Monday, November 1, 2010

AstroMart Purchase

Tis the time of year to purchase a scope - a used scope that is! My recently reacquainted astro buddy Jim has always had a knack for finding good buys on this popular amateur astronomer website. Much of what he owns is found here including this baby:

Yes when aperture fever hits it is hard to quell so Jim gives in and is now the proud owner of "The Leviathan of Mora MN" - all 70" and several tons of metal mirror are his! He has plenty of room on his country estate for this jumbo scope. Only he will need to employ his wife and daughters to help him maneuver the thing with the heavy chain and lever mounting.

To quote Jim: " This will be a wonderful family experience and bonding time under the skies for us. I could not pass this up!"

Enough said!

9 comments:

Jo said...

You should have him lend you this scope for outreaching!!!

Paulie said...

Is this for real? THE Leviathan?!?

Paulie said...

I'm not going to ask the usual question of how much did it cost, but how the heck do you ship something like that, and how much does the shipping cost?!?

Paulie said...

Flatbed trailer?!?

Jo said...

Paulie wants one!!! I knew it!!!

Paulie said...

No, I don't. Seriously. Unless the truck and trailer are included in the selling price, so I can take it for sidewalk sessions. Then I might need another semi to haul the crane I will need for slewing!

East Central Minnesota Astronomy Club said...

The expensive part was shipping the brick walls over and reconstructing them!! The scope was a steal, granted I'm new to polishing speculum metal, but I think I'll become an expert fairly quickly. Rich, I hope this gives you an added incentive to join me under the skies of Minnesota (plus I could use your muscles to help Susan move the scope for me!)

Sidewalk Universe said...

I can not wait to be up on those walls eating scones and having tea from your wife's kitchen surveying galactic treasures!

But I think your desire to use this scope for street astro is a bit ambitious!

Heave hoe my friend!

Sidewalk Universe said...

Hey blog pals East Central Minnesota Astronomy Club is my astro bud Jim who is a kindred spirit in light hearted observing and outreach to the public and new found healthy eating from his Mn outpost.

Check out his blog and follow his efforts!