Ah, in that case I understand what you are trying to say. :P

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The visions we present to our children shape the future. It matters what those visions are. Often they become self-fulfilling prophecies. - Carl Sagan, 1992

Golly, I'm glad SOMEBODY does! :huh:

Hi Faukner …
I wrote - "On a more sober note I hope that, one day, you return to what your parents taught you. You'll find that they aren't that far off-track."

Devilmech wrote - "It is not my wish to offend you, nor to be preached to, so in the interests of good will, I hope we can avoid further discussion of the matter."

You wrote - "Sounds like you know something I don't, Chook? Enlighten us, please!"

Wow! That "Stirred up the possum"!

OK Faulkner - I'll try to explain. First of all I've BTDT (been there, done that) - been the child of religious parents and couldn't get away from home quick enough. Looking back to those days the problem, for me, was the lack of freedom allowed - it was always a matter of being under the subjection of over-domineering parents and their criteria. As devilmech implied - "many religious parents' attitude is negative and judgemental and spirited children can't wait to "escape".

So we associate "religion" with the past smothering attitude of our home and parents. Very unfortunate because this is NOT what Christianity (dirty word?) is about. REAL Christians are lovable and positive people who teach their children to be the same, who trust their children, who realize that their child has to examine the world for themselves and make all the mistakes we usually make but that mum and dad are always there for them for security and good advice. Also, Faulkner, real Christians will enjoy a beer with their mates, and a joke, admire a pretty girl (hear that weaselbunny) and respect science. Of course the universe began with the BB, and evolution is fact. What is a miracle? - a phenomena for which science has not YET an explanation (but the laws ae there somewhere).

So my point to devilmech was - maybe one day you'll realize that love for others, tolerance, compassion, positive thinking and doing good in the community (principles taught by your parents) make this world a better place - not to be resented and to sour you for the rest of your life.

Love life

I'd go as far as saying that these qualities are critical, and no I am not talking from a religious sense, i am talking from a person who lives in a quite tight knit community.

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Damien,
International Baccalaureate Physics teacher
Optics, Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing Instrumentation Major
Admin: Pacific Science and Art

Remember the rules. No discussions about religion. I don't want to have to close the "Introduce yourselves" thread. :-(

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Fraser Cain
Publisher
Universe Today - Free space news delivered by email every weekday.

Hi to all astronomers, space geeks, scientist and all who think and believe that THE TRUTH IS OUT THERE.
Well I'm xientineum...well cool is it. I'm not from USA, I'm from malaysia...a country in south east asia. I'm currently doing my Degree in pure physics and I'm an avid fan of astronomy....my childhood dream.
In my university, I'm currently in a long established astronomy club. We are just a small group of eager people just like to enjoy the universe with our basic equipment of telescopes and bino.

We are actually very interested to doing a very big activity. like big star party and stuffs like that. I'm posting this intro because if anyone have some idea or contacts how can contact other astronomy clubs so that we can learn from the experts.

Will be waiting for reply..thanks,

Life is Universe,
x

Hello xientineum - wow what a great nickname!

Welcome to the UT forum! There are heaps of us amateurs and few brilliant professionals (as well as some certifiable nuts like me).

Most people in here appear to be from either canada or Australia (where I am).

Welcome aboard.

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Damien,
International Baccalaureate Physics teacher
Optics, Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing Instrumentation Major
Admin: Pacific Science and Art

Hello,

I'm gavin, i'm 22 and live in the south west of England. i'm lucky really if i get 1 in 7 clear nights here. never mind. i'm just about to graduate from my MSc (i hope) in mining geology (i would have taken astronomy but my maths isn't quite up to it). i guess i've always been interested in looking down or up...

anyhow, nice to be here.. GS

Welcome to the forums gavinstilton and xientineum. Hope you guys have a pleasant stay, and be sure to be active posters

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The visions we present to our children shape the future. It matters what those visions are. Often they become self-fulfilling prophecies. - Carl Sagan, 1992

::IMPORTANT::
for administrator...there are good smileys..but plss add waving hand smiley too..look i can't even stretch my hands to say hello to all of you... :unsure:
ok...leave it ...i will write it here by stretching my arm a little bit...

hello everyone.....[waving hand]

i m drodo baggins (father of frodo baggins in lord of the rings ). I am from India. i hv just completed my graduation (engg.) and presently am doing mba. i hv been an avid astronomer since my school days. I hv one hand-made 6 inch newtonian telescope, but now am planning to buy a new one. I used to check this site regularly but never entered in forum. I am member of some ametuer astronomers' groups here.

thats all....
this forum looks like very active and I want to be just part of this..

n'joi
[waving hands]
i m gonna sleep now.....cya all

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_____________________________
He who is at peace in a time of war.
He who is cool in a time of heat.
He who walks when others run.
He is a fool.
But he is a Happy fool.
-Anonymous and Happy Man
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Welcome father of Frodo Baggins! As I'm sure you noticed, there's a bunch of great people in the forums. Be sure to post often, we'll be glad to hear from you!

And only recently I have seen the LOTR so now i have an appreciation of the Baggins clan! Welcome drodo, and welcome gavin! have fun, ask questions, enjoy

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Damien,
International Baccalaureate Physics teacher
Optics, Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing Instrumentation Major
Admin: Pacific Science and Art

Hello astronomers, astrophysicists, aliens and any one else who's out there
My name is melvin im 33 and im from the uk (where theres lots of cloud )
On average i escape the city lights and cloud with my reflector about once a month the other 29 days i just have to settle for perusing a myriad of astronomy and space sites. I usally post on the bbc space forum but this board is less restrictive
and seems to have alot more members/posts. ! ! ! GREETINGS ! ! !

sounds a lot like Seattle. We seldom see the sun here, hence the high consumption of coffee. Eastern Washington is the place to be for the stars.

Welcome to the forum melvin. Hope you have a nice time here. It's a great place

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The visions we present to our children shape the future. It matters what those visions are. Often they become self-fulfilling prophecies. - Carl Sagan, 1992

Welcome and all sympathy for you bud, I'm northern UK and the weather is pants for seeing the stars. But it's looking half clear here today, is it tonight that Venus will be near the moon in the sky? hope so.

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<span style='color:purple'>My voices don't like you!</span>

Howdy all,

I've been in the group now for about a week and am very impressed with the give and take and the thought that goes into Universe Today.

Fraser, you are to be commended for a superb sight that creates alot of thought and discussion.

I am in the wide open Canadian Prairie where the skies are big and we have a gorgeous view of the heavens. Anyone who has never been through a good summer storm on a hot July night to see the lightning and cloud hasn't lived. Its especially exciting when it happens during a Rider game and 25- thousand people watch it roll south of the city instead of the game.

I am a very amatuer observer (I don't feel right calling myself any kind of astronomer) and get great joy out of catching the sights with my oldest son (age 9).

FYI, a reminder that tonight is the night Venus and the Man in the Moon go side by side in the early evening. Don't miss it.

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'I don't know if I even have an aura, man. I just try to win.'
Tiger Woods

Well colour me green and give me a big stick to beat you with in a jealous rage!

We're lucky to get a clear night, then you've got the problems of city living, i.e. light polution. Makes viewing the stars a little tricky. (Cue violins!)

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<span style='color:purple'>My voices don't like you!</span>

Weaselbunny,

We would colour your GREEN AND WHITE before you were allowed to beat anyone out in these parts.

Tonite should be pretty nifty, its a beautiful clear day here right now and its supposed to stay clear tonite.
The boy and I will head outside, walk a block to get to the local park, and away from the streetlights and then take a peek at the horizon.

My sympathies for all folks who live in the big cities and don't get to see it all. I clearly recall walking home from the rink as a kid with my friends and you didn't even need streetlights, the stars were that bright in our town. Every kid knew where the big dipper and North star were. And we were up on the edge of the grainbelt so we got to see the Northern lights alot in the winter too.

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'I don't know if I even have an aura, man. I just try to win.'
Tiger Woods

That sounds fantastic, I'd love to see the Northern Lights.

When I finally have kids I want to be living in the country, aside from pollution, crime etc, I'd want them to be able to see the stars. It gets a bit depressing sometimes when you can't!

(Green and white aren't really my colours, perhaps something in blue? Only messing with you bud, I'm a bit of a girly really! )

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<span style='color:purple'>My voices don't like you!</span>

http://science.nasa.gov/spaceweather/auror...ery_01feb04.htm

Thats a link off of spaceweather.com...

SOme of the pictures there are fantastic. WHere I was growing up we would only see the red lights on rare occasions. Blues and silver all the time.
Some of those pics come from Finland which is alot closer to you than Northern Saskatchewan.

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'I don't know if I even have an aura, man. I just try to win.'
Tiger Woods

*waves to Peter Canuck*

Welcome to UT! Hope you have a great time, and welcome to the family

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The visions we present to our children shape the future. It matters what those visions are. Often they become self-fulfilling prophecies. - Carl Sagan, 1992