Millenium Telescope.
Initial Meeting.
Format
Part 1 - Planning
Part 2 - Sample Designs
Part 3 - Discussion/what happens next
Objectives
 Resolve location and usage issues
 Agree design
 Present detailed design/cost to Committee
 Go/No Go?
Aperture Fever…!
Part 1 - Planning...
Location/usage
Most difficult part!
Dedicated effort
Some options
 Dome
? Balcony
? Downstairs
? Elsewhere in school grounds
Design Goals
 Ease of construction
 Ease of assembly/disassembly
 Ease of storage and transportation
 Ease of collimation (repeatable)
Mirrors
Primary Mirror (Pyrex):
– Diameter, 482 mm
– Edge thickness, 38 mm
– Focal length, 2165 mm (F/4.5)
– Calculated weight 15 Kg
Secondary Mirror (elliptical plate glass):
– Major axis, 150 mm
– Minor axis, 106 mm
– Thickness, 14.5 mm
Part 2 - Sample Designs
Kriege and Berry
Obsession 20” F/5
Obsession 20” F/5
Completed scope
Obsession 20” F/5
Unpacking truss tubes
Obsession 20” F/5
Opening mirror box
Obsession 20” F/5
Inserting mirror
Obsession 20” F/5
Setting mirror down
Obsession 20” F/5
Install upper tube clamps
Obsession 20” F/5
Mirror cell assembly
Obsession 20” F/5
Truss tube clamps
Obsession 20” F/5
Securing mirror
Dan Gray 16” F/3.75
String Telescope
16” F/3.75 String Telescope
Completed scope
16” F/3.75 String Telescope
Base
16” F/3.75 String Telescope
Close-up of bearings
16” F/3.75 String Telescope
Rocker
16” F/3.75 String Telescope
Square tube support
16” F/3.75 String Telescope
String length adjustment
16” F/3.75 String Telescope
Collimation adjustment point
16” F/3.75 String Telescope
Secondary cage and spider
16” F/3.75 String Telescope
Collimating
16” F/3.75 String Telescope
Disassembled scope
16” F/3.75 String Telescope
In car!
Greg Babcock
18” F/4.55
18” F4.55
Completed scope
18” F4.55
Gallery
Greg Babcock
24” F/4 Ultra-light
24” F/4 Ultra-Light
Completed and disassembled scope
24” F/4 Ultra-Light
Altitude bearing and stand
24” F/4 Ultra-Light
4” Mirror cell clearance for drive
24” F/4 Ultra-Light
Trusses
24” F/4 Ultra-Light
Cage
24” F/4 Ultra-Light
Completed scope
24” F/4 Ultra-Light
Completed scope
24” F/4 Ultra-Light
In car!
Bruce Sayre
22” F4.05 Design
22” F4.05 Design
Completed scope
22” F4.05 Design
Base
22” F4.05 Design
Cutaway of bottom frame and drives
22” F4.05 Design
Close-up of bottom frame
22” F4.05 Design
Bottom portion of telescope
22” F4.05 Design
Side view of rocker
22” F4.05 Design
Rocker
22” F4.05 Design
Mirror cell multipoint flotation assembly
22” F4.05 Design
Mirror cell with flotation assembly underneath
22” F4.05 Design
Drive motor assembly
22” F4.05 Design
Strut attachment
22” F4.05 Design
Truss tube mounting
22” F4.05 Design
View above completed scope
22” F4.05 Design
Secondary cage and spider assembly with baffling
22” F4.05 Design
Secondary cage side view
Digital Astrophotography
C2020z - Planets with 20” Newtonian
Part 3 - Discussion
 Team for location/storage
 Obtain 45 gal drum
 Consolidate designs/plans
– Contact designers (email)
– Monitor bigdob discussion group
 Contact FAS/other AS for feedback
 Possible visit(s) to other AS
 Agree next meeting