I search these forums and didn't find anything; but, I was wondering if anyone has tried to use the principles of a binocular viewer in reverse; to connect two telescopes to a single eyepiece. The thought comes to mind, when I consider that connecting two 6" refractors yields 56.5 square inches of light gathering appeture; the equivalent of an 8.5" refractor. If the tubes can be properly matched, collaminated, and mounted, would it be possible to achieve the performance of a larger scope, while reducing the technical challenge of producing an ever larger, heavier, and more difficult objective lense?
A dumb question re binocular viewers and refractor
Started by n2s-astronomy, 05/28/2007 07:45PM
Posted 05/28/2007 07:45PM
Opening Post
Posted 06/05/2007 01:14PM
#3
>>>I search these forums and didn't find anything; but, I was wondering if anyone has tried to use the principles of a binocular viewer in reverse; to connect two telescopes to a single eyepiece.
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This is much more difficult and complicated than it may seem. A binoviewer works by splitting the image into two separate images, a difficult but doable task.
But putting those images back together requires a precision on the order of the optic itself, in essence, this means the alignment needs to be accurate to within the original tolerances of the optic itself which is sub-wavelength of light.
The difficulty in doing this means that it is only done when there are no other alternatives and the budgets are huge.
The Keck 10 meter telescopes use 36 separate mirrors that are computer controlled to account for differences in temperature and other conditions.
http://www.lbl.gov/Science-Articles/Archive/keck-telescope.html
Splitting an image into two is relatively easy, it only requires a beam splitter. But adding two images so there is a net gain in resolution and brightness is like putting all the pieces of a shatter piece of glass back together, it must be done perfectly and it a great deal more difficult than breaking the glass in the first place.
Jon
----
This is much more difficult and complicated than it may seem. A binoviewer works by splitting the image into two separate images, a difficult but doable task.
But putting those images back together requires a precision on the order of the optic itself, in essence, this means the alignment needs to be accurate to within the original tolerances of the optic itself which is sub-wavelength of light.
The difficulty in doing this means that it is only done when there are no other alternatives and the budgets are huge.
The Keck 10 meter telescopes use 36 separate mirrors that are computer controlled to account for differences in temperature and other conditions.
http://www.lbl.gov/Science-Articles/Archive/keck-telescope.html
Splitting an image into two is relatively easy, it only requires a beam splitter. But adding two images so there is a net gain in resolution and brightness is like putting all the pieces of a shatter piece of glass back together, it must be done perfectly and it a great deal more difficult than breaking the glass in the first place.
Jon
Funding Member
