Quote:
Originally Posted by Orion
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Hi Ed,
A scissor lift is being employed on this particular scope.
As reported, the scope is fitted with one of our Argo Navis Digital Telescope
Computers and a ServoCAT slew and track system which the Argo Navis
performs the object offset and tracking rate calculations for.
It's not the largest telescope I am aware of an Argo Navis being interfaced to,
as there is a 78" professional observatory up in Canada, but certainly the 48"
is the largest amateur scope I am aware of that uses one of our systems.
One of the most remarkable things about this scope is the incredibly short
length of time in which it was constructed. In May last year, I was present
in Fort Davis when the owner commissioned OMI to construct it. The primary
mirror itself was fabricated in Russia.
So often, one hears of dream scopes and even some modest conventional commercial
scopes, taking years to deliver. OMI have already achieved first light with the 48" and the
scope is due to be delivered shortly.
The owner is one of several friends we have in that particular corner of West Texas
and I can tell you now that Jimi is as excited as you or I would be if it were ours.
When we were at RTMC in California, whether it be chatting in our vendor's tent,
or at dinner or driving in the car, Jimi would often punctuate the conversation
with words to the effect of how he couldn't wait until he gets the 48". So we're excited
for him too.
Best Regards
Gary Kopff
Managing Director
Wildcard Innovations Pty. Ltd.
20 Kilmory Place, Mount Kuring-Gai
NSW. 2080. Australia
Phone +61-2-9457-9049
Fax +61-2-9457-9593
sales@wildcard-innovations.com.au
http://www.wildcard-innovations.com.au