This is good advice for anyone who has more than a passing interest in astronomy. But I agree with Patrick in that publicizing very minor astronomical events can have the "cry wolf" effect with the general public. Most casual newspaper readers (or blog readers in this case) are probably not going to perform a Web search after reading an article. They will read "eclipse tonight" and the rest of the technicalities won't register. Seeing nothing unusual (in the case of a shallow penumbral eclipse), they will probably dismiss such articles in the future. Most of the readership will in fact only get out a couple of times in their lives. Nobody's talking about only publicizing "great" events, Daniel, but events that can't be distinguished from a non-event, or won't even be visible for most of the readership (Utah may be in daylight when it happens, or night-time if it's a solar event), can have a negative effect on readership. Ultimately it's that ability to sell the paper that will keep the blog running, not a warm fuzzy feeling of educating the masses. On Wed, Dec 24, 2008 at 3:12 PM, daniel turner <outwest112@yahoo.com> wrote:
I think every one interested in astronomy should get out and see a penumbral eclipse. It's about learning by doing. The subtle color change will require some effort but its not beyond anyone who is curious enough to look for themselves.
Also you don't need to rely on the word of experts. You can go to Google and do your own research and end up knowing as much as they do about the subject in question.
Don't be afraid of disappointing the public. They are much more intelligent and curious then they are given credit for.
If you only go look at the events that are considered "great", you will only get out a couple of times in your entire life.
DT