Returning to astronomy after nearly 8 years

[louie_the_fly]

Hi everyone. After 8 long years away from the hobby, and this awesome site, I've decided it's time to rekindle my love for astronomy. Back then, after the death of my wife, my dad told me not to make any decisions that I might regret. Unfortunately, I didn't heed his advice, and I went ahead and sold all my astro gear. I didn't have a massive amount of stuff, but it was enough to get a lot of enjoyment out of something that has fascinated me since I was a little kid.

So now I need to start again. I've posted a wanted ad for a dob - I'll make that my restarting point and go from there. I'm looking forward to spending nights out under the stars again in my own piece of dark sky in the Adelaide Hills. Maybe not too much in winter.

[Ryderscope]

Welcome back Stewart. Things will always happen in their own time and when the time is right. I’m sure that you will have many enjoyable hours of astronomy fun now that you are back in the saddle :)

[doug mc]

Good first start with a dob. I'd love to go back to a dob, but no storage where I live now. Enjoy.

[EpickCrom]

Welcome back to Astronomy Stuart.

You have made the right choice by choosing a dob. You will have many unforgettable observing experiences under your dark skies :thumbsup:

[KG8]

Welcome back. I too drifted away in 2010 when the skies clouded over for a year or two, Sold my C11 and both skywatcher mounts, 5 and 6, but kept a little C6 and all my eyepieces and books etc. I made the mistake once selling it all once, back in the 1980's when I got married.


Now too I'm rekindling my interest but will stick with the 6" for now. The last decade and a half weren't a total waste hobby wise, I went into Amateur radio and am well established in that now.

[alan meehan]

Welcome Back Stuart

[dugnsuz]

Many Happy Returns Stew!!:P

I'm just up the road from you in Hahndorf - we've had a great run of clear nights over the last couple of weeks.

Hope you managed to sort out a scope to take advantage?

All the best
Doug

[astronobob]

Happy returns Stew, yeah astronomy cant keep away from it hey, must be the gravity side of it,,,, :P

[louie_the_fly]

Thanks for all the kind words. I pulled the trigger on a 2nd hand Skywatcher 8" collapsible goto dob last week. It's on its way to Adelaide at the moment. Hopefully I will pick it up on Friday.

Hopefully we'll get some clear skies soon.

[astronobob]

Very versatile Stew, congratts, been catching many photons yet ?

[louie_the_fly]

I've managed to get out twice for a few hours each time. I've just concentrated on reacquainting myself with the sky. Unfortunately, each time, the scope dewed up, then it got overcast.

[Bevan31]

Ha ha I love it 😀