Spousal Permission Unit

From Slackerpedia Galactica

A Spousal Permission Unit (SPU) is a form of currency exchanged between amateur astronomers and their significant others. Amateur astronomers earn SPUs by performing heroic, superhuman and/or romantic deeds for their partner. Examples include taking out the trash without having to be reminded, putting down the toilet seat, changing the baby, buying flowers for no apparent reason (although the real reason is to bank some SPUs), talking on the phone with the in-laws for hours, etc.

The amateur astronomer then exchanges the SPUs in return for freedom to pursue their hobby. This is usually manifested in the form of time. For example, a 3-hour observing session in the backyard may consume 1 SPU. A Messier Marathon or meteor shower at a dark site may consume many more SPUs.

There has yet to be discovered a method of trading SPU's between amateur astronomers. Although there is still hope such a system can be created.