What happens when we die?

What happens to an amateur astronomer's equipment when he dies? If
said astronomer is married (very rare) then I imagine the widow will
hire a clean out crew or maybe sell the instruments at a yard sale ...
but what about the majority of us? What happens to our precious Apos
and 1/8+ wave reflectors when we die old and alone?

"Mean Mr Mustard" wrote in message
oups.com...
What happens to an amateur astronomer's equipment when he dies? If
said astronomer is married (very rare) then I imagine the widow will
hire a clean out crew or maybe sell the instruments at a yard sale ...
but what about the majority of us? What happens to our precious Apos
and 1/8+ wave reflectors when we die old and alone?


Ebay. Your estate will be liquidated by someone who hasn't heard of
Astromart.

Ed T.

"Mean Mr Mustard" wrote in message
oups.com...
What happens to an amateur astronomer's equipment when he dies? If
said astronomer is married (very rare) then I imagine the widow will
hire a clean out crew or maybe sell the instruments at a yard sale ...
but what about the majority of us? What happens to our precious Apos
and 1/8+ wave reflectors when we die old and alone?


Bury them with you -- depending on which way you go, you could get a really
fine, clear look at DSO's, or . . . . .

Seriously -- I am an amateur radio operator and we have the same problem
with equipment belonging to "silent keys." The problem when a ham operator
dies is compounded by the fact that most of us have big ol' antennas and
towers all over the place, including equipment mounted in the family car --
some of us even have basements full of treasures awaiting restoration.

Because I moved around a lot as a result of 30 years of military service, I
was a member of several local amateur radio clubs and saw what happens in
some cases. Many of these clubs had a widow's assistance program -- the
club would disassemble the guy's station, take down antennas and towers,
sort out all the stuff in the junkbox, and generally organize all his radio
junk. Then, the club would sell the equipment, and give the proceeds to the
widow -- some clubs would keep a small percentage of the sales, all of which
was explained to the family beforehand and in every case I knew of, the
family was most appreciative of the assistance.

Of course, you could always write disposal instructions into your will, or,
prepare an affidavit and file it with your will.

--

-----

I plan not to die. So far, so good...

-Florian

"Mean Mr Mustard" wrote in message
oups.com...
What happens to an amateur astronomer's equipment when he dies? If
said astronomer is married (very rare) then I imagine the widow will
hire a clean out crew or maybe sell the instruments at a yard sale ...
but what about the majority of us? What happens to our precious Apos
and 1/8+ wave reflectors when we die old and alone?


It all goes to heaven.

On 8 May 2005 17:44:13 -0700, "Mean Mr Mustard"
wrote:

What happens to an amateur astronomer's equipment when he dies? If
said astronomer is married (very rare) then I imagine the widow will
hire a clean out crew or maybe sell the instruments at a yard sale ...
but what about the majority of us? What happens to our precious Apos
and 1/8+ wave reflectors when we die old and alone?

Make A Will.

In heaven, they use gravity lenses.

Mean Mr Mustard wrote:
What happens to an amateur astronomer's equipment when he dies? If
said astronomer is married (very rare) then I imagine the widow will
hire a clean out crew or maybe sell the instruments at a yard sale ...
but what about the majority of us? What happens to our precious Apos
and 1/8+ wave reflectors when we die old and alone?

Hookers" like Apo's too. Why not let them know whats up, before all goes
down? Funds, reach for the interior of your old mattress; Silver certs.
go a "long" way....... ;-)


jon

On Sun, 8 May 2005 20:13:19 -0500, "Joe S." wrote:

Bury them with you -- depending on which way you go, you could get a really
fine, clear look at DSO's, or . . . . .

Make sure you have a good Ha filter?

_________________________________________________

Chris L Peterson
Cloudbait Observatory
http://www.cloudbait.com

Mean Mr Mustard wrote:
What happens to an amateur astronomer's equipment when he dies? If
said astronomer is married (very rare) then I imagine the widow will
hire a clean out crew or maybe sell the instruments at a yard sale ...
but what about the majority of us? What happens to our precious Apos
and 1/8+ wave reflectors when we die old and alone?


Why "very rare"?
Most of the amateur astronomers I know are married. Some two or
three times (consecutively).
I asked a member of our club who had been married four times if he
was planning to marry again. "No", he said, "I'm just going to find a
woman I hate and buy her a house."

There is abundant historical evidence that quality optics survive
more than one human lifetime. Consider the Alvan Clark refractors of
the early 19th century, many of which are still in use today.
I would like to know where Isaac Newton left his little prototype
reflector, however.

Clear Skies,
Uncle Bob