Thinking about the next planetary scope

Hello,

I've been "serious" about planetary observation for three years. My current scope is a 12.5" F6 I built with pegasus mirror on a eq6 mount:
http://planets.lamost.org/EEquipments.htm

I've been pretty happy with the results I got so far:
http://planets.lamost.org/EPlanets2003.htm

But I still think there are a lot more I can improve. So I am planning on my next planetary scope, which most likely will be a 16"

My goal is to creat a "planet killer", which not only can perform under excellent seeing condition, but also consistantly produce "good" image under average conditions. but my barget is only about 3k.

The mount is currently the biggest problem for the 12.5" I have since eq6 is not big enough for the 55lbs, 6ft long scope. I think I'll have to make a eq platform for the 16". I have absolutely no experience on a eq platform, could anybody give me a instruction on how good these things track?

For the optical design, I am thinking about a 16" f6.5 with a 2.14" protostar secondary. I probably will order the primary from Pegasus. The scope will be a truss design (open everywhere) to let airflow moving freely through the scope. the scope will be mainly used for webcam imaging so the heat wave from the human body is not a concern.

Those are very rough ideas. You suggestions are appreciated!

Clear Skies,
GY
http://planets.lamost.org

My limited experience with the use of cooling fans on both my 8" tube dob and my 12.5 truss dob suggest that what is often attributed to poor seeing can be significantly mitigated by active cooling. I suggest you install fans to cool the main mirror AND to wash the boundary layer of air off the optical surface of the primary.

It's amazing how much better my high power planetary viewing is after using the fans.

Gary Weber