Astronomical Experiences

Saiph · Nov 4, 2008

We all come to these boards because of curiosity, a desire to understand the universe around us.  We come specifically to the astronomy forums on the boards because of, well, astronomy.  I love answering questions, debating new articles and such.  Yet, there is a more personal side to astronomy that I catch a glimpse of in almost every post, but it's rarely discussed independently.And those are about the people and experiences behind the questions and answers.  So I figured I'd drag my anonymous carcass out into the light of day and share some of my experiences in science, and astronomy with you all.  I also encourage you all to share your stories, be they about your first sight of Saturn, to finishing the Messier catalog. I've got a bunch of experiences to share, so I'll give you a quick run down so you have a taste of what to look forward to in the days to come (in no particular order):Volunteering at a public observatoryResearch at a University telescope, on top of a parking garage, looking at QuasarsTeaching an astronomy class (well, one lecture anyway

)Managing several hundred students packing into a small room to view the sun through a telescope.The fact that I have never owned a telescope (I don't count the ubiquitous red tasco I owned at 8yrs old)Visiting and observing at Kitt PeakVisiting and observing at Mauna Kea (and altitude sickness!)How a frisbee delayed a million dollar observation run for 2 hours.My disasterous Nebraska Star Party experienceBeing accosted by police for "peeping"...and turning it all around (and no, I wasn't actually peeping!)Competing in a national astronomy competition. How astronomy brought me and my fiancee together.  I'm sure I'll think of more.  And you'll just have to hold your horses on me telling them to you, as I want to do them justice. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> --------------------SaiphMOD@gmail.com -------------------"This is my Timey Wimey Detector. Goes "bing" when there's stuff. It also fries eggs at 30 paces, wether you want it to or not actually. I've learned to stay away from hens: It's not pretty when they blow" -- The Tenth Doctor, "Blink" </div>

weeman · Nov 4, 2008

One of my earliest was when I was in 3rd grade, there was a partial solar eclipse here in Colorado. I remember how strange it was to be at recess with such dim light! I also remember using the film of floppy disks to look at the Sun, and how the teachers were telling the kids not to do that! <img src="http://sitelife.space.com/ver1.0/content/scripts/tinymce/plugins/emotions/images/smiley-cool.gif" border="0" alt="Cool" title="Cool" />I visited the observatories of Kit Peak.I witnessed the transit of Mercury just a little bit ago on my college campus!And by far the most profound experiences I've had are in the darkest of places, looking up and seeing the bright Milky Way. Two of the most amazing skies I've seen are on Loveland Pass here in Colorado, and on the Big Island of Hawaii, just outside of Kona. The sky in Hawaii was amazing that night, I was probably 15 years old, and I looked up in utter disbelief at the amount of stars! <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> Techies: We do it in the dark. "Put your hand on a stove for a minute and it seems like an hour. Sit with that special girl for an hour and it seems like a minute. That's relativity." -Albert Einstein </div>

shadow735 · Nov 4, 2008

This will probably sound stupid so dont laugh at me but here goes, I was vending at the Ojai Pirates Faire in Calif well its by Lake Casitias and away from city lights. I had my Dog Copper with me and was taking him out to do his nature walk and I looked up at the sky.I was OMG because the sky had so many star and they were all so bright and for this first time I actually saw the Milky way with my naked eyes. I was so blown away by this I had to sit on the ground and lay down and just stare at the sky.I have lived 36 of my 37 years in Simi Valley calif and I didnt realize how light polluted it is. Now when I go outside where I live I feel cheated and depressed because I am denied the Beauty of the sky by mankinds ingenuity.Anyhow that was the kicker for me to decide to get a 10" Dobsonian (within the next 6 months) which will make it so I can go camping more away from Lights of the city. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

Saiph · Nov 4, 2008

Laugh!  Why ever would I laugh at that!  I felt the same way the first time, heck, EVERY time I see the milky way.And I still look up with wide eyed wonder even at the faint sky of the LA supersprawl (I currently live in Anaheim, CA). <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> --------------------SaiphMOD@gmail.com -------------------"This is my Timey Wimey Detector. Goes "bing" when there's stuff. It also fries eggs at 30 paces, wether you want it to or not actually. I've learned to stay away from hens: It's not pretty when they blow" -- The Tenth Doctor, "Blink" </div>

MeteorWayne · Nov 4, 2008

Great topic Saiph. I have several that are on your list so I'll wait to describe my related experiences after you post yours.There are a few that aren't on your list, so I will posts a few of them when I have some time after I vote this morning. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id. I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function </div>

eosophobiac · Nov 4, 2008

Excellent thread idea, Saiph!*Mush alert*My favorite astronomical experience was my first one, watching the Persieds with someone I really cared about......I thank that person (in my head) every night I'm out gazing at the sky!   <img src="http://sitelife.space.com/ver1.0/content/scripts/tinymce/plugins/emotions/images/smiley-cool.gif" border="0" alt="Cool" title="Cool" />  <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

MeteorWayne · Nov 4, 2008

I'll relate two tales in one.The Venus transit of the sun afew years ago was a fine event. The big thing was for everyone to go to manhatten to greet the rising sun. As for me, my job took me there more than enough, so I sayed here near the NJAA observatory.It was in the early morning, and I found a perfect spot. Set up my Astroscan 2001 as a solar projector, so I had a 1 foot diameter sun to look at.Alone I was until a car drove up. It turned out the be Sharyl, the clerk at the store where I buy my Gensee Cream Ale, and her boyfriend. I invited them to join me and we watched the whole thing projected as the huge image. Meanwhile those who went to the coast had a pretty good view bothered by some clouds over the sea.It was a lovely peaceful morning, felt great.I also set up the Astroscan on the front lawn when there are sunspots just to show the walkers down our street and the kids in the hood what the sun looks like. Back when I lived in a more urban area, I was visited by a police patrolman who deduced that by it's shape, my Astroscan was a device for burning herbal substance for inhalation

It took a few minutes to coax him into taking a look through it to see the moon. After that, he'd stop by every once in a while when he saw me out there... <img src="http://sitelife.space.com/ver1.0/Content/images/store/5/8/45541193-f4d6-4a17-881a-3c6836a93dfa.Medium.jpg" alt="" />  <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id. I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function </div>

crazyeddie · Nov 4, 2008

I have a few astronomy "peak experiences":- seeing the Echo I satellite for the first time, back in the early 1960's, when satellites were new....one of my earliest memories.  It may have started my lifelong love of space science.- seeing Jupiter and Saturn for the first time through my little 50mm telescope, when I was 8 years old.  I was awestruck that you could see Jupe's moons and Saturn rings with my own eyes.  - having my dad pull me out of bed in the middle of one cold night in March, 1970, to see Comet Bennett....the first time I'd ever seen a comet.- seeing a bolide light up the sky and fall over the Pacific ocean one evening in 1976- getting a personal tour of Lick Observatory, the world's first permanently-occupied mountain-top observatory, built in the 1880's. I had met a man back in 1987 who worked there as the observatory's historian and visitor's guide, and he invited me up to spend the night on Mt. Hamilton. I got to meet the astronomers and telescope operators using the facility's 120-inch reflector, and watched how they used these instruments for their observations.  We had dinner with the visiting astronomers in their little commissary, got a close-up look at the 36-inch Clark refractor (but didn't get to look through it, darn it!), then spent the night in the astronomer's dormitory after a night of stargazing through a 22-inch cassegrain reflector, which gave me the best view of the Orion nebula I've ever seen.  I loved the historic feel of the place, and imagined the ghosts of such famous past resident astronomers as S.W. Burnham and E.E. Bernard haunting it's silent domes and corridors.- the total solar eclipse of 1991 that I witnessed from Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, that lasted nearly 7 minutes, almost the maximum time possible.  Words just can't describe how awesome it was, so I won't even try.  Afterwords, I understood why people chase them all over the world. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

weeman · Nov 4, 2008

Replying to: <DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>This will probably sound stupid so dont laugh at me but here goes, I was vending at the Ojai Pirates Faire in Calif well its by Lake Casitias and away from city lights. I had my Dog Copper with me and was taking him out to do his nature walk and I looked up at the sky.I was OMG because the sky had so many star and they were all so bright and for this first time I actually saw the Milky way with my naked eyes. I was so blown away by this I had to sit on the ground and lay down and just stare at the sky.I have lived 36 of my 37 years in Simi Valley calif and I didnt realize how light polluted it is. Now when I go outside where I live I feel cheated and depressed because I am denied the Beauty of the sky by mankinds ingenuity.Anyhow that was the kicker for me to decide to get a 10" Dobsonian (within the next 6 months) which will make it so I can go camping more away from Lights of the city. Posted by shadow735</DIV> Ahahahahahaha!!!Aha...Aha...Aha...Aha...Aha!!!! [weeman is convulsing on the floor, holding his side from laughter]Just kidding! I think that is actually a very inspiring story! I've talked to people who have lived in large cities their entire life and hardly know what the Milky Way is! It's sad if you ask me

As for that 10" Dobsonian, do you like it? I've been considering buying a Dob for quite some time, and was thinking about the 10" or the 12". Any feedback would be appreciated! <img src="http://sitelife.space.com/ver1.0/content/scripts/tinymce/plugins/emotions/images/smiley-laughing.gif" border="0" alt="Laughing" title="Laughing" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> Techies: We do it in the dark. "Put your hand on a stove for a minute and it seems like an hour. Sit with that special girl for an hour and it seems like a minute. That's relativity." -Albert Einstein </div>

MeteorWayne · Nov 4, 2008

Replying to: <DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>Any feedback would be appreciated! Posted by weeman</DIV> SQeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeekkkkkkkk!!!!!Oh, you probably didn't mean audio feedback. Sorry

<div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id. I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function </div>

weeman · Nov 4, 2008

Replying to: <DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>SQeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeekkkkkkkk!!!!!Oh, you probably didn't mean audio feedback. Sorry

Posted by MeteorWayne</DIV> Sorry what was that!? I'm deaf now. <img src="http://sitelife.space.com/ver1.0/content/scripts/tinymce/plugins/emotions/images/smiley-tongue-out.gif" border="0" alt="Tongue out" title="Tongue out" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> Techies: We do it in the dark. "Put your hand on a stove for a minute and it seems like an hour. Sit with that special girl for an hour and it seems like a minute. That's relativity." -Albert Einstein </div>

Saiph · Nov 5, 2008

Alrighty!  I've finally got time to do this topic justice... I'll start with one of the odd facts about me, as an avid amateur astronomer and graduate of an accredited college with and actual astronomy degree:I have never owned a real telescope.  Or an eyepiece.  Now, there is a little bit of hedging there, as I did own one of those ubiquitous red tasco telescopes, but I was eight at the time.  That, and any knowledgable telescope enthusiast will tell you, a Tasco is not a telescope, it's a paper weight.I don't even own a pair of binoculars, not even the small pocket kind for watching sporting events.Now, I have considered buying a telescope for myself and if I did, I'd probably snag a 8" or 10" dobsonian as I like the price, and ease of use of such a design.  But until recently I had no real need to do so.  I had regular access to a slew of decent telescopes without having to purchase them.As a volunteer for Hyde Memorial Obsevatory in Lincoln, NE every saturday (even those I wasn't scheduled) I'd be out at Holmes Lake park.  It's a fairly large park that is now surrounded by the the city itself, but as long as the soft ball fields aren't in use it's a pretty dark site.  The observatory there has 3 permanently mounted telescopes ranging from two newtonian designs (8" and 12") to a 16" cassegrain model.  So every saturday I'd be out there manning or assisting with the scopes stargazing and sharing the view with the public.  It was a blast!I was also a research assistant for the University of Nebraska's astronomy department.  So about once a week or so, I'd be up really late on the schools other 16" cassegrain, complete with observation dome, and computer warm room.  While most of the time I'd be taking long exposure (15+ minutes) ccd images of quasars, my advisor didn't mind "callibration" images from time to time of other interesting objects.Throw in my part time job as a Teacher's Assistant for that same department, and I held student observation nights once a week for most of a semester...which was also more telescope time.For a while I had access and training on the University's 30" telescope at Behlen Observatory, half way between lincoln and Omaha (i.e. 25miles in the middle of nowhere!).These are the telescops I had regular access to.  I'll tell you about my experiences at Kitt peak and Mauna Kea observatories later (maybe even some pictures if I find them!) as well as a bit more detail about the places I mentioned above.But, as you can see, with the abundance of free and readily available telescope time at my disposal, buying one myself seemed a bit excessive

<div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> --------------------SaiphMOD@gmail.com -------------------"This is my Timey Wimey Detector. Goes "bing" when there's stuff. It also fries eggs at 30 paces, wether you want it to or not actually. I've learned to stay away from hens: It's not pretty when they blow" -- The Tenth Doctor, "Blink" </div>

DrRocket · Nov 5, 2008

Replying to: <DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>Alrighty!  I've finally got time to do this topic justice... I'll start with one of the odd facts about me, as an avid amateur astronomer and graduate of an accredited college with and actual astronomy degree:I have never owned a real telescope.  Or an eyepiece.  Now, there is a little bit of hedging there, as I did own one of those ubiquitous red tasco telescopes, but I was eight at the time.  That, and any knowledgable telescope enthusiast will tell you, a Tasco is not a telescope, it's a paper weight.I don't even own a pair of binoculars, not even the small pocket kind for watching sporting events.Now, I have considered buying a telescope for myself and if I did, I'd probably snag a 8" or 10" dobsonian as I like the price, and ease of use of such a design.  But until recently I had no real need to do so.  I had regular access to a slew of decent telescopes without having to purchase them.As a volunteer for Hyde Memorial Obsevatory in Lincoln, NE every saturday (even those I wasn't scheduled) I'd be out at Holmes Lake park.  It's a fairly large park that is now surrounded by the the city itself, but as long as the soft ball fields aren't in use it's a pretty dark site.  The observatory there has 3 permanently mounted telescopes ranging from two newtonian designs (8" and 12") to a 16" cassegrain model.  So every saturday I'd be out there manning or assisting with the scopes stargazing and sharing the view with the public.  It was a blast!I was also a research assistant for the University of Nebraska's astronomy department.  So about once a week or so, I'd be up really late on the schools other 16" cassegrain, complete with observation dome, and computer warm room.  While most of the time I'd be taking long exposure (15+ minutes) ccd images of quasars, my advisor didn't mind "callibration" images from time to time of other interesting objects.Throw in my part time job as a Teacher's Assistant for that same department, and I held student observation nights once a week for most of a semester...which was also more telescope time.For a while I had access and training on the University's 30" telescope at Behlen Observatory, half way between lincoln and Omaha (i.e. 25miles in the middle of nowhere!).These are the telescops I had regular access to.  I'll tell you about my experiences at Kitt peak and Mauna Kea observatories later (maybe even some pictures if I find them!) as well as a bit more detail about the places I mentioned above.But, as you can see, with the abundance of free and readily available telescope time at my disposal, buying one myself seemed a bit excessive

Posted by Saiph</DIV>For some reason I was under the impression that you were still a graduate student in astrophysics.  Have you completed your studies ? <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

shadow735 · Nov 5, 2008

Replying to: <DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>Ahahahahahaha!!!Aha...Aha...Aha...Aha...Aha!!!! [weeman is convulsing on the floor, holding his side from laughter]Just kidding! I think that is actually a very inspiring story! I've talked to people who have lived in large cities their entire life and hardly know what the Milky Way is! It's sad if you ask me

As for that 10" Dobsonian, do you like it? I've been considering buying a Dob for quite some time, and was thinking about the 10" or the 12". Any feedback would be appreciated! Posted by weeman</DIV>Saddly I havent yet bought it Physically, I already have mentally, I would have it physically but my car said NO in the form of $800 in repair bills, I have some business things I need to use my money for but I will most likely have it by March if not sooner.I am choosing a 10" as its something that can last me a long time before I outgrow it. I want to see galaxies and nebulas. I will be getting the classic 10" Dob from Orion. Then I will be doing a lot of camping... <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

Saiph · Nov 6, 2008

DrRocket:  Sadly, no, I have not finished mystudies, and I haven't been a in a graduate program for  a while now.  Various circumtances that ammount essentially to  having my brain fried as far as advanced physics goes made me shift track for the time being.  Basically my recently diagnosed Sleep apnea triggered a related case of depression (which I found out about in the middle of my graduate studies a year or so ago).  So, sleep deprivation and depression do not make a happy student

If I start getting back to normal, I'll be right back in! <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> --------------------SaiphMOD@gmail.com -------------------"This is my Timey Wimey Detector. Goes "bing" when there's stuff. It also fries eggs at 30 paces, wether you want it to or not actually. I've learned to stay away from hens: It's not pretty when they blow" -- The Tenth Doctor, "Blink" </div>

Saiph · Nov 6, 2008

KickLaBuka:  I'm happy to hear you've managed to get a handle on things.  From what I've seen around here you appear to have a healthy habit of discussion about astronomy.  True, you seem to default to supporting the fringe ideas in astronomy, but you at least discuss them fairly rationally.  Keep up the good work!A general piece of advice though, don't take any story about supression of fringe beliefs without a grain of salt.  I highly recommend reading about the standard models and theories before you make any decision.  While fringe theories often have points, or address anomolies, the majority of science and astronomy is very sound for 99% of the material out there.The worst that will happen if you read and try to understand mainstream concepts, is that you'll "know you enemy" all the better.

<div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> --------------------SaiphMOD@gmail.com -------------------"This is my Timey Wimey Detector. Goes "bing" when there's stuff. It also fries eggs at 30 paces, wether you want it to or not actually. I've learned to stay away from hens: It's not pretty when they blow" -- The Tenth Doctor, "Blink" </div>

Saiph · Nov 6, 2008

How I fell in love with Astronomy: Completely by accident. Okay, More detail is called for I suppose, but that about sums it up.  I, like many here I suspect, have always been a science kid.  Archeology, paleontology, biology, chemistry, etc, etc, were my typical reading interests when I wasn't absorbed in my sci-fi books.  Your typical proto-nerd.  But, unlike many it didn't really stick to any single discipline, even through highschool.  By then it'd narrowed a bit, to exclude any biology (bah, stamp collecting!) and only touch on computers (programming frustrates and bores me).  Oddly enough, Math was my most hated subject btw, despite my love of my physics and chemistry classes.My highschool was fortunate enough to have a very active science teacher that also LOVED astronomy, and managed, year after year, to maintain an astronomy class.  Sadly, it was the barest of survey classes, as very few students who took the class actually expected it to be hard.  You'd think this wouldn't matter...but you can only fail so many students before the administration cracks down, and it's hard to get the word out that Astronomy, true astronomy, is more like physics than anything else.So, I took the class, and started reading the textbook for my reading assignment.  Then I finished the book, the textbook later that week.  That's when I new I was hooked.  I took the assignments to the extreme, put more effort voluntarily into that class than was dredged out of me in any of my others.  Shortly after the semester began I took interest, again, in the Science Olympiad competition club hosted at my school (undefeated for 11 years straight btw).  Why?  They had an astronomy event, that required college level physics and astronomy knowledge.  Ahh, what an opportunity!To prepare for that I continued pestering my astronomy teacher, and even took independent study with him, on astronomy, for a second semester.  I began studying a college level physics text book by...can't remember, starts with a Z.  Abominable book btw.  Turns out this is the same book (earlier edition) I'd use in my college curriculum.I also volunteered at a local public observatory to help familiarize myself with the night sky, and I found out, actually master the subject.  Teaching is the best way to learn, that's where I found that little axiom.  Thats it for tonight (busy night at work).  I'll tell you more about how the competition went, and the observatory next time! <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> --------------------SaiphMOD@gmail.com -------------------"This is my Timey Wimey Detector. Goes "bing" when there's stuff. It also fries eggs at 30 paces, wether you want it to or not actually. I've learned to stay away from hens: It's not pretty when they blow" -- The Tenth Doctor, "Blink" </div>

Aaupaaq · Nov 6, 2008

I was so amazed when I heard the universe speak in static!  It was back in 92', at "Algonquin National Space Park".  When I left my hometown, and headed forward towards the destination, and jumped off the plane, I thought that the weather was unbareably hot, and when night comes, I could not see any stars.  I had to wait until next day, get on the bus, drive for like hours, see the man with white hair, who is always on "Glad" plastic bags commercials, looking for directions at Pembroke ON, but thought that he was an ordinary guy, then finally saw the stars when night fell, and like away from the city!  Wow, what a hassle I had to go through just to see Jupiter and hear the universe speak, but it was worth it! <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> We always walked on water, like skating! </div>

Saiph · Nov 6, 2008

Replying to: <DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>As a physicist, I am familiar with the theoretical physics used to develop these standard models.</DIV>  I'm confused... what exactly is your background?  Because this comment doesn't mesh with your last paragraph. Anyway, from the outside, and the inside, quantum and relativity work very well.  Even expansionism and BB theory fit observations well without any real tweaking.  Their original predictions were valid, it's only in the refinement of details that inevitably come with new predictions that they had problems.Basically, by predicting the CMBR at all, and it's general characteristics, BB theory was spot on.  Original predictions were a bit off as to the exact intensity of the CMBR, but that doesn't invalidate the prediction.  Especially since the exact intensity depends upon many other fields and theories being fully understood. Book recommendation, a great read for relativity and cosmology:  Black holes and Time Warps by Kip Thorne.Very good, very detailed, very coherent.  It even explores many of the potholes the theory has faced and overcome, as well as still those it faces today. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> --------------------SaiphMOD@gmail.com -------------------"This is my Timey Wimey Detector. Goes "bing" when there's stuff. It also fries eggs at 30 paces, wether you want it to or not actually. I've learned to stay away from hens: It's not pretty when they blow" -- The Tenth Doctor, "Blink" </div>

Saiph · Nov 7, 2008

:::shrug:::  My mistake.  While you are definetly more rational than most proponents of Arp et. al. and other fringe ideas on the board, it's very unusual for them to have any formal training in the sciences.  I'm afraid I pigeon holed you a bit.  But, knowing you've got a BS in physics, it might change how I phrase things when discussing issues with you a bit.  I won't have to generalize or simplify things quite so much.   Though anybody else reading this, or those comments I may make, feel free to ask questions and for clarification!!!  Generally I assume that someone with a formal physics background understands the standard models pretty well, and doesn't need to read up on it.  Then again, astronomy can be a bit of an esoteric field, so I guess I shouldn't be surprised.Either way, that Kip Thorne book is definetly a good read on relativity and it's role in cosmology.  That, and wormholes and time travel, or rather the lack of time-travel.  <img src="http://sitelife.space.com/ver1.0/content/scripts/tinymce/plugins/emotions/images/smiley-laughing.gif" border="0" alt="Laughing" title="Laughing" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> --------------------SaiphMOD@gmail.com -------------------"This is my Timey Wimey Detector. Goes "bing" when there's stuff. It also fries eggs at 30 paces, wether you want it to or not actually. I've learned to stay away from hens: It's not pretty when they blow" -- The Tenth Doctor, "Blink" </div>

crazyeddie · Nov 7, 2008

Replying to: <DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>How I fell in love with Astronomy: Completely by accident.  Posted by Saiph</DIV>My dad seemed to have a lot to do with my love of astronomy.  We'd sit around in our back yard patio at night, stargazing, and I'd ask him questions like, "Where did the planets come from?" and "what are falling stars?" and stuff like that.  I think half the time he just made up answers, but at least he indulged my curiosity and encouraged my interest.  He gave me my first book on astronomy (H.A. Rey's The Stars: A New Way To See Them, which I still have!), and when he saw how eagerly I took to it, he and my mom presented me with my first telescope for Christmas one year, a little 50mm refractor.  That little scope was probably one of the finest gifts I ever received. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

DrRocket · Nov 8, 2008

Replying to: <DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>As a physicist, I am familiar with the theoretical physics used to develop these standard models.  It is for that reason that is so easy for me to discard them.  See, quantum mechanics is good-from the outside.  General relativity identifies with observations on a profound level-from the outside.  String theory is more an idea than a theory, but they have support from some intellegent minds.  Chaos theory explains that minute changes can have a lasting effect.  Expansionists and big bang theorists have observations to accompany a pre-existing theory, once they are manipulated.  I believe there is something better that can be explained by internal forces that will match up with the observed data.  I believe it will show strings of connections between extragalactic elements.  I believe that it will show to prevent chaos (looking at chaos theory from the other direction).Out of respect to 99% of smart people, I will agree to read a comprehensive book on the standard model, if you have a suggestion.  A friend gave me "The Elegant Universe," with an accompanying video, but I have yet to open open the book after watching the video.  With a pre-existing understanding of the consept of the standard model, I would prefer a single, advanced read.Best regards,  Posted by KickLaBuka</DIV>Any of these ought to do the trick:Modern Elementary Particle Physics, the Fundamental Particles and Forces  by Gordon KaneIntroduction to High Energy Physics by Donald H. PerkinsParticle Physics and Cosmology by P.D.B. Collins, A.D. Martin and E.J SquiresYou might also want a reference on quantum field theory.  If so, Quantum Field Theory in a Nutshell by A. Zee has a good reputation as and introduction.  <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

Philotas · Nov 10, 2008

My real love for astronomy came when I visited the Mars rovers web site back in... january 2004. That's right, it sparked a mere four years ago. I've always been interested in science and nature, though. Next year I plan to start on a bachelor's degree in astronomy, physics and meteorology. We'll see how that goes; but if nothing else, I've read a lot [about astronomy] on my own. My current interest in astronomy has moved from planets to stars, galaxies , neutron stars etc.; which I guess is more appropriate for the studies that I plan, anyway. <img src="http://sitelife.space.com/ver1.0/content/scripts/tinymce/plugins/emotions/images/smiley-laughing.gif" border="0" alt="Laughing" title="Laughing" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

MeteorWayne · Nov 16, 2008

A bit off topic, since I only use the facilities, but here's a historical pictorial view of the construction of the NJAA and it's 26" scope.http://www.njaa.org/history/founder.htmlHere's what The Paul Robinson Observatory looks like now from the outside. <img src="http://sitelife.space.com/ver1.0/Content/images/store/1/6/8172b316-73bf-4edc-8664-a8010f35cbda.Medium.jpg" alt="" />And the refurbished Lecture Room sign <img src="http://sitelife.space.com/ver1.0/Content/images/store/13/15/0d400108-4d38-48fe-bfba-a20dfdb1ea56.Medium.jpg" alt="" /> And our new smaller domed Wally Schirra Observatory <img src="http://sitelife.space.com/ver1.0/Content/images/store/4/12/c4be808d-eb60-4806-8c29-51b35f8ec3fe.Medium.jpg" alt="" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id. I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function </div>

Astronomical Experiences

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