10" F/6.8 truss-tube Dobsonian
This is the second version of this scope, with improvements to the
diagonal cage, new side bearings, new mirror cell, and removal of the
counterweights (10 lbs of lead) comprising the changes. Also, I
refigured the mirror myself and had it coated by Majestic Optical
Coatings.
This telescope
performs well on all sky objects, and provided great images of Mars
during
the 2003 opposition. The mirror is plate glass, but it cools
quickly
and there really isn't too much difference from Pyrex for a mirror of
this
size and thickness (1.25"). Here are some overall views of the
scope,
and closeups of the diagonal cage stored the mirror box, as it does
when
the scope is in storage mode.
The diagonal is 1.25" minor axis, and the cell is a 4-point flotation
with Teflon pads. Inserts in the bottom end of the truss poles
screw onto brackets at the top of the mirror box, and aluminum clamps
hold the poles to the diagonal cage. Assembly is quite easy and
very secure.
This scope won awards in both of its two versions at Astrofest in 1998
and 2003 (new version), and at Apollo Rendezvous in 1993 (old version)
This telescope is currently for sale,
since I have two finished 10" mirrors that I will be building scopes
around in the near future, as soon as I get time.
