No shroud. The mirror does get dirty easily ( also easy to give a quick distilled water rinse ) and dew will be an issue. Not sure the best way to solve those issues yet, still thinking.
Luckily I have other scopes that are more tolerant of dew conditions.
I got this one together with the idea of it being the ultimate grab and go, a big ultralight dob easy to throw in the back of the 4wd when traveling.
I got great views in my light polluted backyard last night. Jupiter, Saturn, Moon, Homunculus, Ghost of Jupiter ( I could easily see the central star ), split Sirius and Antares with ease, M46 planetary, Sombrero, Cen A, Omega Cen.
An easy way to solve the primary dew issue is to arrange a row of muffin fans on one side of telescope such that they blow horizontally across the mirror. It will have the added benefit of disrupting the boundary layer of turbulent air convecting off the primary. I would put them on the opposite side of the ota from the eyepiece.
fwiw) I've just been looking at the construction pics... the workmanship is impressive.
My latest setup
Mead LXD55 10" f4 Schidmt newtonian mounted on EQ6. The OTA has been flocked, with upgraded Moonlite focuser and 8x50 RACI finder.
At last, a fast scope
Acquired this ' beauty ' the other day.
TeleVue ( 101mm ) 4" Aperture, Petzval Design. ' Fluorite ' Rear Lens
First light tonight I hope...been cloudy lately.
An extract from the Web.....
6) TeleVue Genesis SDF (101 mm f/5.4 refractor.
These popular refractors throw up an impressively bright, wide-field view. The design is a hybrid, and involves more optical sleight-of-hand from Al Nagler. The doublet objective lens operates at f/12. Near the eyepiece lies a second doublet, which brings the optical train down to f/5.4. The second doublet uses a fluorite element, which is said to reduce chromatic aberration to nearly imperceptible levels. The scope is very well-built, almost overbuilt.
Flash.....
Last edited by FlashDrive; 29-03-2015 at 10:07 PM.
Reason: ajusted text
Whilst on a business trip to Sydney I managed to pick up the newest member of my scope collection ...... Thanks JohnOz
The Edmund Scientific Astroscan 108mm @ FL 445mm Newtonian reflector complete with Finder Guide, Base, Strap, Correct image tube and RKE28mm eyepiece (or the Rank Kaspereit Erfle 28mm to be perfectly OCD about it )
Once at home the scope was treated to a complete stripdown then an hour of polishing and waxing (no not the Brazil kind !) the RKE was also disassembled and every component cleaned and checked before reassembly and testing.
This will be a scope for my daughter and granddaughter to share
Good pick up Matt. I may give mine a polish so that it looks as good. I had mine out the other night just for fun, very nice views with the 15mm Panoptic.
A bit of car polish followed up with synthetic car wax and clean micro fibre cloth is all that's needed Richard. I just tried the RKE last night but will try it out with the new LVWs tonight!
Just need to make a bracket to hold it at the right angle on my Manfrotto/Markins tripod to get the right height.
My granddaughter is drawn to red objects and headed straight for the Astroscan when she saw it, though it will be a while before she understands what it is or does.
It has the Captain's Wheel thing which is not really that practical as a rotator and the CAA which works quite well, Josh. I just keep the Wheel screwed up tight and ignore it.
My latest anti-aperture fever tonic - as new 2001 Takahashi FS-78.
3 prior owners, 2 of whom are IIS known and loved
It came with the vari-extender, reducer, Tak prism diagonal, Tak finder, custom aluminium case and clamshell (not shown in pictures) - all for 1/6th the coast of Rick's new toy (and almost 1/6th the aperture )
Next Tak.... FSQ-130...HAHAHAHA
Also the FC-100 with newly restored Tak 7x50 finder in full imaging setup outside catching some sun from the upper balcony.
It has the Captain's Wheel thing which is not really that practical as a rotator and the CAA which works quite well, Josh. I just keep the Wheel screwed up tight and ignore it.
)
