04-16-2014, 06:18 PM
Opihikao - I'm so glad that at least the oldest was "mesmerized". That is so good to hear. Whether or not they go onto a career based on science is of course uncertain, but just to get someone at an early age captivated by astronomy and science will often lead that kid into a successful life.
Just a quick story from me. Some years ago I noticed that the sight in one of my eyes had suddenly deteriorated. I ended up in the ER in Hilo where a very kindly doctor looked at an MRI scan of my brain and said he thought it indicated a detached retina. I had been sent there by a less kindly eye doctor who didn't see the detachment and said it was likely a brain tumour or I'd had a stroke, so you can imagine the panic I was feeling.
I was immediately sent to an eye surgeon in Kona who referred me to an eye surgeon in Honolulu, where I ended up the next day - scared out of my life I might add.
The eye surgeon in Honolulu quickly confirmed the diagnosis of a detachment and saw problems in my other eye as well, and I had emergency surgery. That guy saved my sight so was grateful to him no matter what. Over the next few weeks however (I was not allowed to fly back to the BI for several weeks) the Dr and I became friends and I learned he had grown up in Hilo. I also learned that he had done well at school and ended up doing a school project as an intern at UKIRT, my telescope (although a couple of years before I was there). He ended up winning a state science competition based on that work and ended up going to Harvard, only to return a few years later to save the sight of someone working at the observatory that had helped him learn science and an opportunity to give him a great life as well as helping others. It was also a great feeling to know he had returned to the islands to do his work. Although he was in Honolulu, he made it clear he really wanted to return to Hilo to continue his work. I don't know if he's managed that yet.
There are strange and roundabout ways the observatories can help people make a career for themselves and also return their love of the subject to the local population. This is just one of them.
Just a quick story from me. Some years ago I noticed that the sight in one of my eyes had suddenly deteriorated. I ended up in the ER in Hilo where a very kindly doctor looked at an MRI scan of my brain and said he thought it indicated a detached retina. I had been sent there by a less kindly eye doctor who didn't see the detachment and said it was likely a brain tumour or I'd had a stroke, so you can imagine the panic I was feeling.
I was immediately sent to an eye surgeon in Kona who referred me to an eye surgeon in Honolulu, where I ended up the next day - scared out of my life I might add.
The eye surgeon in Honolulu quickly confirmed the diagnosis of a detachment and saw problems in my other eye as well, and I had emergency surgery. That guy saved my sight so was grateful to him no matter what. Over the next few weeks however (I was not allowed to fly back to the BI for several weeks) the Dr and I became friends and I learned he had grown up in Hilo. I also learned that he had done well at school and ended up doing a school project as an intern at UKIRT, my telescope (although a couple of years before I was there). He ended up winning a state science competition based on that work and ended up going to Harvard, only to return a few years later to save the sight of someone working at the observatory that had helped him learn science and an opportunity to give him a great life as well as helping others. It was also a great feeling to know he had returned to the islands to do his work. Although he was in Honolulu, he made it clear he really wanted to return to Hilo to continue his work. I don't know if he's managed that yet.
There are strange and roundabout ways the observatories can help people make a career for themselves and also return their love of the subject to the local population. This is just one of them.