[ATM] Scope project

["Francis J. O'Reilly" <foreilly@verizon.net>]

Larry,

First and foremost, Merry Christmas!

You have a great website.

This year I considered the Stellafane Convention to represent the year of the accessable telescopes. I find it interesting and encouraging that you have posited a question that has been readily and I believe effectively addressed over the years.

I believe there were four or five Springfield mounts on display at Stellafane this year of varying sizes. In fact, one is permanently mounted in a new observatory in front of the MacGregor Observatory. I confess however, the irony was  not lost on me that Stellafane itself, with all of it's hills and rocks is less than completely accessable.

Interestingly, In the Pink Clubhouse, there are two telescopes that have been set up for observing inside while optics were outside, a solar telescope as well as a more standard telescope for nighttime use. I suspect that this was due to the exceptional cold in the winters and the desire of an aging group of Springfield telescope makers to avoid the cold. I also remember the Porter Turret telescope, of which there are two in Springfield VT. (and none anywhere else in the world that I am aware of) which has a fixed eyepiece, although getting to it would be a challenge in a wheelchari, but that is an engineering challenge that I suspect you could overcome easily, based upon what I've seen on your website.

All of these telescopes were based on a moving mirror and secondary reflecting the light to a fixed eyepiece. I may have some pictures, If so, I'll send them to you. If not, next time I make the trek to VT, I'll take some for you. Stellafane's website is at http://www.stellafane.org 

Best regards,

Francis J. O'Reilly
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