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Posts Made By: Tim Abbott

February 24, 2009 10:02 PM Forum: ASTRONOMY

NE Ohio stargazing

Posted By Tim Abbott
Good news for northeast Ohio stargazers:
http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2009/02/2_million_geauga_park_would_pr.html
I know I could use darker skies close to home. grin
Tim

April 6, 2009 01:49 PM Forum: Telescope Making

Folded Refractor

Posted By Tim Abbott
There's not a whole lot of info to be found about this type of scope for those who'd like to build one, so... I'd like to share a few pics of a folded refractor I just put together.
It's a 100mm f/13 Carton objective. Two - 1/20th wave mirrors redirect the lightpath out the side of the tube newt style. In a sonotube for now til I come up with a better tube. It was a fun project - went together almost too quick. Planning took way longer than actual build time.
Initial tests look very promising.
C'mon skies - clear up...
Tim

September 28, 2009 01:47 AM Forum: Telescope Making

Building a 8" F/8 CHief

Posted By Tim Abbott
I've started another project. The lure of 8 inches unobstructed and color free was to much to pass on. So, here's my 8" F/8 Chief. I've made good progress so far and have the bulk of the ota done. I've just got to make the lens holders and finish up my secondary holder, mount them, and it'll be ready for the optics. Of course I've still got to varnish and stuff...
Then onto the base... 8)
Tim
A couple pix here...

July 14, 2008 12:32 AM Forum: Pictures of Me and My Telescope and........

Homemade wooden tripod

Posted By Tim Abbott
Another shot

July 20, 2008 08:55 PM Forum: Reflectors

Orion 3.6" off axis reflector on SALE

Posted By Tim Abbott
I bought this scope at the current sale price. Only had it about a week. It really is an awesome scope. Every scope has it's compromise. I can live with the tube size for the sharp color free views. A triplet APO, which IMO is the competition for this scope, is way too pricey for me.
I wrote a small review here:
http://www.astromart.com/articles/article.asp?article_id=668

Tim

August 2, 2008 02:20 AM Forum: Reflectors

Edge blacken primary?

Posted By Tim Abbott
Thanks All, for your replies. The cleaning issue could be avoided by using only mild soap and water, I guess. And I suppose flocking could be used but that may cause a problem at recoating time. Seems that a baffle would be the best way to go then.
How important would it be to be knife edge sharp and perfectly round though?

August 30, 2008 07:21 PM Forum: Telescope Making

Ball Scope Ideas

Posted By Tim Abbott
I've run NEWT for the ball scope and come up with the following numbers:
Mirror dia 8"
Focal ratio 5.75
Secondary 1.52"
Tube ID 9" X .06 wall
2" focuser at 1.4 focuser height - Kineoptics HC2
Gives me .45" 100% illumination
and 1.0" 75% illumination
19% obstruction

It all looks good to me - but does anybody see anything I'm missing? I only want to build this thing once.

September 3, 2008 06:47 PM Forum: Telescope Making

Three pole truss shroud

Posted By Tim Abbott
Hi Paul
I've done a shroud by using heavy steel wire bent into rings (4). The rings slip into sleeves sewn into the inside of the shroud. This keeps the shroud round and out of the light path. No other fasteners were needed. Looks clean from the outside too. Worked well on my Lightbridge.

September 26, 2008 11:19 PM Forum: Telescope Making

Ball scope construction started

Posted By Tim Abbott
another shot

November 3, 2008 01:53 AM Forum: Telescope Making

Passenger Carrying Telescopes

Posted By Tim Abbott
I have built a binocular chair, and noticed the same as some others have mentioned that have built them... the vibration from your heartbeat is apparent at the eyepiece! It's true. The weight of a large scope may behave differently - I don't know.

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