A Massively modified TRS-80 Model 1 Amiga 1000 from the "early days" Light Show Tesla coils Mechanical Loft beds A variety of unusual gliders Alternate power systems Restored a vintage wall telephone (battery, crank ringing generator) MANY more.....
To do this, it is essential to LEARN THE CONSTELLATIONS!
I highly recommend the book "The Stars" by H. A. Rey
for learning the constellations in a MEMORABLE way.
Why learn the constellations? Several reasons. First, it minimizes your dependancy on setting circles and fiddling with RA (right ascention) and declination. This gives you a lot of FREEDOM.
Second, there's the sense of "knowing your way around" when scanning the sky. The stars are no longer random points. They are specific points in stick figures that you can remember.
Example: Wanna look at a big globular cluster? M13 in Hercules is nice. If you want to find M13, it is on top of his head - like a bald spot.
Also, the history and mythology behind the constellations is interesting.
Finally, it is cool to be able to orient yourself even when only a small patch of sky is visible.
It boggles me that some professional astronomers can spend years studying a sky object but cannot find it's naked eye components in the night sky without using the Right Ascention and Declination!
I have an almost 20 year old Edmund Astroscan 2001 rich field telescope, which is GREAT for providing beautiful views of the less challenging nebula, planets, doubles, etc. with a minimum of hassle.
When depressed, I re-energize by listening to Weird Al Yankovic.
rcking@[thisISP].net