Re: the refractor craze??

From: Alan French (adfrenchremoveallthis_at_nycap.rr.com)
Date: 11/21/04 

Date: Sun, 21 Nov 2004 01:29:29 GMT

"Juan Calculus" <jcalctrig@math.net> wrote in message
news:gjKnd.6903$pK6.1836@newsread2.news.atl.earthlink.net...
> Now getting back into the astro hobby after a few years recess, I've
noticed
> a trend towards refractors. I visited a local SP a few weeks ago and I'll
> bet close to 70% of the scopes there were refractors. I'm curious as to
> what's caused this trend or shift as when I was active in the past, close
to
> 15 years ago, the "light bucket" Dobsonian seemed to be the favorite at
star
> parties. How does a refractor, which I seldom see in apertures greater
> than 100mm due to expense, compare with a light bucket Dob or reflector?
It
> certainly can't be DSO's as an 18" Dob would win that battle hands down.
I
> would also think that the larger reflector would be the winner for planets
> too, especially if it has a good mirror. So, what is the appeal?
> Portability, but what else? There must be something I'm missing regarding
> their appeal especially when you compare the cost per aperture differences
> between refractors and other scopes.

Juan,

Just like other folks have different hobbies, people approach astronomy
differently. There are folks who like as much aperture as possible, and
there are other folks, who are also serious observers, who are quite happy
with modest apertures. The local club holds many public star parties, and
has an active group of observers who use our dark sky sight on a regular
basis. Some have Dobs of varying sizes, some have SCTs from 8" to 14", and
some have modest refractors. They are all enjoying what they do, and having
a good time under the stars. Indeed, I have been surprised and enlightened
by the number of folks who started years ago with a modest aperture and
never found a reason to move to a larger scope. We have telescopes from a
90mm APO up to a 15" Dob, and my wife could be quite happy with any one of
them on a clear night.

Today's amateur astronomers are fortunate in having such a vast array of
telescopes to choose from, and so many different ways to approach the hobby.
Amateur astronomers just have to decide is what approach makes them happy.

My last two trips outside under clear skies were with a lawn chair. Once
for a beautiful display of northern lights, and once to prowl around with
binoculars.

Clear skies, Alan

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