I got a 'WOW!'

middy · #1 01-06-2006, 12:08 PM

I managed to convince my wife to come outside and take a look through the scope last night. It was a very cold night last night in Brisbane so she only lasted 60 seconds. However, in her first 60 second observing session we managed to fit in Jupiter, Eta Carina and Omega Centauri.

The 'WOW!' came from Omega Centauri. I first pointed it out visually in the sky and then let her see it through the scope.

Jupiter got a 'yeah I can see the bands'.

Eta Carina got a 'That's nice dear'

She's a tough audience

After she retired inside I stayed outside for a further hour taking a few widefield shots with the camera until my fingers were practically frozen solid and I couldn't move them anymore.

Now THAT's staying power

I think I need a pair of gloves and a woolly hat.

ving (David) · #2 01-06-2006, 12:59 PM

lol, "better" halves are often the toughest audience i find

they are either interested, or not...

so it got down to a frosty 15 degrees n brissy last night did it?

Starkler (Geoff) · #3 01-06-2006, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ving

lol, "better" halves are often the toughest audience i find

they are either interested, or not...

At lease she didnt say something like , "so you think looking at this stuff is more interesting than looking at me"

middy · #4 01-06-2006, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ving

lol, "better" halves are often the toughest audience i find

they are either interested, or not...

so it got down to a frosty 15 degrees n brissy last night did it?

Frosty would have been warm. It actually got down to an Antarctic 4.5 degrees in my yard last night.

ving (David) · #5 01-06-2006, 01:27 PM

4.5 is cold!

i'll trade ya

Lester · #6 01-06-2006, 01:56 PM

Atleast your wife has a look through the telescope. Mine only looks through the window, won't adventure outside for observing at all.

ving (David) · #7 01-06-2006, 02:23 PM

lester, its kinda like a blessing really... do you really want to fight over the scope?

vindictive666 (John) · #8 01-06-2006, 02:29 PM

i wouldnt mind a partner full stop heh heh

Lester · #9 01-06-2006, 02:53 PM

Hi Ving,

That is a very good point.

wavelandscott (Scott) · #10 01-06-2006, 04:54 PM

Congrats on the WOW! It is fun to get those from people...

Sausageman (Mike Boggan) · #11 01-06-2006, 05:22 PM

I agree, I love the reactions I get from people.
Omega Centauri is one of my favourites.

And it got below freezing where I live, -1.3 last night and - 3.8 Tuesday night.
So much for sub-tropical Queensland......

Mike

OneOfOne (Trevor) · #12 02-06-2006, 07:41 AM

My wife doesn't mind the odd squiz at my 8 inches. I have even broken her of the habit of turning on the back light "so she can see".

She especially likes it when we have friends/neighbours over for a look. She likes to put in her little buzz words "the rings of Saturn are wonderful", "I really like seeing the moons of Jupiter", "can we see Orion" etc. After a few minutes though she has had enough (this time of year).

h0ughy (David) · #13 02-06-2006, 07:51 AM

My wife just stands there with an axe and a maniacal look in her eyes with a half drool, heavily breathing uttering some undistinguishable chant. She has never looked thought any of my scopes.

Dennis · #14 02-06-2006, 08:25 AM

Yesterday, my wife helped me import the auto guider log from my ST7 CCD camera into an Excel spreadsheet, and graph it, so I could investigate the frustrating oscillation I am getting in RA when trying to image through my C9.25.

She’s a very clever person and I love her.

She even turns the kitchen lights off and makes do with the concealed bench lights whilst I am observing in the back garden…and I get cups of tea and biccies passed through the lounge room windows, as well as my reading glasses when I forget them.

She’s a wonderful, astronomy friendly wife and I love her.

Apologies for this pathetic display of naked emotions in a bloke’s world, I just couldn’t help myself.

Cheers

Dennis

middy · #15 02-06-2006, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dennis

She even turns the kitchen lights off and makes do with the concealed bench lights whilst I am observing in the back garden…and I get cups of tea and biccies passed through the lounge room windows, as well as my reading glasses when I forget them.
Dennis

tea and biccies!!!!!

So when is the observing session round at your place Dennis?
I drink tea, white with one, and I like Monte Carlos ..... just to help your wife with the refreshment planning.

Gargoyle_Steve (Steve) · #16 03-06-2006, 03:14 AM

YOU are a lucky lucky man Dennis! Cuppas, biscuits - I hope you tell your wife frequently that you could not live without her.

I don't have a wife, or live in girlfriend, or girlfriend at all officially, no-one who would think she is competing with my nocturnal astronomical endeavours, so you'd think I'd be right to observe as I see fit (and usually I am) ....

However....

I was forced to miss the May Lunar occultation of Antares because of an EX-girlfriend - how bad is that??? I managed a quick squiz at Antares from her driveway when it was high in the sky and close to the moon, about 30 minutes prior to the occultation, before it was politely but firmly explained that I should be going inside the house.

Decorum prevents me from saying any more ..... but missing Antares !!!!!

Geesh....

Dennis · #17 03-06-2006, 07:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by middy

tea and biccies!!!!!

So when is the observing session round at your place Dennis?
I drink tea, white with one, and I like Monte Carlos ..... just to help your wife with the refreshment planning.

Hi Andrew

It’s a done deal. When Matt relocates to Mt Gravatt we'll have a get together at my place.

Cheers

Dennis

CoombellKid · #18 03-06-2006, 04:39 PM

Yep! my missus is good with the home made cookies and coffee here too.
Slowly managing to get her to have the odd look through the scope, she's
managing to name a few constellation now too. I showed her Omega
Centuri and the Leo triplet through the new 20mm t5, she thought that
looked pretty special. I hoping going to Astrofest and seeing other girls in
the hobby she might want to take it up further, good excuse to get a new
pair of binoc's.

regards,CS

Rob

mickoking · #19 03-06-2006, 07:30 PM

My missus is pretty cool. She doesnt look thru the scope much but she recorgnises some constellations and a few of the brighter planets. Her favourite object is the moon when its low on the horizon

She also accepts with good humour when I buy a piece of expensive equipment. its only money

middy · #20 05-06-2006, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dennis

It’s a done deal. When Matt relocates to Mt Gravatt we'll have a get together at my place.

Thanks Dennis, looking forward to it.