Re: ATM Planetary Newt Worthy Project?

[Andy Saulietis <iss@pvtnetworks.net>]

At 03:12 PM 8/28/01 -0700, you wrote:

>making a planetary Newt with a 10" F8 primary. 

>So which is it? Would a planetary Newt add any
>capability to what I already have?

I built a 10"f8 for a friend of mine, who had the primary made
professionally by
Gene Fair a few years ago. Optically, it was one of the finest planetary
scopes
I've ever used, you could see the 'spokes' in Saturn's rings with a 7mm
Nagler,
for example. The longer f-ratio allows high powers to be more easily reached
with moderate focal length eyepieces with longer eye relief. A really
excellent
f-8 mirror is easier to make than a shorer ratio one, and the focault test
will show the smoothness of the figure better also. Finally, the secondary
mirror can be smaller at longer f-ratios, for the same field of view.


Andy Saulietis
ISS Enterprises
39 Silver Fox Trail
Mayhill NM 88339
505-687-3067 voice
505-687-3021 fax, call voice or e-mail to set up
e-mail: iss@pvtnetworks.net