Extreme Observing

[insert any contemporary stargazer] is likely the most gifted observer of our
generation (if not ever).

this is a grandiose statement for any modern-era observer.
this heralded position is reserved for those who did not have cutting-edge
optics, digital sky surveys, computer-generated ephemeris and star atlases,
photography, CCDs, etc. at their disposal.
these are the days when reaching 'exceptional observer' status can be reached
by merely claiming to see faint or otherwise difficult objects. where disputing
the claims only relates either your inferior eyesight or lack of prowess.
my vote would go to 'pre-averted imagination' pioneers like Tycho Brahe or
William Herschel.

SaberScorpX wrote:
[insert any contemporary stargazer] is likely the most gifted observer of our
generation (if not ever).


this is a grandiose statement for any modern-era observer.
this heralded position is reserved for those who did not have cutting-edge
optics, digital sky surveys, computer-generated ephemeris and star atlases,
photography, CCDs, etc. at their disposal.
these are the days when reaching 'exceptional observer' status can be reached
by merely claiming to see faint or otherwise difficult objects. where disputing
the claims only relates either your inferior eyesight or lack of prowess.
my vote would go to 'pre-averted imagination' pioneers like Tycho Brahe or
William Herschel.

My vote would go to any of today's amateur astronomer who isn't so
damned cynical. :-)

On 27 Aug 2004 14:30:41 GMT, (SaberScorpX) wrote:

[insert any contemporary stargazer] is likely the most gifted observer of our
generation (if not ever).

this is a grandiose statement for any modern-era observer.
this heralded position is reserved for those who did not have cutting-edge
optics, digital sky surveys, computer-generated ephemeris and star atlases,
photography, CCDs, etc. at their disposal.
these are the days when reaching 'exceptional observer' status can be reached
by merely claiming to see faint or otherwise difficult objects. where disputing
the claims only relates either your inferior eyesight or lack of prowess.
my vote would go to 'pre-averted imagination' pioneers like Tycho Brahe or
William Herschel.

Nonsense. Observing skills are as important today as they ever were to the
dedicated visual astronomer (perhaps more so, with today's better optics). And
there is no doubt whatsoever that some people have better skills (and better
eyes) than others. There is also broad consensus among people who have been in
this hobby for a long time just who some of those exceptional observers are.

_________________________________________________

Chris L Peterson
Cloudbait Observatory
http://www.cloudbait.com

[insert any contemporary stargazer] is likely the most gifted observer of
our generation (if not ever).

my vote would go to 'pre-averted imagination' pioneers like Tycho Brahe or
William Herschel.

My vote would go to any of today's amateur astronomer who isn't so
damned cynical. :-)

damn. i was going for realism. let me take my Xanax
and reconsider

Nonsense. Observing skills are as important today as they ever were to the
dedicated visual astronomer (perhaps more so, with today's better optics).

Hi:

Yep. And Steve O'Meara is one of the most gifted visual observers of our
generation. No doubt about that.

Peace,
Rod Mollise
Author of _Choosing and Using a Schmidt Cassegrain Telescope_
Like SCTs and MCTs?
Check-out sct-user, the mailing list for CAT fanciers!
Goto http://members.aol.com/RMOLLISE/index.html

[insert any contemporary stargazer] is likely the most gifted observer of
our
generation (if not ever).


Interesting topic but I think many of you would be shocked to see, say 50-75
years hence, who among the amateur ranks of the 20th century are actually
remembered. Many of those truly deserving of and likely to acquire lasting fame
are names that average amateurs of today probably won't even recognize.

Those 20th century observers likely to go down in astronomical history (each
with very, very good reason) include Max Beyer (Germany), Leslie Peltier (USA),
Albert Jones (NZ), Minuro Honda (Japan), Robert Evans (OZ), and Bill Bradfield
(OZ). Only the last two individuals did not feature very prominently in more
than one field of observing...most contributed immensely to three or more.
However, the stories of Evans and Bradfield are so unusual that they will
likely earn them a lasting place in history. Incidentally, the first four
gentlemen in the list absolutely put to shame any current observers with regard
to what they accomplished.

If you'd care to learn what incredible feats can be accomplished by a single
dedicated observer over one lifetime, I suggest reading about J.F.J.Schmidt
(an amateur turned semi-pro). I don't think even the Herschels could compare
with him.

JBortle

jbortle wrote:
Interesting topic but I think many of you would be shocked to see, say 50-75
years hence, who among the amateur ranks of the 20th century are actually
remembered.

don't sell yourself short, john. i've respected your contributions
for many years.
especially for remaining objective and not jumping on the
overhype/commercialization bandwagon during the Fail-Flopp
Circus several years back.

S.J. Saber
(I'd Rather Be Observing Hyakutake!)

On 27 Aug 2004 20:05:03 GMT, (Rod Mollise) wrote:


Nonsense. Observing skills are as important today as they ever were to the
dedicated visual astronomer (perhaps more so, with today's better optics).

Hi:

Yep. And Steve O'Meara is one of the most gifted visual observers of our
generation. No doubt about that.

Why?
-Rich

Why?
-Rich


Hi:

Because he was born with eyesight just a little bit better than most of us?

Peace,
Rod Mollise
Author of _Choosing and Using a Schmidt Cassegrain Telescope_
Like SCTs and MCTs?
Check-out sct-user, the mailing list for CAT fanciers!
Goto http://members.aol.com/RMOLLISE/index.html

Because he was born with eyesight just a little bit better than most of
us?

Peace,
Rod Mollise
Author of _Choosing and Using a Schmidt Cassegrain Telescope_
Like SCTs and MCTs?
Check-out sct-user, the mailing list for CAT fanciers!
Goto http://members.aol.com/RMOLLISE/index.html

When I saw this thread, SJO leaped to mind. I've always thought that the
praise was artificial, some S&T hype. Who's to say the guy doesn't have a
good memory of images of the objects in question. If *you* can't see it,
its simpley proves the point. An easy game to play. Its interesting to
have someone serious convinced its real...I'll have to reconsider.

Regards,
Ed T.