LukeSkywatcher

We've been engaged since 29th Feb 2020 (Leap year). Tradition dictates that on a leap year, women can propose marriage. Lorna did exactly that. Our wedding is set for 9th December 2022.

The southwestern lobe looks like a monkey skull, but I think that name has been taken?.

Myself and Lorna are discussing where we want to go on our honeymoon. We've thought about Japan or Australia. Lorna's SIL is Australian (but lives in Ireland) and Lorna has been there 2-3 times over the yrs, so not exactly a dream destination for her. I got to thinking that the 2024 eclipse would be perfect as we both have family and friends living there and neither of us have ever been. My bestman for the wedding lives in Syracuse (NY) and is right under the path of totality. We are thinking "Kill 2 birds with 1 stone". Fly over for however long (staying in hotels), view the eclipse and maybe visit family and friends. We'd obviously rent a car so we can do some touristy stuff. Hopefully our plan comes to fruition. If Lorna is lucky, we may even fly 1st class.

I can't agree more. I've been observing for 42 yrs. I started out with a pair of 10x50 bins. I didn't buy my 1st scope until 2007. Since then, I can hardly remember what scopes and bins I own:

8Se is a great scope. I have one in my arsenal.

"By no stretch of the imagination". That's a measurement that is so large that our imagination can't comprehend it. Think I just confused myself.

Gnats private parts are the new microns, don't you know.

Don't watch it since SPM passed away.

Sounds like CA.

Nestle meteorite samples. Sorry, I can't believe it.

I bought the SW AZ5 tripod and mount about 4 yrs ago. I've never had any issues with this combo. I typically mount a Bresser 102 refrac on it for solar observing (with a Quark Chromosphere). The AZ5 is a thing of beauty. I love the green and white, and also the sleek curves.

My rule of thumb: If it looks like a cloud, it must be a cloud.

Happy Birthday Pluto.

Perfect.

Looks good to me. Just a coat hangin out in the corner.

The simplest way to hide a scope is to hang a coat on it. SWMBO will never know.

Damn!!!!

Christmas Day, it absolutely chucked it down with rain. We still had Shrimps on the bbq and crab meat on lettuce with Mary Rose sauce because the SIL is a true blue Aussie.

On a serious note, Lorna would love to be my wing-person while observing. She's never looked through a telescope. She has a passing interest and it would be lovely to star gaze together. Molly the dog too would be with us roaming the garden, protecting us both against any furry critters, but basically barking and annoying the neighbours. Where Lorna goes, Molly follows. They are inseparable.

Usually. The weather over the last 2 weeks had been very mild. We have the back door open most nights and no heating on. I'm sitting in the kitchen as I type, door open and wearing a t-shirt. We'll pay for it in Feb/Mar I bet.

Not strictly the postman but for Christmas as a gift from my future SIL. A lovely fleece jacket with fleece lining,hood with draw strings and that zips up to my nose. Deep pockets to keep EPs lovely and snug in the winter. I wear it around the house now. Cheaper than Central heating. This image doesn't do it justice. It's Soo warm. The outer layer is more of a fluffy wool texture. Same on the inside.

My aspirations for 2022 are to get Lorna to carry my gear outside. Not sure though because she's a bit good at dropping and breaking stuff.

OK, so we have all (or maybe not) heard about NASA's next mission to send a probe,rocket,machine,craft into space with the aim of potentially knocking an asteroid off course, if it was Earth bound. Don't worry, it's not on course to hit Earth. Apparently it will slam into the asteroid at 17,000 mph. What's your opinion?. Possible, Plausible or Failure?.

I bought a Ravelli pistol grip and tripod about 4 yrs ago from Telescope House. Absolute bargain then. £60. I use it with 20x90 bins. Rock solid.