Re: [ATM] re; Best book to learn mirror making

["Bob May" <bobmay@nethere.com>]

One thing I do like about the Dobson book is how he tears apart the complex
techniques of the other books and does it simply.  Not that the book
mentions the difficulties of the other books but the Dobson system is just
so basic and simplistic that fine opticians just find it hard to believe
that the system could do anything yet it does an excellent job of grinding
and polishing a mirror and even making a telescope that does work, shake
shingle spider and all.  Perfectionists can find fault with every part of
Dobson's scopes but those faults are more in the roughness of how Dobson
does his thing.  He is, after all, after a light bucket more than a research
grade scope.  Without the Foucault test or, better yet, a interferometer,
the mirror's surfaces won't be perfect and the material choices could be a
lot better for less obstruction of the aperture and the use of high quality
eyepieces can all make a Dobson scope a lot better but you have to admit
that his scopes do work and work well.
Bob May
bobmay@nethere.com
http://nav.to/bobmay
http://bobmay.astronomy.net

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