Hi folks,

On Tuesday, the night of the Lunar eclipse, it will have been one year (to within about 15 minutes!) since Bart made the first post on this board. And following the tradition from uk.sci.astronomy to have an astronomer of the year award I thought it might be nice to do the same here. There is no prize or award for this honour apart perhaps from getting a mention in arcturus and on this site, though if anyone wants to donate a prize...

The rules are simple. Send me an email or pm with your vote, by Friday 7th May, and will count up the votes and let you know the winner.

Cheers,
~Al

Only a few responses so far, so feel free to send me votes (pm or to albertw at netsoc dot ucd dot ie) until next wednesday.

Cheers,
~Al

Pardon!

wrong topic :oops:

que?

Can I make a couple of suggestions for the practice of awarding the astronomers of the year? It's a great idea and well done to Al for suggesting it. Here's what I think we should do, but feel free to shoot me down for suggesting it.
1) Astronomer of the Year should be ineligible for the award the following year.
2) Astronomer of the year should be responsible for tallying votes for the following year.
3) Astronomer of the year should get some kind of badge or avatar-modification that displays their status.

Now why I think this; Albert.

I'm sure many people would like to vote for Al, and perhaps many have already. I'm certain that Al, or anyone tallying votes, would discount votes for themselves even if they were the winner. It's ironic that someone who shows the kind of innovation that deserves an AotY award by suggesting the AotY award can't get it. (Don't worry - I've confused myself aswell )

So, what do people think?

I'm certain that Al, or anyone tallying votes, would discount votes for themselves even if they were the winner.

yep, but that hasnt arisen

So, what do people think?

I think people should bother to vote. There have been only a handful of votes so far!

Cheers,
~Al

Well after spending a few seconds counting the votes, I'm happy to announce <fanfare> that in the opinion of the members of this board, John Flannery is the Irish Amateur Astronomer of the Year.

John has done great work in getting the South Dublin Astronomical Society set up, editing Arcturus with David Bell, and his informative posts here and to those of us who found ourselves on the SDAS mailing list! No one mentioned Aurora slides when singing his praise though

Honourable mentions must also go to David Bell, "a lanky, pipe-smoking veteran with a tenacious flair for attracting good speakers"[1] to the Whirlpool Star Party. And to Bart Busschots for his work on this website and his more academic persuit of bringing access to professional telescopes to schoolchildren.

Unfortunately no one stepped forward to offer any awards for these dedicated individuals, but I'm sure they will accept a drink or two in the bar at Whirlpool!

Cheers,
~Al

[1] Kelly Beatty's words not mine! skyandtelescope.com/news/article_1067_1.asp

hi everyone,

I knew if I sent all those anonymous e-mails from the hundreds of eircom accounts I set up that the title would be mine :twisted: :wink:

seriously though, I really am honoured and very appreciative of the fact that people feel I have contributed in some way to the Irish amateur astronomy community.

Arcturus has become such a success in so short a space of time because of the authors of various articles since issue one and I'd like to thank them for the time and effort they have put into writing for the magazine. We are always on the look out though for material so don't be afraid to put digit to keyboard and drop us a line on any astronomical matters, trivia or observations of nature.

so too has the SDAS become a lively society through the quiet "behind the scenes" work by various people -- no matter how small an effort, it's all important such as preparing the meeting room. Gonzaga College in Ranelagh deserves a special mention in offering us free use of one of their classrooms for our meetings.

on a final note, I just wanted to say that everyone out there is "Astronomer of the Year" in their own right. Whether it's a word of encouragement to a beginner, taking the time to guide someone to a celestial object when out observing, or sharing the camaraderie of the hobby, then you have made a contribution to the Irish astronomical community.

all the best and many thanks once again,

John Flannery

Congratulations John, a well deserved winner. Not a bad acceptance speech either, although a few tears would have helped!

:cry:

:cry:

:cry:


. . . thanks Shane! Talk to y'all soon . . . will try and post up some notes from Riverside, Lick , and Mt. Wilson while on the road.

John

... Mt. Wilson while on the road.

The rest of us can take the virtual tour: www.mtwilson.edu/vir/virtual.htm

Cheers,
~Albert