[AstroNet] [Staff] Lion's Head Feedback

[Mellony Spark]

Wow Kevin, you certainly have one of the best jobs around here :) Thanks 
for the heart-warming feedback/inspiration, it's good to hear. I still 
feel a *small* measure of guilt that we actually get paid to do this, 
but if it means we're able to help many other people jump out of their 
routine for a moment and share the 'wow-factor', that's great!

Mell

Kevin Govender wrote:
> Every now and then one should take a step back and reflect on why it 
> is one does what one does.
>
> Tonight on Lion's Head such an opportunity was afforded to us with a 
> perfectly clear still warm night with a full moon, Saturn, Orion and 
> Southern Cross hanging over the majestically polluting city lights of 
> Cape Town. On such a marvellously reflective venue we had taken up one 
> 6 inch Dobsonian telescope and an Earthball. By our estimate 
> considering time spent and rate of viewing, there were over 250 views 
> through the telescope (fewer separate individuals since some came by 
> twice or thrice for different objects). Of the numerous WOWs and 
> OHMYGODs and NOWAYs that we heard there was one that stuck out the 
> most. There was a twentysomething girl who was so completely blown 
> away by Saturn's rings that she actually broke into tears! She could 
> not believe what she was seeing to the point that she grabbed both my 
> hands in hers, looked me in the eyes with tears in hers and said 
> something along the lines of "but you don't understand - this is so 
> amazing - I've never seen anything like this before"
>
> If ever you doubt that astronomy can change people's lives, please 
> come speak to me and to many others who see these things daily!
> If ever you doubt the impact of the work you do in promoting 
> astronomy, we definitely need to chat.
> If ever you feel overwhelmed with all the beaurocracy and routine of 
> daily life, take some time to go outside and look at the skies - and 
> perhaps take someone with you - to find your peace.
>
> Astronomy is more than just another field of science - it is a source 
> of inspiration and wonder - a tool to shape not just our perspective 
> of the universe but also our actions in interacting with it - and it 
> is the one thing that ties all of us at SAAO together!
>