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[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Amateur Astronomer Johnny

It was rather a shock to have heard of Johnny Carson's death. I grew up watching him and enjoying his guests when I should have been in bed.

Not many remember that Carson was a avid Amateur Astronomer and often spoke of it on his show. He was quite knowledgeable of astronomy and could go head to head with professional astronomers and physicists he invited on the show. He also brought to the American publics attention the Great Carl Sagan and his "Billions and Billions" trade mark.

I wonder what type of equipment he had....I'm sure top of the line stuff.

A fellow astronomer now knows what goes on out there.

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Carson Quote...

In a Rolling Stone Interview in 1979, Johnny Carson spoke about his love of astronomy:

When asked who he would have liked to interview that he had not yet...

That's an interesting question, really. Da Vinci probably; he could've been a hell of an interview. Or Isaac Newton, because my hobby is astronomy. I'm fascinated with astronomy. I was up at five the other morning. I woke up -- I think the dog was barking -- I came outside and got the telescope out and was sitting there at five in the morning. It's a real mind bender. Gorgeous. Yeah, somebody like Newton, Keppler, Copernicus.

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I also understand that there is an asteroid named after him as well.