Congratulations on what should turn out to be an excellent choice.<br /><br />whew.. and what a drama reading threw this tread..<br /><br />the suggestions went from an 80mm apo, to a 114mm Barlow equipped short tube reflector [fake focal lengths]... down to the Starblast [marketed for little kids ROFL!!] <br /><br />and then I suppose reality set in.. this thread isn't about some toy.. its about a serious piece of equipment! that Orion 100mm apo handle all the planets very nicely! <img src="/images/icons/cool.gif" /><br /><br />nice job crazyeddie.. I think the "Starblast" suggestion really shook things up. I'm glad that the a good telescope rattled out of it.