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Re: ATM Which kind of telescope?
Ken, et al's site does a good job starting you down the rabbit hole. I'd
add, surf the web ring, and spend a little extra time at Mel's site.
There is a design tree printed in Rutten and Van VenRooij's "Telescope
Optics Evaluation and Design" which helps show the qualities of various
optical designs. But, telescopes are not just optics. As much or more
effort goes into making the mount, tube assembly, drive, thermal
equilibrater, beer holder, comfy chairs, up the explanation why you were
out till two in the morning and you have rouge on your cheek, and so on.
Although Richard's delivery may need a little work (or it may not), his
punch line is right on. You'll need to decide how it is you plan to use
the scope before you'll know which one is "best".
I've heard many people say they want an all around sort of scope. One that
will do a little of everything(1). When so queried, I'll suggest a 6" to
10" diameter, f/5 to f/8 newtonian, in a tube, on an alt-az (dob) mount.
With the provision that the would be ATM asks himself(2) how much tube he
thinks he can comfortably carry. A good rule of thumb is no larger than
your arms reach around and no taller than you.
Of course, once you're hooked, there are no rules. ;-)
Anthony
1) In my opinion, the emphasis is on "little".
2) "Who was that lady I saw making a telescope the other night?"
"That was no lady, that was my wife"
Also, here's the updated standard starter package.
Books
Telescope Optics Evaluation and Design
Rutten and van Venrooij
Willmann-Bell
ISBN 0-943396-18-2
How to Make a Telescope
Texereau
Willmann-Bell
ISBN 0-943396-04-2
Advanced Telescope Making Techniques
Volume 1 Optics
Mackintosh
Willmann-Bell
ISBN 0-943396-11-5
Advanced Telescope Making Techniques
Volume 2 Mechanical
Mackintosh
Willmann-Bell
ISBN 0-943396-11-3
And of course ATM I, II, and III or as I know them ATM, ATM Advanced and
ATM Book 3
The following links are in no particular order. I have no affiliation with
any of the .coms. I've done business with a few, but not all. I'm not
saying anything, one way or the other, by listing them here. This is a
sub-set of hunderds of links I have under ATM in my bookmark file, that's
it.
None of these links were stale as of the date of this post.
atm list archive
http://astro.umsystem.edu/atm/
group 70
http://www.group70.org/
mike lindner
http://home.att.net/~mikel/
mel bartel
http://www.efn.org/~mbartels/tm/tm.html
24 inch ultralight
http://synrgistic.com/astro/24inch.htm
autions and exchanges
http://www.astronomy-mall.com/
http://www.astromart.com/
VENDORS
surplus optics and stuff
http://www.surplusshack.com/
pyrex and optical glass
http://www.newportglass.com/
books and pyrex (call for pyrex)
http://www.willbell.com/
BVC (black vitrified ceramic)
http://pages.infinit.net/asmprod/
surplus optics and stuff
http://www.bscoptics.com/
stuff
http://www.sciplus.com/
conferences
http://www.rtmc-inc.org/index.html
http://www.stellafane.com/
a resource list
http://www.freenet.tlh.fl.us/~blombard/
30 inch dia 1 inch thick
http://members.aol.com/_ht_b/DATSCOPE/30inchTRO.html
simple home made mirror grinding/polishing machine
http://www.oblivion.net/~astro/mirror/
peter john smith
http://www.users.bigpond.com/pjifl/
dan cassaro
http://www.jacksonville.net/~dcass/
benoit schillings
http://www.geocities.com/benoit_schillings/
how to build a telescope
http://funsci.com/fun3_en/tele/tele.htm
3 ball spherometer
http://members.aol.com/drowesmi/sphero.html
newtonian designer
http://home.earthlink.net/~flyj/designns5.html
http://home.earthlink.net/~flyj/index.html
dale keller look under newtonian for shareware designer
http://home.att.net/~dale.keller/atm/atm.htm
Top Ten Ways of Improving Newtonian Telescope Optics
http://users.digitalexp.com/~users/suiterhr/TOPTEN.HTM
ATM dictionary
http://dumbo.rug.ac.be/
self evident
http://www.atmsite.org
http://www.atmpage.com/
http://www.astronomics.com/
ATM Frequently Asked Questions
http://www.jacksonville.net/~dcass/atmfaq/atm-faq.htm
a vendors list
http://www.atmpage.com/vend/prodglas.html
plop supporting thin mirrors
http://www.eecg.toronto.edu/~lewis/plop
http://www.eecg.toronto.edu/~lewis/plop/Plop_User.html
ray tracers
http://www.sinopt.com/
http://www.vobhome.com/
Ray Cash
http://members.aol.com/radcash/travelscope.htm
12.5 inch ultralight
http://pw2.netcom.com/~ahighe/12_5ultra.html
JANES 16 INCH STRING TELESCOPE
http://www.tms-usa.com/grayarea/janes16/jane16.htm
41 inch newtonian
http://www.runway.net/pilots/dan/
Chabot Space and Science Center
http://www.chabotspace.org/