Re: [ATM] RC Multiple primaries and a single seconday

["Arjan te Marvelde" <arjan.te.marvelde@hetnet.nl>]

Bob,

> mountings for each of the 3 sections of the mirror.  You also
> lose out on resolution as the 3 airy discs will be larger than
> the 1 of the original diameter mirror.  You also lose light

I'm not so sure this is based on correct reasoning. Using wave optics you
cannot just overlay the three large airy disks. When aligned properly the
sum of the disks will produce a smaller one than from each individual
mirror. Refer to the synthesis telescopes for radio astronomy or even the 4
optical ones of the ESO.

But of course you're right in that you will in general have a worse image if
you cut out parts of the mirror.

Another question, what would happen if you used an optical system with an
spherical primary, cut it up and move the parts away from eachother?

Arjan te Marvelde

_______________________________________________
ATM mailing list http://www.atmlist.net/