Re: ATM's demise

[Ari <Ari@birmingham-us.crosswinds.net>]

Something I've read, probably the Telescope Buyer's FAQ, stated
something to the effect of 5" APOs are nice, but don't be surprised if
some 15 year old (that's me!) comes along with his homemade 6" Newtonian
and it gives better views <end paraphrasing>. Yes, sometimes you do have
to go slightly larger for an ATM scope, but who could argue that Larry
Silvestri's scope is out performed by a Pronto in anything except for
portability? If I had to warrant a guess, it probably outperforms the
faster Taks as well (absolutely no basis for this statement, just based
on system designs and the amount of work Larry put into it). But even if
no ATM telescope in the world outperforms the top of the line stuff, it
sure as heck beats what most people would go out and buy commercially,
which is the Meades, Celestrons, etc.
My trente sous pièce worth (2 cents isn't worth much these days),
Ari Friedman
There's light at the end of the Sonotube.
Birmingham, AL USA
http://www.mtnbrook.k12.al.us/MBJH/student/ari