Jon's sentiments echo mine. One way a person might put it is 'memories'. I recall so many great times under the stars, whether it was alone, or enjoying the fellowship of friends. Being a perpetual planetary observer, it's the memories of those special nights when the seeing is great, and the incredible wealth of detail it affords. Those images, along with shared laughter and learning is what draws me back every time after interest seems to have waned.
What kills the hobby of astronomy and what keeps it going?
#26
Posted 09 December 2014 - 01:30 PM
#27
Posted 09 December 2014 - 02:59 PM
What makes it difficult for me is work, weather/cold, back issues and getting larger scopes and mounts out the door and down the patio steps. What keeps it going is binoculars and small grab and go scopes, especially for the moon and planets. Solar viewing is fun also. Just to get out and simply look up is enjoyable and peaceful for me.
Mary
#28
Posted 09 December 2014 - 03:11 PM
Having to load up a scope and drive at least 10 minutes or even an hour to the dark site.....doesn't much matter...except for the driving time. Some of us just aren't lucky enough to be able to view from our yards. So there really isn't much grabngo, except the go part...and if I'm gonna go, may just as well stay awhile.
#29
Posted 09 December 2014 - 05:46 PM
Since a solar eclipse in the early '80s, to my Mom getting a telescope in the mid '90s, to me purchasing my first telescope three months ago, I have kept looking up. I love the stars. I love looking at the moon. I wonder if we are truly alone in the universe or is someone/thing out there looking up at their sky and wondering the same thing. I could not go out, even on cloudy nights, and not look up and wonder at the universe.
#30
Posted 09 December 2014 - 07:59 PM
I can think of my first views in the mid 1950's. I remember seeing Saturn in a 3.5" Skyscope my brother older brother had at Anderson Island in the Puget Sound. It just was so magnificent. Then I remember seeing Sputnik crossing the sky. Anyhow, it just is part of your soul I think. When I was a teenager I used that scope from my backyard in Tacoma and could see the Milky Way easily. I saw all or near all of the Messier's with it. I studied Jupiter and Saturn.
In my 20's I had more freedom and was able to get larger scope (first a 6" and then an 8" Dynascope). I tracked Pluto's path with the 8" across the sky for several weeks and my brother confirmed. I loved to hunt galaxies and eventually got a 12.5" Newtonian and then a 14" Celestron. Each scope grew on me. But the lure of the night sky was very calming and welcoming. There was a subtle calling to be there an to observe all those things most people miss, unfortunately for them. In times of trial it was always a peaceful and calming way to get set back on the right path. The subtle night sky has so much to say and see if one only looks.
I still hope to have an observatory one day. I have hung onto my Celestron and have a few other scope also. As they say 'just lookiing up' can be great even if the neck hurts and you have balance issues. I took a respit for nearly 30 years as I raised my family with my wife and worked till wee hours of the morning...I still would go out when I could.
I don't think those who have this tied up with their sould can ever retreat.
Charlie
#31
Posted 09 December 2014 - 08:27 PM
I think at one time or another we each reach a place where we stay with the hobby or leave it.
So why it that, I think the big one is lack of time, followed by bad weather or not knowing the sky as well as we wish we did or even not having the dream scope we think would keep are interest.
Astronomy is not a job, but a hobby. Lack of time, bad weather, or schedules should not cause us to leave the hobby. Just wait all this out and there will be a time when everything comes together for a good night out.
It shocks me when I add the cost of my equipment in comparison to how often it's used and see where the nervousness begins in the slippery slope away from such a wonderful pleasure of enjoying the night sky alone or with friends.
The equipment is paid for. Even when I can't get out to view, I enjoy looking at my telescope and eyepieces and other equipment. I have the presence of my best friends being with me whether inside my home, or when out viewing.
So have you felt the same and how have you kept your love going over the years for the great hobby of astronomy?
​I have never considered leaving the hobby. At age two, my grandmother living in Minnewaukan, N. Dak., pointed me up to the stars and I have never quit looking up. That was 69 years ago.
#32
Posted 09 December 2014 - 09:31 PM
A contemptuous spouse can do wonders for keeping the scopes in their boxes, (or having stuff delivered to your buddy's house), a supportive spouse can do wonders for nights spent outside.....
A months-long stretch of poor weather can dim the fires, too, but at least I walk the dog every night about 10 PM, and that gives me 10 minutes of eyeball observing every night I can see the stars.... It's sad, though, to see a quarter-sky meteorite and know there's not even any point in mentioning it.....
#33
Posted 09 December 2014 - 09:48 PM
What keeps it going: For me it's doing it--the wonder of each time out, and, like many have suggested, binoculars in my chair on the deck when I am too tired for a scope.
What tends to kill it: Bad weather that keeps getting worse, at least around here.
Do not yield; stand your ground!
Dark skies
Jack
#34
Posted 10 December 2014 - 09:30 AM
What kills the hobby?
Not starting out right; among other things, focusing on equipment and not the firmament, and believing it possible to buy one's way into it (you can't).
What keeps it going?
Those same feelings of awe and discovery, admixed with the joy they bring and tempered somewhat by time, familiarity and increased knowledge, that starting out right produces.
Edited by amicus sidera, 10 December 2014 - 11:43 AM.
#35
Posted 10 December 2014 - 11:00 AM
My Dad took me the Griffith Park Observatory and got hooked when I was in the planetarium show and then made my first telescope in 1968, I only used it in backyard.
In 1995 I lived in Maui and bought a Celestron 11" GPS and took it to Haleakala twice a week, but what happen after a year of seeing the night sky I felt I saw everything and sold it off.
This year my interest came back again hoping it sticks with the newer technology and having more time, at least my love for it is still there
#36
Posted 10 December 2014 - 11:12 AM
Oh yeah! binocs!!! The past couple weeks have been so monotonously overcast that I forgot all about what actually works for keeping me in it.
Even in the winter, if it's "mostly cloudy" or better, I like to take out binocs and star hop. Sometimes I do the same hop all season (perseus/taurus/auriga is a real favorite area for me), or sometimes i try to learn a new spot of the sky (i've been trying to learn the northern sky lately). A quick hop in binocs may only take a couple minutes, doesn't suffer much from atmospheric garbage (so long as it's not 100% overcast), and keeps me aware of the various phases of everything and also helps me memorize star charts which is real helpful when it's actually nice enough to sit down with the telescope.
Another thing that keeps me in it is the ISS lottery. About once a week I check NASA's website, and about once every third week there will be a high pass at a good hour without clouds, and that's always exciting just to stare at with my eyes.
#37
Posted 10 December 2014 - 11:16 AM
What kills the hobby?
Not starting out right; among other things, focusing on equipment and not the firmament, and believing it possible to buy one's way into it (you can't).
Boy, if that aint the truth nothing is!
Incidentally, the latter half of that sentence is true of just about every hobby I'm familiar with these days.
BrooksObs
Edited by BrooksObs, 10 December 2014 - 11:18 AM.
#38
Posted 10 December 2014 - 05:03 PM
What is apparent for me right now, after owning a telescope for two weeks is that I am thrilled when the clouds dissipate and I can set up the scope. I also love sharing it with my kids. I have my fifth kid on the way and I've given up regular golf and fishing because with work I just don't have enough time. I'm hoping to replace those hobbies with this one because I can do it at home and include the kids. Time will tell how long it lasts.
#39
Posted 10 December 2014 - 05:38 PM
My initial enthusiasm faded as the result of moving from dark, rural skies to the bright lights of a big city. Relocating to Tucson rekindled the interest. The stars were there over Phoenix, all the while, calling me back. I just couldn't hear them clearly. The skies over Tucson are a bit quieter.
#40
Posted 10 December 2014 - 11:03 PM
The Seattle area weather and light pollution are big factors in the lack of interest in astronomy here. When I was a kid here in the 50's, you could still see a LOT of stars and the Milky Way in the night sky. I went to all goto mounts because star hopping is hard to do if you can't see many stars. I have a severely bad back that is finally getting better. I was able to carry my scopes and mounts outside to set them up. Now my knee's are giving me a fit, Osteoarthritis. But if the weather every clears up again, I WILL get a scope out to see what I can see! There is so many other things people can do for enjoyment that astronomy doesn't even enter into their mind as a hobby. Growing up in the 50's and 60's I was always space happy! I repaired Satellite Communications equipment in the Army! I also sat for a week in the pine woods of NC with a portable satellite communications rig as a seconddary back up communications link for the Apollo 12 mission. Astronomy takes some learning, practice, and dedication. Many people just don't want to spend the effort anymove.
#41
Posted 11 December 2014 - 12:51 AM
I haven't been out since the star party in September. I was pretty frustrated then. I had problems with just about everything I brought, except my dew heater. It was all my own fault for not doing some dry runs, so I learned from that. But I felt like such an idiot out there, and I'm not much smarter now.
I'm not giving up, I just need some clear skies to do a setup and get my mojo back. But this is the first Christmas in quite a while that there is no astro gear on my wish list.
#42
Posted 11 December 2014 - 08:51 AM
I am so fascinated by hearing your stories and experiences with amateur astronomy. So much wisdom in the words I read in this post. I am trying to determine what kind of skywatcher I am. The one with rapid obsession but early burnout or the one who undertakes looking up in a more stepwise and long term approach. I tend to think the latter, mainly because if I look back over my 37 yrs, there has always been a curiosity for knowing and viewing the sky. All spurned from my dad's enthusiasm about the night sky.
What is apparent for me right now, after owning a telescope for two weeks is that I am thrilled when the clouds dissipate and I can set up the scope. I also love sharing it with my kids. I have my fifth kid on the way and I've given up regular golf and fishing because with work I just don't have enough time. I'm hoping to replace those hobbies with this one because I can do it at home and include the kids. Time will tell how long it lasts.
I think you are on the right track.. trying to determine what kind of skywatcher you are.. But it is a deeper discovery than finding out whether or not you are in this thing for the long haul, that will take care of itself.. At this point you are in an enviable position, you are at the start of a wonderful journey with many possible paths. You have a nice scope, it's capable of providing you with satisfying views of most any class of object out there, whether it's the planets, double stars, galaxies, clusters, nebulae..
Reading the many post on Cloudy Nights, it's clear to me that there are as many ways to enjoy amateur astronomy as there are amateur astronomers.. And what is clear to me is that amateur astronomers who have stuck with it for the long haul, have a clear understanding of what they enjoy doing, they know what they like to do, and how they like to do it and beyond that, the equipment that is best suited for doing it. Myself, enjoy navigating the night sky, I enjoy just about every type of object but I tend towards the deep sky. Discovering what it is you enjoy, what type of skywatcher you are this is an important step in one's maturing as an amateur astronomer. You maybe a starhopper who loves hunting down barely visible objects or a planetary specialist who enjoys sitting at the eyepiece and observing every possible detail, maybe you'll find out building telescopes is your passion or it could be astrophotography..
So, my advice:
Just go with your intuition... Follow your heart and spirit.. find your own way, discover yourself and what it is you enjoy doing.. Don't over analyze, over think.. It's supposed to fun... There is no right way..finding your way is most important.. Just enjoy experiencing the night sky with a telescope, let your curiosity guide you... Curiosity and patience..
Jon
#43
Posted 11 December 2014 - 09:03 AM
I would combine Jon's and Amicus's statements. There is no "right" way but there are some wrong ways. Don't think that because you plunk down a lot of money that it will be easy. Don't think that equipment is the goal. At the same time, you don't have to justify what you're doing to anyone else (except maybe the SO).
Basically, what I do when I take on a new goal is to be patient and try (not always successfully) to not get frustrated. If I get out and things aren't going well, I fall back to something I know I can do and enjoy that, trying to find something positive in every outing. At the start, that may be as simple as backing away from the scope and lying on your back picking out constellations and asterisms. Now, it usually means I turn off all the electronics and simply hop around to objects I can find by memory. If you're more advanced, make sure your observing list has some 'easy" showpieces that will bring you some joy. Also, be sure to put some objects on the list that are serious challenges. I generally feel like I've not been ambitious enough if I didn't fail to locate at least one object in a night.
Mostly, understand that there will be frustrating moments when you can't find what you're looking for or see as much detail as you like or the gear goes on the fritz or clouds roll in. This hobby, more than most I've seen or participated in, is a long march. Two weeks is a mere blip on a speck on a hair of the universe. Take deep breaths and keep moving. Every night will not be a winner.
#44
Posted 11 December 2014 - 09:35 AM
I would combine Jon's and Amicus's statements. There is no "right" way but there are some wrong ways. Don't think that because you plunk down a lot of money that it will be easy. Don't think that equipment is the goal. At the same time, you don't have to justify what you're doing to anyone else (except maybe the SO).
Basically, what I do when I take on a new goal is to be patient and try (not always successfully) to not get frustrated. If I get out and things aren't going well, I fall back to something I know I can do and enjoy that, trying to find something positive in every outing. At the start, that may be as simple as backing away from the scope and lying on your back picking out constellations and asterisms. Now, it usually means I turn off all the electronics and simply hop around to objects I can find by memory. If you're more advanced, make sure your observing list has some 'easy" showpieces that will bring you some joy. Also, be sure to put some objects on the list that are serious challenges. I generally feel like I've not been ambitious enough if I didn't fail to locate at least one object in a night.
Mostly, understand that there will be frustrating moments when you can't find what you're looking for or see as much detail as you like or the gear goes on the fritz or clouds roll in. This hobby, more than most I've seen or participated in, is a long march. Two weeks is a mere blip on a speck on a hair of the universe. Take deep breaths and keep moving. Every night will not be a winner.
I am so fascinated by hearing your stories and experiences with amateur astronomy. So much wisdom in the words I read in this post. I am trying to determine what kind of skywatcher I am. The one with rapid obsession but early burnout or the one who undertakes looking up in a more stepwise and long term approach. I tend to think the latter, mainly because if I look back over my 37 yrs, there has always been a curiosity for knowing and viewing the sky. All spurned from my dad's enthusiasm about the night sky.
What is apparent for me right now, after owning a telescope for two weeks is that I am thrilled when the clouds dissipate and I can set up the scope. I also love sharing it with my kids. I have my fifth kid on the way and I've given up regular golf and fishing because with work I just don't have enough time. I'm hoping to replace those hobbies with this one because I can do it at home and include the kids. Time will tell how long it lasts.
I think you are on the right track.. trying to determine what kind of skywatcher you are.. But it is a deeper discovery than finding out whether or not you are in this thing for the long haul, that will take care of itself.. At this point you are in an enviable position, you are at the start of a wonderful journey with many possible paths. You have a nice scope, it's capable of providing you with satisfying views of most any class of object out there, whether it's the planets, double stars, galaxies, clusters, nebulae..
Reading the many post on Cloudy Nights, it's clear to me that there are as many ways to enjoy amateur astronomy as there are amateur astronomers.. And what is clear to me is that amateur astronomers who have stuck with it for the long haul, have a clear understanding of what they enjoy doing, they know what they like to do, and how they like to do it and beyond that, the equipment that is best suited for doing it. Myself, enjoy navigating the night sky, I enjoy just about every type of object but I tend towards the deep sky. Discovering what it is you enjoy, what type of skywatcher you are this is an important step in one's maturing as an amateur astronomer. You maybe a starhopper who loves hunting down barely visible objects or a planetary specialist who enjoys sitting at the eyepiece and observing every possible detail, maybe you'll find out building telescopes is your passion or it could be astrophotography..
So, my advice:
Just go with your intuition... Follow your heart and spirit.. find your own way, discover yourself and what it is you enjoy doing.. Don't over analyze, over think.. It's supposed to fun... There is no right way..finding your way is most important.. Just enjoy experiencing the night sky with a telescope, let your curiosity guide you... Curiosity and patience..
Jon
Both of these are great advice and I would like to reinterate that all of this can be accomplished with as little or as much money / time / effort as you want to put in to it ! There will always be peaks and valleys along this travel but in the end it will all be worth it for you and your family. Clear Skies to you ! LW
#45
Posted 11 December 2014 - 11:53 AM
Both of these are great advice and I would like to reinterate that all of this can be accomplished with as little or as much money / time / effort as you want to put in to it ! There will always be peaks and valleys along this travel but in the end it will all be worth it for you and your family. Clear Skies to you ! LW
Jon
#46
Posted 12 December 2014 - 03:14 PM
I'm in a lull now after fairly steady observing the last 16 years. I've mostly been deep sky visual observing. The main reason for the lull is difficulty staying awake past 11pm at dark sky sites. Even with some Red Bull and Dr. Pepper. Then still being tired the following day and even the day after. This has affected home life and job performance, so I don't want to make those worse. Observing from home hasn't worked for me.
I'm 60 now and prediabetic, on the edge of diabetes (the Dr drew a picture of me standing on the edge of a cliff, with my toes hanging over just to make sure I understood). I am now exercising much more and avoiding sugar and caffeine, and have lost 20 pounds this year, but have a ways to go to get to good health. I have about 10 more pounds to lose to get out of the obese category.
Right now astronomy, as least as I was practicing it, just doesn't mix with a healthy lifestyle.
Mike
#47
Posted 12 December 2014 - 03:21 PM
I'm in a lull now after fairly steady observing the last 16 years. I've mostly been deep sky visual observing. The main reason for the lull is difficulty staying awake past 11pm at dark sky sites. Even with some Red Bull and Dr. Pepper. Then still being tired the following day and even the day after. This has affected home life and job performance, so I don't want to make those worse. Observing from home hasn't worked for me.
I'm 60 now and prediabetic, on the edge of diabetes (the Dr drew a picture of me standing on the edge of a cliff, with my toes hanging over just to make sure I understood). I am now exercising much more and avoiding sugar and caffeine, and have lost 20 pounds this year, but have a ways to go to get to good health. I have about 10 more pounds to lose to get out of the obese category.
Right now astronomy, as least as I was practicing it, just doesn't mix with a healthy lifestyle.
Mike
Try taking a nap when you get there....I normally go to sleep and set alarm for midnight.
Dew has usually fallen out of the air and turbulence is quieter after midnight.
Here in the high desert 3 AM is usually prime time for observing.
#48
Posted 12 December 2014 - 06:44 PM
Clouds and cold may put the hobby on hold for weeks or months. Eventually everything comes together for clear skies, mild weather and good seeing and we all are thrilled for a good night of observing after a long wait. I hope to go to Death Valley for a long weekend soon to get my winter astronomy fix. Mild weather day hiking will be an added bonus.
#49
Posted 12 December 2014 - 06:54 PM
Well, it's clouding up now, but it's been an absolutely beautiful day out today, got up to 66*. Cleaned out the big shed, moved a bunch of stuff to the little shed, then took the CG4 mount out to the back patio and North Aligned it, I then marked where the feet go and then took a CD and a can of white spray paint and painted "dots" where the tripod legs go, after that dried, I put on a thick coat of "glow-in-the-dark" coating over the dots. My light polluted back yard ain't much, but i will still be able to get M42 later in the Winter, and Jupiter is there now. Can't do Orion from the yard yet due to street light in that part of sky. Just puttering around the house.....GAWD I LOVE RETIREMENT!
#50
Posted 13 December 2014 - 12:29 AM
So, my advice:
Just go with your intuition... Follow your heart and spirit.. find your own way, discover yourself and what it is you enjoy doing.. Don't over analyze, over think.. It's supposed to fun... There is no right way..finding your way is most important.. Just enjoy experiencing the night sky with a telescope, let your curiosity guide you... Curiosity and patience..
Jon
This is well said Jon. Thank you for your input.
Getting hopeful for a mini star party at my house tomorrow night. My brother is visiting from 3 hours away and bringing his celestron C90 and the weather calls for clear skies.
Cheers to you all, Matt