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To: RadioAstronomer

Do astronomers ever sit back and simply be amazed at what they're looking at? Most of the time, I imagine, you're too busy with the nuts and bolts to really take in the effect these images have on layman like me.

Anyway, I'm hoping to get into a little backyard astronomy in a few years. My daughter is five but is already interested in looking through a telescope at the moon, etc.

Merry Christmas.


16 posted on 12/24/2004 6:36:03 PM PST by mikegi
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To: mikegi
Do astronomers ever sit back and simply be amazed at what they're looking at?

Yes, all the time. It's just hard to publish a scientific paper consisting entirely of "Wow!"

17 posted on 12/24/2004 6:39:03 PM PST by Slings and Arrows (Am Yisrael Chai!)
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To: mikegi
Do astronomers ever sit back and simply be amazed at what they're looking at?

I sure do! I still feel that same awe and wonderment as the first time I saw Saturn's rings thru my own backyard scope so many years ago when I was in grade school. (in the 60's. :-))

Anyway, I'm hoping to get into a little backyard astronomy in a few years. My daughter is five but is already interested in looking through a telescope at the moon, etc.

Way cool! When it is time to buy her a first scope, there are lots of folks here who can help. :-)

21 posted on 12/24/2004 6:42:02 PM PST by RadioAstronomer
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To: mikegi
A really wonderful book about the spiritual side of astronomy you might enjoy is The Hand Of God, by Michael Regan. Very inspiring.

My years of amateur astronomy seem mostly over now with the move from Taos, NM to the gloomy skies of the Pacific Northwest. Thought I might be able to get back into it, but I just can't get enthused here: want to buy a couple really nice amateur scopes?

37 posted on 12/24/2004 7:02:12 PM PST by dagogo redux (I never met a Dem yet who didn't understand a slap in the face, or a slug from a 45)
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