: The Meade series of 70mm refractors aren't that bad. Their optics are better than most. The 70mm will have limits because of its arperture size, but you will have the advantage of decent planetary viewing. One thing you really should have is the capibility of using 1.25" eyepieces. If you your eyepieces are .965" wide then you will have more limits to your viewing. On most Meade refractors (I bet yours has it) the eyepiece holder on the end of your focuser should screw off for a 1.25" holder, unless you already have a 1.25" now. The 25mm & 9mm eyepieces are probably Kellner type eyepieces. They're not too bad, but you would be better with plossels. If you have a 3x Barlow, it's not really a great thing for a short focal as your scope. A shorty type 2x Barlow will do very well. This scope will perform great on the moon and the inner planets. Also 70mm scopes can do some outstanding work with astrophotography. You will be able to see the Orion Nebula some of the globular clusters and open clusters as well. With the proper filters (use arperture front screens, not eye filters) you can view the sun well too. Good Luck and Clear skies!!

• Re: Planetary orbits - R.T./">R.T. - August 13, 1999 - 19:05 UTC
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