We are inspired by?

For me, it's simple and undoubtedly this book from long long time ago - Astronomy - A Piccolo Fact Book - that got me started. Surprised to find that this book still exists (see above link). My eldest sister had won it as a prize in one of her schools competition. My mother used to read it out to me and explain (I was too small to read then, i use to listen and enjoy the photographs). I vividly remember the artists impression of the Titans Surface, A photograph of the center of our galaxy, Saturn ring, a cut out diagram of the sun, orion nebula and many more visuals from the book capturing my imagination. I also remember my mom explaining me about the big bang from the book. I knew what I had to become in my life right then and there.

Then came the times when I used to look up at the stars from the light pollution free Delhi skies (1980's and 90's). The view was great when we had loooong power cuts. I remember recognizing Ursa Major for the first time in the sky... I think my dad had shown it to me. That was a high point in my life, because this was the first time I realized that seemingly randomly strewn stars could be recognized as patterns (AND THEY MATCH WITH THE ONES DRAWN IN BOOKS :).

Frequent visits to the Nehru Planetarium in New Delhi in my childhood to catch every new show there (again a big credit to mom for her untiring support). Thats how I learned about a cowboy type group of people who used to call themselves Amateur Astronomers Association of Delhi (AAAD). They used to go out for overnight observations, they had BIG telescopes, some they had built on their own. I instantly joined them (i am still active there 20 years later). There I met many wonderful people (and with most of whom, I am still in close contact with) who have had a lot of influence on my life and they will forever remain my mentors in astronomy. This was another turning point in my life.

Now I must here mention my first visit to Nainital and watching the observatory built on a hilltop, wanted to visit it then, but that dream took many years to fulfill, now it is a regular and almost an annual pilgrimage to the nainital observaotry (might be visiting once again next week).

Dad bought me my first telescope 20X50 (I had to really fight for it), Russian made telescope, looking at Jupiters moons and Craters of moon was something, I would never get tired of. All my friends loved the evening time with my telescope.

Major life transforming events: Voyager Passing Uranus and Neptune and beaming down the images, 1995 and 1999 Total Solar Eclise, Comet Hale Bopp, Shoe Maker Leavy-9 Crash on Jupiter, 1998-1999 Leonid Storm, Pathfinder landing on Mars and many more, making by own 8" telescope, grinding my astronomy clubs (AAADs) 16" telescopes mirror.

Books: Cosmos - by Carl Sagan, Rama series and Space Odessey series and Arthur C. Clarke, Issac Asimov, Doctor Who

Movies: Contact - by Carl Sagan, Star Treks, Star Wars

These were the early influences of astronomy in my life. Now I strive to communicate the same sense of wonder to everyone :)

Thanks bee for the setting the thought process on :)

To the Universe!!!

"We are a way for the universe to know itself. Some part of our being knows this is where we came from. We long to return. And we can, because the Cosmos is also within us. We're made of star stuff."

- Carl Sagan

Angela and Vikrant,

Thanks for sharing this. And I still take pride in Star Trek, Star Wars and Captain Kirk - although it is largely dismissed by most academic 'rocket science' communities, it just is very COOL. If we did have wrap drives and anti-matter spaceships, it would be awesome!

I have a couple more to add: Hitch-hiker's guide to the galaxy, book (you can also read the online version on bbc's website)

Recently I spent some time with Canadian Astronaut Bob Thirsk, NASA Retired Astronaut Jeff Hoffman, Japanese astronaut Chiaki Mukai and Cosmonaut Sergie Krikelev. I asked what inspired you as a child and Bob quickly replied '2001: A space odyssey' as a film!

so, I hope more people will join this and let us know of what kicks off that space-bug in you!
Have you guys checked out the latest joss whedon series 'serenity' and 'firefly'?

Vikrant, you stole all the astronomical events that stand out from my childhood memories; however I recently watched the perseids meteoroid shower from the grasslands of inner mongolia against a crystal clear milky way! It really makes you feel part of the cosmos.

'We are all made of stars' - Moby!

Trek.

But it's all about the Next Generation ;-)

Arthur C Clarke's Odyssey series was also a big influence, and the following 'retro' kids TV shows:

Button Moon
The Clangers
Bucky O'Hare

and believe it or not, the Apollo 13 movie! It's a good example of how space exploration isn't going to go according to plan, and how we come up with stuff on the spot to deal with it when the CO2 hits the fan.

when i was small and still i feel my country is lacking knowledge in space and technology thats why we are not ahead in technology. i know the proverb by DR VIKRAM SARABHAI(FATHER OF INDIAN SPACE PROGRAM), "INDIA SHALL BE SECOND TO NONE IN ANY TECHNOLOGIES". this is what has inspired me to go into this field. and one day i think i ll contribute my country to be on the edge.