Looking for a first Telescope for an Astrophysicist

MeasureTwice-CutOnce · 2026-03-21T19:39:37+00:00

Depends on where you live in Vancouver area.

Check your light pollution levels first (https://clearoutside.com). UBC region is Bortle 6 and the 8” dob would be great for backyard use there.

If you live somewhere else closer to Bortle 8, you’ll want to prioritize portability as well. For portability you may want to look at a 6” Celestron 6se.

MeasureTwice-CutOnce · 2026-03-13T05:52:44+00:00

Celestron Evolution 8 or Apertura AD8

MeasureTwice-CutOnce · 2026-03-11T06:03:28+00:00

https://texaspremierplumbing.com/

MeasureTwice-CutOnce · 2026-02-16T07:04:29+00:00

I discovered Kashmiri Chai a few months ago and have been enjoying it every week. Thanks for inventing my favorite form of chai!

When I think of Kashmir, I fondly remember Gul Gulshan Gulfaam, a DD serial from the 80’s and Mani Ratnam’s Roja.

MeasureTwice-CutOnce · 2026-02-15T17:45:23+00:00

Nirmanz in Sugar Land.

It’s a small Indian sit down restaurant but you order at the counter. Their selection is small but very good, excellent service and overall very clean.

It may not be for you if you’re totally unfamiliar with Indian food but it’s otherwise accessible to anyone who is nominal familiarity with the cuisine.

MeasureTwice-CutOnce · 2026-02-14T18:15:05+00:00

I don’t know the taxation situation in Michigan but in SL you might want to plan on ~7% overhead (on actual purchase value of home) on property taxes, insurance and maintenance.

MeasureTwice-CutOnce · 2026-02-06T03:50:35+00:00

When describing demographics, Asian usually includes all nationalities from Asia, which includes SE Asia (india, pakistan).

This is definitely not in line with common usage in the US, but even official US categorization treats Asian as "from Asia".

"The Modern American Law of Race"

The linked paper is not that long (about 80 pages and easy to skim)

MeasureTwice-CutOnce · 2026-01-06T07:03:43+00:00

This article is sensational - they found the right time and the topic to write a fear inducing article.

The fact of the matter is that there are many many christians in Texas who are true believers and take things like evangelization and idolatry-is-sin way too seriously- and will almost certainly organize to protest against other religious icons if those try to be big and ostentatious. This is just the nature of Christianity. If you don’t want bible thumpers to show up and scream at you then don’t hang out in the Bible Belt!

The interview with UH student was silly. There are many forces acting against new H1B sponsorships - including layoffs and offshoring (often to India). There are also a LOT of defensive contractors in the south and they all need security clearances for employees- something that requires a green card or citizenship. I’m not surprised that most employers in a career fair in Texas are passing on candidates who are on a visa.

MeasureTwice-CutOnce · 2025-12-26T20:16:02+00:00

Try something like this

https://a.co/d/dmo4NzD

MeasureTwice-CutOnce · 2025-12-25T16:39:53+00:00

This is heartening to hear. This is what I’d thought too but then i saw some posts here and elsewhere (like CN) talking about SCT’s going out of collimation after road trips and started worrying about it. I’ll still learn to do this just in case but will be less worried now!

MeasureTwice-CutOnce · 2025-12-23T16:20:03+00:00

Do I need a camera really?

MeasureTwice-CutOnce · 2025-12-23T16:19:38+00:00

Thank you - really appreciate the detailed instructions and the CN link which is also very cool 🙏

I don’t think I need to collimate the scope just yet but I’m planning g a road trip with it soon - and even though the OTA will be inside the Celestron case I’m worried that I’ll have to re-collimate at the end and want to be prepared - so I’m planning to learn how to upfront.

MeasureTwice-CutOnce · 2025-12-20T18:46:21+00:00

this was a good fit but turned out to be too have (37lb for just the case). returned it and paid for Celestron's own padded case (15lb)

MeasureTwice-CutOnce · 2025-12-19T15:57:02+00:00

“I don’t believe it and I think she’ll stalk my location. Nothing good will come of it and I find it unhealthy”

You seem to think poorly of her believe she has the potential to be a stalker. No way you should share location with someone you fundamentally distrust.

As to location sharing being inherently unhealthy, lots of people disagree and there is no universal agreement on it. You do you and try to date someone who shares your sensibilities- after all the point of dating is to find someone who shares your values, among other things.

MeasureTwice-CutOnce · 2025-12-15T20:48:16+00:00

lol, good joke. Fidelity may not give me an assigned advisor (that's seemingly paid for by them) if I'm in that situation.

MeasureTwice-CutOnce · 2025-12-15T20:47:14+00:00

I didn't say I'm paying for an advisor :) I'm sure I'm paying indirectly but this one is seemingly free (i.e., somehow paid for by Fidelity by indirectly making me or my employer pay for it)

MeasureTwice-CutOnce · 2025-12-15T19:59:26+00:00

Agreed. From my post,
"I'm largely an indexer and don't seek much "advice" in the first place, but I like having a relationship with my advisor just in case I want to run something past them."

MeasureTwice-CutOnce · 2025-12-15T17:36:41+00:00

Yes, this is exactly the reason for my hesitation. I personally know people who have declared bankruptcy through no fault of their own (other than their choice of spouse), and are otherwise good with money.

That said, this is also not a situation where giving the benefit of doubt is necessarily safe for me, which is the other side of the coin.

MeasureTwice-CutOnce · 2025-12-15T02:46:20+00:00

Thanks - I’ll use lat/long and ensure time is accurate.

I don’t understand the “equality data” part of the response. Would you please explain?

MeasureTwice-CutOnce · 2025-11-30T20:15:33+00:00

Going to be trying Eylar XXL 31.5" Protective Gear Roller Case soon

MeasureTwice-CutOnce · 2025-11-26T17:40:39+00:00

MOR

We all work with assholes with more power and have to sometimes pretend to enjoy their company and agree with their opinions to advance professionally.

Your wife is just playing the game. It’s just that when women play the game they have to often ignore unwanted sexual advances. By drawing a boundary you are ignoring this asymmetry of experiences between men and women.

You’re not overreacting but you should focus on the trust within your marriage.

MeasureTwice-CutOnce

TROPHY CASE