Ages of Astronomy

[Visionary (David)]

I think I may have crossed a line, from first stage Newbie to second stage Newbie. My first rationalization of equipment has seen a flurry of activity on the For Sale pages of ICE.
My objective is to double-down on what I have Astro wise and consolidate so that I can have all my Astro gear in two cases, one observational, the other astrophotography, nice and neat is the desired outcome.
The items I have listed for sale, sold quickly as they were excellent value. What I can't sell of course is are the horrid piles of absolute garbage I have collected from the far corners of the Earth via Ebay. I did a rough count and I have something like six photo-extenders and ten T-pieces, making this more absurd, I only have one DSLR!
My well-intentioned effort to rationalise and streamline has inadvertently highlighted the fact that I have a HUGE collection of worthless "warts" I have accumulated in my first "stage". The question is, am I unique in my stupidity or is this pattern of collecting Ebay "warts" a common problem?

[Allan_L (Allan)]

Yes. Sounds familiar.
Welcome to the addictive obsessive compulsive world.
Therapy is available, but regression inevitable.
You are not alone - check anyone's post history.

[dbowie (Brenton)]

I too went this path at first, then I really saw the light and only carefully bought high end as needed, I can't give the first round of junk away...

[Visionary (David)]

Originally Posted by dbowie

I too went this path at first, then I really saw the light and only carefully bought high end as needed, I can't give the first round of junk away...

That's exactly what I am thinking about doing, giving the stuff away.

[AstralTraveller (David)]

When I went through my 'first stage' of astronomy there was no Ebay ... or internet. We had to build our own junk.

[doppler (Rick)]

Originally Posted by AstralTraveller

When I went through my 'first stage' of astronomy there was no Ebay ... or internet. We had to build our own junk.

Ah yes those just starting out don't realize how good they have it. I still have most of my old junk from the 80's, but with the advent of Ebay my new collection is way larger, everything is so much cheaper these days except for brand name eyepieces.

[Visionary (David)]

Originally Posted by AstralTraveller

When I went through my 'first stage' of astronomy there was no Ebay ... or internet. We had to build our own junk.

In past years nothing gave me greater pleasure than using a rod I had built. I can only imagine the satisfaction that comes from "looking-up" with a mirror you have ground/shaped yourself!
In saying this, I have a rough idea of how much easier it is today for people starting out in Astronomy than it was in the 80's. The danger is, collecting Ebay "warts".
I have just listed my SCT LX90 8" ACF GPS for sale and a part of the listing is that the person buying can have a "walk" through the "stuff" I bought on Ebay and then keep it if they see value in the items.

[ZeroID (Brent)]

You think that is bad? You should see the pile of aborted astro projects in my workshop bin ! Ideas that did not fly particularly well. Hours of work that didn't deliver results but I still keep doing it... mad ...

[Visionary (David)]

Brent, that's the spirit! The older I get the clearer it is there are two groups, those who dream and those who dream and do. Brent, you belong to the second group, the group that never suffers from boredom, is forever inspired and seeking the next improvement. At least that's the justification I use with my wife, we are those who dream & do!

[raymo]

We still had steam radio, steam rollers, and my Dad had just rented a 9" TV
when I started. We got TV in 1936[ if you were exceedingly wealthy]. I made my first mount from water pipe and fittings, but it was a bit superfluous really, because my main interest at the time was the moon, and as it was much closer to us then, a scope was not needed.
raymo

[xelasnave]

Well mine is all good stuff I needed each little bit.

I recall making a cooler box.

I used the actual cooler box lid and all.
To lighten it I spent all day and most of the night heating the fire poker red hot and then melting a hole in the plastic box, then another and another until it looked like wire netting, each hole I had to remove the melted stuff.... then covered with a layer of balsa...

Or the time I made a reflector using balsa wood and a shaving mirror, an old ep from a microscope, beautiful clear view of the small Moon....all seven of them...mmm that's why they surface astronomy mirrors the way they do...

I think now being set for another go its all going to happen again unless I just go out and spend $100 k and get the real deal...well that wont happen....I wonder where you go after you do the $100 k trip?

But even the foolish ventures, the cold box and the shaving mirror Newtonian, ...all experience, all doing rather than dreaming...beneficial I would reflect.
Alex

[Visionary (David)]

[QUOTE=raymo;1329589]We still had steam radio, steam rollers, and my Dad had just rented a 9" TV
when I started. We got TV in 1936[ if you were exceedingly wealthy]. I made my first mount from water pipe and fittings, but it was a bit superfluous really, because my main interest at the time was the moon, and as it was much closer to us then, a scope was not needed.
raymo[/QUOTE

Raymo,

I guess when you remember when Dinasour poo was an issue, you know you're getting old!

David

[Visionary (David)]

Alec,

The key is, "all experience, all doing rather than dreaming...". The things you "fabri-cobble" together yourself, even if the lean a little are always a joy to use. The store bought item may be shinier but it can't produce the inward satisfaction that comes from doing it yourself.

David