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Hello Mike
I have had a variety of telescopes over the years. Never having been able to justify to myself (and my wife!) establishing a permanent observatory, all have had to be set-up anew for each observing session. Some have had robust EQ mounts that almost brought on a back problem moving them! Others had GOTO systems which took even more time to operate than the basic setting up.
These telescopes spent a lot of time doing nothing (a familiar problem). In the end, I reverted to simplicity and bought a 200mm Dobsonian. Setting-up takes me a couple of minutes, the OTA is relatively light and manoeuvrable and is stored in a nearby shed. I have spent more time at the eyepiece with this telescope than all my previous instruments put together, mainly because it is so quick and easy to set up..
This will not necessarily prove an ideal choice for imaging. But if you want something easier than your current set-up, something that will increase your observing time and that will not endanger your health, you may like to consider it.
Good luck!
It looks as if the publishing company has gone under, but the title may survive. It would be a pity to see this venerable name consigned to history. It raises the question of how many astronomy magazines the market can support . . .
Thanks Robin. I like the newspaper idea. It appeals to the improviser in me (not to mention the skinflint!).
Thanks Robin. That’s interesting. Can we put any numbers on this? What is the optimum size of a dew shield? I’m playing devil’s advocate, but that’s part of the fun!
It’s not exactly a recommendation, but I stopped subscribing to S&T a few years ago. Instead, I decided to try Sky News: The Canadian Magazine of Astronomy & Stargazing. It only appears bi-monthly and is not particularly voluminous. But is has a very spacious and calm style, is printed on heavy, quality art paper (as S&T once used to be) and I particularly enjoy the images it offers, many of which are superb. I rather like it.
My father bought me a subscription to S&T, when I was starting out in astronomy, in the early 1960s. I found it pretty awe-inspiring, especially its full-page pictures; one of somewhere on the Moon’s surface sticks in my mind to this day. And frustrating to see all those telescopes advertised for sale, but only to the locals. It was like seeing an Aladdin’s cave without being able to go into it.
When I became a teenager, the sub fell by the wayside. I didn’t take it up again until I was in my sixties. . . and then dropped it again!
