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*Today is the 45th anniversary of Melbourne's Total Solar Eclipse*, Mark Sansom

*Today is the 45th anniversary of Melbourne's Total Solar Eclipse*

*Today is the 45th anniversary of Melbourne's Total Solar Eclipse*, Mark Sansom

*Today is the 45th anniversary of Melbourne's Total Solar Eclipse*

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It is 45 years ago today when I attempted to view Melbourne's total solar eclipse from the backyard. Sadly Melbourne’s fickle spring weather spoilt the party so I ended up running in and out of the house to also watch the event on TV.
The 8” f7 Newtonian telescope tube was purchased from Astro Optical Supplies in Sydney. My parents were very kind to drive me up and back for the purchase. The tube just fitted across the back seat of the car where I proudly nursed it all the way home. I built the mount with instructions from a book bought at the same time. For me it was a great achievement as I’ve never been a real handyman. The picture was taken by my sister with my Olympus OM-1 on Kodak Tri-x film which I used to develop and print myself in our bathroom.
The white circle marks on the fence next to the BBQ were created by Rod Marsh’s misses as wicket keeper

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