What an excellent post! I love star gazing as well but I haven't for quite some time. Down at the lake I had an old reflector type telescope that I traded some repair work for. My hubby made me a flashlight by swapping out the white l.e.d. bulb with a red one......I was surprised how well I could see with it.
I'm always amazed by your knowledge! I think being part of your Astronomy club would have been so much fun! I enjoyed stamp club but this would have been much more fun! LOL!