Are we stargazers?

[Richard N]

7 minutes ago, John said:

I've tended to think of myself as a space tourist - I like to see the sights of the Universe 🙂

 

 

Now that I like. Space tourist works for me. 

[scarp15]

'Stargazer' is fine though it implies an impression of romanticism or someone who is a bit dreamy, whereby 'cloud dodger' is perhaps at times a bit more applicable.

A few years ago I tried to convey the appeal to a friend though worded badly had his own thoughts, when at the time referred to going to a remote carpark late at at night to meet with others. 

Thus being termed a stargazer is quite all right.

[SuburbanMak]

This is a good topic for a cloudy day...

I like to identify (to use the current terminology...) based on the situation, but certainly for me there is a hierachy - I'd consider "amateur astronomer" a higher status than "stargazer" for sure. 

If I go out to a darker site with a list of double stars to split, a specific DSO object to hunt down or solar system event to observe I like to think of myself as an "amateur astronomer", particularly if I record and share the results. 

If I head out with no plan and just gawp at my favourite objects & targets of opportunity, I would consider this "stargazing". 

Both are great! 

It's a purely personal definition for me based largely on the amount of forethought and effort that goes into a session.  Could easily be argued that everything I do falls into the "Stargazing" category as I've never got my act together to contribute to citizen science programmes like variable star measurement, contributing to scientific knowledge being very definitely in the "astronomy" rather than merely "stargazing" category (which is why @JeremyS  is well justified in "identifying" as an astronomer!). 

One of my favourite post-observing activities (alongside a generous single malt) is to read up on the astrophysics of what I have observed that night, hopefully this puts me in the "astronomer" camp at least spiritually

 

 

 

 

[Xilman]

2 hours ago, saac said:

I know there are other members who make real scientific studies with photometry and spectroscopy and they could rightly say they are amateur astronomers.

Oi!

What have you got against us wot do astrometry as well as photometry? We track asteroids you know, something which may well save your neck one day.

😄

 

To be serious: even the pretty picture brigade are well capable of doing real science. Typing "HOYS" into a search engine may prove enlightening.

 

[SuburbanMak]

2 hours ago, greglloyd said:

The average person thinks astronomers are a bunch of nerdy people (or perverts trying to look through people's windows!).

Good point, which I have twice experienced. 

The first time was looking at comet Neowise, which kick-started my midlife journey back to the hobby. While marvelling at the view in my 10x50s from the car-park behind my house, a group of "yoofs" rolled down the window of their Ford Fiesta to shout "Pervert!!" as they roared past - it was also a brilliant illustration of the doppler effect. I will never forget it. 

As for the "nerd" tag, I was mildly affronted to hear myself branded a nerd after bumping into a radio amateur occupying my usually deserted observing spot on the South Downs, we were mutually startled by each other's presence so I explained I was up there to do some astronomy. I could then hear him joking over his radio about this massive nerd looking through his "big telescope, phnaar, phnaar".  Seriously, to be branded a nerd by a radio amateur - some people have no sense of irony...

Edited February 9 by SuburbanMak

[bingevader]

I suppose it's another wonder of this splendid forum!

We've professionals and non professionals alike.

I'm very much a stargazer, looking up in awe and hoping the sky will be clear for the next shooting star shower!

I get embarrassed if I'm referred to as even an amateur astronomer.

I know what hard work goes into being a proper astronomer.

[Xilman]

16 minutes ago, SuburbanMak said:

If I go out to a darker site with a list of double stars to split, a specific DSO object to hunt down or solar system event to observe I like to think of myself as an "amateur astronomer", particularly if I record and share the results.  

If I head out with no plan and just gawp at my favourite objects & targets of opportunity, I would consider this "stargazing".

An almost textbook illustration of the difference between seeing and observing.

In audio, this would be hearing and listening.

[Bivanus]

3 hours ago, Richard N said:

whether the term "stargazers" does us any favors when we seek to be taken semi-seriously

Pray do tell, by whom do you seek to be taken semi-seriously? NASA ? ESA ? The Great Zog He Who Is Looking Back ? Because I can tell you me and others have no intention of being taken serious semi or otherwise but simply enjoy ourselves. 

[saac]

25 minutes ago, Xilman said:

Oi!

What have you got against us wot do astrometry as well as photometry? We track asteroids you know, something which may well save your neck one day.

😄

 

To be serious: even the pretty picture brigade are well capable of doing real science. Typing "HOYS" into a search engine may prove enlightening.

 

Astrometry - never heard of it!   Astrometerists  is not very catchy, you need to call yourselves something like stargazers  

Tracking an asteroid is not science, it's a form of metrology. 

Jim

[Xilman]

8 minutes ago, Bivanus said:

Pray do tell, by whom do you seek to be taken semi-seriously? NASA ? ESA ? The Great Zog He Who Is Looking Back ? Because I can tell you me and others have no intention of being taken serious semi or otherwise but simply enjoy ourselves. 

Our peers?

[Xilman]

3 minutes ago, saac said:

Astrometry - never heard of it!   Astrometerists  is not very catchy, you need to call yourselves something like stargazers  

Tracking an asteroid is not science, it's a form of metrology. 

Jim

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metrology: Metrology is the scientific study of measurement.

Nuff said.

[saac]

7 minutes ago, Xilman said:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metrology: Metrology is the scientific study of measurement.

Nuff said.

Correct metrology is measurement, like carpet fitting.  This reminds me of the "I'm not a metal detector, I'm a metal detectorists" line.

JIm 

Edited February 9 by saac

[Paz]

How about a rebrand to spacecadetslounge?

That has a ring to it!

With the tag line... "be warned all who enter here, full nerdity abounds..".

[Roy Challen]

9 minutes ago, Xilman said:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metrology: Metrology is the scientific study of measurement.

Nuff said.

Measurement of surfaces, specifically. It's what I did for 8 years.

Stargazer is ok by me btw!

[saac]

I like looking at flowers and plants, ducks and mountains, but that doesn't make me a herb ologist, marine scientist or geologist.  Observing is a skillset of science but it is not science itself. 

Jim 

[saac]

3 minutes ago, Roy Challen said:

Measurement of surfaces, specifically. It's what I did for 8 years.

Stargazer is ok by me btw!

Spent some time at the National Engineering Laboratory at East Kilbride during my student days.  Specialised metrology services was one of the main services we were responsible for providing to the UK industrial sector.  It was a sad day when NEL was closed - the National Physical Laboratory took on much of the work but the focus was never geared towards engineering.  Story of engineering in the UK but that is another story  

Jim 

[Vallantho]

I like the word stargazer. Has a dream like quality to it.  And that’s mostly what I’m doing, just looking up and dreaming about what’s going on out there. The science is cool, but the sheer aesthetic beauty is breathtaking.

[Captain Scarlet]

I quite like the term stargazer. I don’t like the word hobby. And I consider being called a nerd a compliment, I will often self-describe as such!

M

[mikeDnight]

It just wouldn't have been the same if Peltier's book was titled - Observational Notes, Experience's & Computations of an Astronomer. 

Yawn!!! 🥱😴

[maw lod qan]

The term Stargazer doesn't bother me either way.

I don't hesitate to tell my friends that I am an amateur amateur astronomer compared to those on this forum who in my book are astronomers!

Nerd, stargazer, astronomer, it doesn't matter. Wear your title proudly!

[lunator]

I think both labels apply to me. Tonight I have been out with Binos to look at the the Milkyway and some clusters. I think of this as stargazers. At other times I am making in depth observations  and having conversations with other astronomers both amateur and professional I think of myself as an amateur astronomer.

cheers

Ian

[JeremyS]

36 minutes ago, mikeDnight said:

It just wouldn't have been the same if Peltier's book was titled - Observational Notes, Experience's & Computations of an Astronomer. 

Yawn!!! 🥱😴

I could never quite understand the title. Surely it should have been Starlit Nights?

The subtitle could be something like Adventures of a star lover.

Gazing just sounds too ineffectual and distracted.

[cajen2]

If asked my hobbies, I always answer 'astronomy' because that's what I think I do. However, I've never once described myself as an astronomer.....that suggests someone who knows what he's doing.....😂

[saac]

1 hour ago, Captain Scarlet said:

I quite like the term stargazer. I don’t like the word hobby. And I consider being called a nerd a compliment, I will often self-describe as such!

M

I don't like the term hobby either and never use it myself. A hobby is something frivolous, something you take up and lay down in time when bored with it. My interest has been life long and is no more a hobby than say observing and enjoying nature when I'm out walking in the hills.  It's an ongoing education and learning, certainly no hobby. 

Jim 

[John]

I suspect consensus is going to be elusive on this one ....... 🙂