I KNOW i wont be missed.

I normally dont get involved in this kind of debate on these board
but this time I just couldnt resist.
(I guess it's the obsessive compulsive in me :lol: )

I have been watching these posts for about two years now with a kind of horrified fascination.

: I really don't see your logic in logging here so.
Your interest in this particular astronomy board amounts to
rubbernecking at a car crash?
Strange.

I would not agree that the site should have the kind of social side to it that you refer to

Indeed.
I'm a member of a lot of boards.
Astronomy, Social networking , Photography, Surfing etc..
They all have their guidelines for posters & members.
They own the sites therefore they get to decide.
Thats just the real world.
I don't throw my rattle out of the pram if I get told
on the photography boards to stop talking about my favorite Punk band.
So I agree with you here.

I totally agree that there is a hard core of contributors to this site whose level of pursuit of this hobby is obsessive and compulsive.

Thats your opinion and you are entitled to it.
My response to that is;
So what!? it's THEIR RIGHT to be obsessive and compulsive if they so choose.
If that fact happens to tick you off then, well,
thats just tough luck for you.

The impression given is that to pursue astronomy meaningfully you have to spend every living minute thinking about it,spend ridiculous amounts of money on it,that you have to have every and any piece of new gear that comes on the market,that you sit around on bad nights waiting for breaks in the clouds and that you are somehow deficient if you let 5 minutes of clear sky go by without getting out.

Again thats YOUR PERSONAL impression and you have every right to have it.
My impression of that statement is that it is incorrect and deluded
and I also the right to think that.

I dread to think of the number of people considering taking up simple stargazing,with or without equipment,who have been put off by these fanatics.

Your statement is an insult to the many people that
take the time to answer the questions of newcomers to the site.
NOBODY on these boards has ever given a newcomer the advice that
they need expensive equipment to stargaze.
Back up your claims.
Show me one single post to back this ludicrous statement up.
Again this is an impression all in your own head.

they will even take exception to the term stargazing,

they see themselves as some kind of Astronomers.

Tell me, are you a mind reader?
You can tell what people think?

I get no sense of the enjoyment and wonder to be got from just looking at the sky with affordable,acceptably good equipment or with none at all,plain and simply,WHEN YOU ARE IN THE MOOD.

I could list literally hundreds of links to posts on these boards from members (some with a vast expensive range of gear and some with nothing)
speaking about simple stargazing.
I can back these claims up.
Whatever you are 'sensing' is not the same as the vast majority of registered members here.

There are people on this forum with equipment that would put you in the poorhouse,who not only do not understand what they have but who know nothing about the sky.The guy with the "11" CAT who had to ask how to find Mars springs to mind.What will someone like him do if he finds out that he is really not that interested after all.

Can I ask you a question?
What business is it of yours how expensive his gear is what he does whit it?
If he decided one day he was fed up with astronomy and took the scope out into the road and drove over it,
thats his business!
Why are you getting so upset with something that hasn't happened and that
you would not have any control over anyway?

Some other urchin was on lately who thought he would see Uranus with the naked eye.

The 'Urchin' you are referring to is actually Paul.
There was a few replies all helpfull as far as I can make out.
Again, the members that actually take the time to respond
to these questions in the interest of helping others,
NOT insulting them like you are here.

I have little doubt that the manufacturers of this gear must be having a quiet laugh to themselves

Well, I'm actually having quite a loud laugh to myself.
How do you know they are?
You don't.
Again it's your imagination.
Your impression.
And by golly on these boards you are totally entitled to it
and express it.
Whether I disagree with it or not makes no difference at all.
And you know what,
I'M entitled to my opinion of that statement too.

As far as I can see,what we have here largely is a bunch of equipment freaks who find expression in Astronomical gear.

What in heavens are you trying to say here?
'Find expression in Astronomical gear' ????

Anyway enough said.

Agreed.

Can we get back on topic, and that was either persuading PJ to stay or wishing him farewell.

Of course I can't help with my 2cent either!

PJ: My sincerest advice is to never burn bridges. Take some time out, maybe visit some other boards too. I've said before that this board needs an off topic area where others can choose or choose not to go as it allows the good folk to get to know each other better. The social aspect of astronomy is very important to me. I like to know the guys and gals. Anyway that idea was knocked on the head before and I think those of us that disagree with that decision just have to accept the wishes of the majority. It certainly does seem the majority would not be in favour of this.

So take a couple of weeks mate see how you feel then. If you do decide to call it quits I'll certainly miss your infectious enthusiasm.

JaySea: I must admit I've had my share of disagreements with many here, but to be honest of all the things I might be inclined to complain about I certainly would not agree with the assertation that this site is somehow snobbish or elitist. There are folk here at all levels of experience and with equipment from the most basic to the most advanced.

Without people who know their stuff the newcomers will never learn more.


I would also say that I can't think of any of the more advanced members who would nbot go out of the way to help a less experienced member.

As an aside you mentioned the distinction between stargazer and astronomer. Well I never really though about that until now but to me;

Stargazer: A person who will go and casually look at the stars without ever wanting or trying to answer the question, "what is the stars?"

Astronomer: An amateur or professional who investigates and studies the heavens.

I have been trying to keep out of this thread, but I have to say..........

After many years of interest in Astronomy, I eventually had the opportunity and time to do something about it, by getting my first Scope about 2 years ago. A novice at the night sky at the time (still am.), I have to say that I have found the members of the IFAS site to be most informative and instructive. Any time I was looking for advice, someone from these boards always came back with acurate and factual feedback (and never in a condesending tone...).

In fact, most of what I have learned about the night sky is as a result of the regular contributors to this site!!! (the list is too large to mention, but you know who you are!!.... )

Wanting to take some images of the night sky was my next little adventure, starting with my very ordinary compact digicam handheld to the eyepiece of my 3.7 inch refractor, at the time. However, thanks to the encouragement and advice, I have received from the experienced members of these boards, I now have a greater understanding of the requirements for the different types of approaches to astro imaging, and have applied these sugggestions with great results. This is, thanks to all those folks who gave me constructive feedback and encouragment on my submissions.

The thing is, if this board did not exist, I would not have learned as much about astronomy and astroimaging, in such a space of time. More like I would have to do some sort of specialised course costing thousands o' euro.

When I log onto the IFAS site, I do so to find out about Astronomy (and associated phenomena/technologies/imaging) related topics, and thats what make this site special!! and when I see any of the super images that are posted by the members here, I am interested in the equipment used, the techniques used and the approach to processing, so hopefully, I can apply similar techniques to my own endeavours.

Also as a result of being on the boards here, I have met and socialised with people who share a common interest, in addition, to trying out different equipment etc. ( but usually before the pints kick in , on the social side of things!! )

Oh... and as a former Rock musician (which involved touring and jumping around alot), I also have an interest in Music that is loud, with amps that go upto eleven , however, I post that stuff on boards that are dedicated to that topic!!

Just my 2 cents worth

PJ joined in December and posted like a devil. I have to admit that I got to the point that when I went to the front page and all topics had replies from PJ I did not even open them. After a period of calm, I checked out some and he came up with some real gems. So either PJ has left the building or he has nailed his hands to the floor :lol: .

As to other points in this thread I would say that it's best to remember that we are talking through a keyboard and that this cannot in anyway fully communicate the meaning of a reply..... I see an image on here and I reply Sh1t.... could mean I was gobsmacked or the image is poo.

I do know that some people get offended by such remarks when interpretation is lacking however when you actually get to meet the bodies behind the posts you soon learn when to be offended and when to have a laugh.

PJ, stick around untill you actually meet the some of the guys, if you still feel the same way then throw in the towel.

Can we get back on topic, and that was either persuading PJ to stay or wishing him farewell.

:

I dunno,
I thought every post since pj's was connected to the reason why
he has decided to leave.
(Or am I totally missing the irony of that?)


Paul,
If you feel these message boards need an 'off topic' section
so badly that you are willing to leave them because they don't
suggests to me that the most important thing for you is not the astronomy but the
'social networking' aspect.

Whats so bad about an astronomy forum only talking about astronomy anyway?