Mirror cells

David Boll (dboll@hp-vcd.vcd.hp.com)
Sat, 15 Apr 95 8:04:59 PDT

OK, after months of talking about new scopes, a friend and I have decided it's time to quit talking and start making. We're going to start with the optical tube, mirror cell, focuser, and spider while we try to hash out the details of the design of the mount, whether we want it to be computer controlled, alt-az or equatorial, etc.

So, on the topic of mirror cells: I've built one of Berry's scopes already, and I like his ideas of mirror support using silicon adhesive; it seems to work well on my current scope. I also read the 2 part series in Astronomy mag (Jan and Feb of this year) on building your own scope, and those articles have some interesting ideas as well.

I'm planning a 10" f/6, and here are my current plans: The mirror is held to the mirror support a la Berry; with silicon cement. This provides a strong yet flexible hold, support from the edge as well as the bottom, and I can use as many points of support on the bottom as I want.

It is the connection between the mirror support (a 12" disk of wood) and the... whaddyacallit... the mirror support base (another 12" disk of wood), that I can't decide on. I think I'm inclined to go the screw-and-springs route, with a central pivot point. This way, I don't think I'll need push screws. Also, I like the idea in the mag. article about 4 adjustment points over 3 to make alignment easier.

If anyone has opinions or experiences to relate, I'd love to hear them!

-Dave