CJ77

Firstly, thanks for the brilliant and informative post.

Secondly, I would like to share my experience of the first (and so far, only) telescopic viewing of Mars.

Having a north-facing garden, it can be quite difficult to get good views of the planets, but I managed to set the scope up at the far end of the garden, and got a view over the top of the house. Now, I'd been out that day to a beer festival with my brother, and as you could imagine, focusing the scope was a little bit of a tricky exercise, and as a consequence, I don't think that it was brilliant. Still, to be able to show my brother one of our planetary neighbours was one of those occasions I'll remember for a very long time. Just to be outside, sitting and talking and musing on life, philosophy and real ale, while looking at something that is millions of kilometers away is a truly awesome experience. So thank you Qualia for reminding me of that occasion with this post!

Absolutely love this post!!