John L Dobson R.I.P.

[JamesM]

His contribution to amateur astronomy is unmeasurable and his generosity enabled each and everyone one of us to explore the cosmos at our own level. His memory will shine brighter than any star.

James

[dark knight]

John Dobson, the inventor of the Dobsonian telescope has died aged 98yrs, his contribution to Astronomy and getting it to the masses through his invention is inspiring to say the least. R.I.P John

[Laurie61]

Sad news, R.I.P Mr Dobson.

[Beulah]

This is sad news.  

RIP Mr. Dobson.

If it wasn't for his revolutionary way of designing a simple mount for Newtonians, a poor pleb like me would never be able to afford large aperture telescopes.

[John]

it's a sign of his generosity that he never seems to have considered copyrighting his design

Indeed. I found a lovely quote from him which I feel sums his attitude to scopes up really well. I liked it so much I've put it in my signature. RIP John.

[Moonshane]

quality John (both!). I must admit this is the attitude I try to remember at star parties when asked if I get a bit fed up of everyone else looking though my 16" scope. I can look through it any time but for many it's the first but hopefully not the last time they have looked through a fairly big scope.

[JamesF]

Fascinating man in so many ways.  The telescope mount named after him is really such a small part of what he contributed to society.  The tragedy is that far too few people know about him.

James

[Gweedo]

Thanks to Mr Dobson I've seen wonders that would have forever been out of reach.  RIP and thank you.

[barkis]

He brought his telescopes to Americas sidewalks to enable  passers by to look at the stars.

His simple, but extraordinary effective mount gave the skies to thousands who would otherwise have missed out.

Money was never coveted by John Dobson.

The guy was a star in his own right.

Ron.

[ScottS]

Thanks to Mr Dobson I've seen wonders that would have forever been out of reach.  RIP and thank you.

My sentiments too. RIP Mr Dobson.

[twotter]

Thanks JD, you helped show me & my kids the stars,

[ollypenrice]

A great man. And not only did he live to be 98 but he did so without ever growing old!

We should not be too sad because he was someone who thought deeply about life and death and I don't think he had too much time for sadness. He was a positive thinker.

Olly

[JamesF]

A great man. And not only did he live to be 98 but he did so without ever growing old!

We should not be too sad because he was someone who thought deeply about life and death and I don't think he had too much time for sadness. He was a positive thinker.

Indeed so.  He came across as someone who had really learned to be at peace with himself.  I think it was that which impressed me about him more than anything.  I don't imagine he allowed himself to be too distressed by the notion of his approaching meeting with the interior decorator.

James

[michael.h.f.wilkinson]

Heard the news a bit earlier today. Just told the kids, and they didn't know who John Dobson was, so I pointed out that their little scope was based on his design. I also told them that he had had a great innings, and would forever be remembered by everybody using Dobsonians. John Dobson's legacy is what I like to call a brotherhood of wide-eyed cyclopes looking at the stars on almost every starry night. A legacy no king has achieved

[scarp15]

Portable, large aperture, which is simple, natural, affordable, a brilliant inventive achievement, great legacy. As said, reaching 98 is a very full life to check out on. 

[andyman]

Thanks MR DOBSON for opening up the universe to me and many more amateur astronomers you will be sadly missed...RIP

[callump]

Probably the most influential amateur astronomer ever - really made astronomy accessible to the public, and revolutionised amateur telescope technology.

Will be sadly missed.

I dug out a few photos and an article I wrote in 2002 - on my blog at: http://starlightnights.com/callump/?p=417

A true character - when he stayed overnight with one of our society members, he wanted to sleep downstairs on the dining room floor, in case of earthquakes!

/callump

[vlebo]

RIP   Many thanks

[Rihard]

RIP

[Scosmico]

I pay respect to this extraordinary man. Who has done so much to make astronomy accessable to people. Also admire how he cultivated his spirituality in paralell with his passion to astronomy. R.I.P. JOHN DOBSON.

[alan potts]

Very sad news indeed, a man that did a massive amount to make people aware of the sky above them just for the love of it. RIP.

Alan.

[MYLUCKYSTARS]

RIP

I just happened talking to my Sister about him & the Dobsonian mount tonight which reminded her that read on the internet he'd dead.
Will be thinking of him the next time I go out & use my Dobsonian Telescope with with his name written on the tube.

[Tonys]

His invention was just so elegant - simple but so very effective.

[Scosmico]

Worth mentioning there is a documentary about him called "A sidewalker astronomer". It is just a flash of his joy for life and astronomy. A good man in peace with himself. "The whole universe is alive".

[Laurie61]

http://youtu.be/-9V9TBi1WAc