The exclusive SDM Owners’ Club has admitted its latest member. Peter Brooks from Sydney, who is seen here trying a 25″ for size, has placed an order for an 18″ SDM Telescope complete with the fabulous ArgoNavis and ServoCat combination. Peter will be using his telescope to make occultation timings using a special video camera, so we can look forward to SDM #009 making some incredibly valuable scientific contributions in this specialised field in the near future. This is sure to be a fantastic build and we’ll keep you updated as #009 progresses.

The 2006 Queensland Astrofest saw the coming together of SDM #004, #005 and #006 with their proud owners to celebrate a weekend of clouds and conversation. Peter was on hand to tune up the telescopes and enjoy splendid views glimpsed in difficult circumstances. SDM#006 saw first light with ServoCat and its owner Jonathan was rewarded both with its stunning tracking and with fabulous views of the Dumbbell Nebula M27 with its central star clearly visible, the Southern Veil and Trifid Nebula on Friday night before the rains came. Saturday was a great day to catch up with old acquaintances and to make new friends – there was no shortage of interest in the three monster dobs!

In an intensive two day operation, SDM#006, has had ServoCat installed. In what is thought to be a world first, all cables have been routed internally and the ServoCat control box has been neatly hidden away inside the rocker box. Apart from being a very beautiful solution, it’s practical too – the main electronic components are shielded from the extremely humid Queensland conditions. Furthermore, the telescope can now be powered either from a ground board externally connected power supply or from its own internally mounted battery at the flick of a switch.