The End of an Era

[Unitron48]

About ten years ago I was introduced to Morning Calm Observatory (MCO) in Culpeper, VA, with its 30 inch Obsession as the primary scope. Secondary scopes include 20 inch and 12.5 inch Obsessions, as well as a 12 inch Meade LX200 on a Losmandy G11T. The observatory has been used to host observing sessions for our local Culpeper club members, as well as members of clubs in Charlottesville and Richmond, Virginia.

After 17 years of faithful service, Donovan (MCO owner) decided to move the 30 inch onto a new owner. The transfer took place this weekend with a final observing session last night for the benefit of the new owner. It was not a long session with a lot of objects; its primary intent was to familiarize the new owner with the operation of the 30 inch. We did view the Orion and Dumbbell nebulae, as well as the Leo Triplet and M53, a globular cluster.

In the absence of the 30 inch, the 20 inch Obsession now occupies the throne. Still an impressive scope!

Dave

[helicon]

Wow that's a big change and I hope the 30" gets as much use as it did at MCO.

But you've still got one big light bucket.

[Bigzmey]

Having access to such facility even without 30" is great.

[Unitron48]

Thanks, Michael and Andrey! You are absolutely correct of course, but we had a bit of nostalgia seeing it trailer off this morning

Dave

[Makuser]

Hi Dave. It must have been a sad occasion to say goodbye to the 30" super giant but I am sure that you and the other MCO members will still enjoy the use of the 20" giant for many years.

[jerrysykes]

The end of an era indeed.
I remember the first time I climbed up the ladder to have a look thru the eyepiece of that 30 inch scope. All I could say was WOW!
Donovan was always a great host and because of you and Donovan the Culpeper Astronomy Club has grown a lot from it's early days.
Having a 20" scope is nice but like you I would have been sad to watch that 30"scope going down the road.

[Unitron48]

Thanks, Marshall and Jerry. We had lots of great times with that scope...and certainly lots of ladder time!

Dave

[kt4hx]

I am sorry to hear about that Dave, and even more sorry that I never got down there to look through the big 'un. I wanted to try for Hickson 50 through that one! A 20 inch Obsession is nothing to sneeze at of course, but I understand the nostalgia about the 30 inch. There will definitely be a difference between the two, but still you have decent skies there and quite a nice scope to utilize. I hope you all have many more years of observing at the MCO.

[Unitron48]

Thanks, Alan! Sorry you never got out to MCO. Would have been nice letting you take it for a "drive"!

Dave

[John Baars]

Surely the end of an era.
You will have fond memories of it. Oh well, too bad the owner decided to sell it.

On the other hand......... I always think when I drive home from the observatory, "at home my 4 and 5 inchers are waiting for me..." The fun is in the wonder of beauty, not in inches of aperture.