I began my foray into astronomy in the late 1950's as a Cub Scout, first with a 40mm alt-az refractor, then went on to a 3" Gilbert reflector... my first tender bouts with aperture fever and the refractor vs reflector controversy!
During summer vacation between sixth and seventh grades, I quenched my fever by grinding, polishing, and figuring the optics for a 6" Newtonian telescope, working as a caddy in the afternoons to finance the project. The scope served me well until I discovered girls and dirt-bikes and sold it to purchase the first of many motorcycles.
After a hitch with the USAF (1968-72, 27th Fighter Interceptor Squadron) and re-entry into the hustle and bustle of civilian life, my youthful encounters into astronomy began to fade into distant memories. The years turned into decades with my "bike" riding now limited to the pedal variety and the young girls have become women with kids of their own (where did the time go?!?), but I've since been re-awakened to the wonders of the heavens.
On a moonless summer night not so long ago, I went outside to enjoy the cool breezes. Although I had lived here many years, I seemed always to be too busy, too preoccupied to notice what a splendid observing site I have. The dark background sky was heavily sprinkled with a dazzling array of stars, save being separated by a large cloud that stretched overhead from horizon to horizon. As my eyes adapted to the darkness, I realized my "cloud" was the sea of stars that form the summer arm of the Milky Way... countless millions of stars wrapping their way across the sky. The experience immediately rekindled the fire, which was further fanned when I learned that several long-ago astro-acquaintences were still actively involved... and my fate was fully sealed when I discovered a co-worker has been an avid ATMer since childhood.
Having joined the local Astonomical Society (ASNH/Yale), I was pleasantly surprised to find my mentor of some forty years past is still actively involved, now as Chairman of the Education Committee. (Thanks Allan!)
My schedule is a tad busier now, but then my "allowance" is a little bigger too, so I've opted to forego the ATM route, but I do try to attend as many of our public outreach and observing sessions as possible. Perhaps I can provide the spark that fires someone's imagination, starting them on their own fantastic journey through the Cosmos! |
