Amateur since @1994 when I got a 50th B-day Meade 4" reflector telescope. Rec'd several filters (including sun filter) and lenses for several other b-days. My first favorite astronomy event was showing the Shoemaker-Levy comet impact sites on Jupiter to family and neighbors through my telescope on our driveway in July, 1994.

Next favorite was viewing total solar eclipse in Chester, Il in August, 2017 with my wife and daughter. I used my 4" reflector with sun filter. My manual scope was popular with many other attendees because some of the more high tech telescopes in the area didn't work well due to battery and computer issues. I look forward to watching the next total eclipse near my son's Columbus, Ohio home in April, 2024.