Martin Chambers

Hi Peter and thanks for the welcome. living in a registered Dark Sky region is what started this idea off. I feel I should make the most of it since most of the northern hemisphere people don't have that advantage. I'll keep doing my research, Martin

Hi, I'm an absolute beginner just starting out and hoping for some guidance. I live in NZ and luckily in a remote part of it that has been classified as a Dark Sky environment - no light pollution and very little sky pollution. I've been looking at ready built scopes and off the shelf primary and secondary mirrors. From the little I have read, I think I would like a 200 mm (8") Dobsonian scope. is it reasonable to expect that a handyman with some carpentry experience could buld one, or should I just bit the bullet and get a ready made one? I'm retired so time is not an enemy. Any advice welcomed, Martin