Astronomy challenges wifes thought process

[hookedonsaturn]

I bought my newtonian 6"about 3 months ago and built a "modest"observatory in the back yard.This was all fine and had the spousette happy as it got me out of her hair in the evenings for a "modest"price.However after looking through a mates 10" MEADE i realized that 6" wasnt enough.Now in a quiet conversation on a cloudy evening i casualy mentioned i "needed"a bigger scope.Relaxing and taking a mouthfull of hot coffee i heard her terse reply"if 6"is good enough for me it better be good enough for you" ,coffee expelled at force of super nova.
After a few hours of trying to explain to her the difference of needing and wanting being 2 different things and this was not a want but a need i nearly gave up in frustration when suddenly i was hit with a brainstorm. smileing at her i told her "well sweetheart you want your time alone but you tell me you need it and well if i want to do my part in keeping you happy then i need the bigger scope to ensure your quality quiet time"
Result of this is she gets her quality quiet time and i get my bigger scope.
My momma never raised no fool

The only thing i wonder from all this is why no one told me that wanting bigger appature would happen so fast and why no one has ever said how big is big enough?Is this some secret addiction no one admits to except on cool dark starry nights away from those that dont understand?

[ballaratdragons (Ken)]

Why stop at 10". Go for BIG while the Iron is hot!!!

[Adrian-H]

if you really want to put lots of time into your hobby large is good.

but i think that if you just want to have something to enjoy when you come home in the evening each day, or you dont want to much hassle setting up, smaller is better..

ive gone through quite alot of equipment, and i think i will be selling alot of it very soon, cause this hobby isnt a full time thing for me, there are plenty of important things i gotta do in my life, im still young, i think id rather just stick with something small and simple, i would probly just use a 8" dob or smaller in the future, need sleep, have more important things to do during the day time, rather then staying up all night.

basicly because you can just pull it out when you arive home in the evening, spend zero time setting up, and zero hassles, as you can just pick up the 8" with one hand get it outside and observe straight away, and then pack up straight away whenever need be, saving so much time and hassle, and gaining the enjoyment out of simplicity.

my current and final interest in observational astronomy is the moon and planets, i have been interested in mostly deep sky objects in the past but they are so limited to the darkness of the sky, where as you can view the moon and planets from anywhere on earth when they are around and not need worry as long as there are no clouds about.

anyways this is me, thought you might like to know.

aperture dose not allways rule.

spend more time thinking then buying and chose wisely.

Adrian.

[[1ponders] (Paul)]

There is no end to aperture fever.

[PeteMo (Pete)]

Aperture fevour hits us all. We may have a 25" Obsession, but as soon as the 36" or bigger comes out we want it! Ah well, we could win the lotto!

I know the trouble with "She who must be obeyed" only too well. It seems she can go to Ikea and blow a wodge of dosh on yet more furniture, I mean how many sofas can we sit in simultaneously? Or take the Ab King Pro she ordered and used twice!! Yet when I want a bigger scope I've first got to sell my current one, which I did and John is now the happy owner.

Then comes the "You spend more time with that scope than you do with me"! We have a conflict of interests, big time, as all the good stuff is up in the sky right now, yet I'm seen as a 'deserter' if I dare venture outside without prior approval. At least she does enjoy having the odd look through the scope herself, so all is not completely lost.

[Outbackmanyep]

More Inches = More pleasure!

[hookedonsaturn]

Well for me being 55 what i look at is get as big as i can afford now and fully set up.That way when i do retire and am on limited income i have my equiptment all bought and paid for and can fully devote my evenings to the heavens.Even the wife figures now that this is the way to go .After all as she puts it"once its paid for it doesnt cost you anything to use "
The wife cant complain as she started this with a little 2 inch scope to look at the moon .Besides even she got to watch part of the transition of Jupiters moons a few weeks ago.I just have to be carefull and limit her viewing or she might want the big scope leaving me back with the little one

[jjjnettie (Jeanette)]

Originally Posted by hookedonsaturn

That way when i do retire and am on limited income i have my equiptment all bought and paid for and can fully devote my evenings to the heavens.

Oh dear.
I hate to disillusion you but....
As long as there are ads in the Astronomy magazines there will always be something else you need to/ have to buy.

[ballaratdragons (Ken)]

Originally Posted by jjjnettie

Oh dear.
I hate to disillusion you but....
As long as there are ads in the Astronomy magazines there will always be something else you need to/ have to buy.

How true that is!!!!

Scarey isn't it

[hookedonsaturn]

Originally Posted by jjjnettie

Oh dear.
I hate to disillusion you but....
As long as there are ads in the Astronomy magazines there will always be something else you need to/ have to buy.

I showed this to the wife and casualy commented that obviously when i retired she would need to keep working. i will not repeat the words in a family forum.