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Has anyone built or seen a TCT?
TCT - "Tilted Component Telescope". I read about on of these a while ago and am asking if anyone has ever built one or seen one in operation? The design looks very interesting in that it doesn't have any central obstructions. There is information around that I've found that describes mirror surface radii required and their relative positioning to get it to work. At least one of the mirrors in convex. I've seen pictures of one built in the USA using 6 inch mirrors, but the author stated that he was considering trying to build a 16 or even a 20-incher in the future.
The diagram attached is not to scale, and the light paths are only tokenistic at best, but you get the idea. Lack of an obstruction means, I guess, that you gather more light on a smaller mirror.
Is this a worthy project to attempt to build? Has anyone tried? Apparently laser collimation isn't difficult as it seems - even with 4 mirrors.....
Cheers
Chris
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