I have a 16" Cassegrain mirror (<~2” thick) that I am finally ready to get re-coated. I have two questions:
1. Packing – I have gone back and forth about how to pack this thing and ended up making a wooden crate and cutting Styrofoam to fit the mirror. I then packed the crate (wrapped in bubble paper) inside a larger cardboard box for shipping. Is this OK? Overkill? Underkill?
2. Insurance – How much is a mirror like this worth? It is certainly not in new condition. My estimate is the primary is about f4 and the secondary makes the system about f15. Where could I price a replacement?
Thanks,
Charlie
1. Packing – I have gone back and forth about how to pack this thing and ended up making a wooden crate and cutting Styrofoam to fit the mirror. I then packed the crate (wrapped in bubble paper) inside a larger cardboard box for shipping. Is this OK? Overkill? Underkill?
2. Insurance – How much is a mirror like this worth? It is certainly not in new condition. My estimate is the primary is about f4 and the secondary makes the system about f15. Where could I price a replacement?
Thanks,
Charlie
Fort Lewis Observatory: (37.238, -108.052) ~2360m (7744 ft.) elevation.
Darkness - typically 6.5+
Scope - Meade 16" LX200; f6.3 focal reducer
Focus - JMI Smart focus
Camera - SBIG ST-10XE; (~.5"/pixel)
Guiding - AO-8 and/or Meade 5"/DSI/PHD
http://www.fortlewis.edu/observatory
