ATM Intro - 16" Rutten Maksutov

[squiress@gnn.com (Stewart Squires)]

Hello all, I've only recently found your group after a couple of invites from 
SAA. 

I've currently only made use of 'store bought' telescopes, and have been very 
pleased with them.  My current group consists of a 3.5 Questar Duplex, a 7" 
Questar, two 7" Meade Maksutov's (one OTA, one LX200) and a CG14.

I've decided to embark on a three to five year project to build a Rutten 
Maksutov with a clear aperture of 16".  I will be working with R&vV's 
software to better finalize the design and while I will not actually be 
fabricating the optics or hardware, I would like to be intimately involved in 
the project.

That said, I've started exploring for information on experience with the 
software and of course the design.  Contacts for materials and the building 
knowhow to come later.

Any comments would be appreciated.

Thanks.

-
Stew Squires

... islands lie behind the sun that I shall raise ere day is done.
Bilbo's Last Song,  J.R.R. Tolkien