Roy Cropper

She'll never notice...

A flash? jpg

Its a good thing it was named as it was. If my grandad, an astronmer himsself, had got to the ringing phone in time it would instead have been named "this is a ******* windup!" I seem to be one of the few happy with the new dwarf designation, but it never appealed to me much when it was a planet.

Indeed. Even over here aircraft endangerment is liable to result in a prison sentence, so no matter how careful I might be I wouldn't personally shine a laser pen skywards.

As astronomers we all know the moon has no dark side. The side facing away from the earth receives just as much sunlight as the side we can see. In any case, it look like we owe Elon an apology... https://spacenews.com/chinese-rocket-not-falcon-9-linked-to-upper-stage-on-lunar-impact-trajectory/

I'm 63 and still giggle like a child when I read "Chipping Sodbury"!

I don't think the hobby is becoming more expensive per se. The issue is that there is simply more available to spend ones cash on than ever before. A starter could, in real terms, set themselves up with a modest new scope with much the same cost as before. Not only that, the internet brings a vast catalogue of used gear whereas in times past the amateur was stuck with local word of mouth, the local copy of Loot, or making their own. I think that the problem, if it is a problem, is one of technology rather than cost. There is a simply vast array of equipment available today that wasn't available a decade ago, never mind 5 decades back when I started in the hobby. People couldn't buy that gear in uears past, and they don't actually have to buy it now. Someone wanting to get into a niche arm of astronomy will pay more, but that is true of any interest when one starts to advance within. I would contend thst the actual beginner is no worse off than before, and in terms of choice and quality has never had it so good.

A 24% ND filter.

Nah, Cheshire cap and they'll have that done before their cup of tea gets cold!

Im fairly new to astronomy as a hobby and I'm running a used 4.5" reflector (I don't know the brand as it's not marked, but I've seen it badged as both Celestron and Tasco so I guess its from the late 90's when T owned C). I've been idly eyeing the 200p as a cost effective upgrade and I think you've just sold me on it!

Jeez, with those top flight skills in spouting meaningless drivel they have a career in politics or maybe the civil service ahead of them.

Lighting interventions? Didn't we used to call them "torches"?

This is the guy who thought it appropriate to launch his car into space. Sure, a great wheeze, but there is no positive reason for essentially littering space with the most biologically dirty and active item ever to be released into the vacuum of space.

The whole thing looks like a L.O.B to me. Many folk do that every time we take a torch to walk the dog at night and we don't create a website and get all excited over it. At best its a waste of time, at worst there are genuine negative consequences.

I'd go with something large de-orbiting, a good sized satellite or rocket stage.