Mars, October 23, 2020, from the Starhoo Observatory. Photo taken thru F8/RC scope with ZWO planet cam at approximately 3600mm focal length. Below it, the Moon, Saturn, and Jupiter, photo taken with smart phone.

Way back in 2003 I had finished building a 12" Dobsonian telescope and brought it up to Stellafane. I found this video - not even sure how I got it - of me talking about the scope. No doubt many other amateur telescope makers created masterpieces of craftsmanship greatly exceeding my humble efforts. Still, this was my second homemade telescope (I had built an 8: Dob several years before) and I learned a lot.