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48" Dob project
In June 2007 we started a project to build a 48" Dobsonian for Jimi Lowrey in Ft. Davis TX.
We will present an article in the June issue of Astronomy Technology Today detailing the project from start to finish. Here is a short list of the telescopes specifications and features.
- The primary mirror was supplied by Yuri Petrunin at Telescope Engineering Company. It was made from Astro-Sitall by Lomo in Russia. The Physical diameter is 48.875" and it is 5" thick. The focal ratio is F/4 and it weighs a little over 700 pounds.
- The secondary mirror is an 8" minor axis flat made of fused quartz by Howard Johnson Optical Labs.
- Pointing and tracking are provided by Gary Meyers at RXDesign. We used components from his standard ServoCat system with some custom made components to interface the ServoCat drives to our friction drive system.
- Digital telescope control is provided by Wild Card Innovations Argo Navis.
- The mechanical parts of the scope are constructed from steel and aluminum. The whole thing weighs about 3000 pounds.
Many large Dob owners would feel right at home using the 48" scope.
http://www.stellarcat.com
http://www.wildcard-innovations.com.au
http://www.telescopengineering.com
On to the photos. . .
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