Sidewalk Astronomy and John Dobson

Have you ever been stopped by a person on a city street who is standing next to a telescope inviting you to look up at Jupiter or the Moon or Saturn or even sunspots? Sidewalk Astronomers enjoy doing just this, planting themselves at busy intersections or interesting locations with a telescope and a smile and willingness to share the cosmos with anyone who happens across them. There is no special membership needed to be a sidewalk astronomer, just a 'scope and a socially-minded demeanor.

There is a worldwide association of Sidewalk Astronomers

Huge Hand-Made Dobsonians

, a loosely organized bunch of urban guerrillas who enjoy standing on the street corners of the world sharing their love of the heavens. I've done this myself from time to time, although I tend to focus more on public 'star parties' and events such as the Mt. Tam Astronomy Nights or Yosemite National Park where I connect with visitors and share the night sky. But all of the amateur astronomers around the world owe a debt of gratitude to John Dobson, the first sidewalk astronomer. John was passionate about sharing the sky with everyone on the planet, did so with countless hours on the sidewalks of San Francisco and elsewhere, and revolutionized the world of amateur astronomy with the development of a telescope design that now bears his name, a design that is relatively easy to construct from low cost materials and yet provides a spectacular view of the heavens. Dobsonians are now commonplace in the world of amateur astronomy and are even sold commercially. John loved looking up at the sky and being dazzled by what he saw, and the Dobsonian is a living legacy of his passion and commitment to bring that sense of wonder to millions.

John passed away earlier this year at the ripe old age of 98. He's remembered fondly by many, including the San Francisco amateur astronomy community where he was a fixture for many of his years as a sidewalk astronomer. I only met him on two occasions, but as is the case when you brush with greatness, you know that this person is unique and special in a deep way and you come away from that encounter with a feeling that something greater was before you. I stand in awe and respect for John and am glad to be an astronomy evangelist, inspired in part by the pioneering work he did for all people on the planet.

Get Involved: Cal Academy, Star Parties, meet John Dobson

February is a busy month here in San Francisco for those who are ready to take a step forward and get involved in a local astronomy event or two. Here's the lineup.

On February 11, the San Francisco Amateur Astronomers (SFAA) team up with the California Academy of Sciences for a new series of astronomy talks and star tours on the Living Roof of the Cal Academy. I'll be giving the talk this Thursday during the NightLife event at 7:15 pm. More information and tickets on the NightLife webpage.

On February 17, the SFAA holds its monthly meeting and lecture at the Randall Museum in San Francisco. And on February 20th they have their City Star Party and Telescope Workshop. You can dust off your old telescope and bring it out for a quick lesson on using your telescope (before the sun sets), and then enjoy stargazing at the City Star Party. This is at Lands End in San Francisco.

On February 25th and 26th, the amateur astronomy community of San Francisco bids farewell to a living legend in the field, John Dobson. John is a co-founder of the San Francisco Sidewalk Astronomers (they call what they do "urban guerilla astronomy") and the creator of the easy-to-build and easy-to-use telescopes that bear his name, Dobsonians. There will be a get together with John on Thursday 25th in the Sunset District of San Francisco, and sidewalk astronomy with John at a location to be determined in the city, to say Farewell as John moves from San Francisco to Los Angeles. I am impressed with Sidewalk Astronomers and especially with John Dobson, who had a singular vision to make telescopes accessible to anyone who wants to build one out of inexpensive parts, and to get these telescopes out on the street so everyone can appreciate the wonders of the sky and see something they hadn't seen before. I respect that.

I hope to see you at one of these events.