Jut watched an airplane transit a full moon

[KrazyHorse]

Through a 6" Schmidt Cassegrain mounted on a computer controlled base. Earlier, I observed 4 messier objects in 5 minutes, with 3 minutes of calibration time. The telescope cost 700 dollars, which is less (30% or so) in nominal dollars than my parents spent buying a 4.5" Newtonian mounted on a manual equatorial rig some 30 years ago.

Inflation is overstated.

[-Jrabbit]

You can't even stargaze without commenting on the economic implications?

Apparently just having a hobby isn't enough... Keep trying!

[Aeson]

Inflation is overstated.

I can't believe a physicist would say such a thing. Without inflation you wouldn't even need the telescope, all that stuff you can see out there would be right in your face

[Lorizael]

Jut watched an airplane transit a full moon

No you didn't.

[Egbert]

KrazyHorse is a rabid and deranged loon.

[KrazyHorse]

No you didn't.

Fine, 90% full

[KrazyHorse]

I can't believe a physicist would say such a thing. Without inflation you wouldn't even need the telescope, all that stuff you can see out there would be right in your face

Not necessarily. I haven't worked through what expansion without the inflationary epoch looks like. It is possible that you end up with a reasonably dispersed universe anyway (though clearly not one where the entire universe is in thermodynamic equilibrium at large scale).

[Lorizael]

Fine, 90% full

My astronomy degree has paid off!

[KrazyHorse]

They taught you to track moon phases in an astronomy program?

Congrats, by the way.

[Lorizael]

No, they taught me to embrace intellectual pedantry.

Thanks.

[giblets]

Who cares about food and housing when you have cheap nerd toys?

[Dinner]

Electronic motorized telescope seen to be getting cheaper just like all electronics. Most of the economy has not held the same paradigm, electronics are kind of an exception.

[kentonio]

Pics or it didn't happen!

[pchang]

Who cares about food and housing when you have cheap nerd toys?

Those who buy cheap nerd toys have already taken care of their food and housing needs.

[Lorizael]

Pics or it didn't happen!

Astrophotography is hard, yo.