Hi from the Netherlands!

[Skyheerlen]

Hi!

I've been silently reading DeepskyForum, and now it's time to become more active on it.

I'm living in the south of the Netherlands, in a rather light poluted area, observing deepsky starting in 2008 (after being active as well in my youth). My most used deepsky-telescope is a 13" dob (ATM-product) on EQ platform - I use it for observation sessions in the Ardennes (a relative dark forrest area in Belgium - SQM 21.4-21.6) and in northern France (SQM up to 21.7-21.8), as well as trips to very dark La Palma. Recently, I've (almost) finished my 30" F2.96 dobson (with Lockwood optics), and this telescope will be used more and more during comming months. Taking it with my car to darker area's is quit a task, but feasible; I plan to take it on a tour to La Palma during Autumn 2023.

Main interests are dwarf galaxies of the Local Group (that's the main reason for building the 30"), as well as large-scale dark nebula and background structures in the MilkyWay, amongst other types of objects.

Looking forward to participate on this forum!

KR, Frank

[wvreeven]

Hey Frank,

Enjoy DeepSkyForum! I am looking forward to your contributions here. If they will be as extended as the observing reports you post on the Dutch Astroforum, we're in for a treat!


Clear skies, Wouter

[Jimi Lowrey]

I look forward to your post Frank. I would love to see images of your 30”.

[Skyheerlen]

Txs for your kind words, Jimi. Find a picture of my 30" below. Some minor finishing jobs are still required, but those do not hinder observations. Not shown: shroud and light shield.

IMG_0390.JPEG

This is how it fits (just) in my car; I've made the design of the scope based on the dimensions of my car.

IMG_9553.JPEG

The 13" is the work horse. I always take the mirrors and the SIPS in my hand luggage, but all the rest is packed in airplane luggage (en route to La Palma, and SaharaSky some years ago), and being thrown in and out of luggage holds and on the luggage claims. This results in scratches and dents, and sometimes some repairs are needed, but the machine is still going strong. Picture taken at La Palma, close to the ORM observatory.

IMG_6592.JPEG