To whom do you owe most, and why?

[triton1]

Stella does get round abit I just hope I was first :-(

[sloz1664]

I looked up on a clear winter's night and saw three stars in a line, at an incline and with an inquisitive mind the rest is history. That was over 50 years ago.

Sir Patrick Caldwell Moore.

 

Steve

[Gina]

Excuse my "higgorance" - but who is Stella Artios?  I've heard of Stella Artois lager but not Stella Artios

[Paul73]

59 minutes ago, Gina said:

Excuse my "higgorance" - but who is Stella Artios?  I've heard of Stella Artois lager but not Stella Artios

Sadly the Mistress Stella has as much of an effect on spelling as on self control...

On the evening in question, she was definitely Artios! And most definitely "reassuringly expensive"  

Paul & Stella

[Linda]

When we bought a house with a great wide view, one of his colleagues said to my husband that he should buy a telescope. Maybe that person had daytime viewing in mind. When my husband mentioned it to me, I realized that telescopes were affordable for normal people and that a telescope could give a great tribute to my general interest in the universe.

Since then, I have been reading as much as I could on the internet on what telescope to buy and what you can see. I have also received a great lot of help on many astrosubjects on the Dutch astroforum.nl and read even more astro-related stuff.

Without the for me unknown colleague and without my husband mentioning the telescope, I wouldn't have owned a telescope today.

Who or what started my original interest in the universe is completely unclear to me. I remember having written a paper on the solar system in primary school. Probably found interesting books on the subject in the library. I have my parent to thank for taking me there regularly.

[bish]

Has to be Patrick Moore on the Sky at Night. David Levy has infectious enthusiasm if you ever get a chance to see one of his talks.

[Gina]

I loved Sir Patrick Moore - lovely man   I think the new young lady on S@N is very good though - with lots of great enthusiasm and amazing knowledge and expert presentation   Of course, I have SGL members to thank for great advice in my learning process and also a great community that also discusses more personal matters and has provided wonderful support to me in a number of issues    Thank you again everyone

[goodricke1]

Dark country skies. I often wonder what my interest level would be had I lived in the city.

[LukeSkywatcher]

I must admit.......it has been the wealth of knowledge of members of SGL over the yrs that i owe most to. 

[StuartJPP]

A work colleague who told me to point my camera and lens towards the sky...that numpty has cost me a fortune! But without his initial prod I wouldn't know where the North Star is...

[Mrbloke]

My Grandfather (as a pro astronomer)

Comet Hale-Bopp

John

Milky Way on a dark night's camping

 

[alacant]

Brian May. His humility is overwhelming.

[bish]

If we are also talking about what got you hooked in the first place, then it's looking up at the stars at night and a very old and battered encyclopedia my parents had.  After that it was Patrick Moore who  inspired me.

[niallk]

Coming out of a pub in the wee hours and stumbling back to a B'n'B in deepest darkest West Cork, no lights for miles - except for a mind blowing night sky with the Milky Way blazing at zenith.

When our first child came along, I petty much had no time during the day ... So I thought back to that night in West Cork, and started Googling telescopes. This was how I came across SGL, and started reading every thread I could find on recommendatios for a beginner's scope - and learned about these 'dob' thingamajigs.  After much dithering, took the plunge several years ago and ordered a 250px: best money I've spent I reckon Thanks to the people here on this wonderfully helpful forum who patiently and freely give sound advice time and time again!

So, I suppose it's Arthur Guinness I have to thank

[MAN or ASTROMAN]

1 hour ago, niallk said:

Coming out of a pub in the wee hours and stumbling back to a B'n'B in deepest darkest West Cork, no lights for miles - except for a mind blowing night sky with the Milky Way blazing at zenith.

 

So, I suppose it's Arthur Guinness I have to thank

Ah,a man after my own heart!

I really enjoyed your posting,Niallk.