"big" means different things to different people

[torana68]

Well I always thought of 16" being big, too big to be something I'd use much. Over on Cloudy Nights there is a guy advertising his up to 60" mirrors. I have no relationship to the seller Im just amazed these things are so available, or were they always?? is the future in the above 20" mirror now?
Roger

[Poita]

Where is the eyepiece on these monsters?

[torana68]

a long way up....

[David Fitz-Henr]

Sheez, you guys are easily impressed! I mean, is 60" focal length really that big nowadays? :P:rofl:

[mithrandir]

You mean the big brother of this one (http://www.normandfullumtelescope.com/Gallery/displayimage.php?album=lastup&cat=0&pos=2)?

Normand is the guy who was going to be making them for Orion (http://www.telescope.com/Telescopes/Dobsonian-Telescopes/Truss-Tube-Dobsonians/Orion-50-Monster-Dobsonian-Telescope/pc/1/c/12/sc/29/p/9162.uts), in 36", 40" and 50" sizes but it looks like the GFC has stopped that happening.

[torana68]

yes exactly, huge mirrors at a price thats none too silly, by that I mean you wouldnt need a Government grant to get one you could conceivably privately buy one. If you look back a little, say 1970 an 8" was pretty good, now its common to have a 10" or 16" even. Will people be buying (or making?) 30 plus inch mirrors in a few years?. The mirrors are out there if you wanted to build one yourself.....