Talked to a guy at a star party who made me rethink my whole rig

Was out near Joshua Tree last Saturday with my 8 inch Dob. This older guy rolls up with a beat up refractor from the 90s. He tells me aperture is overrated if your skies are trash. Pointed at his scope and said I've seen more with this in Bortle 3 than you will with that thing in Bortle 7. Hit me hard because I drive two hours to dark sites but still bring light pollution with me in my habits. Anyone else ever get schooled by some random dude with old gear?

3 comments

3 Comments

jakewhite1mo ago

Angela's headlamp story makes me think this hobby attracts way too many control freaks.

blairc901mo ago

Light pollution doesn't follow you, it's just wherever you set up.

-1

nguyen.angela1mo ago

Hey I've literally had people tell me that my headlamp was "ruining the vibe" when I was trying to find a place to set up my telescope. Like sorry I didn't realize your astrophotography session was more important than me not tripping over a rock and breaking my ankle. The gatekeeping around dark skies is wild sometimes - everyone acts like they're the only person who needs to see the stars. Maybe we should just all bring red lights and stop pretending we own the night. But no, apparently my phone screen at 1% brightness is the end of the world.