This makes 4 telescopes we have now. I do believe we can schedule a star gazing party at the overlook up from the Cockatoo Farm this fall.

Many years ago we would go on vacation up to The Great Smoky Mountains National Park and park the camper at Elkmont campgrounds. My father LOVED the night time programs at the amphitheater there. He always made sure to schedule our vacations around the night sky program as the park ranger would bring a telescope and all interested would drive with him up to Newfound Gap to look out at the stars. At that time in the 70's the orange Celestron C8 was the telescope to have for its power and portability and the park ranger had one. Father never went and bought himself one. He always did without to make sure the family had enough. He denied himself this one personal thing and regretted it to the day he died.

Yesterday we were pawnshopping and this was up on an upper shelf. He wanted $500 for it, but I appraise and authenticate watches for them, so I get a discount for my services. It's the same place that sold me the Rolex super cheap during the beginning of the scamdemic before the prices went stupid.

I offer $200 for it, he agrees and take the old scope home. The memories of how happy my father was when the ranger took that red telescope out of the case came flooding back.

I can't wait to get it on a stand to try it out.

That’s awesome Marzy!

If the optics and adjustment controls are in good shape, you stole that!

Well, at the very least the person who brought it into the pawn shop.

Would
Like to see a picture of half of the moon with that
On August 20th
Thanks in advance

That’s a beauty!

Love the Celestrons from that era!

Hell of a deal on that. Looks very clean

I have $200 eyepieces

Nice job.

How cool! I'd like to experience some of that kind of viewing someday.

Geez, a couple months ago, I fell into a great deal on a Televue Pronto 70, though it wasn’t an 85, it was set up for 2” eyepieces and came with a small assortment of those as well.

Decent for the Moon, planets and terrestrial viewing.

Working to set it up with a CCD in near future.

The Teleview took me on an unexpected detour as I was looking to possibly acquire a Cassegrain or Maksutov of some sorts.

Nice looking 'Schmidt–Cassegrain' you've got there...

I’d love to see a pic of your ‘too peeking through that.

That looks exactly like one I bought on eBay 4 years ago.

Nice grab!

Is that an 8 inch? It looks bigger.

quote:

Originally posted by sjtill:
Is that an 8 inch? It looks bigger.

Yeah, it's a C8. You should see it beside my brother's Meade 11". Makes it look like a toy.

Congrats - I have a newer C6SE. Cats are great all around scopes

FYI - The Baader Hyperion 8-24mm Zoom works great in this scope.

Very cool. Don't forget the total solar eclipse in April 2023. That scope should take spectacular pics of that.

Holy crap at your luck! I’ve wanted a 8” SCT forever. To find one for that price is lottery luck. I’m envious.

Those are handy little scopes. Nice.