(Bernie) wrote:

However I cannot fail from reaching the conclusion that from the 60's
the role of the amateur astronomer has become a more and more minor
role. With the event of NEAT and LINEAR, the liklihood of amateur
discovering future comets has been severely reduced.

What aspects of astronomy do you consider to be still open, whereby an
amateur astronomer may still take part in serious astronomical
research?

Haven't you got this all arse about face?

Flamsteed was about the first professional astronomer - and he was
paid a totally inadequate amount, given the job description of an
Astronomer Royal. Until then the only way to pay for astronomy was to
use the money from the day job or be immensely rich. Kepler was paid
by Tycho from Tycho's private funds - but that stopped when Tycho
died, and he sustained himself with astrology.

Rather than lament the decline of the amateur should'nt we celebrate
the rise of the professional?

Cheers

Martin

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Martin Frey
N 51 02 E 0 47
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