Pequod Posted May 24 Report Share Posted May 24 (edited) I’m preparing to ship this telescope to a remote observatory in New Mexico. It’s a Takahashi Banana (AKA Epsilon E-160ED) all tricked out for astrophotography. Just waiting on a new rotating focuser (to better frame my shots) to arrive. Once that’s installed and everything tuned up, off it goes and I fly out to install it. Once deployed I’ll be driving it from my home in Virginia, but it’s mostly automated. One of my images taken with this scope in central VA (Bortle 4 skies). Once it’s in Bortle 1/2 New Mexico (and with better seeing) I’ll be hoovering photons at a ferocious rate. This is the “Ghost of Cassiopeia,” a nebula in…wait for it…Cassiopeia. Edited May 24 by Pequod 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C6Bill Posted May 25 Report Share Posted May 25 Nice !!!!!!! We need more pics 😁 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
qundoy Posted May 25 Report Share Posted May 25 I agree with C6Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pequod Posted May 25 Author Report Share Posted May 25 My gallery is here: https://www.astrobin.com/users/jpridder86/ 3 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tekobo Posted May 28 Report Share Posted May 28 Super cool! I am guessing that all this expense means that you won't yet be allowed to add a pizza oven to your collection. Or are you pulling an out-of-sight-out-of-mind trick on your wife by moving your expensive kit to New Mexico? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
qundoy Posted May 28 Report Share Posted May 28 WOW! Very impressive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pequod Posted May 28 Author Report Share Posted May 28 2 hours ago, tekobo said: Super cool! I am guessing that all this expense means that you won't yet be allowed to add a pizza oven to your collection. Or are you pulling an out-of-sight-out-of-mind trick on your wife by moving your expensive kit to New Mexico? I have a propane Ooni that will have to suffice for now. I had contemplated building a roll-off roof observatory in my backyard, but it would be very expensive, and I'd have to fight the HOA. Renting space in New Mexico is cheaper, and I get about 200 clear nights per year in excellent sky conditions. As I get closer to pulling the trigger on retirement, people are trying to convince me I'd get bored—utter nonsense. If anything, I have too many interests in food-related things, astronomy, etc. And then there's the University of Virginia down the road, which offers free auditing of classes to...<ahem> senior citizens. I don't think I have time for this silly work thing anymore. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djami Posted May 28 Report Share Posted May 28 Jeff, Cool and groovy! Is that what you see when using too much hot sauce or putting some of that magic dust on your BBQ Great photos. djami - northern Virginia where the skies do not look like that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pequod Posted May 28 Author Report Share Posted May 28 1 hour ago, djami said: djami - northern Virginia where the skies do not look like that We migrated down to Crozet from Fairfax Station four years ago. We chose here partly due to the darker skies and partly (mainly) because NOVA is nuts. Bonkers. We spent 26 years there, and I get the shakes whenever I'm up that way again for a meeting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C6Bill Posted May 29 Report Share Posted May 29 (edited) 22 hours ago, Pequod said: I have a propane Ooni that will have to suffice for now. I had contemplated building a roll-off roof observatory in my backyard, but it would be very expensive, and I'd have to fight the HOA. Renting space in New Mexico is cheaper, and I get about 200 clear nights per year in excellent sky conditions. As I get closer to pulling the trigger on retirement, people are trying to convince me I'd get bored—utter nonsense. If anything, I have too many interests in food-related things, astronomy, etc. And then there's the University of Virginia down the road, which offers free auditing of classes to...<ahem> senior citizens. I don't think I have time for this silly work thing anymore. You will love retirement, i have hobbies that keep me so busy i don't have time to do something stupid like getting a job lol Edited May 29 by C6Bill 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djami Posted June 15 Report Share Posted June 15 On 5/28/2024 at 9:54 AM, Pequod said: We migrated down to Crozet from Fairfax Station four years ago. We chose here partly due to the darker skies and partly (mainly) because NOVA is nuts. Bonkers. We spent 26 years there, and I get the shakes whenever I'm up that way again for a meeting. Very good Pequod. I am somewhat familiar with Crozet. My parents lived in Charlottesville for a number of years. Have friends in Fairfax Station ... and recently drove there with a friend who is real estate shopping. House prices are crazy. Since we should be talking BBQ here ... the KK will be smoking ribs tomorrow. Should be a great day for BBQing tomorrow. djami 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
