How/why Astronomy?

[borispider]

For me. I grew up in the USVI on St.Croix so natural science was a big interest for me. The 'Life Time' book series also helped a lot too. I think it was my interest in Sci-Fi that got me to look up. I know it's odd(had new/potential club members scoff at that) but to read about stuff happening in other worlds/galaxies and then looking at other worlds and galaxies and wondering what could be going on out there is exciting to me.
Like this 'SpinwardFringe' series I'm working on AGAIN is a space-opera w/AI and robotics, other topics I like. I look through the scope at a galaxy and these things go through my head.

[boomboom]

My dad was a research scientist. I grew up in Canberra Australia home of the Mt Stromlo Observatory. I used to gaze at distant mountains when in school and wish I was out there. The domes on Mt Stromlo were out there too, so it was a natural that telescopes and Astronomy were in my mind. Having a scientist father helped as any science thing was encouraged….30 years later still love gazing out there, though now out there is a bit further away than the mountains I used to look at
Scopes, Refractors in particular are great bits of machinery to look at…..hence my build. As someone said recently…life is too short to use a crappy looking scope.
Matt

[mikey cee]

life is too short to use a crappy looking scope.

You are so right on. Who could sit and look at those homely dobs?? Now a big refractor.....that you can sit and idolize on all cloudy nights. Yes the modern day version of the "golden calf"! Mike

[boomboom]

The Golden Calf……Your scope Mikey must be the Golden Cow in that case.

I don't own a dob never will either!

I'm dreamin' of my Golden Cow…..

I'll get there one day, in the mean time my Golden Calf will do!