When I went to USAF Navigator school in 1970 I was required to identify about 45 stars, after 4000 hours of using those stars to navigate all over the world I could not pass that test if my life depended on it because in the heat of the battle there was not time to look and choose. Instead I plotted and computed where the body would be I needed and turned there and shot it. While it would be fun to walk along and point there is Miaplacidus it did not serve a need. This is not my only or even my first hobby, (I'm building and airplane) but I do get great joy out of seeing the wonders there, I feel no shame but really respect you anyway. Wayne -----Original Message----- From: Dale Hooper [mailto:utah-astronomy-admin@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of Dale Hooper Sent: Sunday, March 02, 2003 6:27 PM To: utah-astronomy@mailman.xmission.com Subject: RE: [Utah-astronomy] Re: Go-to scopes While I agree with much of what you say, in principle, I respectfully disagree with some of what you say in particular. We are part of a grand hobby that ranges from ATMing, binoviewing, and CCDing, to photometry, radio astronomy, and spectroscopy, etc., etc., etc. All of which we collectively call amateur astronomy. The point of this being that what is interesting to me in this hobby may not be of interest to all and certainly is not going to be of interest to some. Certainly, its good for just about everybody to know their way around the sky - it really does help give you a sense of the wonders. But, if someone decides they would like to spend less time star hopping and more time observing by either use of setting circles or a goto scope - I don't think its a fair assessment to say that they are missing out - unless "the hunt" is one of the things that is still motivating them. I would venture to guess that about 80% or more of the scopes at star parties (even after the public has gone) are looking at Messier objects or the planets. Now certainly, these are great things to look at. But, most of the people that live in somewhat light polluted, cloud infested lands (aka Utah) simply don't have the time to really ever see a lot of the other wonders out there without using setting circles or a goto scope. I spent several evenings at Monte Cristo last year looking at very faint planetaries and dark nebulae - that I just wouldn't have had the patience for without a goto scope. Also, I don't think its bad that someone would spend an hour looking for a particular object. They are usually the other 20% that are pushing their scopes to the hairy edge. Have you ever "visually" looked at Pluto? Anyone that can even find it at all - has my utmost respect. <g> I think my whole long drawn out point can be summarized with Nike's theme of "Just Do It". Clear and dark skies, Dale. -----Original Message----- From: Chuck Hards [mailto:chuckhards@yahoo.com] Sent: Sun 3/2/2003 11:47 AM To: utah-astronomy@mailman.xmission.com Cc: Subject: RE: [Utah-astronomy] Re: Go-to scopes --- Dale Hooper <Dale.Hooper@sdl.usu.edu> wrote:

I also find it a bit amusing that this kind of thing always seems to go one way. I hear purists decry use of goto scopes, but I never seem to hear people with goto scopes complain about purists that spend an hour or two to find one object - or that complain when a purist comes over to look through the finder of a goto scope to get some ideas about where to look for something.

Dale, I have never known anyone to take an hour to find an object. In that case I'd advise a larger telescope, better knowledge of the sky, or perhaps a GoTo mount if their budget will allow. Anyone who knows the sky well will not need a GoTo database for observing suggestions. Perhaps some of those putting-down GoTo just can't afford it. Understand that (most) folks who don't see the need for a GoTo aren't against technology for it's own sake. We know the joys of knowing the sky, and are trying to tell people that there is a more interesting, more fun, more meaningful way to find objects besides instant gratification. Something they can use when the GoTo isn't available, or the batteries die, or the darned thing just stops firing-up one day. We want folks to be able to continue down the road using the bicycle in the trunk, instead of just sitting by the side of the road waiting for the tow-truck when the car breaks down. I see the analogy as similar to teaching a new pilot to use the autopilot before he learns how to fly using the stick. Why put all of your observing "eggs" in one high-tech basket? An astronomer is someone who knows how to use telescopes to study the sky. A person who can only see objects that the telescope finds for him or her is a GoTo mount operator, a spectator more than a participant. And please don't take this as an insult, for it is not intended as such. I'm not saying "GoTo is without merit", I"m saying "the GoTo user is missing out on a big part of the payoff if it's their only instrument." Someone pointed out that GPS & GoTo have merits that I hadn't even thought of initially, namely daytime alignment & tacking. This alone would make it worth the money if someone did a lot of solar work from various locations. C. __________________________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Tax Center - forms, calculators, tips, more http://taxes.yahoo.com/ _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy