Quote:
Originally Posted by ausastronomer
A 2 piece 30"/F4.6 OMI mirror. The mirror split into 2 equal pieces after the trailer it was being transported in hit a pothole on a dirt road. There was a very minor chip on the back of the mirror, which was never going to be a problem but the mirror split right where the chip was.
That was a $30,000 plus mirror, in a $60,000 plus SDM Telescope.
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For me. I had my Mak on a HEQ5 w/ a pier extension. I hadn't tightened all one of my tripod legs all the way - apparently. It was a windy night which I'm sure didn't help. I was sitting below it, looking at something - probably trying to fathom the synscan controller which was new to me at the time and I noticed my scope starting leaning.
I looked up thinking what a majestic sight to see my new-to-me scope with the Milkyway in the background only to immediately start panicking when I saw what was happening. I immediately jumped up and put myself between it and the ground. I essentially tackled the pier like a rugby play might tackle a training dummy or another player.
In my right ear I heard a *snap* or a maybe closer to a *click*. It wasn't the telescope or the mount. I managed to save it without damage. It was a tendon in my right shoulder.
It took 2 years for that injury to heal completely.