Hi all

I've blogged about something which I've noticed and has concerned me over recent months..

Here's an excerpt:
Read the rest at:
Redkindling the Passion and Enthusiasm for Astronomy

I'm keen to hear about your thoughts and experiences.. it may not have been about astronomy when it happened to you.. what did you do to get through it? Did you get through it?

__________________
Mike
. mikesalway.com.au - Astronomy and Photography by Mike Salway
. IceInSpace - The Australian Amateur Astronomy Community
. My Bio | My Jupiter 2007 Gallery | My Image Gallery

He may be passing through an emotional crisis, or a little depression. It could happen to anyone. Hope he finds his way back.

__________________
What brings us together is stronger than what pulls us apart

What a surprise Mike? To see you here in the OTB area! This is downtown BAUT! too much traffic / light pollution. You guys reside in the countryside / sticks...astrophotography, but nice to see you here, too, of course.

After reading your 'Rekindling' blog, I am so very surprised. I feel like I am intruding upon your privacy. I am still recovering from my astonishment. can't answer your questions Mike. Not right now. if i do get the courage to do so, i'll email/pm you.

Inspite of the feelings you have had in the past so many months, Mike, you have as always, posted some incredibly beautiful compositions. For the record at BAUT and elsewhere. Getting your stuff on at APOD....that's just amazing. The compositons that you have at your newly created site, are truly awesome.

With your regular excellent astrophotographs at BAUT, you have made it richer. And the Bautzens richer too, for giving us the opportunity to share some exquisite results, from your hard, patient work, in inclement elements amongst other things.

And long may you continue to do just that. I take my hat off to you. You contribute so much to amateur 'Astronomy' per se, internationally. I am proud and very glad to have known you.

Wishing you all the best at your karate thingie, this weekend. Cool Iceman!

Please don't think /analyse too much, your feelings, Oh Great One!

We Bautzens are with you, Mike!

__________________
clear skies

If you want to make an apple pie from scratch, you must first create the universe. CARL SAGAN

Mak: Pass the pepperoni please.
Fazor: "Hail, Bautainia! We pledge our hearts to thee! Science and woo, some babbling too, and astron-oh-meee!"
slang: And it made ash out of yew and tree.

Passions ebb and flow, but if they are strong, they will return.

I've had similar feelings. I was an avid woodworker not too long ago, but the machines down in the shop have been silent for a while. I'll pick it up again, I know.

So don't sell your gear or anything.

I say have fun with your other hobbies. You may be a little bored with astronomy right now. Your passion may return or it may not. And if it doesn't? Your fans will be disappointed - I love your astrophotography. You will still find something to make you happy.

I think WWII is absolutely fascinating. I've read many books on the subject. I got to combine my love of sci-fi and WWII with Harry Turtledove's Worldwar and Colonization series. Weird but fun.

Loving learning is the most important thing.

__________________
Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.
Albert Einstein

Mike, Over the last year or so, I have viewed many of your contributions on the astrophotography forum and congratulate you on a great body of work. Astronomy gets in the blood and you will probably not completely lose interest in it. Perhaps you are simply bored or burned-out on it. Often, I find myself going through phases of diverse interests.

Put it away for while. Take a break and do other things. Because it is in your blood, you will return to again. And even if you don't, you have made a wonderful contribution.

Hi guys

It's great to read your thoughts and feedback and see that many of you have gone through similar feelings and not just in astronomy - it happens for every hobby.

When I take up a hobby, I get immersed in it. Most of my hobbies become passions. I don't do things by halves. Astronomy was no different. I guess it was a bit of burn out combined with the bad weather, and the increasing interest in my other hobbies.

Just not enough time in the day or days in the week to do what I want to do.

Moderation and Balance.. I guess that's the key.

And a few said it - astronomy will always be here. It's not like a physical hobby that you just can't do well when you get older. The galaxies will still be in the same spot. The stars will still rise in the east and set in the west. It will still be clear on full moon and cloudy on new moon. It will still rain when someone buys near gear

Just getting my thoughts down on paper has helped - and I do need to decide what my goals are going to be and start planning how to achieve them.

Thanks guys and I really appreciate your feedback. I hope I can continue to bring you quality images in the near future.

__________________
Mike
. mikesalway.com.au - Astronomy and Photography by Mike Salway
. IceInSpace - The Australian Amateur Astronomy Community
. My Bio | My Jupiter 2007 Gallery | My Image Gallery

Hi Iceman,

I think I have a reasonable understanding of what you are going through. I have been fascinated with astronomy since childhood, and was a long-time amateur astronomer.

Then one night as I was setting up, I suddenly realised that I wasn't setting up because I wanted to - rather it felt like I was going to work, something that I was supposed to do rather than something that was going to bring me the joy I once remembered.

So I backed off. Found a new hobby to pique my interest. Rather sadly, I fully expected that I would never wheel my SCT out again. Instead, and to my surprise and immense gratification, I started to find myself getting the telescope out on irregular occasions when there was something special I wanted to share with the kids. Then my local school asked if I could do a show for them - and the excitement and enthusiasm of those kids reminded me why I had loved the hobby so much in the first place.

Now, I don't get the scope out 3 times a week as I once did - maybe it doesn't come out for months at a time. But when I do get it out, I love viewing just as I did 30 years ago.

Rest easy mate - it gets into your blood. Find something else to occupy your attention if you feel jaded - astronomy is a patient and forgiving spouse, and she'll still be there waiting for you when you are ready to go back.

__________________
"I'd take the awe of understanding over the awe of ignorance any day." - Douglas Adams

"Certainly, in the topsy-turvy world of heavy rock, having a good solid piece of wood in your hand is often useful." - Ian Faith