Are you astro jaded - lacking enthusiasm and a want to do all astro?

[Ric]

I think I'm the opposite, the enthusiasm is there but I just cant seem to find the time with work, farm and everything else.

Hopefully it will all settle down over the next couple of weeks.

Cheers

[sheeny (Al)]

Originally Posted by h0ughy

Ahhhh yes from such a little seed something huge may develop............. thus the rumour continues to live on.......... RB has a tasco scope......

Just to join the discussion, I don't know whether I'm jaded or not...... I definitely haven't had the scope out as much since we moved, but I think there's two reasons for it.

1. Moving to a new farm with lots to do... therefore more tired at night... therefore less likely to make the effort to set up...
2. Even though we are closer to my old dark sky site, we're not as protected from the wind as in the quarry.

So I'm looking forward to getting the obs set up. That's my main astro focus at the moment...

Al.

[CoombellKid]

I get that from time to time.... usually it from long periods of cloudy
weather. But usually for me I'll get one of those night where it clears up
beautifully and you'll nab ab object and realise what beauty is out there.

Also an upgrading of aperture can help there too!!

regards,CS

[Jen]

Awwwwww its ok David you will get your mojo back in no time
Dont give up now

[Omaroo (Chris Malikoff)]

Yeah - jaded a bit here too.

Too much cloud this year.

Hoiking a ton of gear into a vehicle, driving to a dark sky location, setting up the G11 and drift aligning it, getting all the camera and computer hardware going, focusing, settling in and WHAM! - more bloody cloud, and then packing it all up and driving home at 9:00pm is not fun.

Unless I get an observatory soon in the back yard it's probably over for me too. I have a pretty severe bulging L5 disc in my back with sciatic nerve damage to boot, so lifting all of this stuff in and out of the car all the time is painful at the time, and causes on-going back pain for several days after.

I really love this sport, but only an obs will save it for me I think. Leaving it permanently set up would be bliss.

[acropolite (Phil)]

Ditto, a bit jaded, it's been a damn cold, smokey, cloudy winter and spring here in Tassie, I was looking forward to Astrofest this year but HRH's employers inflexibility put an end to that.

There's nothing like a few days with your (astro) gear hanging out waiting and nothing to do but stroll up and start observing once it's dark. The like minded company and pleasant surroundings is an added bonus and putting names to faces makes the IIS experience that much more personal.

[[1ponders] (Paul)]

Yep you missed a cracker week Phil.

[h0ughy (David)]

Originally Posted by [1ponders]

Yep you missed a cracker week Phil.

Yep - I blew two laptops - repaired one to half strength with open heart surgery, did a power supply and blew a astro dew heater and strap, the 350D failed, and because one of the laptops failed I lost all camera control i had, had a slight marital crisis, and to really top it off I did not capture a single astroshot that was usable.......................:whist le:but the company was brilliant

[Rodstar (Rod)]

I see life as having seasons, and our appetite to pursue any interest, such as our Noble Hobby, will wax and wane. I am aware of a number of life-long amateur astronomers who have had breaks from it, only to come back refreshed and full of new interest.

These days I often feel "full up" after a star party. Whilst I could set up in the backyard the next night, for example, it would be like having too much candy. Some self-discipline NOT to observe can be just as helpful, and serve to preserve one's interest, than pushing oneself to observe all of the time.

I can remember a time when I would get up every morning at 3am in the hope that the sky was clear, and I could get a few hours in with the Mary Rose before sunrise. It did not last long - how could it? Now once or twice per week leaves my thirst well quenched, and allows for a little more balance in life.

My love of astronomy has settled down to a constant thing now....some highs, some quiet times. The deep abiding joy is still there. Sometimes, it is the thought of a late night observing, as much as an actual late night of observing, which brings a sparkle to my eyes.

I hope, Dave, you can find the passion again. Maybe a break would do you good?

[jjjnettie (Jeanette)]

I badly need a good Astro fix.
I'm really really looking forward to Barambah this weekend. Even if the clouds roll in, at least we can still talk shop.

[acropolite (Phil)]

Originally Posted by the h0ugh

Yep - I blew two laptops - repaired one to half strength with open heart surgery, did a power supply and blew a astro dew heater and strap, the 350D failed, and because one of the laptops failed I lost all camera control i had, had a slight marital crisis, and to really top it off I did not capture a single astroshot that was usable.......................:whist le:but the company was brilliant

Stop it you're makin me all moisty eyed....

[[1ponders] (Paul)]

Originally Posted by acropolite

Stop it you're makin me all moisty eyed....

It wasn't a pretty week for him Phil. But he wasn't going to throw in the towel and head back south just cos of a few little technical difficulties.