I mention in my book about my childhood interest in Astronomy. After I lost my initial telescope in a fire during my time in college, I went without for many years.
Alaska was not a good place for star gazing. During the summer it was always light out and during the winter too cold for standing outside looking into a telescope. Also, the ice crystals in the air are, effectively, just like smog in blocking the stars.
When I moved to Fresno and remarried, I got back into the hobby with the purchase of a 10” Mead telescope. Over the years I improved on my star gazing with the addition of an astronomy tent with a opening in the ceiling, and finally a backyard Observatory. I updated the telescope with the adding of a newtonian mount and finally a permanent pier for it to be mounted on.
Last month, I retired the old 10” and purchased a new 12” computerized telescope. I try to have it open each Wed evening for the neighbors to drop by and enjoy the night sky with me.
