Posted by Guy C. on June 09, 2004 at 06:47:12 from 81.113.177.2 user Astronomer_Guy.
In Reply to: An astronomer would be useful posted by Adam Quinan on June 09, 2004 at 00:21:19:
As we were showing the Transit to a large group of visitors from America at our observatory, it occurred to me how Dick was in many ways the ideal astronomer; not only did he love the stuff, he also loved sharing it with anyone who would stand still long enough to listen. And in the S & A's he had an astronomer's dream: an appreciative audience.
He was -- and remains -- very real to me, a role model, a sign that one could be fascinated with science and nature and still have a place in your friends' adventures. I wonder how many of the "boffins" who helped win WWII were inspired by his example?
The Transit was surprisingly sublime; I can't think of any other word to describe it. I was as happy as Dick signalling to Mars.