Almost one week ago, a 2009 30" Obsession Dobsonian telescope was stolen along with a Ford F150, Suburban and trailer. [They have found the Suburban]

It belonged to the president of the San Antonio Astronomy Assoc., Bryan Tobias, who purchased it earlier this year. [Bryan has been generous with it through his and the club's public outreach program.]

The S/N is 1510, should you see it pop-up somewhere. If so, notify me and I will get you in touch with Bryan.

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Lighten up! This is a stellar board!

Wow. That's a pretty conspicuous thing to steal. Can't imagine it will go unnoticed. Is there a black market for telescopes now?

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You can't really tell the difference between drunken rambling and sober blogging.

I suspect that the crooks did not know that the behmouth Dob was in the trailer, but I don't have all the details yet.

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Lighten up! This is a stellar board!

According to what I read Tobias' trailer containing the scope was locked, and apparently he still has the key. That won't stop car thieves, of course, but they probably didn't know what it was until afterwords. Let's just hope it returns and all in one piece.

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You can't really tell the difference between drunken rambling and sober blogging.

I hate to hear news like this, especially when it happens to someone who has been generous and been of service to the community as you say, Bryan Tobias has been. It's absolutely shameful! I hope by some miracle someone finds it in one piece and Bryon is able to get his scope back.

Eric

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There is a local tv news report of this, after the commercial.

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Lighten up! This is a stellar board!

There isn't an astronomer around that would buy that on the black market - its too small of a community and too small of a niche market (giant dobs). I'm sure the thieves just dumped it somewhere - I hope its found before the elements and/or vandals ruin it.

I just put down a deposit on an 18" Obsession last night - Dave Kriege really makes a beautiful scope that is a dream to operate. I feel this guys pain....

The crooks have no need to sell it to an astronomer. The actual owner is not one himself.

That is the hope in this case. It might be hard to get this thing south of the border, but if the river is down....

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Lighten up! This is a stellar board!

They probably care less about the DOB. Its the trailer they want. There is a huge market for trailers.

Oh dear!

George, once they've realised the contents of the pick-up,
I sincerely hope that the thieves see "first light of serendipity", decide to leave the Dob alone, in one piece, somewhere safe at a museum (special delivery), or some such place and simultaneously make a follow-up phone call.

Some times such considered things do happen.

edit:
they could keep the trailer

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