My very last telescope - EVER

[tonybarry (Tony)]

Originally Posted by AstroJunk

I'll second that. Excellent response.

Regards,
Tony Barry
WSAAG

[Sol-Skysailor (Sol)]

A couple of years ago I experienced some 3-D goggles 360-deg-view-available self-driving through the solar system. I’d want those with several space programs, and underwater and through natural terrains (I want them now!)

Having studied the original post and other good ideas, I’m thinking eyesight and exit pupils may dictate. As to taking things to the grave I personally would rather give them to others to use. As to imagining being confined to a room, I disregarded the common advice and remarks against viewing through glass from indoors so whenever I wanted I had used my binoculars and sometimes my ‘scope to learn heaps and enjoy what I could when I was not outside including when I wondered at 3 am what showed up there. (In the past tense because there's been only clouds, for many long months.)

Annette, what a great idea! There’s no reason why we can’t start one now. Or are there some already? (I don’t get it why you’d say not SE Australia, or any particular place -just the weather?). The multi-generation and multi-etc setup (in fact do not divide people into subclasses that would require the multi- prefix) would be great and I’d wish that this is the general common practice! With telescopes, that could become an astronomy village.

Julianh72, Woww…. I wish to join force with you, especially with real-time spectroscopy and "how we could tell what stars and planets and comets are made of", and talk us into going to all sorts of hospitals and such places, children’s too. Maybe best if we start with astronomy groups and societies!? Then there will be more of us to join force.

Regards
Sol

[Stardrifter_WA]

I already have it sorted. My eyesight probably won't be good enough for deep sky anyway, so I am going solar instead. I think our closest star will be bright enough to see.

I have an SV70T and a Porta II mount with JMI Track-N-Train. I also have the Quark solar eyepieces (have Chromosphere and Prominence models and am ordering the D Line soon). I will probably be too tired by that stage, but observing the Sun will occupy the boring days. The Porta II is a light tripod and is good for use if I am in a wheel chair, which I probably will be by that stage of my life.

That is my setup for the retirement home, which I hope I make it to.

My grandson gets my WO110FLT whilst my larger scopes go to my son. All sorted, but I still have a few years to do deep sky yet.

[Tropo-Bob (Bob)]

Originally Posted by Sol-Skysailor

As to taking things to the grave I personally would rather give them to others to use.

I only meant it as a symbol on top of the coffin during the funeral service. I would want it removed afterwards.

In my Will, I have specified that my Astronomy equipment is to be offered to my extended family first (I am single and have no kids) and anything not wanted (and there currently is a lot of equipment) is then to be offered to the local University.

[Sol-Skysailor (Sol)]

Oh, yes, Bob. I got it, about the symbolisation. Thanks.

Another thought, from previously attempting to show views to people in wheelchairs, some optical fibres setup would be great. Maybe something could be fashioned to suit our amateur environment and outreach situations. Hopeful.

Regards

[ZeroID (Brent)]

Originally Posted by Stardrifter_WA

Really? So, what are they going to do if I get caught, hang me?

Nah, give you a life sentence ....

[cometcatcher (Kevin)]

Originally Posted by raymo

I have bought my last scope/mount, which meets my requirements. It is a
new SW120mm f/5 ...

I can see the advantage of Raymo's setup. Small refractors are a pleasure to use, so light and quick to setup. Even an ED80 on a tripod would be worthwhile.

[multiweb (Marc)]

If you keep strong mentally, have no major health hicups apart from getting old and have all your marbles then it doesn't take much effort to look up on a clear night and chill out. Keep a positive attitude and take it as it comes.

[Tropo-Bob (Bob)]

Originally Posted by multiweb

If you keep strong mentally, have no major health hicups apart from getting old and have all your marbles then it doesn't take much effort to look up on a clear night and chill out. Keep a positive attitude and take it as it comes.

Yes, sometimes the best part of taking telescopes bush is to relax in a chair while gazing up in the sky with just the naked eye.

[SimmoW (SIMON)]

I work in an aged care home, I assure you, only move to one when you absolutely have to. But plenty of folk make their rooms a little oasis.

Being in the industry I've already thought about such things. I would use remote scopes or process Hubble data images until the day I die. Just hope by then all the homes will have blazing fast wifi!

[Satchmo]

Originally Posted by Sol-Skysailor

A couple of years ago I experienced some 3-D goggles 360-deg-view-available self-driving through the solar system. I’d want those with several space programs, and underwater and through natural terrains (I want them now!)

It was probably 'Titans' of Space which you can get to work with an Android phone and a Google Cardboard VR style viewer ( Officeworks / Ebay ) There are more sophisticated versions available for Samsung GearVR and Oculus Rift .

I've been playing around a little with VR app development and I've often thought how VR could be used to enrich lives of the elderly.

[glend (Glen)]

Originally Posted by Tropo-Bob

Yes, sometimes the best part of taking telescopes bush is to relax in a chair while gazing up in the sky with just the naked eye.

And a glass of Port in hand.