52 replies to this topic

[Stefan K]

Hi all,

although I already mentioned about my latest "work" in AstroWebsite section, I think that this section is better place about this subject...

So, last year I added new feature to my web page - "Meet the ... amateur astronomers". My idea was to introduce several enthusiasts around the world - amateur astronomers with interest in comet and asteroid search to the readers of my web.

Although I am not a qualified writer nor experienced one,
I feel that the recent interview with Rob D. Matson is good article, and I wonder what is your opinion about it?

You can find them here:
http://skaw.sk/enmatsonpage.htm
http://skaw.sk/enkrachtpage.htm
http://skaw.sk/ensarnepage.htm
http://skaw.sk/enlangpage.htm


Your comments are highly appreciated.


Stefan

[Stefan K]

No opinion at all ... It seems I was wrong pressuming
I made an interesting interview with reknown amateur astronomers or is it just too long for reading and no time for comments?

[rmollise]

No opinion at all ... It seems I was wrong pressuming
I made an interesting interview with reknown amateur astronomers or is it just too long for reading and no time for comments?

More like...most people are not going to click on an unknown website from someone they don't know to read something about "reknown" astronomers. More details might garner more interest.

[Stefan K]

Thanks Rod for your comment. I agree "reknown" is probably too strong expression.

I thought people in US interested in meteorites or comets(SOHO, SWAN) should known Rob ...

Here is my introduction of Rob Matson:

He lives near the coast of the Pacific Ocean, but prefers long walks across up-country. Since he watched a solar eclipse as a child, astronomy became his daily bread. Small solar system objects attracted him, no matter what kind they were. He hunts for them everywhere it is possible. He crosses remote deserts searching for meteorites, checks imagery from multiple spacecraft for sungrazing comets, searches for dangerous asteroids in archival images, and tracks artificial satellites. Jack of many astronomy trades and master of all, Rob D. Matson.

[7331Peg]

I've skimmed through all four interviews quickly. Meteorites don't really capture my attention, but there is some very interesting material here. I'll go through each interview more carefully as I get time.

Anyway, folks, take a look - well worth some time.


John

[LB16europe]

I've skimmed through all four interviews quickly. Meteorites don't really capture my attention, but there is some very interesting material here. I'll go through each interview more carefully as I get time.

Anyway, folks, take a look - well worth some time.


John

Certainly. I find those interviews with amateur astronomers very interesting.

[Stefan K]

Hi all,

to evoke your interest, here is the introduction of another one amateur astronomer I interwieved:

He started to learn about the secrets of the universe along with learning the alphabet, and astronomy became his lifelong hobby, but not his profession. He devoted many years to meteor astronomy, nowadays he prefers flyovers of artificial satellites. He observes, records and analyzes with the same precision artifacts from the Stone Age as well as the movement of spacecraft around the Earth. Patient, persevering and keen observer, scientist with heart and soul. Marco Langbroek.

www.skaw.sk/enlangpage.htm

Enjoy reading!

[Stefan K]

I decided to add here last 2 introductions paragraph I have not mentioned until now.

SOHO comets hunter
Celestial wonders captured his attention in his childhood and he dreamed of being professional astronomer. When he had realized that earning his living with science would be very hard, he prefered teacher´s career. He had built his own telescope as a pupil, but as late as the age of internet, he could fulfill his dream to catch a comet. He searched for a bright comet on evening sky as a small boy, but he failed. Then 44 years has passed until he found his first one. And soon he added more, one by one. Rainer Kracht, hunter of SOHO comets.

http://www.skaw.sk/enkrachtpage.htm

Asteroid hunter from Piszkésteto
After sunset he aims his telescope towards stars, during daytime he supports other enthusiasts with same passion as his own. His original profession is geography teacher, but since his graduation he works only as an astronomer. He belongs to those few fortunate people who are able to earn their living with their hobby. It is said that jazz musicians and burglars operate best at night. This is partly true about astronomers too. But not generally, some of them are best at night, some during day. When we speak about Krisztián Sárneczky, it is true for both: night and day.

http://www.skaw.sk/ensarnepage.htm

[Stefan K]

If you have read my interviews I wonder whether you can rate them? I mean which one was the best(and why)?

Thank you very much for your ratings in advance!

[Stefan K]

Finally I finished my next interview - with the discoverer of Great Christmas Comet 2011.

He likely inherited fascination for comets from his grandmother, who spotted Halley´s comet in two returns. No wonder he dreamed about discovering his own one. And it happened. Sungrazing comets brought him broad recognition even twice. Before all else when he was the first amateur to discover new Sungrazing comets in images from a spacecraft in 1999. Recently he added the ground-based discovery of another Kreutz comet, C/2011 W3. Comet Guy from Down Under ...

So let me introduce you - Terry Lovejoy - Enjoy!!!

http://www.skaw.sk/enlovejoy.htm

Stefan

[Tom Polakis]

Good interview, Stefan.

[Stefan K]

Tom, thanks a lot for you kind words!

I interviewed last year another big name - Lubos Kohoutek, but at this time it is only in Czech/Slovak version, so I have to translate it.

Comet Kohoutek was up to date almost 30 years ago, nevertheless I think it is still interesting reading. I tried to write something like an "Astro-CV" to cover all astronomy related activities of Mr. Kohoutek ...

I will let you know when I translate it.

Cheers,

Stefan

[PhilCo126]

Contact me PM for some examples

[Stefan K]

As I mentioned here more than 3 months ago I interviewed the discoverer of famous comet 1973f ... and at last I finished its english version.

Do you remember comet Kohoutek 1973f ? I bet that older readers for sure and younger ones at least heard about it. I tried to cover all part of Lubos Kohoutek astronomy work. And it was not only about his famous comet. If you are interested in it, read it here:

http://www.skaw.sk/enkohoutek.htm

Actually he is not amateur, although I hope you will enjoy reading it!

[PhilCo126]

Amateur astronomers in the " Low countries " = Belgium & the Netherlands in western Europe. Some are cN forum members:
http://www.dekoepel....rrenwachten.pdf

best regards,
RefractorPhill

[Stefan K]

Thanks Phill for the link! What a pity a cannot speak dutch ...

[jrbarnett]

I can think of at least *one* amateur astronomer who would be more INTERESTING to interview...

- Jim

()

[Stefan K]

And who is it?

[Stefan K]

After a long time have I finished my next interview - this time with an IASC astronomer and comet discoverer - Tomas Vorobjov from Slovakia. Read his story of passion for astronomy.


So let me introduce you - Tomas Vorobjov!

Enjoy!!!

http://www.skaw.sk/i...as-vorobjov.htm


Stefan

[BobinKy]

Stefan...

I enjoyed the "Meet the . . . " section of your website. Please keep adding more interviews as time and opportunities permit. Is it possible to add audio files or video clips to these archives. Maybe some day, as the interviews increase in number, you can start a separate website just for the interviews.

Thank you for sharing this exciting media with us.

[Stefan K]

Thanks Bob for your opinion. I appreciate it!

In Slovak version of my web there are another 3 interviews with asstronomers from Czech Republic - I am going to prepare their English versions asap and of course I work on new ones too ... I wiil let you know about it.

Stefan

[Stefan K]

Hi to all,

after a long pause I continue my astro-interview series, this time with Pan-STARRS astronomer:

The only book on astronomy at home had caught his attention for good. His intense interest led him to become an astronomer. He switched his home observatory in Modra for Hawaiian Islands, where he searches for dangerous asteroids atop of an extinct volcano. Slovak astronomer, discoverer of several comets, Peter Veres.



You can read it here:
http://www.skaw.sk/i...peter-veres.htm

Enjoy!

Comments are always welcome!

Stefan

[PhilCo126]

Always a great BBC documentary series = Time Shift series:

Starmen ( 3 parts ): http://www.youtube.c...h?v=DKgsB55WdCo

[Stefan K]

Why do you love astronomy? Because it is there!

 

That answered talented Chinese astronomer to the question. More about his passion for astronomy tells the discoverer of the "green" comet Lulin in an interview:

 

http://www.skaw.sk/i...-quanzhi-ye.htm

 

 

I hope you will enjoy it

 

and PF 2015 to all of you! 

 

 

 

Stefan 

[Stefan K]

I wonder what do you say about Quanzhi Ye  - supposed you already read the interview ...

 

If not, here is a short intro: 

 

"He decided to become an astronomer as a young child. The vision of a bright comet fascinated him, but 5 years passed until he realized what he had really seen. Professionals noticed his talent after developing a weather forecast model and offered him cooperation. He paid back their trust by a new discovery soon. He has consistently been following his childhood dream for 20 years, still waiting for his doctorate degree, in fact he has already acted as a professional for many years. The discoverer of Comet Lulin ... "

 

Stefan