[Sen (Charles)]

Hi everyone,

I have been browsing this great forum intensively and just thought I'd say hello.

Attached are some images I made from NASA MARS 128 MOLAR MEG data that I converted using DEM software to a 3D image and added a bit of colour for effect. The second image has a GPS track added to show the imense scale of Pavonis Mons and its 2 sisters (Any mistakes in spelling or ID are mine!). I'll be constructing more of these for my personal amusement so I might upload a few samples in the future.

I do not have a telescope at the moment however after quite a bit of reading I am narrowing things down. I want to have something suitable for taking images of the moon and larger planets and nebulae using my unmodifiedd canon 40D. For a mount I originally fell in love with (from seeing online articles) the Vixen SXD and controller plus half pillar for mounting a small APO refractor. Thinking more about the price of the vixen setup (all up over $3,500) I am leaning more toward the HEQ5 pro or EQ6pro. Note it is important that for now I can easily transport the rig outside Brisbane when I want to and I know from past experience with other equipment the bigger it is the less likely I will want to pack it in the car.

Any thought on either of the above 3 mounts? The HEQ5 looks cheap enough, light enough and good enough to get me started but I would appreciate any comments.

As for the scope the Borg system really interests me but I do not see anyone commenting on it so any comments appreciated. Failing that I will probably go with a good small WO apo which are more readily available.

Once again, thanks everyone.

Charles