Atomic, Nuclear, and Particle (ANuPar) Physics vs. Amateur Astronomy

Here I must point out this is NOT a direct comparison as to which hobby is "better". Since amateur Atomic, Nuclear, and Particle physics (ANuPar) is not yet a thing, I am attempting to put forth the similarity between the two fields, and share some thoughts on why such amateur society not yet exist.  

SIMILARITY BETWEEN AMATEUR PARTICLE PHYSICS AND ASTRONOMY

My argument on why DIY particle physics can potentially develop into a life-long scientific hobby similar to amateur astronomy.

• Both fields require scientific understanding, technical knowledge, and hands-on skills to truly appreciate its significance as a field that contributes to humanity.
• Both fields have tangible media materials as a consequence from the hobby. These materials can and often incorporated into visual arts due to its aesthetics. A keen astrophotographer may take beautiful astrophotos with his telescope, so does a particle "hunter" with a cloud chamber.
• A cloud chamber to an amateur particle physicist is quite like a telescope to an amateur astronomer: Just as some astronomers prefer to DIY their scopes, or at least part of their scopes, an amateur particle physicist also have to construct her/his own cloud chamber. Either way, they both would learn a lot from the construction of their own instruments.
• Both fields could actually do without their "tools of trade". An amateur astronomer may want to study the motion of sun or stars in low budget, so may use literally sticks, protractor, and a clock to measure shadow angles or star positions. A DIY particle physicist going low cost can work with mathematical simulations. If you're good with math, all you need is a paper and a pen (a bit boring for me, but it is as necessary as part of science as oxygen to mammals).
• Both fields rely almost solely on observation and a good deal of luck; also there is no arbitrary parameters to manipulate the outcome of the observed event. You can argue that there is less "luck" involved in astronomy because it is possible to choose what and where you want to observe, but until the day we can fine-tune the weather, it is impossible to say you have total control. Just as an astronomer may increase the chance of getting clear sky by finding suitable locations, a particle hunter must also do the same thing to increase the probability of finding interesting events. 
• Both fields have extended "depth" of technicality to delve into and they come with their respective costs. In other words, just like the difference between a mildly-interested astronomer who would, for personal reason, stop at entry-level telescope and google skymap as compared to an "almost professional" astronomer who builds a permanent dome observatory; a casual observer in particle physics may stop at a plastic fish tank cloud chamber and a phone camera, or go deep into measuring momentum or other properties of nuclear fragments by designing high performance expansion cloud chambers. 
• Both astronomy and particle physics have variety of sub-fields to develop specific interest: an astrophotographer may like to photograph and study the planets in the solar system, the equipment used will be specific to this purpose as compared to another astrophotographer who like to study deep sky objects like nebulae and galaxies. (Subfields: planetary imaging, finding asteroids, nebulae photography, spectroscopy, etc.) A DIY particle physicists may be interested to study the nuclear structure of large atoms, so may develop cloud chamber and scattering experiments specific for it; or she could be a particle hunter, building specifically designed cloud chamber to look for cosmic ray spallations. (Subfields: nuclear structure, transmutations, neutron reactions, spallations, particle hunting, etc.)  
• Both fields are rewarding on its own right: they start with inspirations or fascinations with photos (media exposure), then strings of ideas that proceed with research opportunities; get results, enriching the mind and appreciating the hobby as part of human's collective understanding of the awesome cosmos.

WHY IS THIS NOT A THING YET?

Unlike amateur astronomy, the idea of a substantial group for "amateur particle physics" was never realized despite more than a century of exponential developments. The society did not exist probably due to the following considerations:

• There is practically no media coverage on this topic. What I meant was the kind of coverage astronomy enjoyed with general public, particularly children. Part of it might be the result of an industrial-government complex of funding bodies and NASA to justify its functions such as all those magnificent space telescope programs. In any case, DIY particle physics might be still considered too technical to publicize? Children would NOT recognize a cloud chamber like how they know a telescope by caricature (usually refractors).
• Because of the point above, commercialization does not exist. Current vendors of cloud chambers market their products for schools, university, or museum demonstrations. They are either poor in construction (literally just acrylic, felt, and aluminum) that gives poor quality particle tracks or chambers that are so ridiculously expensive they could only be paid by state funds (and often doesn't get the attention proportional to their monetary worth).
• The science curriculum in elementary/ lower secondary schools did not emphasize methods of discovery; furthermore, atoms or ionising radiation was considered too advance for children's understanding.   
• The materials to construct a cloud chamber was considered expensive and unavailable. However, since early 2010, Cloudylabs has proven this untrue, as chambers can be easily built with the advent of Peltier elements and CPU air/water cooling modules. Together with emergence of online shopping, it's really more of an excuse today.   
• The association to "dangerous" radiation: this is some irrational fear that I am struggling to understand why believers still refuse to find proper sources of information to dispute this.
• Lack of relevant books or reading materials? Maybe, but in the world of internet memes and social justices, it is again hard to justify why this is a reason at all because information is becoming increasingly available. Some relevant research papers is now available without paywalls because it was published so long ago. 
• Physical risks involved.