Astro what
Okay! So, Colleen tried to buy me a telescope for Xmas. She spent big $$$$ and ordered a special camera ready telescope after much research, much angst, and after consulting with Liz, our family astronomer. I have dabbled, miserably, in some astrophotography. With anticipation and then great disappointment (Colleen’s), the telescope never shipped, never arrived. We saved big $$$$. Colleen cried inconsolably. Everyone knows it is impossible to get me a present. I tend to buy whatever I want. So, there is no wont in my house.
Amazon prime came to our house – inadvertently. Amazon prime day had a sale on beginner telescopes. The rest, as they say, is history. The learning curve is high. First and foremost is light pollution. I discovered the technical limitations of attaching a Nikon camera to a Celestron telescope. Focus in the dark was dismal. The earth moves at about 400 meters/sec. I thought diving was challenging? The stars are dots of light – pinholes in black paper.
My point and shoot Canon got better focus of the moon than the spiffy telescope. Risk/benefit, or, bang for your buck?; I chose the camera. The stars are not a subject I will pursue. Amazon gave me a refund. End of story.
photobackstory 
Haha – sounds like my experience getting Cindy a telescope! She wanted one in the worst way, and I was finally able to buy her a decent one. She eagerly goes out with it the first night, and… nada. Zippo. Zilch.
We live in Maryland. Lots of light pollution. Lots of humidity-based haze for the bulk of the year. The telescope turned out to be a major fail for using in our region, because we maybe get a dozen good viewing nights per year.
However, she was finally – after years of waiting – able to use it for the first time out in Montana, during our recent trip there.
August 4, 2021 at 5:35 am
Dismal. It’s the apt term for my efforts. I have failed enough to know that the investment was not worthy. I’m glad Montana was a good viewing spot. I have never been to Montana and it is not on my short list of destinations. I had visions of the fantastic nebula pictures from Hubble. Alas, my skill level will never rival those images. I am content and I am resigned to the light pollution in my neighborhood.
August 4, 2021 at 9:52 am