One thing I think is a good sign for humanity is the fact that amateur astronomy is taken so seriously...

I visited an impressive amateur astronomy group's observatory when I visited Pennsylvania- It was a large 1 story building built with donations and grants on a state park. It had 2 large scopes, ~24 inch reflector and a huge long refractor... the building was equipped with retractable roofs to allow observing. It also had a lecture room and a small planetarium. people donated time to build it... I met a few of them. They were obvious enthusiasts, and LOVED astronomy.

Unfortunately, they are a minority- but on the plus side they are working, via star parties, to change that...

It is illogical, but astronomy does not become REAL until you peer through a scope with your own eye- and the light of that distant object hits your own retina... Otherwise its 'just pretty cool pictures'

The more amateur observatories we create then the more kids will go into the sciences. Show a kid a view of Saturn in a scope, then explain how far away it is and how huge it is... then show them the Orion nebula and explain how much much further away it is... and how new solar systems are being born there.

Too many kids grow up only seeing their immediate surroundings as 'real', a telescope is a wonderful way of shattering that illusion and opening minds...

The smart ones will get it, and actively want to learn more