Is it just me.......

[Tiny]

One who is Navel Gazing is said to be a gongoozler (or gongoozeller) if the boat is a canal boat. Gong was the name for night earth - the contents of privees that used to be exported from town to country each night. The rest of the word may come from a old english word for staring.

The word is reputed to in use way back in history BUT the alternative, more interesting explanation is that a certain upper class Victorian gent who was very influential in the canal world had, in his London club made a bet that he could invent a new word and place it in the conversational English language within 5 years.

His made up word was gongoozler - a word he used everywhere in conversation with people in all classes over the next few months. Within a year of it's invention he overheard it in use by boatmen and, asking one of his people what the weird word ment he was told it was an old boatmans term for those that idley watch boats and boatmen at work. The bet - was for 100 guineas.

Going back to IYA why has the government or any politician ever mentioned it. One might have expected that Limped bloke who pulled a cheeky girl and reckons we will all be hit by a big rock from space would have got some free publicity from it.

My next months village mag article is on the IYA and did anyone know that last years was the year of the patato. Might drum up some interest - you never know.

[callump]

Amanda - like the attitude - if only more people could just get out there and engage a couple of people then IYA will be a success.

I'm not really sure that IYA is at all about encouraging people to become active astronomers - its more about opening peoples eyes to the wonders of the universe, and to encourage an interest in science.

As for astronomy being a niche hobby - well I am sure by definition that is probably true - but its probably true of 99% of hobbies...

I don't really understand what that's supposed to be an excuse for...

/callump

[callump]

Have to say that I find that the clubs are closed as well. .... Been to look at two and never yet has anyone actually greeted me and spent more then 10 seconds in saying hello. One didn't even manage that (didn't talk to me at all)

So from 2 observations you can generalise to all the societies in the country - certainly have the makings of an astronomer there... :-)

I'm not sure how big this other society you mentioned is, but for people that are running a society it is really difficult to remember who is who. Not all of us are blessed with photographic memories.

/callump

[ashenlight]

You're right callump, it is all about capturing people's imaginations - I think I did that with my neighbour. He was so intrigued, asking questions, and I spotted him in the garden last night just looking up through a gap in the clouds I was so pleased. If it just encourages him to be more aware of what is up there, then I'm a happy woman. Astronomy isn't for everyone, but I think 'stargazing' can be

[Tim]

I meet no end of people who say "I'd love to get a telescope." They aren't would be astronomers, but like many of us, they are just awestruck by the majesty of what dominates the sky every time it is clear. they dont even know what they want to look at most of the time, they just have this feeling that they want to see more, to get closer, to be a part of it. That's what stargazing is all about I guess.

What really gripes me is those folk that will instantly glaze over or roll their eyes when you metion the skies, or point at Saturn, Jupiter, Venus, the ISS etc, but then will spend half an hour discussing the plot of a soap opera or other such. I know they are meant for escapism, but how far do some people need to distance themselves from themselves?

Stargazing, astronomy, whatever, is a great leveller. No matter what the differences between humans, no matter the race, the colour, the nationality, the education, the language, the heritage, we all share the same planet, looking up at the same sky. As something that we all have in common, and all can enjoy, what a great way to build bridges and relationships, friendships, just as Ashenlight mentions. Isn't that what these "International Year of ....." events are all about?

[Macavity]

I think sadly there always has been a certain popular anti-intellectualism inherent to our British culture? Also we still seem to embrace the "eccentric boffin" image. That said, and as a ontime professional scientist, I can understand the perception! But I do feel that other EU countries show more of a public pride / interest in national science achievements etc.

But I think too we are increasingly hamstrung by the sheer LEVEL of UK light pollution? Ask any "city type" and few with have even seen (care less about) the Stars. Recently I moved to N.Wales. But it was childhood memories of stargazing during the traditional bank holiday that drew me back i.e. not anything I had seen locally or via the media! To a large extent the good-ish SKIES are still around, and the neighbours do seem to understand the *concept* of being an Astronomer too! That said, it has rained pretty much ever since my arrival. Croeso I Gymru?

I think I can understand a cetain dissatisfaction with SOME astronomcal societies. In fact had a similar experience with my local group. But then I have to concede that I am not great re. "introducing myself to strangers" etc. And I also seem to have spent a LIFETIME within 99% male (job etc.) groups, and such hold little attraction these day. <G> I recall someone (Aleister Crowley?) was once described as "Non-clubbable". That be me?

[saturn5]

Is it just me or do any of you also feel that the IYA has been a bit of a flop ?

The year is half gone and almost nothing seems to have happend in any grand way. The BBC have run a few extra space documentaries (mostly because of the 40th anniversary of Apollo rather than the IYA).

A few astro societies have done some events but, I suspect not much more than they would have done anyway.

This isnt a gripe at astro societies as its not really there call but the whole IYA seems to have acheived very little. I have to say as an ex professional web site developer one look at their site turned me off and I almost never bothered giving them a link on anything becuae their banner was so deeply naff (wrong size for a standard web banner and it doesnt scale well either because of their font choices).

A look at the IYA section on SGL shows a meager 27 threads - that looks pretty feeble when you see how much post goes up on other subjects.

I just look at it and think it was probably a chance for a few people to make themselves sound rather grand with some massive titles worthy of a banana republic but very little has come out of it - so tell me am I cynical old bag or does anyone else feel its been a lot of huff and puff and not much else.

I tried to get some local councils interested but their view was 'its not a really significant event - too specialised - IY what ?' that pretty much sums it up I think.

The last event in Caithness which has 14 events planned throughout the year attracted around 50 ppl,many were school kids of an age where they are usually hanging around street corners effing and c-ing at passers by.

It was great to see young kids showing a genuine interest in the subject.

If thats all that comes out of the IYA(getting the next generation interested) then i would call it successfull.

[Leegsi]

HantsAstro have done quite a few 'sidewalk' events and had quite a bit of interest and even mentioned in the local paper.

If it wasnt for them and them letting me come to a trial meeting where they have a load of scopes (Aswell as other members) to try and see if the hobby is for you or not.

[narrowbandpaul]

i dont think there has been anything here in stirling Stewart. good on you for getting involved. you have dark skies...when its not midsummer, so the kids hve access to a great sky. Stirling aint bad, 10mins drive lets you see the milky way quite clearly in august.

[Whippy]

What really gripes me is those folk that will instantly glaze over or roll their eyes when you metion the skies, or point at Saturn, Jupiter, Venus, the ISS etc, but then will spend half an hour discussing the plot of a soap opera or other such. I know they are meant for escapism, but how far do some people need to distance themselves from themselves?

I think sadly there always has been a certain popular anti-intellectualism inherent to our British culture? Also we still seem to embrace the "eccentric boffin" image. That said, and as a ontime professional scientist, I can understand the perception! But I do feel that other EU countries show more of a public pride / interest in national science achievements etc.

All true, but the last few years have seen a sharp rise in the amount of programmes that the OU make do show that it's not going completely down the toilet. In fairness the "eccentric boffins" such as SPM and Colin Pillinger don't do a great deal to promote because they are seen as such. Rather people like Dr Brian Cox are far more likely to get into the public conciousness because he looks and talks like a normal person instead of playing the Xylophone whilst wearing a monocle.

I get asked about astronony from a couple of friends and in work and I always keep it simple because as soon as you start getting even slighly technical I can see their eyes glazing over. You have to make it easy, for example if you say to someone 'If you look

South at 2am, there's a big bright star. That's Jupiter'. They'll be impressed by that. If you start banging on about interacting galaxies and sidereal rates you might as well talk to a wall.

Tony..

[Tim]

True Tony. I find some people going, "which way is south again?"......

I just added xylophone and monocle to my "needs" list.

[Whippy]

Superb!!

[Macavity]

Yes, I think there is cause for some optimism. Monday's "Bang goes the Theory" seemed quite promising.

A "vortex cannon" seemed an interesting possibility for a currently, largely redundant, telescope...