Getting back in the game

[Darth Wader (Wade)]

I used to be really enthusiastic about astronomy - constantly looking on IIS, 3am starts to see morning planets, hunting Neptune from my yard, reading Quasar Publishing's Astronomy like it was my bible. But I can't remember the last time I spent a decent amount of time at the eyepiece. I guess it was about six months ago, maybe a little more. I sold my stalwart little 8" dob right here on IIS in May last year, bought the 12" that July, and have used it so infrequently that my interest for the hobby has taken a thrashing. I find these days that even reading AS&T is a chore (something I used to relish once every two months). I'm going to blame the run of bad weather we had last year as the initial culprit, and I suppose that coupled with my bad back and a pretty big scope has made me apathetic about astronomy. I have paid so little attention to the hobby that I actually forgot to renew my membership to my astro club, and I've been deregistered. Not a big problem to rectify, but it further enforces my disinterest. I've been to zero observing nights since last year and haven't even gone to monthly meetings because I've just been stuck in this rut. I basically let astronomy slip my mind and concentrated on writing (my first love) and online gaming as my leisure activities.

I tried to force myself to get back in the astronomy game - set up the dob, collimated it to within an inch of its life and showed my son the moon before he went to bed (which he loved, despite being only 3). Then I had dinner, went back outside, looked up and saw the clouds, cursed myself for even bothering, and packed up. All I got out of it was some exercise and a dose of frustration. I have nowhere to permanently set the scope up, so back in the garage it went and on went the covers. That was about a month ago. Since then I've tried further - bought a solar system documentary blu-ray cheap on Amazon (still in shrink wrap as I write), reading over these forums, browsing telescope shop catalogues online (it helps!) but I am loathe to drag out the dob and wait for it to cool, only to be damned. And I have found myself making excuses not to set up - it'll cloud over, there'll be too much dew, nothing worth viewing at the moment etc. Even as I write this I'm looking out my office window at the blue skies and wondering how long it will be before the clouds roll in. More often than not I find myself thinking why bother.

I have a smaller scope - it's easily portable and a good grab & go - but I've been spoilt by the views of the 12". No 70mm refractor will ever compare with these views. So this is the conundrum I find myself in.
I don't want to sell the dob. I've had it less than 12 months, it's a magnificent piece of equipment, provides stunning views and is easy to use. I've added a Rigel quikfinder and invested a fair bit of coin on a good collimation system. But the setup, cooldown and strain on my back kills me. And I'd love a nice, portable refractor, but I want to get out to dark sites and track down DSO's, as well as enjoying the planets from my backyard, so in these circumstances, the dob is the most versatile scope I could own. Also, I think I'll very much regret selling it if I did.
At the risk of sounding like a whinger it's frustrating, because I never saw myself losing interest in this hobby in any way. I'm really disappointed in myself for letting things get this bad. I love all things space-related and since taking it up I've learned a lot. Any advice about jumping back in/opinions/stories/tips/kicks in the backside anyone can share would be great. I got my start here at IIS with a lot of good advice from some great people, and I seem to have lost the spark that ignited my interest back then. Apologies for the long rant, it's been gnawing at me for a long time.

Cheers
Wade

[adman (Adam)]

I would say don't force it.

If you don't really want to get outside and do some observing then don't - just bide your time and the bug will bite again. I think it would be more unusual to maintain the high levels of interest and motivation you had before. Your interest will (pardon the pun) wax and wane, you just have to go with it.

Adam

[shelltree (Shelley)]

I am feeling pretty similar to you at the moment, Wade! Demotivated to get out there, even with the binos or just "look up". The scope my friend was loaning me is now gone so I'm left wishing most nights I had a 10" to look through

I am the same with my astro reading material of late, I find it tiring and "a chore" as you say. And not because I don't love Astronomy. I do but I find I get demotivated pretty easily but I really want that to change. I also think it is because my astro buddy is now living in Canberra so it's not as simple as driving 5 mins down the road and looking through a scope.

Also, my backyard is terrifying and there are trees everywhere and strange noises...

I think astronomy can be a lonely hobby (of course there is IIS and the many meets and camps available) but most of my observing I would be doing by myself and I prefer to have a friend to share it with and to learn from. It also makes me feel less scared of backyard noises

Never fear, Wade, you will find your way back

[AstralTraveller (David)]

After 40 years in the hobby I can relate. I've gone from obsessive to apathetic and to various types of happy medium. The thing is that you have already passed the stage where you can cease to be an astronomer. It's in your blood. You can try to turn your back on it but it will still be there.

The thing is to find what is achievable that can make you happy at the moment. Perhaps list the issues and look at solutions. How the ease lifting, how to live with dew.

I also know that success breads enthusiasm and how that decreases pain. As the quality and quantity of observing increase so the packing gets easier, the drive gets shorter, the scope lighter and even the night warmer. The trouble is that we have had La Nina until we are growing gills. Keep the faith. In a few years we will have water restrictions an chronic clear skies.

[barx1963 (Malcolm)]

Wade, don't sell the scope! You will regret it. Try to make observing easier, when you get a clear night, if you just don't feel like setting up, do some naked eye stuff. I always find it enjoyable to get out and just enjoy the night sky, try to trace a few constellations, learn a bit about some of the obscure ones (Norma anyone?) and discover the joy of just seeing!

My 2 cents

Malcolm

[multiweb (Marc)]

Sounds very familiar. The weather is a real drag. It's hard enough to keep everything ticking along when it's clear. It's understandable to get demoralised and lose motivation. When it's like that, pack up the gear, don't sell it. Do something else. The stars will still be there when you get back into it.