Re: (ATM) ATM Super planetary scope musings.

bruce mcmath (jbmcmath@intellinet.com)
Mon, 21 Aug 1995 11:32:45 -0500

>
>>> theoretical discusion about a "super" planetary scope
>
>
>Bottom line - it is better to have a GOOD, SIMPLE and LARGE telescope
>(Newtonian) that will work well every time the seeing allows, instead
>of complicated, difficult to execute and operate design which NEVER
>delivers. Just ask Don Parker (or pros at Macdonald or Pic du Midi).
>
I not sure I'm following this advise. It would not seem that a optical window would complicate the use of the scope and would address the main bugaboo to optimum newtonian performance - tube currents. The complexity is in the construction is it not? If that is the case why not build the scope and put it in use without the optical window and then go to work on the later. It would seem little would be involved in retrofitting once and if the project is completed. Personally Texaru's discription of the benefits has long made me wonder why more have not been made.