Anyone interested in Astronomy/telescopes?

[Gewehr43]

Anyone here interested in Astronomy and/or telescopes?

[Shamb]

I took Astronomy in College and really enjoyed the course, didn't pursue it though because of my million other hobbies. It does intrigue me though...

[Gewehr43]

Thought I would see.  I am majoring in Astrophysics at the University of New Mexico.   I have too many expensive hobbies.
Between my '82 Yota Buildup, '83 Volvo 240GLT buildup and my telescopes I have to make alot of compromises.

Astronomy is a great hobby and you can actually get into it for a very reasonable price.  Best part is getting to crawl to your observing site!!

[Shamb]

Best part is getting to crawl to your observing site!!

Absolutely! 

[Gewehr43]

Currently I have a 10" Meade  I go to UNM.  Rumor has it that that UNM operates a 26" telescope on Capilla Peak.  I hear the only access roads are horribly maintained forest service roads.  Everyone but me is afraid to even head out there!!  I hate to admit it, but my future colleagues need to grow some!!

[Shamb]

Correct me if i'm wrong but isn't there more then 1 large telescope in NM because of the high mountain ranges which make for perfect observation on a specific type of telescope (cant remember the specific name)

Apache Point Observatory rings a bell!

Here's UNM's telescope

[GreyBeard]

Hey Gewehr43,

My wife and I are into Astronomy as well.  We have a 5" Meade, and the 4Runner is great for getting us out into the dark spots ;-)

Regards,
Dennis

[Gewehr43]

Yeah there are a few, but UNM has no observing time on Apache Point.  NM State does.  UNM doesn't even use Capilla Peak anymore.  I have heard the skies are crystal clear.  I am going to head up one these weekends. 

[Gewehr43]

UNM currently operates a 14" Meade LX200GPS on Campus. 

I operate this scope for Free Friday Night observing for the public in ABQ.

[Gewehr43]

Correct me if i'm wrong but isn't there more then 1 large telescope in NM because of the high mountain ranges which make for perfect observation on a specific type of telescope (cant remember the specific name)

Oddly New Mexico is not home to as many large scopes as Arizona(Kitt Peak) and Texas(McDonald)

I wish there was more funding available. 

[brainlessfool]

Me too. 

[notajeep]

I have always wanted to get into this a little.

[Gewehr43]

Check out the company Orion.  They will send you a free catalog with nice stuff for great prices.

http://www.telescope.com/jump.jsp?itemID=0&itemType=HOME_PAGE

[brainlessfool]

Check out the company Orion.  They will send you a free catalog with nice stuff for great prices.

http://www.telescope.com/jump.jsp?itemID=0&itemType=HOME_PAGE

They send me about 4 a year.

[notajeep]

Sweet. Thanks.

[Gewehr43]

I would reccomend the XT10 Classic and a few nice Eyepieces.

[abnormaltoy]

The area around here has got observatories everywhere. Kitt Peak has a program where you can go spend the night up there and use a 20 inch RC or a 16 inch Meade. Normally, I just head out to the edge of town into the Rincon's and look up.

[Gewehr43]

Awesome! mY next scope is going to be an 18" Obsession.  Expensive though!!  I know a TAAS member down here who built his 18" F4.25 around a John Hall Primary.  That scope gave some awesome views.