"Interest in astronomy" growing or decreasing in the world

[suntrack2]

This is not a survey question, nor this is a question related with the topics in baut. This is I am casually asking here. What is happening today that people are well aware of all things, they derive their hobbies and other interests well.

Most of the parents cannot answer the question raised by their pupil in respect of astronomy and about space exploration. May be study is the cause of all related questions. Secondly there are least seminars are followed by the experts in this area, may be there is a big scarcity in educating people and keep them to take the interest in astronomy. Few people answered that when they hear about astronomy their headache starts.

The media news coming in the newspaper is not that sufficient to create interest among people, there is a great need to enhance the news accordingly in the daily newspaper. The amateur is not looking permanently amateur eighther they have leaved this area, or became masters in this area. But most of the amateurs are just pass away this topic with a "just over looking the head lines in the newspaper.

So, is the world more sensitive in this respect, or least discussion will make the vizard more successfully burning and running on. Or there are least countries are interested in this area, but question falls that "why not others".

And one more question that “what is your observation”, and also suggest some tips.

[Moose]

I'd suggest the answer is an emphatic "Both!".

With light pollution being what it is, and the pace of life being what it is, we're essentially breeding up an urban generation who have never seen more than a dozen or so stars at a time and have never really looked up to see the moon during the day. Who have never seen satellites go by, or shooting stars, or recognized Venus, Mars, etc.

On the other hand, with NASA making their visual work widely available, especially on the net, those who become interested can indulge their curiosity despite the challenges of urban life. They can "look up" as easily as a few mouse clicks, or a typed URL, at any time of day or night.

On the third hand, these same would-be hobby astronomers have to somehow avoid misinformation from history-vandals like the Sibrels, Hoaglands, and Lieders of the world.

[Argos]

The main TV sunday night show down here is airing a series called "the dust of stars", presented by the Brazilian astronomer and physicist Marcelo Gleiser (http://www.dartmouth.edu/~physics/faculty/gleiser.html) from the Dartmouth college, USA. It´s a very good production, using the most adavcned CG effects and on location shots. Last night the show was about The Gemini observatories.

Considering that it is the first time a good quality astronomy show finds its way into maistream popular TV, I have a concrete reason to say that, yes, it´s marginally growing, at least in my area.

[Swift]

I would say Moose summed up my opinion very well. From nature hikes I lead or help out with, I would say that generally people are less aware of nature than they used to be, including astronomy. I suspect the average person on the street couldn't tell you what the current phase of the moon is, and probably wouldn't even know what that meant.

But when presented with opportunities to learn, people generally are very interested. I just wish more of astronomy, and science in general, where presented to the general public.

[jseefcoot]

I think it's part of a larger, global trend: our world is getting progressively smaller, and there is enough around us right here in Earth to keep us plenty busy. When I was a kid, it seemed like there was more time for things. Nowadays it seems like I'm lucky if I can make it to bed before midnight. My telescopes have been collecting dust most of this year, simply because I can't get out there to use them.

Sometimes I think that people just concentrate on the things that actually interest and concern them, and for everything else it's 'out of sight, out of mind'.

[Donnie B.]

By the way, Argos, I think you probably meant "Dartmouth" College... unless there's a "Darthmount" College that I've never heard of. (Sounds like a place that you'd go to learn about the Dark Side of the Horse!) :D

[sarongsong]

If $ expenditure is any indication, interest is increasing:LOS ANGELES: Griffith Observatory (http://www.griffithobservatory.org/contactfiles/pressrelease20061003.html) officially reopens its doors to the public Friday, November 3, 2006, after completing a comprehensive and ambitious $93 million renovation and expansion project...Bonus: The Leonard Nimoy Event Horizon (http://www.lacity.org/rap/observatory/bnimoy.html)

[Argos]

By the way, Argos, I think you probably meant "Dartmouth" College... unless there's a "Darthmount" College that I've never heard of. (Sounds like a place that you'd go to learn about the Dark Side of the Horse!) :D

Yes, for sure. I think they call it "lapsus linguae" ;)

[space cadet]

Just yesterday one of my 4th grade students told me she wanted to be an astronaut because "that's the smartest job you can have. And I also want to learn German, French, Spanish, and Latin."

If I could only get her to learn her times tables....


My students frequently ask me questions about astronomy, though. They're interested. Perhaps not as much as kids during the space race, but they're definitely intersted.

[Donnie B.]

Just yesterday one of my 4th grade students told me she wanted to be an astronaut because "that's the smartest job you can have. And I also want to learn German, French, Spanish, and Latin."

If I could only get her to learn her times tables....Maybe you could motivate her by pointing out that astronauts need to know their multiplication tables. Space navigation isn't all addition and subtraction! ;)