On Tuesday, May 13, 2014 11:42:28 AM Ryan Simpkins wrote: > Lately I have been getting involved with amateur astronomy. It has struck me > that this hobby is very much in-line with geek culture. Computerized > mounts, open source tools, micro computer electronics projects, lots of > complicated math and technical terms (should you decide to go there). The > members of the Salt Lake Astronomical Society remind me a lot of geek > culture. Think of a PLUG meeting, but with more silvery haired people.
It's definitely along geek and open source lines. While working on a Masters / PhD in Physics and Astronomy, I learned about this great thing called Linux. It was what the astronomy group I was a part of worked in and did all their data reduction on. Eventually I was supporting their systems and enjoying it. Then it got to the point where I could make an immediate career out of it instead of having to finish my degree and work at who knows how many low-paying postdocs for who knows how many years before actually landing a more long-term position. So despite a great adviser and a great project, I ended up changing direction and leaving ABD (All But Dissertation). > I'm looking for like minded individuals who have nice telescopes because I > don't have one and I want to leech views off you! :) Are there enough of us > to have a Utah Astro Geeks star party? Anyone out there marginally > interested in it? Maybe you've been watching the new Cosmos series? I'm an adjunct at Weber State University, and they have a fair amount of telescopes. Ott Planetarium at WSU there used to put out telescopes once a week after their shows, but I was told they stopped doing that some time back. The Ott Planetarium is also where the Ogden Astronomical Society meets and they appear to be fairly active. I know a few of the members. One that I used to work with was on the SLLUG list back when it was around. http://www.ogdenastronomy.com/ Part of me is interested in doing more with astronomy, but part of me had interest in it beat out of me thanks to graduate school. Perhaps one day I'll have the time and interest again. Perhaps when I have more silvery hair. ;) /* PLUG: http://plug.org, #utah on irc.freenode.net Unsubscribe: http://plug.org/mailman/options/plug Don't fear the penguin. */
