[ATM] Re: 40" mirror

["Mike Conran" <mike@guidesys.com>]

Jerry, Since it will be permanently placed, several things become a bit less 
critical.

1) Assembly/disassembly will occur infrequently meaning that you will 
probably be placing the upper cage assembly on the scope ONCE in a great 
while.  That means that you would not necessarily have to make a really 
small F/ratio scope.  If, say you settle on and F/6, you will need that big 
ladder.  The upside is that you will not have to be transporting it 
anywhere.  You will still need to consider how much exercise you want in an 
observing session.  I say this because we found that going up and down an 8 
foot ladder 50 times during the evening gave one a workout.  If you belong 
to health club, you will be able to drop your membership :) 

As to design?  Well, you could always start with the most staightforward 
Newtonian, use it in that configuration for a while, get some enjoyment out 
of it and then , perhaps, advance into a folden Newtonian or Cass design.  
One thing for sure is that the scope will be around to tinker with for years 
and years allowing lots of opportunity for modifications. 

Now as to observing with it.  You might have a heck of an opportunity to do 
some CCD stuff where you would not have to climb a laddre at all :) 

Mike Conron 

Jerry B. Hillman writes: 

> Hi Matt,
> I am looking into Cas, coude, etc. designs, but haven't learned enough about
> them to make a decision to go that route. This is only my third mirror.
> Succeeding on the simplest terms, ie. a Dob/Newt is probably going to be a
> challenge as it is without trying the exotic designs. 
> 
> Clear skies,
> Jerry 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> ATM mailing list http://www.atmlist.net/
 


Mike Conron 
_______________________________________________
ATM mailing list http://www.atmlist.net/