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Old 15-01-2012, 08:01 AM
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Rodstar (Rod)
The Glenfallus

Rodstar is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Central Coast, NSW
Posts: 2,702
Paula, I would be unconcerned about the scratch on the primary. It is a much less significant issue than you might think.

The key issue with a primary is how well figured it is. A well figured mirror with a scratch will outperform a seemingly unblemished mirror, if the mirror is less well-figured. Your mirror could well be fantastic!

As for the secondary, it looks to me like you will lose about 10% of the light due to the missing coating. Again, it looks pretty dreadful, but in practice the difference will be barely discernible. It is often stated in astronomical lore than most people's eye's struggle to notice something less than 10% in difference. Remember, as a comparison, that a star which is only one magnitude brighter than another star is 151% brighter!

Like another has suggested, put it together, and give it a go!
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