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Posts Made By: Eric Conyers

December 12, 2002 07:36 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Newbie question

Posted By Eric Conyers
Hello All!

I'm rather new to the amateur astronomy arena ( I do have a Meade model 285 refractor), and was looking at purchasing something a little bit bigger. I have a line on a 6" f/9-ish (maybe f/10) dobsonian telescope. My observing interests are pretty much "seat of the pants", with no real agenda in mind.

My question is, would this scope be a good purchase for overall observing, or would something like a 6" f/8 be better for "all around use"?

Thank you very much in advance!

Eric

February 4, 2004 05:51 AM Forum: Telescope Making

New Folded Newtonian Design?!?!?!

Posted By Eric Conyers
Just thought you all might like to see this (http://folk.uio.no/johannwi/mike/), it was a link that got posted to slashdot this morning... This design uses a circular flat mirror @ 15 degrees instead of a normal 45 degree elliptical secondary.

Seems like and interesting idea, an 18" F/8 with a 5' 4" eyepiece height...Cool, now maybe I can purchase that 67" f/3 that was for sale on here not too long ago and bring the eyepiece height down to my 6'6" height! =)

Eric

February 5, 2004 07:55 PM Forum: Telescope Making

ATM Archive Returned!

Posted By Eric Conyers
I just did a google search and ATM Archive is now back online...

E

March 8, 2004 01:04 AM Forum: Telescope Making

1950's 5" RFT Resto-modification...

Posted By Eric Conyers
All;

Got the new mirror cell started today. It's made from some 1/2" Baltic Birch I had in the garage. Just need to get some shorter screws and some washers, and it's ready for painting/staining.

Eric Conyers

March 22, 2004 12:02 PM Forum: Telescope Making

Latest Developments from the Workshop..

Posted By Eric Conyers
Here are a few pictures of the 1950's 5" F/4 RFT that I have been working on. I just got two coats of Danish Oil applied to it, and the reclaimed cherry is starting to show some of it's unique grain patterns. The pictures really don't do it justice, but I'll try to get some "in the sun" shots today to see if the grain/detail shows up better than in these pictures.

Eric

March 30, 2004 02:17 AM Forum: Telescope Making

First Light Tonight! =)

Posted By Eric Conyers
Well, after numerous weeks of wanting to be done with it, it's finally to the point of ready to use. I haven't done the velvet tube treatment yet, and I still need to add a handle to it, but it will work great as a lap scope for now.

The 32mm Televue Plossl is getting anxious for some star light!

Eric

December 16, 2002 02:23 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

Newbie question

Posted By Eric Conyers
Thank you all for responding. I have been looking around, and I think that an 8" f/6 might be the best way to go. Also, I checked at one of the local telescope shops, and the cost difference between a 6" f/8 and an 8" f/6 (Orion dobs) is only $100...So, I guess "bigger is better", especially since it's only $100 more for 2" more aperture...
Thanks again for your words of advice.

Eric

April 18, 2003 11:27 AM Forum: Telescope Making

8" f2 CCD Camera

Posted By Eric Conyers
You could always just make a "Lenless Schmidt" camera, like this one: http://home.freeuk.com/m.gavin/schmidt_lens.htm


July 17, 2003 03:31 PM Forum: Telescope Making

6" folded refractor

Posted By Eric Conyers
You might want to send a quick email to Dave Trott (http://members.aol.com/_ht_a/davetrott/page1.htm), he has a very nice 5" folded refractor that he built (see his website). He might be able to give you some pointers on where/how to progress in your building.

Eric

December 28, 2003 01:53 PM Forum: Telescope Making

Truss Dob

Posted By Eric Conyers
Joe;

Here are a couple that you might want to look at:

http://www.shallowsky.com/8dob/
http://www.ct-astronomer.com/shanes_eightscope.htm
http://personal.nbnet.nb.ca/bleger/scope/
http://www.starcrwzr.com/truss.htm
http://www.usno.navy.mil/8inchdob.shtml
http://tlepage.home.mindspring.com/8_F7.5_overview.html
http://www.rylesprocket.com/MiscPics/homemade_8.htm

And of course, the one that I wish I could afford!
http://www.starbuckets.com/telescopes.html


Hope that helps,

Eric

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