Why amateur astronomy is a dying hobby

So it's sidewalk astronomy day. Meanwhile, the RASC, one of the
largest astronomy organizations in the World has absolutely nothing
planned for this, as far as I can see from their website.

http://www.rasc.ca/society/index.shtml

Organizationally, amateur astronomy is a fragmented hobby. There are
no mass organizational meetings. Instead, the hobby is made-up of
disparate groups, some largish, most small, and dedicated to
maintaining a fairly rigid social structure. Even the large star
parties which draw thousands of people tend to be populated with the
same people year to year. The result is the average age of an amateur
now must be in the late 30s or 40s. No new blood. In fact, it seems
like the vast hoards of retiring boomers are the major infusion (if
major is the word) of people into the hobby and not the younger people
it so desperately needs.

"Rich" wrote in message
oups.com...
So it's sidewalk astronomy day. Meanwhile, the RASC, one of the
largest astronomy organizations in the World has absolutely nothing
planned for this, as far as I can see from their website.

http://www.rasc.ca/society/index.shtml

Organizationally, amateur astronomy is a fragmented hobby. There are
no mass organizational meetings. Instead, the hobby is made-up of
disparate groups, some largish, most small, and dedicated to
maintaining a fairly rigid social structure. Even the large star
parties which draw thousands of people tend to be populated with the
same people year to year. The result is the average age of an amateur
now must be in the late 30s or 40s. No new blood. In fact, it seems
like the vast hoards of retiring boomers are the major infusion (if
major is the word) of people into the hobby and not the younger people
it so desperately needs.


Not according to the telescope industry. I don't see companies going bust
due to
poor sales.

Its all about priorities...and maybe people having an interest that is
quickly quelled by the
600x scope they just bought at Wal Mart.

I invited some old friends of mine over one night to observe, they
loved it. Then asked me
how much money did my 12.5 Discovery cost me...around 1150
shipped(used,Astromart),
they figured that was too much money...yet they didnt squirm at all
when they bought a
15,000 dollar motorcycle. Some people just wont ever get their
priorities straight.

Astronomy has a lot of other hobbies to contend with. I cant think of
a better hobby to
spend my money on. Where else can one find awe, mystery, serenity, and
beauty, all
right out side in the front yard...while the kids are asleep in their
beds? Guess Im preaching
to the choir here on an asto forum....

Public outreach, something I should work on more. Theres no reason any
of us cant hobble
together an observing event in our little towns. I am sure there will
be a willing astro club nearby
that would help out, or an astro buddy. All it takes is a little
effort, so next time you want to do
something about the lack of youth in the hobby, get off yer duff and
get something going. Griping
about it here aint gonna help, it takes action.






On May 19, 11:42 am, "TMA" wrote:
"Rich" wrote in message

oups.com...

So it's sidewalk astronomy day. Meanwhile, the RASC, one of the
largest astronomy organizations in the World has absolutely nothing
planned for this, as far as I can see from their website.

http://www.rasc.ca/society/index.shtml

Organizationally, amateur astronomy is a fragmented hobby. There are
no mass organizational meetings. Instead, the hobby is made-up of
disparate groups, some largish, most small, and dedicated to
maintaining a fairly rigid social structure. Even the large star
parties which draw thousands of people tend to be populated with the
same people year to year. The result is the average age of an amateur
now must be in the late 30s or 40s. No new blood. In fact, it seems
like the vast hoards of retiring boomers are the major infusion (if
major is the word) of people into the hobby and not the younger people
it so desperately needs.

Not according to the telescope industry. I don't see companies going bust
due to
poor sales.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

I disagree, Astronomy is NOT a dying hobby, if it was, how come there's so
many telescope makers all over the world?

Sure I am a Model Rocketeer, a plastic model builder and love working out in
my garden, but those if I do them are daytime events, meanwhile I have my F5
10inch Dob loaded on a radio flyer wagon and will be walking the 4 miles up
to the corner I set up at. And yet you call it a dying hobby. Hell, I sill
wish I could have come from Hawaii with the Orion 12.5 f4.8 dob I had there
and over there I could even be found in Waikiki Beach at times with my
scope. And I had paid over $1,200 for it and look at the prices for a lot of
good scopes, they are not cheap at all.


--
The Lone Sidewalk Astronomer of Rosamond
Telescope Buyers FAQ
http://home.inreach.com/starlord
Sidewalk Astronomy
www.sidewalkastronomy.info
AD World
http://www.adworld.netfirms.com/


"Shelldigger" wrote in message
ups.com...
Its all about priorities...and maybe people having an interest that is
quickly quelled by the
600x scope they just bought at Wal Mart.

As a Sidewalk Astronomer, I get people of all ages at my telescope and they
enjoy stoping and talking about the stars and planets.


--
The Lone Sidewalk Astronomer of Rosamond
Telescope Buyers FAQ
http://home.inreach.com/starlord
Sidewalk Astronomy
www.sidewalkastronomy.info
AD World
http://www.adworld.netfirms.com/

Not according to the telescope industry. I don't see companies going bust
due to
poor sales.

In fact most of them are having a hard time of it. Meade has been losing
money. They keep the doors open by selling those Christmas scopes everyone
here despises. One dealer that I know of lost money with Chinese scopes; in
other words, even going offshore wasn't sufficient to turn a profit. A
friend of mine is in the business. He makes scopes and optics for a brand
name everyone here would recognize, but his business stays afloat through
government and institutional work and as an OEM supplier of optical flats.
Niche companies like Astro Physics and TMB seem to be doing OK, but they
have a very small market that is willing to pay premium prices.
--
Curtis Croulet
Temecula, California
33°27'59"N, 117°05'53"W

High school students are indeed busy, busy, busy, and it is hard for them to
find time for a hobby. Once they get to college, they are every busier, and
then they graduate, start working, get married, and have their own family.
A lot of hobbies have had a fair number of people take them up when they are
older, and have the time and the money to pursue them. I think this is even
more true than it was in decades past.

Clear skies, Alan

....

On 19 May 2007 09:01:25 -0700, Rich wrote:

So it's sidewalk astronomy day. Meanwhile, the RASC, one of the
largest astronomy organizations in the World has absolutely nothing
planned for this, as far as I can see from their website.

http://www.rasc.ca/society/index.shtml

Organizationally, amateur astronomy is a fragmented hobby. There are
no mass organizational meetings. Instead, the hobby is made-up of
disparate groups, some largish, most small, and dedicated to
maintaining a fairly rigid social structure. Even the large star
parties which draw thousands of people tend to be populated with the
same people year to year. The result is the average age of an amateur
now must be in the late 30s or 40s. No new blood. In fact, it seems
like the vast hoards of retiring boomers are the major infusion (if
major is the word) of people into the hobby and not the younger people
it so desperately needs.

Because:

1. Light pollution has murdered the beautiful night sky

2. If you've seen one faint fuzzy........................

3. Younger folks got better things to do

4. Instead of looking through a nice telescope, people can log on to
most any website and see clearer, more detailed pictures than what
you'll ever get through a telescope.

5. Astronomy clubs are more about personalities than astronomy.

6. Astronomy equipment is way too expensive.

7. It's too frustrating weatherwise. Astronomers are gluttons for
punishment.

8. Setup takes too long when most folks have too little time on their
hands as it is (unless of course you have an observatory).

9. Too many other hobbies.

10. Too many nerds.

"Susan" wrote in message
...
On 19 May 2007 09:01:25 -0700, Rich wrote:

So it's sidewalk astronomy day. Meanwhile, the RASC, one of the
largest astronomy organizations in the World has absolutely nothing
planned for this, as far as I can see from their website.

http://www.rasc.ca/society/index.shtml

Organizationally, amateur astronomy is a fragmented hobby. There are
no mass organizational meetings. Instead, the hobby is made-up of
disparate groups, some largish, most small, and dedicated to
maintaining a fairly rigid social structure. Even the large star
parties which draw thousands of people tend to be populated with the
same people year to year. The result is the average age of an amateur
now must be in the late 30s or 40s. No new blood. In fact, it seems
like the vast hoards of retiring boomers are the major infusion (if
major is the word) of people into the hobby and not the younger people
it so desperately needs.

Because:

1. Light pollution has murdered the beautiful night sky

2. If you've seen one faint fuzzy........................

3. Younger folks got better things to do

4. Instead of looking through a nice telescope, people can log on to
most any website and see clearer, more detailed pictures than what
you'll ever get through a telescope.

5. Astronomy clubs are more about personalities than astronomy.

6. Astronomy equipment is way too expensive.

7. It's too frustrating weatherwise. Astronomers are gluttons for
punishment.

8. Setup takes too long when most folks have too little time on their
hands as it is (unless of course you have an observatory).

9. Too many other hobbies.

10. Too many nerds.


Many of those CAN be issues if you let them...

But your message seems totally defeatist to me.

If you are unable to take your own scope outside, regardless of aperture,
dark skies or not, and see something beautiful up there, then, I'm sorry to
say that you aren't LOOKING very hard... Plain and simple...

So the problem is yours, and not because of any problem with astronomy as a
hobby, or the other folks IN the hobby...

--
Jan Owen

To reach me directly, remove the Z, if one appears in my e-mail address...
Latitude: 33.6
Longitude: -112.3
http://community.webshots.com/user/janowen21