Re: [ATM] Banishing the diagonal

[Rocky <wb5ftr@zianet.com>]

Hello,
Did I miss something in the translation?  Didn't this start out as "getting 
rid if the diagonal"
as a means of getting rid of the diffraction?
If so, then is seems that making the diagonal smaller (relative term) works 
to a point.
Replacing the diagonal with a camera, unless the area is significantly 
smaller that the
original diagonal  doesn't gain much.  Assuming the "significantly smaller" 
concept, then
we have the issue of "heat".  Without real good insulation the heat 
transfer along one
(or more) of the supports is still a problem.  With good insulation (read 
"thick"), then we
minimize the heat issues, but gain diffraction from the supports 
(spider).  Other than the
fixable weight and mounting issues, the fan blowing across the field of 
view over the
camera/cooling system seems to be most plausible.
Another item for mental manipulation is the aberration of a shorter focal 
length on a flat
target (CCD).  The camera would appear to work better with a longer focal 
length since
there is no correcting mechanism (like a paracor) in the light path.  That 
of course unless
someone figures out how the flex the CCD a la the Schmidt camera. 

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