It would not replace the oohs and ahhs emanating from a line of astronomers appreciating a particularly bright shooting star. First, the idea that photons from other planets, stars, and galaxies travel incredible distances to stimulate the nerves in my eye to form images in my brain still blows me away. It's as though this object is touching me and I am interacting with it. Second, there are some really cool things to look at up there. Third, the chicks.
Chicks really dig amateur astronomers.
Photos of Jam, Gary and me used with the kind permission of John Tweeton, webmaster of Sven's World .