I want to seal it both to keep airborne pollutants off the surface and to prevent dew from forming on it during the times the scope is stored and not being actively used. So I want it as tight as practical. Right now I have the mirror cell mounted in a section of plastic sewer pipe, specifically the flange part where the pipe flares out (to accept the end of another section of pipe). This flange has a strong rubber gasket to seal the connection. I intend to make a plug to fit this gasket to seal this end. As this should be s**t-proof (it's sewer pipe after all), it should be atmosphere and gunk-proof. I also intend to make this end holding the primary in its cell detachable. This piece would have another plug for the other end to make a closed box which would seal and protect the optics completely for transportation and storage. I figure it would be strong enough to put into a car for travel, for setting on the ground while moving and setting up, and to protect it against all reasonable hazards, up to the dropping of a case of beer on it and fools stepping, sitting or beating on it.
While the scope is set up though I intend to be able to seal both ends around the primary in the same way. So when it is mounted in my back yard, the optics are protected from the elements, yet can be opened for use in a short time. I can protect the secondary and focuser in a likewise modular fashion. And if I can make the top end as sturdy and protected, it too can be transported as a unit and reassembled on site. This is a 12.5" f/8 which is a stretch for portability, yet it gives me a preferred level of comfortable viewing with decent field of view with my lowest power eyepiece, yet enough aperture and resolution to take full advantage of most local night sky conditions. There are some *rare* nights a bigger scope can show more, but around here most of the time I'll match this against anything else anyone can bring for comparision. What I want to do it make it moveable enough so I can take it to all the competitors while protecting the optics en route. I may tell the list about my idea for a moveable mount for this, using wheels for moving the thing from place to place that also function for the slewing and pointing - something like a caisson/carriage. I made a prototype but it was too heavy with the materials I tried. (My goal was to take it next to the Schaupmann at Stellafane for a A/B comparison then wheel it ten minutes later to the Turret scope on Breezy Hill for another comparison. They would probably barely beat it for view on the best nights, but could hardly match such moveability.)
William Hathaway Baltimore MD
It will be a while before I can act on these plans, so help is welcome.
Wm. Hathaway Baltimore MD