Watch A Sidewalk Astronomer

A Sidewalk Astronomer is a 2005 documentary film that chronicles the life and work of John Lowry Dobson, the founder of the Sidewalk Astronomers. The film follows Dobson as he travels across the United States, Europe, and South America promoting amateur astronomy and sharing his homemade telescopes with anyone he meets. Born in Beijing, China in 1915, Dobson grew up in the United States and became interested in astronomy at a young age. As a teenager, he built his first telescope using a mail-order lens and a cardboard tube. He went on to earn a degree in chemistry from the University of California, Berkeley, but found that his passion lay in astronomy.

In the 1960s, Dobson became frustrated with the exclusivity of the scientific community and the high cost of telescopes, which he believed prevented many people from experiencing the wonder of the night sky. He started giving public lectures and built his own telescopes, which he dubbed "sidewalk telescopes," to share with others. He founded the Sidewalk Astronomers, a group of amateur astronomers dedicated to promoting public awareness of astronomy, in 1968.

The film shows Dobson's tireless efforts to bring astronomy to the masses. He travels to remote schools in rural areas and gives talks to students who have never seen the stars before. He sets up his telescopes on street corners and invites passersby to take a look. His enthusiasm and passion are infectious, and people of all ages and backgrounds are drawn to him.

The film also explores Dobson's personal life. He lived a simple life, eschewing material possessions in favor of pursuing his passion for astronomy. He was a devotee of Advaita Vedanta, a Hindu philosophy of non-duality, and saw his work as a way of connecting people to the universe and each other.

Despite his efforts, Dobson faced opposition from some members of the scientific community who saw his work as amateurish and unscientific. His telescopes were dismissed as too simple and crude. However, Dobson remained undeterred, and continued to spread his message of the joy and wonder of astronomy until his death in 2014.

A Sidewalk Astronomer is a touching tribute to a man who dedicated his life to sharing his love of astronomy with others. Dobson's passion and enthusiasm for his work are inspiring, and the film captures the sense of awe and wonder that he sought to instill in those he met. Whether you are a seasoned astronomer or simply someone who has ever marveled at the night sky, this film is a must-see.