[ATM] What is your current project???

[Mike Wolford]

Mel wrote ---
>>> One of my projects is a slumped 13 inch f/3 plate glass blank by  
Richard Schwartz.  I've been looking at the general field during star  
testing with the ParrCorr - it looks quite usable.  I'm anticipating  
that amateurs will find f/3 doable with modern eyepieces and  
correctors.  Part of why I'm doing the project is to answer this  
question.  I suspect that faster than f/3 might even be OK too.

>>> This means that we've progressing from Dobson's era of f/5, f/6, f/7  
to the modern Dob era of f/4, f/4.5, f/5 to (a possible) post-modern  
of f/3. That's a shortening of tube length by 2x.  That's a 20 inch  
scope for the length of an older era 10 inch; a 32 inch scope for the  
length of an older era 16 inch.  It also means a less expensive  
eyepiece set because at f/3 because you don't need eyepieces longer  
than 20mm +-, 1"+ field diameter and focusers to support them.

I am currently on the field with a certain telescope manufacturer.  His
latest creation is a 24" f3.7.  While looking at NGC-5353 last night, this
telescope was at near zenith --- or only TWO steps up a ladder!  Bravo to
the brave souls who have worked to make this happen!  Not that I would be a
name dropper but the mirror is by the lists very own Mike Lockwood --- the
person on the field with the scope is that Rick Singmaster dude!

What a scope --- what a view!

Mike
Heart of America Star Party --- Kansas City, MO