[Eddy_P]

Hi.
After reading the specifications of various members’ telescopes, I am somewhat apprehensive about telling about mine.
It is white.

Well, I started with its best feature.
I received it as a birthday present when I was in early high school in the 70s.
It is a 600mm long white tube, 50mm in diameter, with a doodad that pulls out to another 90mm.
Oh, and it sits on a cool black 200mm tripod.

I went looking for the brand name and found a small oval that said "Japan".
The only other writing except for the ‘passed inspection’ sticker is TOWA Achromatic Coated Lens, 30 x 40 mm.

To a young teenager it was great.
I spent many nights at the east facing bathroom window, using the window sill as the support for the tripod.

I was in awe as one night I had four planets in the night sky from just above the horizon to about 15 degrees. The verandah roof stopped me seeing any higher. I inspected Mars, Venus, Jupiter, and Saturn - one at a time.

Saturn appeared as a very small dot with what appeared to be rings. I was a little disappointed.
Luckily, my brother’s microscope was in the study, so I unscrewed the black thing from the end of it.
It said 80 x 120 mm which I concluded was stronger / better than what I had.
I unscrewed my black eyepiece and wedged the microscope’s in its place (as it was a little bit larger and the thread did not match).

Whoooo. A really distinct well defined planet was there right in the middle of my scope - with rings, beautiful rings.
I then looked at Jupiter. Previously I made out four moons, but I reckoned I could see eight.
Then my brother came home. It was a mad dash to put his microscope back together.

Another night, outside, I wanted to view the moon - but it was at its highest in the sky.
I solved this by placing a mirror against the fence at an angle and aiming my telescope at the reflected image thereon. It worked. I also borrowed my brother’s eyepiece, and could almost see the man in the moon.

I live in Adelaide, just under the airport’s flight path.
Held by hand and aiming at an aircraft, the telescope brings up the people sitting at the windows looking out.

Enough from me. Just thought I drop by and say hi.
Eddy Pengelly