Terms

I do not know what OTA means could someone plesae let me know.
Thanks
Dan Kellogg

Optical Tube Asembly.

As distinct from a "complete telescope" that will include, usually, a finder, maybe a diagonal (for refractors) eyepiece etc.

OTA -Optical Tube Assembly (the actual telescope part)
APO - apochromatic (high end refractor)
Achro- achromatic (lower to mid end refractor)
EP - eyepiece (duh)
Alt-AZ - altitude/azimuth mount (not equitorial)
GEM - german equitorial mount (the classic mount with counterweights)

I think those are the main ones you see around here. Maybe a few others people will remember and chime in?

The equivalent of a short block engine ;-)

FOV = Field of View
F/L = Focal Length (of a given scope/eyepiece)
SCT = Schmidt-Cassegrain Design Scope
MAK = Maksutov-Cassegrain Design Scope
R/C = Ritchie Chretien Design Scope
EQ = Equatorial Mount, also known as GEM
NEWT = Newtonian Design Scope


These are some you'll see around too...



Clear skies!


Ivan

Dob : Dobsonian mount ie a large alt azimuth mount usually made out of wood with teflon for bearings

TAK : short for Takahashi, a brand name of a high end scope manufacturer

AP : Astro Physics, arguably the best manufacturer of apochromatic refractors in the United States.

Clear skies
David