[gb_astro]

Having read the Daniel Mounsey article it is pretty obvious
that he is not saying that an excellent 6" refractor is, over all, a better
scope than an excellent 14.5 reflector.

In the second paragraph he says:
"When it comes to resolving fine details in globular clusters,
galaxies, planetary nebula, selected nebula and certain open clusters,
the 14.5″ Starmaster wins hands down."

His last paragraph begins with:
"Reflectors are still king for planets and still my favourite choice..."

What he is complaining about is his state of the art Starmaster 14.5, (Zambuto optics, wire mirror sling etc.),
being compromised by body generated thermal currents.

This seems to me to be a valid concern for anyone with an open truss type scope.
Must admit that I have never noticed it but then again I have never looked for it either.
Also of concern is his claim that thermals pass right through current light shroud materials.

Should be easy to investigate:
Orient scope at right angles to wind with focuser upwind, look for thermals through focuser,
rotate scope 180deg with focuser downwind, look for thermals through focuser.

Interesting to get some user reports on this one.


gb.