A Sidewalk Astronomer movie trailer -- featuring John Dobson

Video starts at 00:07
"An inspiring film about an inspired teacher." -- The New York Times
Official Selection Tribeca Film Festival 2005
DVD of feature-length film and more information available at www.telescopepictures.com
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A Sidewalk Astronomer

On any given night around the world, thousands of people peer into deep space because of John Dobson. An 89-year old with a white ponytail and a knack for comedy, John Dobson revolutionized astronomy. "Possessing a quicksilver wit, a gift for turning a phrase that makes scientific concepts accessible, and an energy that belies his nearly 90 cycles around the sun, Mr. Dobson is one of historyÌs greatest popularizers of science," (Wall Street Journal 9/1/04). He is the inventor of the Dobsonian telescope mount, which changed the field of astronomy dramatically, making telescopes accessible to the public on every continent.

A former Vedanta monk of the Ramakrishna Order, he is a co-founder of "Sidewalk Astronomers," an organization that encourages amateurs to share their telescopes and knowledge with others on busy city streets and in national parks. As John says, "The Universe is bigger than the Earth; it's bigger than the solar system; it's bigger than our galaxy and we owe it to ourselves to notice it." The film follows John as he tours the country from the sidewalks of San Francisco to colleges, universities, astronomy clubs, star parties and to Stellafane, a convention of telescope makers in Vermont. It features sequences on sidewalk astronomy, telescope making, the Moon, Sun, major planets, galaxies, Big Bang Theory, and the nature of time and space. We also get to know John Dobson, a fascinating thinker, philosopher, teacher, and inventor who encourages us to think about the Universe. This astronomical and cosmological journey is illustrated with actual footage and photos of space shot from satellites and spacecraft as well as animation courtesy of NASA, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, the Goddard Space Flight Center and the Hubble Space Telescope Institute.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• A sidewalk astronomer
• john dobson
• astronomy
• cosmology
• jeffrey jacobs
• vedanta
• space
• sky
• sun
• moon
• stars
• galaxies
• deep field
• hubble
• nasa

[ifurn0]

One of the best films ever. The full version can be found by searching it through Google Video.

[irimiateodorian]

A great man ! Congratulations John Dobson for all what you made ! People must make amateur telescopes and to learn to make telescope mirrors at home ! Succes !

[schmarden]

@ifurn0 Damn, can't seem to find this anywhere.

[cosmiclight]

Other films highly recommended- I would strongly suggest The Astronomers Part1 c1993, narrated by Richard Chamberlain. The opening scene with Dobson in the streets of San Francisco and later in the 1 hour film they caught with him at Crater Lake Oregon. Pay close attention to what he says in the first half of the video especially during the telescope building class and later in his apartment on the steps. He is profound, timeless,priceless! Also see John Dobson 95th Birthday Griffith Pk Obsrvty

[cosmiclight]

I've spent much time with John Dobson over the years when he visited the Portland Oregon area, I initiated to take him to schools as we provided solar astronomy for students. As a professional/amateur most of my 57 years of life, I can highly recommend that all should see this entire film superbly produced by Jeffrey Fox Jacobs- he followed John Dobson across America. There is so much to learn when in Dobson's presence as you are only seeing a small sample here in a film excerpt

[DanFrederiksen]

we owe it to ourselves to notice the UFOs. fuck telescopes

[Spraycando]

Like most astronomers, John Dobson is a good man. Listen to him. If you pay attention to what he and other astronomers have to say life won't seem so bad. When you feeling down, look up.

[Edsan91]

@ironclownfish Damn you im jealous :( lol hes a great man! For creating the dob mount I never knew he built telescopes either! Hes awesome! I wished I met him! Does he still Teach that class? And if so here in California?