The Astronomical Money Pit

Oh, the financial black hole of astrophotography! This Urban Dictionary definition nails the cosmic paradox of telescope addiction. One minute you're buying a "modest" $500 telescope, the next you're explaining to your partner why you need a $3,000 mount for "better tracking." And heaven forbid your images come back with 0.2 arcseconds of star trailing – instant existential crisis! The hobby starts with "I just want to see Saturn's rings" and ends with you remortgaging your house for a personal observatory. The community even has a saying: "The best telescope is the one you'll actually use" – which is code for "you'll buy five more anyway."