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Old 22-01-2010, 02:33 PM
Rod
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Rod is offline
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Mount Martha
Posts: 387
Hi James,

When I figure mirrors I use a program called Tex, available here:

http://home.att.net/~mikel/

It is a DOS program but very easy to use. There are others which may be better but I haven't used them and they look more technical to me.

I haven't really explored building refractors so can't help you there. If you want info on cassegrains then have a look at the second edition of Texereau's book 'How to make a Telescope'. The nasmyth is just a cassegrain with a flat mirror built in to the tube to bring the eyepiece to a comfortable viewing position. These sites might give you some ideas:

http://www.loptics.com/ATM/telescope...12in_cass.html

http://tlepage.home.mindspring.com/12_DK_telescope.html

Cassegrains are a lot more work - I have the optics for one nearly completed. I would suggest not attempting one until you have made a few newtonians.

Hope that helps,

Rod.
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