[Mike21 (Michael)]

Hi Guys,

I was looking over the 2nd hand stuff the other day and I found Alex (Melb) selling a standard 200X1200 Dob very cheaply. I have one but was still interested in what's going on. I'm glad I did! Alex was advertising that he'd "veloured" the inside of his tube. Initially, I thought: crazy? But I PM'ed him and asked more. Then I tracked down a roll of this sticky backed velour and I've just finished applying it to the inside of my Mak180. BLACK? NO, it doesn't get any blacker. The inside of the tube is entirely invisible even in broad daylight. It looks kinda spooky seeing the mirror floating in space. I haven't included piccies because they don't really show it off, but the first chance I get, I'll post more of my Jupiter efforts in the SS section. Alex reckoned it was entirely worth the effort wrt increasing contrast in his Dob, I'll tell you how I go after the first clear night.