May Presentation

What motivates the 
Amateur Astronomer?

Allan Stern

SCAS May 14 Meeting, 7:30 PM
at Proctor Terrace School

Allen Stern’s presentation discusses the subtle things that keep us going as amateur astronomers. What motivates people to become amateur astronomers and therefore causes people to join an astronomy club? A review and reflection on the motivators can help us get other people interested in joining SCAS. 

The original presentation was given at the symposium “Amateur–Professional Partnerships in Astronomical Research and Education” which was part of a joint meeting of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada (RASC), the American Association of Variable Star Observers (AAVSO), and the Astronomical Society of the Pacific (ASP) annual meeting, Universe 1999, held in Toronto Canada in July 1999. The audience of the symposium was about 200 people including amateur astronomers, professional astronomers, members of the mass media and the specialized press, educators and students in about equal numbers.

Helped create slide shows for school presentations; started Starlab presentations with a friend; was heavily engaged in the Stellafane star parties and has helped coordinate about 10 of the Stellafane conventions; was lead coordinator of the Stellafane convention for several years; became involved in the Astronomical Society of the Pacific (ASP) and was involved in special projects for the ASP. One document prepared in 1995 was the seed that years later became the Night Sky Network. He helped facilitate Project Astro classes. Presented planetarium shows at the Morrison Planetarium. Joined the SFAA (San Francisco Amateur Astronomers, TVS (Tri-Valley Stargazers) and EAS (East Bay Astronomy Society) (EAS) and was VP of SFAA for 2 years; President of SFAA for 5 years; Coordinated Mt. Tam star parties for SFAA for about 5 or 6 years; did sidewalk astronomy with John Dobson; did Starlabs for NASA space camp in Mountain View for several years and now owns a business doing Starlabs for schools. At present, he is an SCAS member and is now becoming a docent at the Robert Ferguson Observatory (RFO). He does lots of reading too especially in the followings areas: Copernican revolution era, cosmology, particle physics and the history of the large telescopes. In sum, Al is a well rounded amateur astronomer and one that you will want to hear discuss the motivational aspects of astronomy to people like you and me.

Special Thanks to Nick Kanas...

SCAS wants to give special thanks to Nick for spending the evening with us presenting Star Maps, History Artistry, and Cartography!