The Astronomy hobby thread

[Scott Douglas]

Thanks guys.
I made the mistake of leaving the camera on Auto ISO so it shot up to 10000. Talk about over exposed....sheesh.

[flatbutt]

The James Webb ST story

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/money/technology/cosmic-time-machine-director-discusses-new-james-webb-space-telescope-documentary-exclusive/ar-AA1eiINR

Cool story. I still can't wrap my head around how many galaxies are out there.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by flatbutt

The James Webb ST story

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/money/technology/cosmic-time-machine-director-discusses-new-james-webb-space-telescope-documentary-exclusive/ar-AA1eiINR

Cool story. I still can't wrap my head around how many galaxies are out there.

Right, it's already tough to wrap your head around the stars/galaxy count, but now that the JWST is around, the galaxy count is insane. Just the overall scope of space and the things in it is really something that I don't think your avg person can REALLY wrap their head around. That's like trying to imagine/picture "grains of sand on the planet" or "drops of water in the world's oceans". You can give me a number and I "understand" the number, but understanding and really wrapping your head around it are kind of 2 different things.

[RNajarian]

Is it only me or are the rest of you guys fed up with the nonsense coming from “Noted Harvard Astrophysicist/Professor/Scientist Avi Loeb?

Anywhere I go on the Web I see his nonsensical, unsubstantiated claims that he has discovered “proof” of alien life. His most recent scam is getting funding for an expedition off New Guinea where he found 50 iron balls a couple of mm in diameter, likely from an iron meteorite.

Interesting these claims of alien life seem to coincide with the publication of a new book.

Both he and Dr. Neil DeGrasse-Tyson have SWS (Sagan Wannabe Syndrome.) Both guys so desperately want the notoriety and fame that Dr Carl Sagan had.

I watched a Zoom interview of Dr. Loeb and in the background was a poster of his expedition to New Guinea that had a large photo of himself in the corner.

Don’t get me wrong, statistically it is completely plausible we are not alone in the universe, but unless those small iron balls he found in the ocean have Tie Fighter part numbers stamped on them, I’ll wait for MORE conclusive evidence of extraterrestrial life.

Ok thanks. Rant over.

[Eric Hahl]

I've never heard of him. Guess I haven't been keeping up.

[flatbutt]

Originally Posted by Eric Hahl

I've never heard of him. Guess I haven't been keeping up.

Don't waste your time.

[Eric Hahl]

Originally Posted by flatbutt

Don't waste your time.

Right on, thanks. I wont.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by RNajarian

Is it only me or are the rest of you guys fed up with the nonsense coming from “Noted Harvard Astrophysicist/Professor/Scientist Avi Loeb?

Don’t get me wrong, statistically it is completely plausible we are not alone in the universe, but unless those small iron balls he found in the ocean have Tie Fighter part numbers stamped on them, I’ll wait for MORE conclusive evidence of extraterrestrial life.

Ok thanks. Rant over.

Who? LOL. Yes, agreed. I'm pretty sure that Tie fighters were NOT cast iron, but maybe that's how Griswold got their start in the skillet industry.

Originally Posted by Eric Hahl

I've never heard of him. Guess I haven't been keeping up.

Originally Posted by flatbutt

Don't waste your time.

Originally Posted by Eric Hahl

Right on, thanks. I wont.

I think you guys have me and my comments covered.

I find myself wondering if there's anything special about NDT other than that he figured out how to become famous as a scientist which is a little impressive.

It seems like Avi L should not be a fool.

Professor Loeb received a PhD in plasma physics at age 24 from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem (1986) and was subsequently a long-term member at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton (1988-1993), where he started to work in theoretical astrophysics. In 1993 he moved to Harvard University where he was tenured three years later. He is now the Frank B. Baird Jr. Professor of Science and former chair of the department.

He also holds a visiting professorship at the Weizmann Institute of Science and a Senior Professorship by special appointment in the School of Physics and Astronomy at Tel Aviv University.

Loeb has authored over 1000 research articles and 8 books.

I assume he's just trying to get his 15 minutes and extend it as much as possible.

While being sensational with very low odds of being truthful/factual is a little off-putting (OK, a lot off-putting), if some scientists can spark interest and curiosity in some young folks, it may not be a bad thing in the long run.

[Pazuzu]

Avi Loeb is an actual research astronomer with a proven track record. Yes, he's now an old tenured professor who is trying to keep relevant, but at least he has a solid history. Lot's of old tenured professors get some sort of far fetched hypothesis, grab on to it and then do the lecture circuit discussing it, using their credentials to get in the door. Back at Arizona there was a professor who wanted to explain things using quantized momentum or something like that. Tried to show that it would explain planetary orbits, spiral arms in galaxies, etc. Point is, at least he had a history of good research to justify why we would sit in the lecture hall while he rambled on about quantized orbits.

Mr. Tyson (I refuse to accept that he has any degrees) is a worthless fraud, who has almost no refereed papers and is basically a scientific gadfly. He contributes nothing. If he simply sold himself as a science based historic writer, I would completely support him, but pretending to be anything else makes me want to punch him.


I clearly have issues with the dude

[RNajarian]

Pazuzu,

As for Mr deGrasse-Tyson we agree 100%

Yes Dr. Loeb does have solid credentials. Next month he is releasing a paper which supposedly proves the existence of extraterrestrial life. If he is correct it truly would be the discovery of all time.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/technology/harvard-scientist-avi-loeb-claims-he-may-have-uncovered-proof-of-alien-life-and-will-reveal-it-next-month-saying-we-should-welcome-the-news/ar-AA1eVuNL

Though I do believe he has SWS (Sagan Wannabe Syndrome) notice how in both the MSN and Fox interviews he has that self promoting poster in the background.


I miss Dr. Sagan

[flatbutt]

Originally Posted by RNajarian

Pazuzu,

I miss Dr. Sagan

and Dr. Feynman.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by Pazuzu

Avi Loeb is an actual research astronomer with a proven track record. Yes, he's now an old tenured professor who is trying to keep relevant, but at least he has a solid history. Lot's of old tenured professors get some sort of far fetched hypothesis, grab on to it and then do the lecture circuit discussing it, using their credentials to get in the door. Back at Arizona there was a professor who wanted to explain things using quantized momentum or something like that. Tried to show that it would explain planetary orbits, spiral arms in galaxies, etc. Point is, at least he had a history of good research to justify why we would sit in the lecture hall while he rambled on about quantized orbits.

Good to know.

Mr. Tyson (I refuse to accept that he has any degrees) is a worthless fraud, who has almost no refereed papers and is basically a scientific gadfly. He contributes nothing. If he simply sold himself as a science based historic writer, I would completely support him, but pretending to be anything else makes me want to punch him.


I clearly have issues with the dude

The next time he's in Houston, I'll buy tickets to see him and you can come along. LOL!

[masraum]

Originally Posted by RNajarian

I miss Dr. Sagan

Originally Posted by flatbutt

and Dr. Feynman.

At least we've still got...

[flatbutt]

Originally Posted by masraum

At least we've still got...

Most people are unaware of the Sc.D degree. It is much more demanding than a PhD.

[Eric Hahl]

I met a local over the weekend that Just inherited this monster telescope. A classic Cave-Astrola 12.5" f7 (maybe F6). Wow, its a beast!

[911/914gary]

Love those old equatorial mounts. My Starliner mount, 8" f/6.

[Eric Hahl]

Wow, that's quite a mount Gary! Looks beefier than the mount on the 12.5" scope.

[911/914gary]

Its overkill for this scope. 1-3/4 shafts! Was made for Straliner's 10" and 12.5" scopes.

That 12.5" Cave is the 930 of classic telescopes!

[Eric Hahl]

Originally Posted by 911/914gary

Its overkill for this scope. 1-3/4 shafts! Was made for Straliner's 10" and 12.5" scopes.

That 12.5" Cave is the 930 of classic telescopes!

I like overkill!

[flatbutt]

Originally Posted by Eric Hahl

I like overkill!

Me too but I hate hernias.