrong. Nothing better than to observe with friends. Last November Ron B(ee) dropped in here from San Diego and old Don Parker drove up from Miami to observe and hang out. The sky was clear and seeing “10” so we had a ball and we had a great time enjoying the great sky we have here. It is that organized astronomy seems to be more for socialites and the lonely than for working amateur astronomers. Again, not all organized astronomy is evil in my eyes; it is just too many of such events are not productive. Maybe it’s just when they grow older they tend to get boring to some of us.
'Tis was great to have the grand opportunity to see you again and met Don Parker  . I learned a lot that night, esp. the fine jokes Don was sharing  . Wishing I had all night to spend.
Though work has kept me away for quite a while now , this is Mars year again  and somehow I'll manage to spend a lot of time this year with it (have been waiting since last week for a clear morning sky ).
Hope to hear a lot from you in the CN forums on Mars.
Ron B[ee]
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5-inch Tele Vue NP127 APO 
4-inch Tele Vue TV-102 APO 
8-inch f/6 Discovery PDHQ Dob 
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gazerjim
Postmaster
Reged: 02/12/04
Posts: 8166
Loc: n-dimensional space
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Great article, JDB.
Planetary imaging is, for me, a hobby; no more and no less. I enjoy the challenge of producing what appear to be the best possible planetary images using whatever equipment I can afford. If I can add a smidgen to science or the art of imaging so much the better. If my humble pics inspire another person to step up to the eyepiece or pop in a camera and try their hand, that's great as well.
It's a big sky. There's plenty of room up there for everyone. 
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Jim Fisher
"How wonderful that we have met with a paradox. Now we have some hope of making progress."
Niels Bohr
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Anonymous
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Well Jim, my words are not pointed so much to the image takers but to the simple visual observers that have stopped sending reports in by 99%, if you haven't noticed. [edited by spaceydee, article discussion moderator]
Edited by spaceydee (08/09/07 11:39 AM)
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Scott99
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 05/10/07
Posts: 787
Loc: New England
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It may seem like amateurs can't add much value on Mars these days. But just wait....who wants to be the first guy to see a volcano eruption on Mars? Or an asteroid strike? Never stop viewing people! Who knows what surprises are lurking.
-Scott
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8x22 Steiner Safari binos
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