An odd sort of question - but interesting none the less.

I am reflecting on the idea of amateur - you know ‘amateur astronomer‘ - him (or her) who is motivated by love “amour“ rather than by ---- whatever it is that is supposed to motivates professionals .

So a number of questions spring to mind.

Why do you do it?
What are yours dreams?
What are your ambitions?
What are your thoughts on your “amateur“ status?
Why would you stay out half the night (ideally in the frost) looking at light from a place so distant that it probably no longer exist?

Odd is it not?
Or are you all simply mad?

Someone in the future might be interested in what you have to say.

JMP

Why do you do it? Beats keeping a publican in a lifestyle s/he likesWhat are yours dreams? Hmm - astro dreams or others?
What are your ambitions? To contribute science data
What are your thoughts on your “amateur“ status? The pros will always need us
Why would you stay out half the night (ideally in the frost) looking at light from a place so distant that it probably no longer exist? I don't - I sit in my cosy study with my coffee. The scope is in the frost alright

Odd is it not? Yes
Or are you all simply mad? Probably

I guess we all do this for different reasons. Humanity has always been inquisitive. I guess we're all in saearch of knowledge and possibly a reason why we're here and what's all this about then...

Have you been drinking?

Dave
[/b]

Why do you do it?

Because I find it really relaxing and enjoyable to spend time out under the stars. Gives me time to think and wind down while also giving me one hell of a show! It also appeals to my natural curiousity and interesting in the universe as a whole.

What are yours dreams?

To live in a place where the night sky is not ruined.

What are your ambitions?

To reamain involved in Astronomy and to continue to contribute to the Amateur Astronomy Community in Ireland and perhaps even beyond.

What are your thoughts on your “amateur“ status?

Don't really have any. I'm never going to make a career out of Astronomy because I suck at Math and hence at Physics. I realised that when I was an undergrad and it doesn't bother me at all. I'm just a guy who enjoys the night sky and I don't see anything at all wrong with that.

Why would you stay out half the night (ideally in the frost) looking at light from a place so distant that it probably no longer exist?

Because it's fascinating, because it clears the mind, because that light is there for us to see!

Odd is it not?

I wouldn't say so no .... out ancestors have done it for millenia, why shouldn't we!

Or are you all simply mad?

I'd say that anyone who can look up at a starry sky and not be intrigued is mad!

Bart.

Why do you do it? - Just amazment of the night sky since I was a kid

What are yours dreams? - To have my house overlooking the Sea back at home in Waterford, Looking out, you face South, some wonderskies all year round - one day....

What are your ambitions? - To find a nova, comet, and get as many people interested in astronomy as possible by intoducing them to the 'WOW' factor!

What are your thoughts on your “amateur“ status? - Absolutely essential to astronomy, pro's now need the amatuer now more that ever, there must be at least 100 amatuer owned scopes versus the pro's one! Look at astrophotography these days! what the amatuer can now do!

Why would you stay out half the night (ideally in the frost) looking at light from a place so distant that it probably no longer exist? - Why not, If you don't go you'll never find out! Been there many times!

Odd is it not? - No, Just many people out there don't understand the beauty of the night sky and all it has to offer, life is too hectic these days to notice for a lot of people.

Or are you all simply mad? - Maybe - But - HE WHO DARES WINS!!

Keith..

Those are good replies. Not enough of them yet thought- hint, hint.

Here is the deal. Personally I’m not much of what you might call a practicing astronomer, more of the armchair variety. (I do get out there occasionally) However I am fascinated by the dedication and skill that is demonstrated in these pages. ie that image from Michael O Connell just a few hours ago and that is just one of many. Like all amateurs (in the correct sense of the word) you do it simply for its own sake. But you are driven none the less and its those drives I am fishing for.

I should confess ulterior motives. I am trying to write a piece (as part of a bigger piece and so fort and so forth) and as nothing wort a damm came from last night session at the keyboard I just sort of thought - what the hell, ask the question perhaps you will get some feedback.

Perhaps an open forum is not the best place for this sort of thing. I know that not everyone is comfortable communicating in this fashion. But there must be some way to work it. Perhaps another suggestion to the keepers of the holy website!!

O well back to work!

JMP

Why do you do it? Cause I like physics. In particular working in a laboratory thats 150+ billion light years wide.
What are yours dreams? Not much to do with astronomy.
What are your ambitions? At the moment; to finish my MSc.
What are your thoughts on your “amateur“ status? It means that I dont get paid.
Why would you stay out half the night (ideally in the frost) looking at light from a place so distant that it probably no longer exist? Well the places the light came from probably do still exist (are still emitting light). I dont go out in the cold much. It takes specific challenges, a good show, or at least the chance to chat to people to get me out observing now.

Odd is it not? No its the one branch of physics that you can make contributions to with a few hundred euros worth of equipment.
Or are you all simply mad? That too.

Someone in the future might be interested in what you have to say. unlikley