The shrinking role of the Amateur Astronomer

Ronald Alpiar writted:

: What nonsense! The fact is that most of what we know about the nature of
: space (and time) has cost us only two professorial salaries (those of
: Hawkins and Penrose).

Sorry, I strongly disagree. Most of what we know comes from
observations. Some of what we know comes from interpretation of those
observations.
Whether we 'know' things from theoreticians is debateable. IMHO, the
importance of their contributions can only be determined by subsequest
experimental testing.

Gavin

I actually disagree in some respects.
For the wealthier amateur, which the resources to spend on computerised
'scopes and ccd detectors, there's an increased role in supernova
searches,
comet detection etc. Looking at some of the pictures I see on the web
these
days, the quality of images taken with a 12" 'scope with electronic
detectors rivals anything I saw in the 70s taken with large professional
telescopes with film.

I just wish I could afford it myself!




Sorry, should have read the other responses first.

Dave