I developed a passion for astronomy long ago, at the age of eighteen, when a friend let me observe Saturn through his 60mm refractor.
From that moment, I longed for a telescope of my own, and my 18th birthday presented the perfect opportunity. I purchased a 114mm Newtonian reflector in its “short” version. This particular model had a 1,000mm focal length, achieved using a built-in Barlow lens in the focuser.
However, this design came with drawbacks—its high central obstruction reduced contrast compared to the classic 114mm Newtonian, making planetary observations less sharp. Still, with this telescope, I had the unforgettable experience of observing the aftermath of the Shoemaker-Levy 9 impact on Jupiter.
As a graduation gift, I received a stunning Vixen Great Polaris 102M refractor. At the time (1998–2000), leading brands included Vixen, Celestron, and Meade, each offering high-quality optics.
After my experience with the 114mm Newtonian, I wanted a refractor—not only for its optical stability (no need for frequent collimation) but also for a sturdy, motorized mount. In the end, I chose the 102M, a beautiful achromatic refractor (for that time, of course), which provided me with breathtaking views, especially of the Moon.
