So here it is, the new telescope, just after opening all of the boxes and assembling it in the main recording room at the studio. After getting it put together I just sat on one of the couches and stared at it, lovingly!
Since you got here through my business website you can likely guess that I currently am self-employed in the music business. I have recently "suffered" a relapse into my astronomy interest after years of dormancy. On January 17th I declared independence - independence from my financial senses, that is! I'd been sniffing around to purchase a Meade LX200 12" SCT, and had made bids on a couple on eBay, and had emailed a few sellers on the Cloudy Nights and Astromart forums. I hate waiting for shipping - gotta have that instant gratification - and was looking for one that was in good shape and nearby so that I could pick it up. None of them worked out, so after a week or so of trying I decided I'd just go buy a new one.
I'd met Gary Hand, co-owner of HandsOn Optics at a Westminster Astronomical Society meeting a few years back and he seemed like a good bloke so I decided I'd give him a call to see if he had one in stock. I had a few days with no sessions scheduled so I could spend some "quality time" with my new purchase! Well, I made the call and spoke with Gary's partner Sherry Hand. Sadly, they did not have a 12" Meade in the showroom. But they did have a 10" Meade RCX400. "No" I said, "I was looking for something with a bit more aperture" and wasn't likely to need the wider available imaging area of a RC design anyway. "Well, we do have a Celestron CGE1400 available - its a display model so could let it go for a good price." Well, a C-14 on a German Eq mount was what I'd really wanted to begin with, but figured I couldn't afford. None the less, I decided to drive out to take a look. Well, standing in that shop, in The Presence of that telescope was more than my senses could sustain. So my senses checked out, leaving the keys to the wallet to my passion and, with dizzying quickness, the deal was done. I mean, looking at the ads, reading the articles, and seeing images and science done, all with the CGE1400 - that was like porno for stargazers! I was helpless, I tell ya! The devil made me do it! Astronomy - its the Career of Evil, after all.
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So here it is, the new telescope, just after opening all of the boxes and assembling it in the main recording room at the studio. After getting it put together I just sat on one of the couches and stared at it, lovingly! |