Out of this world

Congratulations, Alan!

A question has been on my mind recently. There was an article recently stating that one of the best jobs these days is being an astronomer. It stated that there was only 1,700 in the United States. Does anyone know how many we have here locally?

Kudos. Now will someone please buy him a bottle of Shout?

That comet certainly has a long tail.

Congratulations, Alan! I am very happy for you that you were so honored.

Psyche Daddy, if there are only 1,700 astronomers in the US, surely they all work in our beautiful Sacramento Mountains.

Psyche Daddy wrote:

A question has been on my mind recently. There was an article recently stating that one of the best jobs these days is being an astronomer. It stated that there was only 1,700 in the United States. Does anyone know how many we have here locally?

We have many amateur astronomers locally, including in High Rolls, Cloudcroft, Sunspot, and Mayhill. A few are professional, which means actually earning a living through Astronomy.

Shout It Out wrote:

Kudos. Now will someone please buy him a bottle of Shout?

He is always dirty and stinky, that's just his style...

Stand up wrote:

<quoted text>
He is always dirty and stinky, that's just his style...

Please tell me you are a child and not an adult? Why must people be so mean to one another? This is something I will never understand!

Stand up wrote:

<quoted text>
He is always dirty and stinky, that's just his style...

And yet he's still possibly getting this honor! He is a good man and comments like that show how truly shallow you are!

Kudos, even though I am not at all into astronomy, it is a great honor to be up for that award.

Ken Nicholson wrote:

Congratulations, Alan! I am very happy for you that you were so honored.
Psyche Daddy, if there are only 1,700 astronomers in the US, surely they all work in our beautiful Sacramento Mountains.

I'm not going to venture into a discussion (too far) into the discussion about Alan Hale. Many of you know my feelings and it is best if I just say very little.

However when it comes to answering your question about "how many" astronomers live in Otero County, I'm happy to answer that.

There are 11 PhD type astronomers at the National Solar Observatory. At Apache Point Observatory there are 7 PhD astronomers on staff. These numbers do not include the more than 35-40 other support personnel that have a Masters degree plus in astronomy, astrophysics, computer science, engineering, education, etc. There are another 25-30 other support personnel between the two observatories that support the observatories in other ways.

At one time (when we were working on dark skies ordinance) we estimated that there were an additional 300 or so "serious" amateur astronomers in the Sacramento Mountains. How I define "serious" in this case, is an investment in telescope optics/personal observatories of greater than $10,000. There are several that have hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of optics in the mountains.

Then you can add in the amateurs. My guess there would be another 50-100 scattered about.

There are several astronomy "businesses" in our area. The NM Skies Guest Observatories, The Tzch Mann observatory, and Dark Ridge Observatory come to mind. There are astronomy subdivisions being developed in the Sacramentos as well.

One of the things that has always concerned me about Alan is the lack of "true science" that he has accomplished since he was granted his PhD. Yes. He discovered a very bright comet. But when it comes to actual research, his publication list as a first author is pretty light. And yet the ADN grandstands Alan as a "top" astronomer. I'm sorry, but in the eyes of the American Astronomical Society (AAS), the only thing Alan is known for his his discovery of the comet.

And yet we have some of the world's best solar and stellar astronomers in our midsts. These are folks that are known for their phenomenal contributions to the science of astronomy. They don't press the issue of being "known," they stand behind their subtle research papers hoping to actually contribute to the science of astronomy.

Astronomy is big business for Otero County. Millions are pumped into our local economy because of the science of astronomy.

That is what needs to be recognized.

Alan isn't the center of "astronomy" in Otero County - he's far from it. If you don't believe me, ask yourself why he isn't employed by the two national observatories in our backyards.

I'm glad Alan found the Comet. But it has come and gone. And it won't be back for very long time. It's time the ADN and others "move on" and truly recognize the folks that actually "do" astronomy.

Alan isn't one of them.

Oh and before I get the bashers and the trolls out. This is my last post and read through of Topix for the next few weeks. No need to lecture me about Alan. I won't hear ya.

Very nicely put ladyastronomer!

I guess my family is considered "serious amateur astronomers' by your definition.
We didn't know we were being serious. We were only trying to have fun!

"The Above and Beyond Citizens Honors recipients are evidence that the ideals demonstrated on the battlefield by those who received the nation's highest distinction, the Medal of Honor, are as applicable to civilian life as they are to military life" said David J. McIntyre, Jr., Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation board member and TriWest Healthcare Alliance President and CEO.

Now that is SERIOUS astronomy.

Lady Astronomer,

Thank you for answering my question. It was a very good answer. I thought with only 1,700 nationwide, we had our full share here in this area.

One more question. Recently, a space shuttle mission was to improve the Hubble Telescope orbiting the earth. Can you see the effects of the improvements done?

You may be an astronomer, but you certainly are not a lady.

A reminder of why Alan Hale was selected as the state finalist by the Congressional Medal of Honor Society of the United States.

"The awards celebrate the best of America by profiling spectacular stories of people who demonstrate service over self, according to the official Above & Beyond Web site."

"Hale was selected as a finalist to represent New Mexico, "due to his conspicuous selflessness and intrepidity to his fellow Americans by going above and beyond the call of duty in aid of others," as it reads on his award letter."

"The award says Hale has been recognized for promoting space education and fostering international cooperation in the study of astronomy, astrophysics and the science of space."

Ken Nicholson wrote:

You may be an astronomer, but you certainly are not a lady.
A reminder of why Alan Hale was selected as the state finalist by the Congressional Medal of Honor Society of the United States.
"The awards celebrate the best of America by profiling spectacular stories of people who demonstrate service over self, according to the official Above & Beyond Web site."
"Hale was selected as a finalist to represent New Mexico, "due to his conspicuous selflessness and intrepidity to his fellow Americans by going above and beyond the call of duty in aid of others," as it reads on his award letter."
"The award says Hale has been recognized for promoting space education and fostering international cooperation in the study of astronomy, astrophysics and the science of space."

Do you KNOW Dr. Hale personally? Maybe you should get to know him before you hold him to such high esteem.

I know Alan Hale personally! I'm the president of Cloudcroft Light Opera Company and I know all the things Alan has done to promote astronomy. I can honestly tell you that Alan is a huge pain sometimes. I can also tell you he is a glory hog. Aren't all of us who take part in acting? He is different and quarky, but I don't think anyone can ever question his desire to bring astronomy into the lives of young adults. He puts on star clinics, writes weekly columns, does a radio show and tries to do whatever he can to bring Cloudcroft, Alamo and the area to the national astronomy stage. As a friend, he is right there when he is needed. Though I'm not dazzled by his discovery the way many people are - I do understand its significance and what it means to astronomy. Congrats Alan - now buy some long pants.

Let me know when his next star clinic is; never see one advertised.

The other Astronomy groups, on the other hand, hold MONTHLY events. And we won't be selling you an autograph.

Ken Nicholson wrote:

You may be an astronomer, but you certainly are not a lady.
A reminder of why Alan Hale was selected as the state finalist by the Congressional Medal of Honor Society of the United States.
"The awards celebrate the best of America by profiling spectacular stories of people who demonstrate service over self, according to the official Above & Beyond Web site."
"Hale was selected as a finalist to represent New Mexico, "due to his conspicuous selflessness and intrepidity to his fellow Americans by going above and beyond the call of duty in aid of others," as it reads on his award letter."
"The award says Hale has been recognized for promoting space education and fostering international cooperation in the study of astronomy, astrophysics and the science of space."

Here are the 2009 recipients: Rick Rescorla of New Jersey, posthumously, for going above and beyond on September 11, 2001 by courageously rescuing his fellow citizens by ordering the evacuation of all 2,700 Morgan Stanley Dean Witter & Co. employees from the building and leading them to safety, and following, by re-entering the building to search for survivors.

David Bryan of Kansas City, Missouri, for going above and beyond by valiantly rescuing a motorist from a burning automobile on Eastbound I-70, one mile from the city of Higginsville, Missouri.

Jeremy Hernandez of Minneapolis, Minnesota, a part-time youth worker, for going above and beyond by saving the lives of 50 children as the school bus they were on was about to plunge into the Mississippi River following the I-35W Bridge Collapse.