Mark wrote:
As for the technical side of imaging, I'm glad they enjoy it so much. An art instructor I had back in college once told me the joy is in "the process" ... and that's what I think the imagers enjoy so much. Those of use who do not image just get to enjoy the "results" ... like folks going to an art gallery or museum.
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Speaking for myself only I can say that the art instructor Mark had was pretty well on-target in my case. I tremendously enjoy the process, the technical challenge and the nearly continuous need to build some widget to make the job better, easier or feasible. Being a tekkie type anyway, this is a great outlet for my need to do tekkie things as my work these days is not nearly as technical as it was when I was actually cranking out new chip designs.
Having said that, part of the process I do not necessarily love is the chronic fatigue I seem to suffer when I have been in an imaging binge like I was for the past four to six weeks while I took a break before my new job assignment. I finally had to give it a rest earlier this week even though the conditions were favorable in the backyard, because I just needed some sleep.
But no matter how much I like the process it would not keep me interested if there were no results. For me the results that I have been seeking lately are views of the various nebulae types but through emission line filters in hopes of revealing otherwise latent detail. To me that is very interesting and is just a bit off the beaten path. I love a really well executed RGB shot of M51 as well as the next astronomer, but a false color image of a tiny planetary nebula that reveals some otherwise unseen halo or jet; now that is a very very interesting target in my mind.
Now that we are seeing Ray Gralak getting great results from the CPT18, I get even more excited because most of what interests me most from a target perspective are tiny objects that need both a long focal length and good seeing to properly image. I can see building a big Newt in the coming months myself, so I will be closely following his progress.
I also enjoy the fact that others enjoy viewing the results. That often creates the little extra bit of motivation I need to get out and shoot some more images.
I for one feel really lucky to be doing this stuff at this time. The equipment is better than ever and for the function is the cheapest it has ever been. The bang for the buck keeps improving, but that is the story of the silicon learning curve and what has helped to make Silicon Valley what it is. Not only do I feel lucky to be doing this now, I also feel lucky to be doing this here. I have no hesitation at all saying that TAC has the highest density of amazingly knowlegeable and very nice people that I think exists in this crazy astronomy hobby. We have amazing resources at our disposal and probably the best concentration of non-professional imagers in the world. Gralak, Gleason, Mandel, Moore, Schillings and then a host of comparative newbies like me that are putting all the wood behind the arrow: determined to soar with the eagles and loving every minute of the quest.
I have had lots of hobbies over the years but this one is THE KEEPER. Geez do I ever feel lucky doing this stuff now and here. Without a group like TAC to share the joy, it would not be nearly so much fun, and what a great time I have out at The Peak or wherever we get together when I actually "go mobile".
rdc