Street Stars (Abstract)

Volume 31 number 1 (2003)

John Pazmino

Abstract

(Abstract only) It is prevalent to assert that all of home astronomy is stargazing. Yet stargazing can be a terribly frustrating pursuit due to weather, lifestyle conflicts, social acceptance, luminous graffiti, crime and public nuisances, park closings, and other factors. In many parts of the country, the failure to experience stargazing on a satisfying and consistent manner leads to abandonment of home astronomy. New York City exploits earthly features of home astronomy, to the extent that loss of raw stargazing does not destroy the home astronomy culture. Several examples are presented of these, including indoor meetings, cultural events at nonastronomy facilities, architectural astronomy motifs, start-themed coffee shops. In places where raw stargazing is interdicted, features such as those enjoyed in New York City can rescue and enhance an otherwise ailing home astronomy culture.