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15 years or so ago a good astro friend and I went Astro busking for a while in the mall at Surfers Paradise right in between Hungry Jacks and Maccas near the famous Surfers beach sign. The Moon, Saturn, Jupiter and for a while the impacts of Shoemaker - Levi were all we had to show and we timed it well. We became a very a good attraction with many lining up to look through the 'scopes for a $2 coin. Suffice to say we made enough for me to purchase a Galaxy Optics 14inch set and a rebuild of my Dob at the time. Haven't done this for years now but I know of someoene who set up Astro busking at Southbank with his 12inch Dob on Friday and Saturday nights, nearly always coming home with $200-$400 per night, he very quickly paid himself back the money he put into the hobby. So if you want to upgrade your gear etc it can be as simple as that, no loan required. I also know of a lady who does well selling her prints of the Moon at one of the big markets, not pretty nebula etc, just phases of the Moon, in great demand it seems.
I did worry at first about louts and possible damage etc but quickly realised even they are interested in having a look. We never charged anyone who didn't have any money, everyone got a look and we came home smiling.
Make your gear work for you and you can have anything you want.
PeterM.
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