I’ve always had an interest in nature, which started with ferns (Pteridophyta). At one stage I was the Vice-President of the Fern Society of Southern Africa and editor of the FSSA’s journal, in which I authored numerous articles. During this time I also contributed articles to the Veld and Flora (Botanical Society of Southern Africa) as well as one article published in Custos (National Parks Board).
I am a qualified electronic engineer and have over 20 years experience in a high technology field. I also have more than 15 years’ exposure in the electro-optical field. I participated as judge in the Science expo in most of the Gauteng North finals for five years and was a judge in the National finals in 2004.
I’ve always had a keen interest in Astronomy and have wonderful recollections of Halley’s Comet (1986) and the total solar eclipse of 4 December 2002 observed from outside Messina, when I had access to a 60mm refractor. The Mars close approach of August 2003 further fuelled my interest in astronomy and it is in this period that I imported the first telescopes. The telescopes were late for the Mars event, but I learnt a lot about the import process and pitfalls.
I am a member of the national body of the Astronomical Society of Southern Africa (ASSA) since 2004 as well as a member of the Pretoria branch of ASSA (since 2004) and the Cape Centre (since 2006).
Around 2004, people who heard about my success, requested me to import telescopes for them as well. I then realised that there was a market for affordable telescopes in South Africa and founded Eridanus Optics CC late in 2004. Later in 2005 my website was launched and in October 2005 I started reselling Orion telescopes and products. Eridanus Optics’ first ‘newsletter’ followed as a first attempt to provide star hopping instructions to deep sky objects (M31 – Andromeda galaxy). The popularity and style improved in subsequent issues.
Our first Advertisement ran in Sky Guide Africa South in 2006 and I also became dealers for JMI Telescopes, William Optics and Kendrick Astro Instruments. We also became dealers for Astronomik (deep sky filters), Garrett Optical (Astronomy binoculars) and Software Bisque (The Sky planetarium Software). In 2007 we became dealers for Baader Planetarium and GSO Baader Planetarium sponsored 10 sheets of AstroSolar Safety film that were donated to the Bloemfontein branch of ASSA. We had a Lucky Draw at the event and awarded a number of prizes. In June 2007 we had a huge success with a dark sky weekend in the Waterberg and became dealer for Imaging Source (CCD cameras for astronomy).
Scopex, ASSA and sponsorships.
We have participated in ScopeX since 2005 and have sponsored the first prize for the ATM category several times. We also participated in ASSA Symposium 2006 and sponsored prizes for the event. Later in 2006 we became involved in SAASTA’s Astronomy Quiz and sponsored selected prizes for the winning school. In 2007 Sponsor the website of the Waterkloof high school concert orchestra. We continue involvement in SAASTA’s Astronomy Quiz and sponsor selected prizes for the winning school as well as all schools participating in the final round.
