Leaving Astronomy : guts but no glory.

[Jen]

oh you will be back How could anyone say good bye to astronomy You just need a break for a bit, the stars will always be there when you are ready

PS if i were you i would keep the mount

[that_guy (Tony)]

i bet jens placing an offer on that mount

[robz (Robert)]

.............gosh I love you guys and gals!

No, I haven't left astronomy as I threatened I would.............why?......read on...........

I found that the problem with the 8 inch newt is definately the focusser..........it's a heap of garbage and will be replaced.
It does not stay square to the secondary when racked out, and the 2 inch ''canon'' adaptor must have been turned out by a high school novice on hist first lathe adventure.

After some very rough star collimation, I improved the image significantly............but the problem still exists and will do so until I chuck the rack and pinion

Anyhow, had a look at Jupiter again last night under average conditions.

What I saw(at the left half of the field of view........go figure??) was enough to wake me up to the fact that detail CAN be seen on planets even with average and out of whack optics. It was quite exciting to see some irregularity in the main equatorial belt (when the hell is the other one coming back????!!!!!)and some smaller thin bands and tonal shadings when the turbulence subsided now and again.

It's enough for me everyone!................I'm baaaaaaaaaaaaaack!

[Suzy]

Welcome back Rob!
As you can see from all the posts made we weren't going to let you go easily! . Honest to goodness, aren't there the best bunch of people on here- so caring and so helpful!

[Jen]

Originally Posted by that_guy

i bet jens placing an offer on that mount

oh man why did i tell him to keep the mount dam it

Hey Rob i knew you would be back just cant leave this hobby our imaginations just wont let us hehehe

[that_guy (Tony)]

where would i be without this hobby? id probably have a girlfriend... but who cares!!! I LOVE THIS HOBBY!!!!!!

[robz (Robert)]

Yep..................great bunch of people.........proud to be part of this forum

Gonna keep that EQ6.....................great mount!!(sorry Jen)

Hey Suzy, did ya hear that John Travolta is coming to Telethon in Perth this year ????

[erick (Eric)]

You still here??

[robz (Robert)]

'fraid so!!

[PCH (Paul)]

Hi Robz,

sorry mate, I feel for you. But 25k IS a lot as the others have said.

And why should you cop for the lot just because the brides father/parents can't. Donate 12.5k as your (more than ample) share and tell them to make do with that if her side aren't coughing up anything. You will definitely be totally p-ssed off if these guys go their own ways this side of the next 25 years if you spend your hard earned 25k on this.

These days folks are getting married later, and they've already lived together and 'done it all' before getting married anyway. Seems to me the only 'tradition' they want to keep is having the poor old parents cop the bloody bill.

Tell em to scale it down or pay for it themselves. I've been married twice and paid for our own both times - and didn't think it in any way unreasonable to do so.

Sorry to be harsh Rob, but look after yourself first - at 53 you've earned it

[Suzy]

Originally Posted by robz

Y
Hey Suzy, did ya hear that John Travolta is coming to Telethon in Perth this year ????

Yes, I recently heard that Rob. But it's in Perth!
The Today Show are running a competition where the winner will get to fly in the plane with JT. Wonder what my chances are. Probably wouldn't remember any of it anyway even if I did win. For I will be the body passed out on the floor from all the nerves. Why? Flying makes me anxious, JT will make me nervous. *splat*

Thanks for letting me know though Rob, good to see people are helping in my search .

[robz (Robert)]

Originally Posted by Suzy

Yes, I recently heard that Rob. But it's in Perth!
The Today Show are running a competition where the winner will get to fly in the plane with JT. Wonder what my chances are. Probably wouldn't remember any of it anyway even if I did win. For I will be the body passed out on the floor from all the nerves. Why? Flying makes me anxious, JT will make me nervous. *splat*

Thanks for letting me know though Rob, good to see people are helping in my search .

Yeah, he's a great guy and he once told me I was too

[WadeH (Wade)]

Hi Robert,

I've just been reading all your trials and tribulations and am very pleased that you found the problem.
If it's the focuser, easily fixed. I have the original rack and pinion focuser that came with my Skywatcher 200mm Newt. You are welcome to it if it will get you out of trouble. I replaced it when I upgraded to a Crayford focuser but it is still in great condition.
Where abouts in Perth are you, I may be able to drop it of to you as I get around a lot for work?

[robz (Robert)]

Wow!, that's very kind of you Wade......much appreciated!

P.M. sent.

cheers,
Rob.

[mozzie (Peter)]

aaahhh!!!!!!! i wonder if rob is still going to leave astronomy now...
or is the little lady going to leave him!!!!!!!!!!

[robz (Robert)]

Originally Posted by mozzie

aaahhh!!!!!!! i wonder if rob is still going to leave astronomy now...
or is the little lady going to leave him!!!!!!!!!!

Cut it out Peter!!!!!!

[robz (Robert)]

............for the second time I set up the EQ6PRO mount in the backyard to view Jupiter last night after carrying it in sections from the lower far end of my split level home.
This is the only way I can transport the mount, and adding a set of wheels, trolley etc is not practical due to steps and door frames that need to be overcome and possibly putting the mount at risk.

The sheer weight of carrying the head of the mount, let alone the weights and scope/bits and peices was enough to ensure an agonising and sleepless night................such is the state of my knees and back: bone to bone on knees, and three worn lower spine sections with rheumatoid arthritis as icing on the cake ............and I'm only 53

A shed or observatory is a possibility, but not practical at the moment due to the layout of the back yard and the expense involved.

Rolling it out of the garage is one option, but I prefer not to advertise what expensive items I own to the dubious looking unknowns that occasionally roam the streets in our area.

I'm at work today feeling very sore and disappointed with the way things have panned out................never expected the body to react this badly to some occasional extra weight being placed on the joints for short periods of time(although the doctors did warn me).

My return to Astronomy was initially so exciting and optimistic : I couldn't wait to get a decent mount followed eventually by a great scope and enjoy the heavens with the latest technology.

It seems that there will be little observing or use of the equipment until I find a way to permanently mount the equipment when funds permit.

For now, I don't want another night like the last one .............not for a while at least

Sorry about this self pity post, but it's a wake up call for any others in a similar health wise position to carefully consider their options when purchasing heavy astro gear....................be wise!

[sejanus (Gavin)]

Do you need a equatorial mount?

If you just want to look, get a Dobsonian.

Light, easy to setup, big aperture - easy.

[jenchris (Jennifer)]

I'd buy the gear you need and tell the kids they're on their own.
if you tell a retailer that it's for a wedding, they pump up the price 200% -

Tell your missus you are going to enjoy what is left of your mobility and do just that!

You've spoilt your family rotten and they deserve to find out which way is up.

Go for it mister!

[robz (Robert)]

Originally Posted by sejanus

Do you need a equatorial mount?

If you just want to look, get a Dobsonian.

Light, easy to setup, big aperture - easy.

Equatorial mount?...................I think I've made a big mistake............fancy motors and GOTO...........lots of weight, balancing and the constant need to turn the tube in the case of a newtonian

Yes, I'm considering a dob.............one that can be covered in a protective shroud and left outside under the patio.

Wheel it out when required.

At least I'll get some real use out of it.