87 replies to this topic

[ccate]

What you get out of it will correlate with what you put into it, to a degree at least... or perhaps just a second.

and...

Expectations are a greater factor than equipment.

[Inkie]

Learning

Perseverance

Character

Initiative

Drive

Instruction (giving and receiving)

Research

Community

Forbearance

Patience

Self-reliance

Creativity

Problem-solving

Comparative analysis

Critical thinking

A new appreciation for basic arithmetic, and possibly more advanced forms of mathematics, and

How to sell items you no longer need or wish to keep

[Takuan]

It is very human to wonder how much I need to make a profit...
🙂

Talking about visual astronomy. When I'm stressed, I observe with stress and I don't enjoy it. When I'm sleepy or tired I don't enjoy it. So it's not how much I observe, but how I am at the time of observing. It is much better to start relaxed and rested. It's obvious, isn't it?

Speaking of the hobby in general, I think that, like everything in life, you have to find the middle point. Otherwise, we will get economic difficulties, problems in family relationships and various frustrations.

In short, let's not look for benefits and they will come. Keep calm and you'll enjoy more.

[preprius]

Before I bought my telescopes. I went to local astromony meeting.  Walked around and asked them why do they do this hobby. Some said it is like cars.  You like the lines and style of the cars. Some people collect the cars and fix them up. Others say it is relaxing.  Others say it inspires them thinking in different ways.  It does take you away from daily worries.

 

After a few months I decided to try it. I purchased my cpc1100.  

As I dove in a little bit.  I noticed that there is no real deliverable. That is when you view with your eyes there is nothing to make, or share.  It is just your experience using you eyes. 

But putting together cases tools equipment list. Is part of the hobby.  so there is stuff to make or get and plan. 

Some people like to make logs of what they viewed. This gives a small token of accomplishment.  And some like to take on the complexity of making pictures. 

 

But when I see an object in space it just feels cool and gets me thinking.  

I am a newbe for sure. only since work from home did I start questioning what I am seeing. 

I did not know we have mapped globular cluster in the near galaxies.   There is G numbers in each of Galaxies. 

 

 

Now it has been cloudy for days, so I watched youtube and learned that globular clusters are very unique and orbit in not in the plane of their galaxy's rotation.  Kinda like electrons around the atom. 

 

I have been listening to books from astronauts, and books about living on mars.  

 

How has it helped Me.  

That long list that Inkie posted.  Except the last one.  I have not tried that yet.  

 

Me.

Mark Eason

[Jehujones]

 

how much astronomy will benefit my life ?

A little astronomy will give you a little benefit, a lot of astronomy will give you a lot of benefit.

However, I have noticed in my life that the beneficial efficiency is somewhat linear and that now it only takes a little astronomy to give me a large benefit.

(but your path may vary)

 

[star acres]

We don't hold the answer. You do. It's not how much you spend, it's how well you feed the need. Bring on the demons.

[bumm]

Like many others, my life has been far from serene.  Stepping out under a night sky lets me escape into the distant past and the enormity of the universe.  It stretches my mind and makes my humdrum, nagging, problems seem insignificant.  Astronomy added a lot to my life, and probably saved it a few times.

                                                                                                                                             Marty

[Mossonarock]

As with anything one does for self-enrichment, only you can decide how much value the activity has for you.

Does that little voice inside you that tells you to look at the sky through a telescope scream or whisper "Look through a telescope! See what lies out there!"?

How much passion do you feel for this?

Only you can answer that question.

Edited by Mossonarock, 15 May 2023 - 01:59 PM.

[Speedy1985]

I have a feeling that the OP's "liftoff" post count moniker might have been modified to "didn't clear the tower" based on his post last week. 

[TheChosen]

A washing machine benefits your life.

 

Astronomy has the potential to completely change the meaning of your life.

 

How many people have seen an entire galaxy with their own eyes? How many have realized the immensity and meaning of that achievement?

[xiando]

hope yall help

Well, I'm not exactly sure what you mean. Do you mean the personal pursuit of astronomy, or the field of astronomy?

 

In my opinion, for the former, and based on a presumption that most modern amateur astronomy requires equipment, rather than a pair of eyes, it depends on your budget, and your personal freedom to spend time late into the evenings.

 

For the latter...well that's a bit more complicated. Some portions of it are of somewhat obvious benefit (ex: asteroid monitoring/tracking, Solar monitoring), some are esoteric "Is there life outside planet earth" or "how did the universe form", and some are simply taxpayer funded intellectual masturbation for the likes of 60s gen Michiu Kaku,  Neil Tyson, and other members of the cult of personalities who know everything about everything... because they are TheScience.

Edited by xiando, 15 May 2023 - 06:16 PM.

[John Fitzgerald]

The op username is not clickable.  Suspended, or banned already, it appears.

[Alex Swartzinski]

The op username is not clickable.  Suspended, or banned already, it appears.

Whatever happened to them aside, this turned out to be an interesting thread! 

 

It made me take a step back to think about what astronomy means to be. 

[Thomas Marshall]

It can be a Lifelong quest for your personal "Holy Grail", and it could be in any of the  88 constellations including  "Crater". People post amazing images, and a great amount of expertise and helpful  info, but the personal hidden insights and jewels they store up in their own hearts/minds/souls, can't pass the censorship of "Scientific Method", and they keep to themselves. It's worth diving in, and seeking for yourself. "With an Eyes of a Child" light filter in your kit, you may be able to filter "out" the concept that everything out there is a thing of the past, - years/100's/thousands/ or millions of years or light years in the past, instead of here and now, - and increase  your chances of finding the needed thing. Where do you find one of these "Eyes of a Child Light Filters"? - I don't know. I had one, but lost it. Don't know how either happened, 

[xiando]

It was such a vague, open-ended question, and yet with one exception, everyone  has presumed the OP was asking whether they should pursue the hobby. That in itself is an interesting psychological commentary

[Speedy1985]

The op username is not clickable.  Suspended, or banned already, it appears.

If you caught his post last week, I'm thinking the latter.

[Thomas Marshall]

It was such a vague, open-ended question, and yet with one exception, everyone  has presumed the OP was asking whether they should pursue the hobby. That in itself is an interesting psychological commentary

I think most of us thought the original post meant How much WILL astronomy benefit my life, - Not "How much Astronomy,  will benefit my life". 

[xiando]

I think most of us thought the original post meant How much WILL astronomy benefit my life, - Not "How much Astronomy,  will benefit my life". 

I suppose. idk. I had nothing to qualify it. Based on the words alone, it could mean almost anything (figuratively), so to me, it required a multi-part answer to cover the bases.

[BobSoltys]

Astronomy is a personal thing. To me it is stress relief. To me it is a brain puzzle to keep up my mental acuity. To me it is getting outside which has been shown to keep you healthy. From an economic standpoint, spending money with small businesses help others.

For the above reasons, and those many others expressed above.

 

The sky and its wonders are always there, and there many different ways to enjoy it on clear nights ... naked eye, binoculars, telescopes.  

[Sketcher]

For a person who's driven to ask how much a hobby of astronomy is likely to benefit their life, I'm inclined to respond:  Likely not at all -- for a person with that mindset.

 

I (and most others here?) engage in this hobby because it's one of those things that we enjoy doing.  Being able to do something we enjoy doing is benefit enough.

 

If one must look for other benefits in order to start or continue one's pursuit of astronomy then one is likely better off looking for a different hobby.  Astronomy isn't a hobby that's suitable for, or that "fits" everyone.

 

The interest is either there or it isn't.  If it's there, go for it!  If it isn't, drop it.  Life is too short to waste on a hobby you don't enjoy participating in.

[TabLighter]

I first got into astronomy as a teenager and it really helped with my orientation towards physics and science in general. It also helped me to become a calm person showing a generic interest in understanding the world around me.

[Chucky]

Any and all hobbies will benefit your life if it helps you forget about the problems of the world.  

[Pollux780]

Think it'll add more challenges to life. Financially and mentally. 

 

I think of equipment as stats for a game. All with their own unique boons and bane. Except, there isn't really a HUD Screen to display the differences, just have to research it. God speed. 

[rcooley]

Ask not what astronomy can do for you, ask what you can do for astronomy.

[Irregulus]

For 50+ years astronomy has provided me with awe, humility and beautiful mental images as I fall to sleep most nights. I sometimes feel sorry for those who haven't been so fortunate to see the wonders and beauty of the universe. I believe that what it gives you on a personal level depends alot on who you are.