Pulling the big scope out of the mothballs

[tiger roach]

I have basically been on a hiatus from astronomy for a few years, other than an eclipse or two. Life has been too complicated with work in Houston, house in central TX, etc etc.

But now it’s time to resume the space program. I have booked a few nights this week in a place a couple hours west of here, they have dark skies and cater to astronomy freaks. Looks like rain for a day or two, but Friday and Saturday look promising.

The last couple days I have been getting my gear together. And gave the scope’s primary mirror a long-neglected cleaning.

Here is the mighty 14.5” Zambuto, drying out before being put back in its home:

 

[Pine Apple Slim]

Im jealous!
14.5" Dobsonian?

 

[tiger roach]

Im jealous!
14.5" Dobsonian?

Yes, I had it made about 15 yrs ago. It takes some effort to get it out to dark skies, but it’s worth it.

 

[GilmourD]

Space photography incoming?

 

[tiger roach]

Space photography incoming?

Not this trip. I have only done limited sky photography at eclipses and similar things. My rig is more oriented towards visual.

 

[tiger roach]

We have arrived, and the place seems really cool so far. Tomorrow looks like rain, but might get some binocular peeks in tonight. The real observing will be Friday and Saturday nights.

Fortunately we made stops for food and tequila on the way over. Current situation:

 

[tiger roach]

I see one of my neighbors has some astronomy gear set up. They are more optimistic than I.

 

[tiger roach]

this rural mini-oven rocks

 

[tiger roach]

Those guys were pulling their gear back into their trailer as the storms approach and I was playing my Martin (also just out of the mothballs) and I was palying louder and bluesier and they never even looked over.

 

[Pine Apple Slim]

May you have a clear new moon.

 

[tiger roach]

Looks like tonight might really happen! Yesterday was rainy as expected, but the clouds are gradually clearing out now.

The neighbors are pulling their gear out now. I’ll start unloading pretty soon.

 

[Pine Apple Slim]

I always wanted some serious aperture!
Back in the day a friend had a little 4" Celestion Schmitt-Cassegrain we used to take out to a clear cut in the National Forrest on good nights.
We logged a sht ton of Messier and NGC objects with that little scope but we were always dreaming about a big ol mirror.
Happy stargazing!

 

[tiger roach]

It was a great night! I thought I would be rusty at finding things, but it was almost like I never had a hiatus at all. I quit around 12:30, I was pretty fatigued by then and it seemed like some thin clouds were starting up.

Woke up this morning and it was totally cloudy.

 

[bsman]

How much does that mirror weigh???

 

[tiger roach]

How much does that mirror weigh???

It is pretty beefy - maybe 20+ lbs. They have to strike a balance, if they are too thin they flex too much as the scope moves around, too thick and they never reach ambient temperature so the images are clear.