What have you been up to lately?

[Ylem]

I started prepping for the Northeast Astronomy Forum (NEAF) to be held in April. A group of us set up a Classic Telescopes booth that includes mostly telescopes from the 1950s through the 1980s. While still a long time off, because of COVID, we haven't done one in several years...and it takes some time for this oldie to get organized! Besides cleaning and doing any minor repairs to scopes, we display unique accessories and era appropriate documentation. In my case I also provide a slide show that summarizes the history of Nihon Seiko/Unitron USA.


NEAF2015_Booth.jpg


It's always a fun event!

Dave

Hi Dave, I might be able to go this year

I used to go every year when I lived in NJ, it was about 20 minutes from me.
We are moving back soon as we sell this house.

NEAF is pretty wild to say the least

[Unitron48]

I started prepping for the Northeast Astronomy Forum (NEAF) to be held in April. A group of us set up a Classic Telescopes booth that includes mostly telescopes from the 1950s through the 1980s. While still a long time off, because of COVID, we haven't done one in several years...and it takes some time for this oldie to get organized! Besides cleaning and doing any minor repairs to scopes, we display unique accessories and era appropriate documentation. In my case I also provide a slide show that summarizes the history of Nihon Seiko/Unitron USA.


NEAF2015_Booth.jpg


It's always a fun event!

Dave

Hi Dave, I might be able to go this year

I used to go every year when I lived in NJ, it was about 20 minutes from me.
We are moving back soon as we sell this house.

NEAF is pretty wild to say the least

Be sure to stop by and introduce yourself. I posted these in another thread, but I will be displaying a 1972 Unitron Model 160, 4 inch Photo Equatorial with weight driven clock drive, and a 1987 vintage Brandon 94. Right now we have another 20-30 vintage telescopes from other participants.

Dave

[pakarinen]

Went to a dark site for the weekend and of course the forecast calling for clearing skies was completely wrong. Oh well, it was nice to get well away from Crapcago for awhile.

[GCoyote]

Visiting with our friend in Pennsylvania again this week. My wife must have expected it to be cloudy and left me a to-do list so I would not get bored. Very thoughtful.

[Ylem]

Trying to get the house ready for sale, you know, painting, minor repairs, landscaping, dropping things off for donations, decluttering etc. Stressful yet exciting at the same time.

Heading out with the binos tonight

[pakarinen]

First, brief (bino) observation of ε Lyrae about 0545 today. Skies had mostly cleared (Whuhhhh??! ) and ε was just above a neighbor's tree at about 30 deg alt.

I'll take that as a sign that spring really is on the way.

[Apollo69s]

Nothing-------perticular.

[Razz]

Got my confirmation email from Amazon. I start next week. Haven't started a new job for a LONG time and things are certainly different nowadays. Everything is done online even simple requests. Want to sign up for overtime? Don't bother the manager, go to this website and sign up...I get a voucher to buy safety shoes. Been wearing work boots for almost 40 years. I was not aware of carbon-fiber toed sneakers. It took me an hour to find normal looking sneakers. My feet don't want to glow in the dark, I just want simple, normal colored shoes...I've never felt so old...

[Nakedgun]

Got my confirmation email from Amazon. I start next week. Haven't started a new job for a LONG time and things are certainly different nowadays. Everything is done online even simple requests. Want to sign up for overtime? Don't bother the manager, go to this website and sign up...I get a voucher to buy safety shoes. Been wearing work boots for almost 40 years. I was not aware of carbon-fiber toed sneakers. It took me an hour to find normal looking sneakers. My feet don't want to glow in the dark, I just want simple, normal colored shoes...I've never felt so old...

~

I just stopped working a month ago after 50 years at it, and I'm already mulling over becoming employed again. Don't think I'll look at Amazon. though.

Good luck!


.

[Razz]

Got my confirmation email from Amazon. I start next week. Haven't started a new job for a LONG time and things are certainly different nowadays. Everything is done online even simple requests. Want to sign up for overtime? Don't bother the manager, go to this website and sign up...I get a voucher to buy safety shoes. Been wearing work boots for almost 40 years. I was not aware of carbon-fiber toed sneakers. It took me an hour to find normal looking sneakers. My feet don't want to glow in the dark, I just want simple, normal colored shoes...I've never felt so old...

~

I just stopped working a month ago after 50 years at it, and I'm already mulling over becoming employed again. Don't think I'll look at Amazon. though.

Good luck!


.

Thanks. I wasn't looking specifically at Amazon but it came up. I'm not particular, I just need a job. I've been a mechanic for almost 40 years, 21 years at my last job and I'm just burnt out. My 30 year mortgage will be paid off in September of this year and I'm looking to retire at 62 if I can, which is just under 5 years from now. I just needed something in the meantime.

[Ylem]

It's raining, I am home alone, and board...

I built a new artificial star and I am observing it with all my scopes.

Hopefully no one sees me doing this or they may have me committed

Collimation looks good on them all

[Razz]

Started my new job and so far so good. Hopefully this will be my last job before I retire...my goal is to retire at 62...4 1/2 more years...

[Ylem]

Started my new job and so far so good. Hopefully this will be my last job before I retire...my goal is to retire at 62...4 1/2 more years...

Good for you, the final countdown has begun!

I also retired at 62, I don't have a lot of money, but after watching my mom and dad pass, I realized time is more important
Good luck on the new job, hang in there, you got this

[GCoyote]

Running errands and scouting observing locations near my friend's place in PA.
One bad, one iffy. May try to bag the comet tonight.

[helicon]

Supposed to be clear tonight, though windy with a mass of arctic air settling over the region. Will have the telescope ready (Celestron XLT this time around) for 2022 ZTF (comet) visible this eve in Ursa Minor, only a few degrees from Kochab. Being pretty far north I should have a fighting chance to finally see it!!!!!! Here's a customized skymap for 48.75 north latitude. I sent it in an email to myself and some other significant folks including my nephew who works at Tesla in Austin, TX. Launch the link on the phone and quickly find the comet!

https://theskylive.com/planetarium?obje ... 573|fov|74

[Ylem]

Good luck Michael!

That's also a nice website, thx

[GCoyote]

I crapped out. Could not find a spot without at least three security lights intersecting it. I used my car and a building to screen out some glare and set up a small travel scope but no luck.

[Lady Fraktor]

It's raining, I am home alone, and board...

I built a new artificial star and I am observing it with all my scopes.

Hopefully no one sees me doing this or they may have me committed

Collimation looks good on them all

I have been known to do this occasionally... alright, a lot.
Go for distance and check for spherical aberrations
Did you know you can get a Ronchi eyepiece? I mean if you are checking things...
https://www.gerdneumann.net/english/ron ... piece.html

[helicon]

The comet was blocked by the roofline. I'll get out a bit earlier tonight and hopefully catch it. If not, I'll head down to the marina here by the lake. No tall trees down there in the parking lot which should make for an unobstructed view.

[SkyHiker]

Did you know you can get a Ronchi eyepiece? I mean if you are checking things...
https://www.gerdneumann.net/english/ron ... piece.html

Now you tell us! This would have been such a great Xmas present, ok where's my credit card... thanks!