Re: ATM The most stupid mistake

[Andy Saulietis <iss@pvtnetworks.net>]

Re the most stupid mistake,

Besides my feeble attempts at commercial telescope
& parts building, I almost set a 32" scope on
fire a few years ago.

The scope was open truss mostly metal but with a 
wooden secondary cage. The mirror cover is made
of plexiglass. After a long night of observing
neat Ft Davis TX I left the scope parked nearly
horizontal pointed East & went to sleep for
a couple of hours. While making breakfast the next morning I
smelled *smoke* somewhere nearby, which was
soon seen to be coming out the front of the secondary
cage - the morning sunlight was being focused by
the 32" & imaged on the inside of the cage. No flames
but it did make a neat little scorch mark several 
inches long. I left it there as a reminder...:)

Andy
Andy Saulietis
ISS Enterprises
39 Silver Fox Trail
Mayhill NM 88339
505-687-3067 voice
505-687-3021 fax, call voice or e-mail to set up
e-mail: iss@pvtnetworks.net