Greetings from a new member

[IanW]

Greetings to everyone.

I just thought I'd say hello to everyone as I'm new to the forum but anything but new to astronomy as I've been a pretty active ATM'er for the past 33 years, having designed and buiit about 20 telescopes ranging from 5" to 16" aperture.

Cheers,
Ian

[iceman (Mike)]

Hi Ian!

to the forum. I look forward to reading your contributions to the site as I'm sure you have a lot to offer.

How did you hear about us?

It's great to have some more WA members - if you'd like to recommend some of your friends come and visit, that'd be great!

[ving (David)]

thats an interesting array of telescopes you have there

welcome aboard!

[davidpretorius]

Hi Ian and welcome.

No doubt I will be bugging your brain more in the cooling area of mirrors etc. I noticed you had added a reply to the mirror cooling.

Great to see such a lovely set of scopes.

[jjjnettie (Jeanette)]

Welcome to the group Ian.
One thing I'd like to know.
Which of your scopes do you use the most often?

[fringe_dweller]

Yes Welcome IanW! I look forward to your contributions - thats a nice ATM resume there dude, and one hell of a serious collection of light buckets

[IanW]

Many thanks for the kind welcome

Iceman - I found the site a while back via google while looking for some reviews on the GSO dobs as I'm in the market for a cheapie for my niece.

jjjnettie - Generally speaking I use which ever is most appropriate for the seeing conditions on a given night and my observing target list. The least used as a stand-alone telescope is the TAL as that normally rides on the 16" as a guidescope. The 8" F8.7 probably sees the least use at present as it's a beast, the OTA alone weighs in at over 40kg., however it's brilliant in windy conditons, which are all too common here in Perth.

[acropolite (Phil)]

Welcome Ian, quite an arsenal you have there.