When Health Gets in the Way

I’m back again after yet another long break, but honestly I haven’t done anything much astronomy related since my last post in 2020; the only observing I’ve done has been two minor solar eclipses I think. Still, I have to admit that I’ve enjoyed the extra sleep that the lack of observing has provided.

The reasons for my lack of progress are broadly the same as last time, except that the health issues have taken the headlines. Unfortunately they’ve left me with some permanent issues that will affect my astronomical activities in the future.

Most significantly it appears that I have arthritis, of at least one type, which is the source of those shoulder and leg issues I mentioned in my last post. It has become much worse since then, and now imposes some strict limitations on my movement and endurance.

Future with a camera?

The obvious choice would be a switch to astrophotography to get my astronomy kicks. I’ve considered this before, and again recently with more obvious motivation to head that way, but decided that it’s not for me.

It’s not that I consider that there’s anything wrong with astro-imaging, it’s just that it’s not for me: I love observing because I value the time at the scope, the hunt for my targets, and just that particular way that objects appear in an eyepiece. Imaging and images don’t capture that.

I can’t deny being inspired by talk that I’ve heard to try my hand at collecting scientifically valuable data: photometry, spectroscopy or faint narrow-band images.

However a person must be prepared to dedicate a huge amount of time to learning the craft, and money for their equipment, to do this well. I don’t think that many people will bother in this age of sky surveys, space telescopes and easy captures with an iPhone. I’m certainly not one of them. Honestly, I have far too many other things that I’d rather be doing.

An aesthetic choice.

With the possible exception of visual variable star observing, I’m never going to make a scientifically significant contribution, and I’ve decided that’s fine with me.

I believe that I’m involved in amateur astronomy primarily for aesthetic reasons. The practice of visual observing and the view through the eyepiece is important to me. This is the source of my enjoyment. A camera and IT equipment would get in the way.

However, it’s become obvious that I’ll need to reassess my equipment options, and my observing goals.

The questions.

Porting heavy or cumbersome equipment around has become a risky proposition, particularly in the confined spaces of our garden. However, my neck is particularly damaged and my main cause for concern.

I can’t manage the contortions needed for straight and reflex finders. This is less of a problem for really bright objects, but it’s going to make star-hopping even more challenging when hunting faint and fuzzy ones: the H400 is on hold for a while. Will I end up with GoTo, or at least PushTo?

It also raises questions about telescopes on equatorial mounts due to the orientation the eyepiece frequently finds itself in. I use this kind of setup for lunar and planetary observing, just those nice bright objects that will be easy to find!

I love binocular astronomy, but once again, that may no longer possible with the instruments that I own. This is particularly gutting since binocular variable stars have been my passion since I started observing in 2011. I have a selection of telescopic variables too, but many of my long-term targets are too bright for a scope. This is a priority for my equipment decisions since it’s one of the first things I’d like to do again.

Finally I’ll have to find out how the stiffness and pain responds to the cold. I suspect it won’t be good, but I’ll just have to limit the duration of my observing sessions.

Lots of questions and few answers at the moment, but at least more sleep can’t be a bad thing.

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