"Dave Ludlow" wrote in message
...
On Sun, 16 Dec 2007 20:14:37 -0000, "David Mitchell"
wrote:

When I was a kid walking home at night in the 50s, the only street
lights
were gas and they didn't light much of the street let alone the sky. Any
clear night, I could see the Milky Way, which is something I haven't
seen
for decades.

Drop in Graham, I can see it now. Though at -3.8 I won't be hanging around
too long.

I've seen it because when out of town on a dark clear night, I
sometimes stop the car (safely!) in the middle of nowhereand get out
just to have a look. It's awe inspiring. I once did that on a dark
section of the A34 just to show my (then) teenage daughter what the
milky way looked like - something she'd never seen before. She moaned
and groaned and really did not want to get out of the car into the
cold night air!

Well I talked her into it but she only grudgingy conceded that it was
an amazing sight. However, I am satisfied in the knowledge that at
least I gave her the opportunity to experience something awesome that
I don't believe 95% of people under the age of forty have ever seen.
But sadly, I suspect that most people, not even University Grads (as
she now is) don't really care.

--
Dave

I was going visiting friends with my wife and 16 year old son last evening.
As I walked to their front door I looked up at the late twilight sky and the
ISS just happened to be transiting over their house.

I stood and quite excitedly (even though I have seen it many many times)
shouted"look, the space station!" I just got looks of disinterest. even our
friend who is an intelligent articulate woman never even stepped out side to
look up.

I can't believe how little interest people have in the sky, whether it is
day or night. I guess boys don't dream about being pilots or astronauts
these days...

So sad.

Paulus