The Observer's Blog

Astro-Frat

Since you people who read this are cool, I will let you in on a little secret plan of mine. I just hatched it. I was pondering over my future in astronomy, and I realized that I don't really have any enemies in astronomy. I don't know about you, but this strikes me as a problem. If nothing else, I would like to feel at least a little bit justified in making disparaging comments with no basis in fact about other astronomers in the future. And like a bolt of lightning I realized how this problem could be resolved: an exclusionary astronomy fraternity! I guess we'd let girls in, but in keeping with the great tradition of fraternal organizations open to both sexes, it would be called a fraternity. While the Greek letters of this organization is far from decided (though I think Chi Chi would be appropriate), and though we're probably a long way from our first pledge class, the idea is there and unstoppable! The details can be worked out later, but old as well as young astronomers should be allowed in, as well as astronomers from all fields: galaxies, stars, theory, observation, instrumentation, and planetary. Just so long as you are cool. And not Dick Cool. It was my desire to make a joke regarding Mr. Cool, a person I know practically nothing about except his name, that prompted the frustration that ultimately led to the conception of this organization. I just hope that the unworthy do not find this site.