Baffling isn't it?

Hey Folks :-)

Does anyone know a website that discusses how to figure out where and how many etc. baffles to put in a newt?

I want to put some in our 10 inch dob. I would rather do this than flock the inside, seems much easier and cheaper! :-)

Thanks!
Ron

Try Dale Keller's Newt program:

http://home.att.net/~dale.keller/atm/newtonians/newtsoft/newtsoft.htm

Ron, go to http://www.mcmaster.com/
Look under Fabrics, velvet. They sell it in adhesive backed and non adhesive, 45" width. MUCH cheaper than Protostar. We used the non adhesive on a 10" f/5 dob for our club and it worked great - like a black hole! Used Titebond II glue to glue down. Over a year now and still perfect.
The Keller progran (newt) is excellent for designing newts but when you get it you will see that it really goes overboard (imho) on the number of baffles it proscribes. I guess it boils down to what you feel comfortable with manufacturing. I think all those rings would be a drag to cut out and position!

Walt

It is my understanding that baffling a newt tube may push tube currents (that sneak along the wall of the tube) into the optical path. This does make some sense. Solid tube newts have more issues with tube currents then open tubes do.

The best newt baffling recommendations I have read of involve baffling the bottom of the mirror cell, to shut out intrusive light (but not airflow). Particularly for urban or suburban observing.

john