Mr H in Yorkshire

John is right, unless you already have some expertise in mineralogy/meteoritics reliable identification is unlikely, and I say that as someone who actually worked for twenty years at the Natural History Museum in mineralogy, my office was next to the meteorite collection and they had a large number of 'false' meteorites. Your object has some features of a meteorite - the shiny exterior somewhat resembles fusion crust but many minerals have that appearance, notably iron compounds. The density figure you give is lower than most chondrites (range 3.0 to 3.7 g/cm3) and much lower than irons (range 7-8 g/cm3). The object, based on that physical characteristic is not an iron meteorite, and unlikely to be a stony meteorite. Although it is destructive, you might learn more if you crack it in two and examine its interior structure.

Google trailer jacks. Draper make these, look to be identical.

I read that the University of Peradeniya has a Geology Department. I suggest that, if possible you send the questioned object to them for an assessment.

My son has a 12", I had to make a dolly, makes hauling the beast much easier. Lifting the OTA and base is possible, even I can do it at 70 (still strong and fairly fit) but it is a struggle limited to a short distance.

Hi badhex, I recommended this book Engineering, Design and Construction of Portable Newtonian Telescopes Book by Albert Highe a couple of days ago to someone also wanting to build a scope. It contains every detail and tip you could ever want. The book is not easy to get hold of but I can loan you mine, if you are keen let me know. The benefit, I believe you would gain a clear idea of what's involved, and could then better judge what you can do given your limitations, and what you might need to buy. Cheers

In the sense that most DIY scopes are made from individual optical components, yes it's been done. I can recommend reading a lot first, in particular getting a copy of Albert Highe's book, Engineering, Design and Construction of Portable Newtonian Telescopes. If you can't find one let me know and I'll loan you mine.

I agree with all that, especially the excellent book. A real source of knowledge.

Two toolbags! At this rate they'll be on ebay soon. Description Tools and bag, used but in good condition, may be slightly rich in positive ions.

Really looking forward to the next instalment. No pressure. 😀

I have several books on the subject, there is simply nothing better than Steven Tonkin's book.

There is nothing quite so pleasing as showing novices these classic objects, though I would have added M31. Despite all the incredible imagery available there is nothing quite like seeing the planets, wobbling slightly in the turbulent air, just hanging in the blackness.

There is a recent thread on using a material such as sawdust to add a random texture, this may be of interest. I used sawdust to good effect in an OTA. I can't quantify the results but it looks pretty black to me.

Ah yes that body type gets more common as one gets older. Ectomorph, Mesomorph, Endomorph, Space Hopper. 🙂

It's about that much here. It's more fluid than many similar products. Should you use it, I found it best to wide mask either side, put down a bead then really squeeze it into the joint so that it grips/sets on all the interstices and irregularities.

@Rusted I've been introduced to C-TEC CT1 adhesive/sealant by my local Dales Hardware/Agricultural merchants. They recommend it to all their customers as the best there is and they have never been wrong in their advice. It is pretty new on the market. I have now used it in a number of situations including polycarbonate to wood. It is definitely up to the recommendations. It comes in clear and a range of 'building' colours. I have no idea if it is available in Denmark.

@ecormier There is something ironic about having a problem getting sawdust and living in Canada. It's not exactly strapped for forests. Mind you lumber yards saw dust would probably be way too coarse. 😊

If you change your mind, and stick with the smaller dome there are some remarkable cartridge gun applied 'goo' products available these days, no need to GRP the whole thing, just seal the leaks. Not so easy to seal motivation that has leaked. All the best.

JMI Not with us, as in up there with the stars or just retired?

In 1410 it was done like this! Do you have a big enough wall? Sorry facetiousness only no clever ideas.

That is a tour de force of astro engineering. I won't ask any questions, because I'm sure all will be revealed. Well one question: are you logging your hours?

I'm talking about the same era, went camping with some mates late 70's (nearly fell of the cliff after a couple of glasses of cider, that stuff is so anaesthetic I'm sure it would have been a painless death) I have never been so dazzled and lost. Absolutely unforgettable. I have a friend went to Namibia a while back and she said the same.

I agree with so many points you have made, so no leather trousers and ponytail for you! I opted for redundancy at about 56, I really enjoyed the work but the management idiocy and nonsense was really depressing me. At that age I knew I was too specialised (forensic scientist) and unemployable, so I became a handy-man around the area. I never realised how much difficulty people had to find someone to do small jobs, it was crazy, within months I was putting in whole bathrooms, there is a fortune to be made in this line. I try to be retired but I have a bunch of regulars, mainly old ladies, who I do mates rates for, it's very satisfying. Re actually retiring, my experience was that it was a bit worrying at first, but the sense of relief from little things (e.g. a twenty mile commute through all seasons), doing the bidding of people who hadn't a clue about my subject, etc was tremendous. It really felt wonderful. Some people have a real issue retiring, especially if their sense of identity is tied to their work role but for anyone with an alternative to work and outside interests, it's just the greatest! When you make the break I hope it all works out. Cheers

I remember a trip to Durdle Door as a late teen, the sky was so dazzling with stars that I couldn't even recognise the obvious constellations. I don't think I have ever seen better.

Yes, the down sizing question is vexing. We live in a sizeable Victorian villa, although it is all stairs and very costly to heat, I have an 'indoors' shed, essential for me as I love making and fixing stuff, it's a large cellar room and storage space, the bane of new builds, is huge. It made a wonderful family home but our children have left and now have families of their own. We have (though my daughter would not admit it) co-parented her two boys from babyhood and it has been wonderful experience, the boys stay over regularly and love Pateley for its own qualities and my Skipton son and family like to stay over too. As for Christmas, there was nearly a riot when we floated the idea of not bothering too much a while back, the family do love traditions it seems. The older boy is on the brink of teendom and may lose interest, in which case the younger one, who has always been only one step behind in development irrespective of age, may too. However we absolutely love where we are and would be very hard put to find something as suitable so we have decided we are wedded to this house till we go out feet first.

That is a very expensive option just for improving astro time, hopefully there would be other benefits too. I'm visual only so I am not so impacted. Your other idea, a more mobile setup sounds sensible if you can get out towards the dales away from the bigger cities. Malham direction would be good I imagine. A permanent obsy is the ultimate dream for all astro hobbyists, even me and all I use these days are my big binos attached to my self made motorised binochair. I'm making a bigger version right now - based on a small trailer, but I'd swap that option for a concrete base in a heartbeat. PS Although I'm not an imager and have never had that interest, what you posted at the top is amazing so I can see the attraction. It's quite astonishing what is within the reach of amateur AP these days, if only the weather and LP permits.