How many of you have left astronomy and come back?

[RobF (Rob)]

I think for those of us that had a break for many years, it's fair to say you'd always still "look up" at night when the opportunity presented, wherever you happen to be. I used to frown at high cirrus clouds coming over even when I hadn't had the scope out for years

[Murat (Mark)]

All things are fine in moderation.

[tilbrook@rbe.ne (Justin Tilbrook)]

Originally Posted by taxman

Last night was the first clear night with no social engagements since well into last year.

I forced myself to plan what I would image in the afternoon, begrudgingly topped up my battery and then lingered over dinner, making my kids miss the first half hour of Shark Boy and Lava Girl (still paying for that today!!). I trudged outside, started to setup and about 10 minutes into it, thought 'meh' before packing everything up and guiltily returning inside.

I really think I may have lost interest, and reviewing my motivations am beginning to think that collecting equipment became more important than the pastime itself. It seems to be manifesting as getting unnecessarily crabby on IIS over trivialities as well...

Today I found myself mentally adding up the expected value of items if had a fire sale (EM11 2K, Borg 77ED & flattener 1K, SXV M8c with guide head 1.5K, C8 w/- motofocus .5K, etc) and immediately felt sort of sad.

Maybe if I go back to when it was fun with a DSLR, unguided mount and 60mm scope it wil come back, but I don't know. Anyone else ever felt like this? How long before you got back into it? Did you hang on to your gear or start over?

Not so much leave astronomy, but definitely suffered burn out. I'm like a bull at gate when I find something I like and then over do it!!

Age is helping me pace myself a little more these days.
I will always have a passion for astronomy.

Cheers,

Justin.

[MortonH]

I agree with many comments here. I've drifted in and out of the hobby a few times over the years. I've never sold absolutely everything, always had at least a small 80mm refractor, but there have definitely been times when I've done no observing for many months.

What I find is that an event will come along that re-sparks my interest, and often makes me wish I had some piece of gear that I'd sold. For example, when Comet Lemmon was around a few months ago I wish I still had a tracking mount but I'd sold it a while before and had no spare money for a new one.

I guess I'd say if you have any gear that would be hard to replace then hold on to it. Otherwise why not down-size for a while and if the spark comes back you may well be able to replace what you sold for a similar amount of money.

Morton

[tilbrook@rbe.ne (Justin Tilbrook)]

Originally Posted by MortonH

What I find is that an event will come along that re-sparks my interest, and often makes me wish I had some piece of gear that I'd sold. For example, when Comet Lemmon was around a few months ago
Morton

Hi Morton,

Totally agree, nothing like a bright comet to rekindle interest!

Cheers,

Justin.

[swannies1983 (Dan)]

I haven't taken any scope out for about 3 months. Yeah, the winter clouds have rolled in but it wouldn't have mattered if the sky was clear. I just don't have the time or energy since I started my new job about 10 weeks ago. It doesn't help that I have to get up at 5.45am because we currently live so far away from my work. This will change soon as the family will be moving but that means leaving relatively dark skies. Also throw in two young kids (3 and 1) meaning more daddy duties. I doubt I will be using any scope for at least another 12 months .

It's been a bit up and down with this hobby over the last 4 years. I didn't look through a scope for 8 months after our son was born and then I finally took one out as there was a total lunar eclipse. I then went out frequently up until about 6 weeks before our daughter was born. This again was followed by a hiatus for another 6 months.

[Kunama]

Like most of us financial pressures during child rearing and mortgage interest rates in the 1980s-1990s (17%) meant there were times when no money existed for the astro-gear. The interest to look up at night has always been there and I have always owned a decent pair of binos.

The plan was always to reinvest in this passion when the kids were grown up. Loving every minute under a clear sky these days.

[Larryp (Laurie)]

I left the hobby in the early '90s. A combination of burn-out from too much involvement with my astro society, too much business pressure and later, a divorce.
I sold all my gear, and after a brief attempt to get back to it in the early 2000's with new gear, I sold that gear as well.
I started replacing equipment about a year ago after I semi-retired, and I am retiring totally on June 30th. Now I will have plenty of time to get involved again.

[AdrianF (Adrian)]

I gave up astronomy about a year ago and sold all my equipment except eyepieces and other accessories.
Now I regret selling the gear and have been looking at IIS ads to see if I can replace telescopes. Will have to wait until after my new retirement house is built and see what I can afford.

Adrian

[Wavytone]

I pretty much ceased any active involvement when the "bid wet" hit in Sydney circa 1990-91. Dragged my scope out a half-dozen times after that then disposed of all the gear about '94, as it was evident the technology would change.

Only decided to pick it up again on a very low key casual way in 2009 - paragliding is my primary hobby these days.

[TrevorW]

Originally Posted by snowyskiesau

I'm in the process of doing this now.
I haven't used the equipment in over 12 months and I'm not likely to for some time. Part of this is packing to move but mostly it's just a lack of interest.

At the moment, it makes more sense for me to get rid of everything rather than hang onto in the hope that I find an interest again.


.

Keep it you'll get pittance for it second hand, everyone wants a bargain even for gear as new, scope and mount won't change drastically in time so I'd only sell the camera gear if I was you.

[Larryp (Laurie)]

Originally Posted by TrevorW

Keep it you'll get pittance for it second hand, everyone wants a bargain even for gear as new, scope and mount won't change drastically in time so I'd only sell the camera gear if I was you.

I agree.-I have lost a lot of money selling equipment over the years

[andrew2008]

I am not involved in astronomy anymore. Sold ALL my equipment in Dec/Jan and bought a camera and couple of nice lenses with the money. Photography was always an interest and I had an entry level SLR for many years. Been a very good move so far and hope to start shooting some star-scapes.

Why did I do it? 3 year old child, full-time shift work, part time study left me knackered most nights without the there is probably only 20% of the sky visible from my couryward. Photography can be done anytime of the day and the gear can be used at anything from family outings to serious sessions. Am getting into landscape and bird photography and have photographed about 70 species without trying very hard in SEQ. One day when the study is over I will definitely return to astronomy and I still visit the forums every week or so to see what is happening.