Re: ATM "more normal" scope pix

["James O'Malley" <omalleyj@eclipse.net>]

On Wed, 4 Aug 1999, Michael Davis wrote:

<snip> 
> 
> You will also find photos of a perfectly normal 17.5 in. truss tube Dob, and an
> absolutely ordinary 8in. truss  tube Newt. on a ball mount.
> 

And don't forget that many of the most unusual configurations came from
folks who had to make do with no tools, or limited funds, or lack of
availabilty of materials. I can't look at an empty 5 gallon pail without
seeing a potential secondary cage or any kind of pole without wondering if
I can find 7 more for truss tubes. Don't let your limitations stop you,
let them guide you. Plastic buckets are easy to work with hand tools, and
if you pull a few out of construction dumpsters, who cares if you screw up
the first few?

A newtonian telescope is just a way to keep two pieces of glass
consistently positioned with respect to each other, and point-able as a
unit. Start there and let your imagination, and the contents of your
garage and basement (or that construction dumpster) guide you. The first
scope may not win awards, but rebuilding and refining is half the fun.

Good luck and try not to be *too* normal.

jim

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