Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

'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."

6 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 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. 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.