9 replies to this topic

[sniperpride]

Hey guys. I try to do some sidewalk astronomy occasionally. And I set up in high traffic areas. I usually just do the moon, and whatever planets are around. Some club members set up a 6 inch dob and did not have many interested. Recently, I set up our 15inch Obsession in the same location and almost had to direct traffic. I made sure to let people know that most of this viewing can be done with relatively cheap scopes compared to ours. But I thought it was interesting. Ive also noted better turnout when my wife is helping me.

[Herr Ointment]

She helps shed the geek loser vibe so many of us give off. Good on ya!

[sniperpride]

Yeah, nobody wants to talk to the geek next to the telescope. But people aren't scared to come up to us when she is with

[amicus sidera]

As I'm almost startlingly attractive, I've never had to face this particular issue.

[sniperpride]

When a few guys go set up there little scopes across the street, people say, oh theres a few geeks looking at the moon.

When we set up a big dob, people say, oh theres some people setting a cannon up

[amicus sidera]

I think it all boils down to respect... even several small telescopes, if attended to by men wearing white laboratory coats, name badges, Bucky Fuller eyeglasses and clipboards, can garner substantial respect, or at least make passers-by keep their distance unless invited nearer.

A large, newish unmarked van with a satellite dish on the roof would round out the proceedings nicely.

[George N]

When a few guys go set up there little scopes across the street, people say, oh theres a few geeks looking at the moon.

When we set up a big dob, people say, oh theres some people setting a cannon up

My neighbor Wanda (a lady in her early 80’s) says: "Call me when you are going to set a scope up. On second thought, only call me when you have that big one that looks like a giant trash can set up (a new description of an Obsession 20)! It works much better than the small ones, and I don't mind having to climb the ladder.”

[amicus sidera]

At 80-plus, I wonder if Wanda is actually seeing anything in those smaller instruments! Possible cataracts/glaucoma/macular degeneration + 20" Obsession = views equivalent to a 60mm refractor?

[George N]

At 80-plus, I wonder if Wanda is actually seeing anything in those smaller instruments! Possible cataracts/glaucoma/macular degeneration + 20" Obsession = views equivalent to a 60mm refractor?

She can see good enough to hit the squirrels in her bird feeders with her pellet gun from about 20 or 30 yards away. She says that if they don’t learn their lesson, she’s getting out the 22. She looks and acts more like 60 than 80, and has no problem walking the 100 yards up hill to my lawn, and then climbing up the ladder to the 20’s eyepiece a number of times. I hope I’m half as healthy at 80…. assuming I actually last that long. :o

[amicus sidera]

That's really wonderful, George! I agree, if I'm shape even near as good as that at 80, I'll count myself fortunate. Don't worry about your longevity, we astronomers are noted for our long lives... all that good, clean night air, I think!