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'Amateur' Astronomer Snaps Pic of Planet-Forming Disk

Posted by Soulskill on from the getting-the-most-out-of-your-tools dept.

The Bad Astronomer writes "Rolf Olsen, an 'amateur' astronomer in New Zealand, took an amazing photo of a disk of material around the star Beta Pictoris, the first time this has been seen outside of professional observatories. Incredibly, he snagged it with just a 25 cm (10") telescope! A comparison with an earlier pic from a much larger observatory indicates he nailed it, making this a milestone for amateur astronomy."

11 of 59 comments (clear)

  1. Why the quotes around amateur? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Either he's a professional astronomer, or he's not. Or is this like an 'amateur' porn star?

    1. Re:Why the quotes around amateur? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

      A lot of people seem to think amateur astronomers who have even middling-decent astrophotography equipment must not really be amateurs. They should read the CCD imaging forum on www.cloudynights.com, and see what kinds of stuff people really use, and the results they get. Amateur astronomers aren't necessarily pros, or rich, but they invest their money differently. For the price of a good stereo, or home theater, or at the higher end a used car, you can get a really good set of astrophotography equipment.

      In my mind, it's sort of a bias of perception against scientific hobbyists, whether they go for astronomy, or robotics, etc.

    2. Re:Why the quotes around amateur? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

      Both astronomer and porn star? What are the odds?

    3. Re:Why the quotes around amateur? by osu-neko · · Score: 4, Insightful

      You seem to be under the mistaken impression that putting quotes around a word indicates negation, rather than quotation.

      I probably read too much BBC News. BBC News headlines are quite funny if you pretend they're using quotation marks the way Americans tend to abuse them.

      --
      "Convictions are more dangerous enemies of truth than lies."
    4. Re:Why the quotes around amateur? by theweatherelectric · · Score: 5, Funny

      Both astronomer and porn star? What are the odds?

      Astronomical.

  2. As Austin Powers Says by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    I wouldn’t have thought it was possible, especially with only a 25 cm (10 inch) telescope!

    It's not the size: It's how you use it, Baby!

  3. How about some more quotes by slaad · · Score: 4, Funny

    "Rolf Olsen, an 'amateur' astronomer in 'New' Zealand, took an amazing 'photo' of a 'disk' of material around the 'star' Beta Pictoris, the first time this has been seen outside of 'professional' observatories. Incredibly, he snagged it with just a 25 'cm' (10") telescope! A comparison with an earlier 'pic' from a much larger 'observatory' indicates he nailed it, making this a 'milestone' for 'amateur' astronomy."

    --


    ~Warning!~ The above is encrypted using rot676!
  4. Why is 'amateur' in quotes? by pongo000 · · Score: 4, Informative

    I mean, if he really isn't an 'amateur,' then maybe he should have been referred to as a 'professional' astronomer (sans quotes)?

    Oh wait...the Bad Astronomer makes an error that's common to the rest of the population: He believes 'amateur' means "one lacking in experience and competence in an art or science ." In fact, in this context 'amateur' means "not compensated," "not for hire," or "one who engages in a pursuit, study, science, or sport as a pastime rather than as a profession."

    Perhaps the /. editors could help fight this common misunderstanding by dropping the superfluous quotes. It's too bad the grandeur of Rolf's contribution to science is sullied by other's ignorance. How many of you all thought to yourselves "Why the hell is 'amateur' in quotes?" C'mon...I know you did.

    1. Re:Why is 'amateur' in quotes? by LoverOfJoy · · Score: 5, Funny

      Perhaps the /. "editors" could help fight this common misunderstanding by dropping the superfluous quotes.

      Fixed that for you.

    2. Re:Why is 'amateur' in quotes? by gstoddart · · Score: 4, Interesting

      He believes 'amateur' means "one lacking in experience and competence in an art or science ." In fact, in this context 'amateur' means "not compensated," "not for hire," or "one who engages in a pursuit, study, science, or sport as a pastime rather than as a profession."

      Actually, I think in this case it's more along the lines he's been doing it so long, he's hardly some noob with a new telescope, but he's not a 'professional' either.

      If you look here, that man has some pretty serious astro-photography creds.

      I don't think the article means to imply he's some hack who got lucky, but that he is, technically, an 'amateur'. There's no snark in calling him an amateur ... in fact, the last paragraph of TFA says:

      My sincere and hearty congratulations to Rolf Olsen for achieving this (and you should look through his gallery of astrophotographs; they're beautiful and some are astonishing). I think it's a milestone in 'amateur' astronomy, and it goes to show you that sometimes, the sky is not the limit.

      Seriously, read the article again ... this man is an 'amateur' in only the sense that you describe, and the article isn't saying anything else. He's certainly a competent astronomer (and one with the pleasure of living in an area that affords him some awesome viewing).

      He's not an academic, but he is an 'amateur' -- the quotes seem to belittle the word amateur more than the man being discussed. I think you're mistaken to say " the grandeur of Rolf's contribution to science is sullied by other's ignorance" ... TFA is holding him in the highest esteem.

      --
      Lost at C:>. Found at C.
  5. Quoth the "raven" by The+Bad+Astronomer · · Score: 4, Informative

    The reason I use quotation marks for "amateur" is that a lot of people think amateur means beginner, or not very good at what they're doing. In astronomy the meaning is harder to pin down; a lot of amateurs are doing amazing work. David Levy (of Shoemaker Levy 9) is sometimes referred to as an amateur, meaning not professional. But even then, what does it mean? Unpaid? He gets paid. Untrained? That's silly; he's a great astronomer. So I put the word in quotation marks as a way to poke gentle fun at the way people perceive the word.

    --
    *** Phil Plait, aka The Bad Astronomer http://www.badastronomy.com