I recently acquired a mirror blank that is 41.75" in diameter and 10" thick. Needless to say it was VERY hard to move. My primary interest is astrophotography and I'm contemplating various designs. I figured I would post and see what comes to mind when you all think of constructing a telescope around such a large primary mirror. I haven't decided on focal length although I believe f/3 would be pretty cool based on "Le1m" telescope (Google Chrome will translate it for you) http://www.astrosurf.com/altaz/1000.htm Perhaps something that could be craned onto a mobile base for outreach and back onto an EQ mount for photography. I have no time frame or budget for the project completion.
Attached Image:
~ Charlie Stevenson
8" f/5.7 String Telescope - 1st Scope Build; 2nd Place Stellafane 2016 Optical Award for Newtonians 12.5" and Smaller
10" f/4.5 Newtonian (June 2015) mirror refigured by Optic Wave Labs P-V WaveFront 1/14.24, Strehl Ratio 0.993 (Aug '15)
Criterion RV-6 seems to be circa 1973 (June 2015) [For Sale]
Celestron C8-A XLT (January 2015) [For Sale]
Celestron PowerSeeker 70AZ (Christmas 2014)
Aldrich Astronomical Society member since 2015
http://astro.charleskelleystevenson.com/