My God, It's Full of Stars!

[NoMadYesHappy]

Okay, so ...

In 63+ years of sucking O2 out of the atmosphere, I've accumulated a lot of stuff.  More than I need, or want, anymore.

Toward my goal of paring down the pile, I've mentally pushed a lot of things into the fire, but there is still a lot that I love and want to keep.  Some of those things are large/bulky/space swallowing ...

I am something of an amateur astronomer ... who doesn't feel a sense of wonder when they tilt their head back and see that amazing starscape?

So, over the years I've either built or purchased a series of telescopes to get a better view ... there are some amazing things floating over our heads!  I currently have a rather large 8" Celestron on and old German equatorial mount with a wooden tripod.   Just think big, heavy and tear jerking to think of leaving it behind.

To finally be on the cusp of being able to spend some quality time in ink black skies where an instrument like my telescope could deliver its full worth, and have to consider pushing it into the gotta-go pile is well ... *sniff* ... hard.

I've got some options in my head, but all take the two things I am trying to amend to a more sane level ... time and money.  I want more time, and I want to need less money.

There are other items on my big and bulky list, but I am curious to hear everyone's thoughts of specifically having a telescope in tow in a limited space allotment.

Buy more space (read "trailer"), kick something else off the "keep" list ... ?

 

[Almost There]

Out here the skies are just plain amazing even without a telescope.

A reclining lawn chair and a warm sleeping bag will fit where that big old trailer size telescope won't. And they can do double duty....

If you really need a telescope, a small compact one will bring you great pleasure and won't have to be towed.

I know you're attached to the big one but what works for the backyard in the burbs won't even be needed out here!

 

[waldenbound]

I you want to carry one thing big and gully, look at a hitch mount carrier. That was my thought with kayak gear.
Yeah, a good telescope in coal black skies to an astronomer is a must.

 

[rm.w/aview]

Keep your favorite, most useful, most interesting one. You already have it so another purchase isn't needed. You'll miss the scope, guarantee it. Even a spotting scope, which is an excellent tool, cannot hold a candle to your favorite scope. Motored into Needles Outpost just past dark a while back, passing a star gazing party at the camping entrance. There was quite an assortment of interesting devices, and your's would be a nice addition. Trim the fat in pots & pans or clothing or unnecessary tools, but don't lose that scope!

 

[speedhighway46]

Well, I always wanted a telescope; they are awesome. But I never got one; lots of reasons. 20 years ago I did the next best thing (for me). I purchased a high quality 10x50 pair of binaculars. Not a telescope for sure, but pretty good using a lawn recliner Almost There suggested. Plus, put ‘em back in their case and stick ‘em in the cupboard when done.

Maybe this would be “good enough” for you. Keep us posted!

 

[Minivanmotoman]

Where there is a will, there is a way.
No one can make that choice for you.

Build a turret observatory on the roof of your vehicle for your telescope.

The imagination runs wild... Army surplus tracked armored vehicle mounted with a telescope instead of a cannon. The ultimate adventure rig with telescope.
 No wait, might need the cannon for self defense. North Korea, terrorists or zombies. Keep the cannon, easier. Mount the telescope on the cannon.

Yeah, go ahead and keep the telescope and mount it an old Sherman tank. Abrahms are too expensive, heavy and suck back too much fuel. That's what you want to hear right? We all support you. Lol.  
It's a great idea. Why didn't I think of that?

 

[rm.w/aview]

That may work for the occasional lunar look Speed, but I've always found it frustrating that I couldn't hold still enough even for that.

 

[NoMadYesHappy]

Where there is a will, there is a way.
No one can make that choice for you.

Build a turret observatory on the roof of your vehicle for your telescope.

The imagination runs wild... Army surplus tracked armored vehicle mounted with a telescope instead of a cannon. The ultimate adventure rig with telescope.
 No wait, might need the cannon for self defense. North Korea, terrorists or zombies. Keep the cannon, easier. Mount the telescope on the cannon.

Yeah, go ahead and keep the telescope and mount it an old Sherman tank. Abrahms are too expensive, heavy and suck back too much fuel. That's what you want to hear right? We all support you. Lol.  
It's a great idea. Why didn't I think of that?

LOL!  Love it!  ... and get, what ... 20 gallons to the mile?  Yah, but, but .. it's a tank!!  With a TELESCOPE!!!  Love it, man!

 

[rm.w/aview]

Another thought that parallels your thinking db: During the years that I backpacked into our nation's backcountry, an activity that is very weight conscious, I always had 25 pounds of camera gear with me and simply wore the same clothes for weeks to keep the weight down, and personal hygiene products were just a memory... Priorities.

 

[Minivanmotoman]

To be politically correct, you would be on a peace keeping mission to discover if life does exist in the outer Galaxies. 
To boldly go, where no man has gone before...

 

[tx2sturgis]

A small telescope is easy to pack. Sure, its gonna be hard to pick out the deep sky objects but its not bad for the local stuff. I carry a small spotting scope...laugh if you want, but I can see plenty with it! We even used it as a 'projector' for the solar eclipse this past August in Wyoming...it worked well. The eclipse chasers got a kick out of when I told them it was really made for hunting and rifle scope calibration...so they called it the "Texas Telescope"!




I have been to some observing sessions and small star parties and there were some amazing telescopes, some of the large ones (20" mirrors) on dobsonian mounts were made to be taken down and could fit in the trunk of a small car!

Of course, now everything is computer driven and you just click on a tablet or laptop screen and the scope moves itself...

That's cheating.

 

[dawnann7]

Keep your favorite, most useful, most interesting one. You already have it so another purchase isn't needed. You'll miss the scope, guarantee it.

I second this motion. You will miss it and having it will add so much pleasure to your journeys.

 

[ColdBrook]

Keep your favorite scope!!!  This is coming from someone who just bought the best pair of binoculars, a stand, and a star gazing magazine to give her son's family for Christmas!  I am hoping his little daughters will fall in love with the sky while young and maybe have a life long hobby.   I always wanted a telescope but never had the extra money to get involved.  Keep your scope and if we ever run into each other you can show me the stars........It's something you love so I say find the room, and ditch other junk instead.  And if you like other people it will be a great way to meet new friends and show them how beautiful the skies really are!

 

[tx2sturgis]

Telescopes:

Helping Nerds meet women since 1609.

 

[NoMadYesHappy]

I guess for the long term, I plan to have a DIY converted enclosed cargo trailer at some point ... maybe an older motorhome? The short of it being that I would be able to house the scope and not stink! But for the short term, my intended trip to RTR next month, I guess I could sort a priority that put the scope at the top of the list ... hmmm ... and no tank involved! It would be a worthy experiment at the very least.

Thanks, y'all!

 

[NoMadYesHappy]

Telescopes:

Helping Nerds meet women since 1609.

LOL! 

 

[Ticklebellly]

I recently used a high end ($350,000), computer controlled telescope under the instruction of an astronomer. Had a good look at the rings of Saturn and the spots on Neptune and could nearly see the astronaut's footprints on the moon. Seriously interesting for a one time experience, but like having an exploratory colonoscopy, not eagerly looking for the experience again, soon.

One standout amazing effect of the good quality optics was the increase in the visible star field. Gosh, there are a lot of stars out there.

The telescope was a largely technical experience and does not compare to the emotional experience of being miles from any artificial light on a moonless night and seeing a star field that fills the whole sky, horizon to horizon, 360 degrees. My sailing friends wax lyrical about similar experiences.

Sorry about the long lead in. I'm for the 10 x 50 Binos and a lot of attention and effort to find the place from which to look skyward.

 

[bigsallysmom]

City of Rocks State Park in NM has star viewing parties in the summer. I'd never looked into a telescope before this last summer. It was awesome.

 

[highdesertranger]

I say, if it's what you love keep them, make room. if you absolutely don't have the room buy more room, cargo trailer, or cargo carrier. highdesertranger

 

[free2enjoy]

Bring the scope, not only because it’s your passion but because you can share your passion!

The answer is in the question.