Telescope Optics Workshop 2006

Hi all,

The Telescope Optics Workshop in Bellingham, Wa. is back on for 2006. Planning for the workshop is underway now, and we are looking for idea's and input for some workshop events. Kreig Mcbride has ask met to put together a program on optimizing telescope optical systems for visual use. The objective of the program is to invite ATM's to bring their scopes to the workshop and exchange ideas on topics such as:

Improved stray light control through flocking, baffling, better paints etc.

Benefits and drawbacks of varied spider designs. (3 vs. 4 vs curved vane(s)).

Thermal management.

Proper Collimation.

Secondary sizing. (And other thoughts suggested.)

After having a chance to look over the scopes that are brought in, we hope to have an artificial star system set up to allow us to compare (under a controlled environment) the scopes to see just how well, or not, various methods work.

Idea's and thoughts are welcome!

Thanks

Great subjects.

Do you have a date set aside for the workshop? Glad to see the workshop is coming back.

Be sure to also have a light-trap target, since
many of your investigations are not displayed well
by a star (stray light, spiders, etc.) See my
article in the Jan 2001 Sky and Telescope about
methods of sensing stray light.

(A light-trap target is a hole in a big box painted
black inside. It has a low brightness that may be
calculated.)

Harold R. Suiter

Jack Day said:

Hi all,

The Telescope Optics Workshop in Bellingham, Wa. is back on for 2006. Planning for the workshop is underway now, and we are looking for idea's and input for some workshop events. Kreig Mcbride has ask met to put together a program on optimizing telescope optical systems for visual use. The objective of the program is to invite ATM's to bring their scopes to the workshop and exchange ideas on topics such as:

Improved stray light control through flocking, baffling, better paints etc.

Benefits and drawbacks of varied spider designs. (3 vs. 4 vs curved vane(s)).

Thermal management.

Proper Collimation.

Secondary sizing. (And other thoughts suggested.)

After having a chance to look over the scopes that are brought in, we hope to have an artificial star system set up to allow us to compare (under a controlled environment) the scopes to see just how well, or not, various methods work.

Idea's and thoughts are welcome!

Thanks

Hello Jack,

I for one would be interested in haveing a seminar on Optics Design software and how one optimises the catigories...

Like ATMOS... something that showed how one would progress from an initial criteria to a finished design...what are the steps and the criteria that one looks at in the process...

I really like ATMOS, but do not know how to get the most from the process...

And then >>>>>>>>>>Having Carl Zambuto, as a mentor would be great!!!!

A class on Figuring by machine would be great also...

Best Regards,

Preston Engebretson 8)