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Hello Gordon
As an ageing amateur astronomer, I found myself in a situation similar to yours. I invested in a Unistellar eQuinox which I have found great for deep sky observing. Have a look at my member page. I also wrote an article about my experiences, which you should be able to find somewhere in the Equipment and Techniques section.
Best of luck.
AlanMany congratulations Doc. Wilson! It’s a long road and you have reached your destination.
You can now expect to be asked by visiting tradespersons (as I once was) for assistance with treating assorted ailments!!
AlanJust watched an excellent presentation on TCorBor by Brad Schaefer, a webinar for the Astronomical League of the Philippines. Should be on their YouTube channel before long if anyone would like to see it.
AlanAlan
Dreadful weather here in Warrington for most of the year so far, so you are definitely not alone. I have compensated by making more use of robotic telescopes, specifically the COAST (COmpletely Autonomous Survey Telescope) at the Observatorio del Teide, Tenerife. At least this has enabled me to keep making observations,
even though my own instruments are gathering dust and cobwebs.I would like to relocate to Arizona, but I don’t think the family would appreciate it. So I await better weather with a stiff upper lip!
Don’t let the clouds grind you down.
Alan
Andy. After a couple of years as a Unistellar user (other makes are available), I can highly recommend it.
AlanIt does seem desirable to recruit more young members to the BAA. Might it be possible to:
1. Establish a prize or set of prizes for specific younger age groups, asking local societies to nominate potential recipients. Something like ‘Young Astronomer of the Year’ or whatever.
2. Is the BAA competing with the SPA for younger members? Might a merger of the two organisations be beneficial?
AlanFunnily enough, I had exactly the same experience – my wife saw it immediately – though I do have some colour recognition problems with my eyes.
AlanI watched the talks on YouTube the following day. All interesting. Thanks to the presenters for their efforts. Highly recommended!
AlanKen
It might come in handy to remember Bertrand Russell’s response when asked what he would say if, despite his atheism, he one day found himself outside the Pearly Gates:”Lord, thou did not give us enough evidence.”
AlanThanks Robin. A very interesting and well-produced programme on SN2023ixf. Especially enjoyed the observing session!
AlanI notice that the pie-rating website (yes, there is one), Pierate, lists the Half Moon Cafe in West London (presumably the one on Fulham Palace Road) as serving a selection of three pies: chicken and mushroom, steak and kidney and beef and onion. Unfortunately, the pies are described as “not astronomical”. Nonetheless, possibly an opportunity for some field research by members in the vicinity. The results will obviously be displayed in a pie-chart.
AlanOf course! All those pis in the sky. Unfortunately some astronomers don’t care for them one iota! (Not me obviously)
AlanExcellent suggestions, Roy. Perhaps a Deep-filled Black Bottom Pie would appeal to the DSO fraternity?
AlanAh yes . . . but these are not methinks what would commonly be recognised as ‘pies’. I think the pie would include JUICE and possibly MEAT (Massive Earthbound Astronomical Telescope). Hmm…
AlanIt looks as though the association between Stargazy (or StarGazy) Pie and astronomy is rather tenuous (and a little distasteful). Is there an alternative pie (real or imagined) that could convincingly be said to be the astronomer’s favourite late-night snack?
That’s a good point, David. Perhaps we should encourage the astrologers to rename their activity ‘astromancy’, which appears to be a synonym, and an accurate one, for astrology – “divination by means of the stars”.
AlanA reversion to the Steady State Theory is an interesting possibility.
On the issue of ‘whether the Universe is losing weight’, surely the Universe can be neither losing nor gaining weight because it, by definition, contains everything there is. There is nowhere for any additional weight to come from, and nowhere for it to go.
Simplistic, I know. But sometimes Occam’s Razor comes in handy, especially in the face of quantum entanglement.
On a personal note, I still haven’t lost any weight which perhaps is evidence of the plausibility of my contention and a good reason for me to give up trying!
Alan
