I understand and feel your pain. One star party that I attended, decided to have a kite making contest for kids. Needless to say, the kids wanted to FLY their kites. I literally saw kids running between scopes (looking back towards their kites) to try and get them "up and away." It was not until an LX200 got a direct hit when the contest ended.
At another event (at the same location) some teenagers began rough-housing which quickly turned into a fight. Two adults tried to break up the fight unsuccessfully. The two teenagers finally rolled into an expensive refractor and tripod. The two teenagers (both with bloody lips) quickly made up after the fight and left laughing. The owner of the scope was not laughing.
Bottom line? If your scope is set up at a public event or starparty, don't leave its side. If any newbies want to look through it, kindly give some "ground rules" on how the scope works and what NOT to do. I have had no problems since doing so.
Chuck
At another event (at the same location) some teenagers began rough-housing which quickly turned into a fight. Two adults tried to break up the fight unsuccessfully. The two teenagers finally rolled into an expensive refractor and tripod. The two teenagers (both with bloody lips) quickly made up after the fight and left laughing. The owner of the scope was not laughing.
Bottom line? If your scope is set up at a public event or starparty, don't leave its side. If any newbies want to look through it, kindly give some "ground rules" on how the scope works and what NOT to do. I have had no problems since doing so.
Chuck
