Question: How many astronomers does it take to change a lightbulb?

1 observational astronomer to measure luminosity and redshift of bulb
1 theoretical astronomer to calculate spherical coordinates of bulb
1 departmental head to write to SERCPPARC, for project funds
1 astronomical engineer to design and build the bulb replacing satellite
1 starling SIG programmer to write satellite control and data reduction software
1 NASA mission control expert to arrange satellite launch and say "t-2 go for main engine start........" etc
1 remote observer to manipulate the satellites arm once in elliptical orbit around light bulb
1 Grad student to act as scapegoat in event of mission failure

A research student to sit around and not learn anything.
His/Her supervisor to explain how much harder it was to change light bulbs when he/she was a research student.
An amateur astronomer to make sure it's a low pressure sodium light bulb with proper shading to reduce light pollution (right kids!).
Some technical johnny to actual change the light bulb and generally keep the place running while the astronomers contemplate their NGC's.

One to actually change the darn thing.
One to operate the CCD camera to measure the number of photons it emits whilst his friend operates the computer to do the task (bit techie)
And another to complain about how the CCD is out of focus and how the light bulb actually looks like a polo mint.

Taken from the electronic bulletin of the Network of Student Physical Societies, 1994.