49 replies to this topic

[John Berger]

This is a thread for dreamers to tell everyone their dream wish lists, whether or not you're just visual or an imager

 

here is mine:

 

If I were rich, I would buy 2 CDK550 systems with 2 medium format cameras, 50x50mm 2x9 filter wheels, Chroma LRGBSHO filters plus 2 exotic ones (IR if possible, and some rarely imaged emission line), and, for smaller galaxies, an array of RASAs, maybe an 8x8 grid, for large dim objects, a quarter of them for broadband color, 2 quarters for luminance, and the last quarter for HA and OIII, all using 2600 mono cams, and maybe 3 more RASAs for getting SII

 

4 Tak FSQ106EDX, and 2 Tak TOA150B, with filter wheels and full frame cameras (or medium format), for more casual AP purposes

 

192GB RAM laptop for processing when not at home, 2 or more terabytes of RAM for a home PC, just the latest tech

 

for visual, I don't need much, just maybe an Agema SD 180, with a Binoviewer, a mirror diagonal, and a set of SX 110 degree TV eyepieces, and a set of Naglers, and a small Tak doublet for my bedroom balcony, with a mirror diagonal and a set of Ethos eyepieces

 

and, a large piece of land, somewhere, high altitude, somewhere where the jet stream doesn't pass over often, and a house with a rooftop terrace and balcony

 

and I would not rent scopes from remote facilities, or HST/JWST if I could do that, because I don't assemble the rig myself, and deal with my own problems, I'll feel like I cheated and would not have the least amount of excitement (even though I paid for the rent; that's just me )

Edited by John Berger, 10 February 2025 - 10:35 PM.

[rj144]

If I were Elon, I'd fund the next gen JWST.  

[PIEJr]

I'd buy myself an island, move whoever wanted to go there, and build myself a nice observatory.

 

But then, at my age I'd die about the time I got off the boat.

[Keith Rivich]

Something in the 90" f/9 range. The Bok telescope telescope comes to mind...

[Ar3s701]

Realistically, I'd just like to buy a house and some land in a bortle 3 or less zone where I can build my personal observatory with a pier and observatory grade mount.

 

Unrealistically, private island in bortle 1 with more than 300+ clear nights per year.

 

Fantasy, moon base

[bobzeq25]

Bortle 1 with a small takeoff strip and a private plane for when I want to visit civilization.

I'd have a concierge doctor on call. He'd have a plane also, and would make house calls.

Problem is - I'd need a new wife. <smile>

Edited by bobzeq25, 10 February 2025 - 09:59 PM.

[matt_astro_tx]

I think I'd get a Delta Rho 350 on an L-mount (equatorial configuration, of course), and maybe a CDK17 on another L mount.  I would build my own four-pier ROR on my back acre (the extra two piers for the visual newtonian and the wide field APO) because building stuff is fun.  I'd buy a few ASI461MM Pros with whatever the best NB filters are (chroma?) and then I'd control the whole operation with an ASIAir Mini just to make y'all lose your minds, lol.

[PIEJr]

Bortle 1 with a small takeoff strip and a private plane for when I want to visit civilization.

I'd have a concierge doctor on call. He'd have a plane also, and would make house calls.

Problem is - I'd need a new wife. <smile>

Or just some Island Girls...

[Spaceman 56]

None of my desires revolve around Scopes or Mounts or physical objects. I can buy them. 

 

But It would be nice to have someone around, that could teach me things about AP.  

 

so I am imagining an AP expert, who likes to teach, and is also friendly, dropping in to stay a while. 

 

Hey my place is Bortle 1,  if anyone is interested.   

 

I got some good scopes too..... Ha ha.....

 

Nico, where are you ?

[ayadai]

 

If I were rich, I would buy...

A nice tuna sandwich for lunch. Oh, wait! I already had one! I'm rich indeed!

[matt_astro_tx]

A nice tuna sandwich for lunch. Oh, wait! I already had one! I'm rich indeed!

This.  I took the bait and answered the question with regards to astronomy equipment, but truth be told, I'm content with the equipment I have.  I love my modest and quirky AP rig!

[Drothgeb]

If I was reeeeaaally rich…. I’d have a yacht big enough to haul a nice sportfishing boat (50’-60’ or so) on the foredeck. Then I’d travel around the globe fishing during the day, and maybe do some imaging from secluded islands at night. Most of my imaging though, would be done from my remote locations around the planet in prime fishing spots. I’d have a number of them. Hawaii, Chile, and the Azores for starters. 

 

Hawaii and the Mauna Kea area would likely be my home base. But New Zealand is currently at the top of my list for wanna go spots. So, first thing, I’d probably head to Spaceman’s some for imaging, and maybe take him fishing if he wanted to go.

 

I’m not sure about Astro equipment though. Lately, I’ve been leaning toward wide-field imaging, and don’t really need anything in that range. Maybe a Rokinnon 24 F1.4 to replace my Sigma that’s not too sharp.

[Zambiadarkskies]

The Austrians would be the first to get my imaginary cash!

https://www.astrosys...ducts/uwf600_2/

[PJ Anway]

An Astro-Physics 130 F/6.3 StarFire GTX and I would pay someone to do the waiting for me.

[ShiftSix]

For me, it would just be a different house/ property that's better suited to observing and less hilly so the wife can have her garden she wants.  

[ayadai]

If I was reeeeaaally rich…. I’d have a yacht big enough to haul a nice sportfishing boat (50’-60’ or so) on the foredeck. Then I’d travel around the globe fishing during the day, and maybe do some imaging from secluded islands at night. Most of my imaging though, would be done from my remote locations around the planet in prime fishing spots. I’d have a number of them. Hawaii, Chile, and the Azores for starters. 

 

Hawaii and the Mauna Kea area would likely be my home base. But New Zealand is currently at the top of my list for wanna go spots. So, first thing, I’d probably head to Spaceman’s some for imaging, and maybe take him fishing if he wanted to go.

 

I’m not sure about Astro equipment though. Lately, I’ve been leaning toward wide-field imaging, and don’t really need anything in that range. Maybe a Rokinnon 24 F1.4 to replace my Sigma that’s not too sharp.

Don't forget the Northern Mariana Islands! We have some of the best fishing and the darkest skies on earth in the Northern Islands.

[Enance42]

Mine is simple for now....1 on 1 Pixinsight lessons.

[rlmxracer]

Are we talking bending spacetime money? 

[matt_astro_tx]

The Austrians would be the first to get my imaginary cash!

https://www.astrosys...ducts/uwf600_2/

Wow.  That's an impressive spec sheet.  And auto collimation?

[Peter Besenbruch]

If I was reeeeaaally rich…. I’d have a yacht big enough to haul a nice sportfishing boat (50’-60’ or so) on the foredeck. Then I’d travel around the globe fishing during the day, and maybe do some imaging from secluded islands at night. Most of my imaging though, would be done from my remote locations around the planet in prime fishing spots. I’d have a number of them. Hawaii, Chile, and the Azores for starters. 

 

Hawaii and the Mauna Kea area would likely be my home base. But New Zealand is currently at the top of my list for wanna go spots. So, first thing, I’d probably head to Spaceman’s some for imaging, and maybe take him fishing if he wanted to go.

 

I’m not sure about Astro equipment though. Lately, I’ve been leaning toward wide-field imaging, and don’t really need anything in that range. Maybe a Rokinnon 24 F1.4 to replace my Sigma that’s not too sharp.

For Hawaii, Oahu is basically not worth your time. Kauai could accommodate you at Nawiliwili boat harbor, but it is the island least friendly to the super rich.  Still, you might be able to party with Mark Zuckerberg and Larry Ellison (Lanai), two of the most hated people in the Islands.

 

Maui has Kahului harbor, but it is a long drive up Haleakala. The Big Island has Kawaihai and Hilo harbors. It's a long drive up Mauna Kea, but you might be able to lease some land in the saddle region. As for fishing, it's tightly regulated, but perhaps you would like to come during the bill-fishing tournaments. Unfortunately, there you would have to rub shoulders with the merely rich, which would be a bit of a comedown.

Edited by Peter Besenbruch, 11 February 2025 - 06:01 PM.

[Exquisitus]

Probably about a full section of land in the middle of nowhere.  I'd retire, have a hobby farm and do astrophotography in the evenings.

[dx_ron]

Don't forget the Northern Mariana Islands! We have some of the best fishing and the darkest skies on earth in the Northern Islands.

So I should buy the Northern Mariana Islands!

 

I promise not to raise your taxes all that much.

[Silent_Light]

A dozen eggs.....

[Drothgeb]

For Hawaii, Oahu is basically not worth your time. Kauai could accommodate you at Nawiliwili boat harbor, but it is the island least friendly to the super rich.  Still, you might be able to party with Mark Zuckerberg and Larry Ellison (Lanai), two of the most hated people in the Islands.

 

Maui has Kahului harbor, but it is a long drive up Haleakala. The Big Island has Kawaihai and Hilo harbors. It's a long drive up Mauna Kea, but you might be able to lease some land in the saddle region. As for fishing, it's tightly regulated, but perhaps you would like to come during the bill-fishing tournaments. Unfortunately, there you would have to rub shoulders with the merely rich, which would be a bit of a comedown.

In saltwater, I mainly fish for tuna and billfish. And it’s really hard to beat the calm waters out of Kona for big ones. I’ve had great success there. The diving is good too. I’d keep the yacht offshore, and use the 50-60 footer as my tender. I would fish a few tournaments on the circuit, but would be avoiding elbows as much as possible.
 

Not sure where I’d want the house. Since it would have an observatory, I’d want something higher in elevation somewhere between the mountains. The drive from the harbor wouldn’t matter, since there’s a helicopter on the yacht. Honestly, if I’m rich. I might have a place on the side of hill above the marina, and another place up higher in elevation with the observatory.

[sturgis_star_guy]

What?  A SeeStar didn't make anyone's list?