Sean Cunneen
Let Me Think
Reged: 08/01/07
Loc: Blue Island Illinois
|
My 16" f7.2 Newt project code named "Grace"
#5601069 - 01/02/13 11:18 AM
|
Edit
|
Reply
|
Quote |
Quick Reply
|
|
|
I am awaiting delivery of a 16" f7.2 mirror I've seen listed on and off for the past year on Amart.
I've decided to dedicate this project to My Grandma Grace who passed away this past Thanksgiving. She and my Grandpa always encouraged my love of the night sky which started at their farm in Indiana. When we would visit, I would sleep on the floor in a sleeping bag. They would turn up the heat before bed and I would just swelter. I took to opening the sliding screen door a crack to let some cool air in and I always told them it was to look at the stars! When I first became interested in telescopes, my first experience was the their farm with a 90mm refractor. My first view? Jupiter. The big guy just blew me away and she was amazed as well. After that my scopes grew and I would always set one up on my visits.
Needless to say, This scope is going to be huge. For my last big project each component had to pass the lift test. For this project, each piece has to pass the doorway test!
Parts and pieces are still arriving, so this will evolve slowly and there are some features that will have to develop as we go.
The quick summary is that I am putting together an open truss Newt on an equatorial platform using as many "found" objects as I can. So far I have the arms from a mission style recliner, some tripod legs and a moonlight focuser.
I picked up a load of wood last night and I'll start showing pictures soon... Stay tuned!
Sean
|
Darren Drake
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 10/09/02
Loc: Chicagoland
|
Re: My 16" f7.2 Newt project code named "Grace"
[Re: Sean Cunneen]
#5601129 - 01/02/13 11:53 AM
|
|
Edit
|
Reply
|
Quote |
Quick Reply
|
|
|
This will be fun. Looking forward to it.
|
MessiToM
professor emeritus
Reged: 12/21/09
Loc: Huntingdon PA
|
Re: My 16" f7.2 Newt project code named "Grace"
[Re: Darren Drake]
#5601144 - 01/02/13 12:09 PM
|
|
Edit
|
Reply
|
Quote |
Quick Reply
|
|
|
I am as well
|
bremms
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 08/31/12
Loc: SC
|
Re: My 16" f7.2 Newt project code named "Grace"
[Re: MessiToM]
#5601220 - 01/02/13 01:00 PM
|
|
Edit
|
Reply
|
Quote |
Quick Reply
|
|
|
Yes.. one BIG telescope. Will make my 12.5 F8 project look tiny. Looking forward to seeing this one.
|
magic612
Post Laureate
Reged: 09/30/08
Loc: S. of Chicago's light dome
|
Re: My 16" f7.2 Newt project code named "Grace"
[Re: bremms]
#5601384 - 01/02/13 02:49 PM
|
|
Edit
|
Reply
|
Quote |
Quick Reply
|
|
|
Do you have the hydraulic lift to reach the eyepiece yet? 
|
Jeff Morgan
Post Laureate
Reged: 09/28/03
Loc: Prescott, AZ
|
Re: My 16" f7.2 Newt project code named "Grace"
[Re: Sean Cunneen]
#5601425 - 01/02/13 03:24 PM Attachment (105 downloads)
|
|
Edit
|
Reply
|
Quote |
Quick Reply
|
|
|
Congratulations Sean, and best of luck on the project. My 16" f/7 can see first light any night now, depending upon whether or not I want to wait for a bracket for my ServoCAT control box. My feeling is that such a scope deserves better than duct tape for it's maiden voyage.
The fact that northern Arizona temperatures are getting into mid-teens has nothing to do with my delays
I thought about an equatorial platform for mine. I have first-hand experience with the Osypowski platform and nothing but good things to say about them. But given the scale of my project ServoCAT seemed like a better choice. And GOTO will be very handy with 2800 mm focal length. Driving the whole thing wirelessly with SkySafari and an iPad was icing on the cake.
|
MKV
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 01/20/11
|
Re: My 16" f7.2 Newt project code named "Grace"
[Re: Jeff Morgan]
#5601515 - 01/02/13 04:14 PM
|
|
Edit
|
Reply
|
Quote |
Quick Reply
|
|
|
Jeff, simply beautiful! The split truss is the way to go for resistance to misalignment. It should be an awesome all-purpose telescope. Do you have a 3 or a 4 wave spider. A 3-vane is better diffraction-wise. How big is your central obstruction?
Mladen
|
Sean Cunneen
Let Me Think
Reged: 08/01/07
Loc: Blue Island Illinois
|
Re: My 16" f7.2 Newt project code named "Grace"
[Re: magic612]
#5601687 - 01/02/13 06:08 PM
|
|
Edit
|
Reply
|
Quote |
Quick Reply
|
|
|
Quote:
Do you have the hydraulic lift to reach the eyepiece yet?
I spent my Morning at Menards asking each sales associate if any of the ladders were ASCOM compliant, none of them could tell me.
|
Sean Cunneen
Let Me Think
Reged: 08/01/07
Loc: Blue Island Illinois
|
Re: My 16" f7.2 Newt project code named "Grace"
[Re: Jeff Morgan]
#5601692 - 01/02/13 06:12 PM
|
|
Edit
|
Reply
|
Quote |
Quick Reply
|
|
|
Quote:
Congratulations Sean, and best of luck on the project. My 16" f/7 can see first light any night now, depending upon whether or not I want to wait for a bracket for my ServoCAT control box. My feeling is that such a scope deserves better than duct tape for it's maiden voyage.
The fact that northern Arizona temperatures are getting into mid-teens has nothing to do with my delays
I thought about an equatorial platform for mine. I have first-hand experience with the Osypowski platform and nothing but good things to say about them. But given the scale of my project ServoCAT seemed like a better choice. And GOTO will be very handy with 2800 mm focal length. Driving the whole thing wirelessly with SkySafari and an iPad was icing on the cake.
Other bands, their scopes only go up to 7. Ours go up to 7.2, for when you want to get just a little longer. Seriously, Jeff, that scope is beautiful. That truss looks so light and effortless. Here in the Midwest, we have to dress ours up a little more for the crazy winters.
I have always wanted to build a platform and this scope being as cumbersome as it is, I felt this was the project for it. If my jigs work out, I make make a couple for my other scopes.
|
Jeff Morgan
Post Laureate
Reged: 09/28/03
Loc: Prescott, AZ
|
Re: My 16" f7.2 Newt project code named "Grace"
[Re: MKV]
#5601823 - 01/02/13 07:45 PM
|
|
Edit
|
Reply
|
Quote |
Quick Reply
|
|
|
Quote:
Jeff, simply beautiful! The split truss is the way to go for resistance to misalignment. It should be an awesome all-purpose telescope. Do you have a 3 or a 4 wave spider. A 3-vane is better diffraction-wise. How big is your central obstruction?
Mladen
Thanks. That picture was taken during tube trimming, still a few finishing touches to go.
I played around with wire spiders for a month, then broke down and got a 4 vane. The diagonal mirror is 2.6", for about 16% obstruction. If Mel Bartels diagonal calculator is correct, it should fully illuminate a 31 Nagler. Going with the next smallest size (2.14") was starting to get a little chancy. You see, there was another consideration - I used a Moonlight focuser and filter slide, and I wanted to have enough room to mount the slide completely outside the aperture defined by the tube rings so as not to create additional diffraction.
|
Jeff Morgan
Post Laureate
Reged: 09/28/03
Loc: Prescott, AZ
|
Re: My 16" f7.2 Newt project code named "Grace"
[Re: Sean Cunneen]
#5601841 - 01/02/13 07:52 PM
|
|
Edit
|
Reply
|
Quote |
Quick Reply
|
|
|
Sean, will this be a permanent installation? If not what do you have to transport it?
An option you might want to look at is a rolling platform ladder (McMaster-Carr). They are incredibly comfortable and stable. And surprisingly easy to move around too. I could post a few pics, but I don't want to hijack your thread (pm me if you want me to email them). I bought one for my scope, and Jon Issacs has been using one with his 25" scope, which I believe has just a bit more focal length than you or I have.
The only downsides of this approach is transporting it. Easy if you have a trailer. Perhaps easy if you have a pick-up truck or a van. Impossible with a car or SUV.
If you are looking more of a standard ladder, the Little Giant ladders look like a good option. If you have a roof rack on your car that would be workable.
|
Darren Drake
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 10/09/02
Loc: Chicagoland
|
Re: My 16" f7.2 Newt project code named "Grace"
[Re: Jeff Morgan]
#5602133 - 01/02/13 11:15 PM Attachment (70 downloads)
|
|
Edit
|
Reply
|
Quote |
Quick Reply
|
|
|
Sean is quite an experienced atmer. Tonight he brought his homemade 12 inch dob to my back yard. It is quite unique looking. The trusses are made of shower pipes. The 16 will be a fun project to follow.
Edited by Darren Drake (01/02/13 11:17 PM)
|
Sean Cunneen
Let Me Think
Reged: 08/01/07
Loc: Blue Island Illinois
|
Re: My 16" f7.2 Newt project code named "Grace"
[Re: Darren Drake]
#5602190 - 01/02/13 11:50 PM
|
|
Edit
|
Reply
|
Quote |
Quick Reply
|
|
|
Jeff, the scope will dissemble into 3 main pieces and everything should just fit into the back of our caravan. Kids will ride on the roof.
|
magic612
Post Laureate
Reged: 09/30/08
Loc: S. of Chicago's light dome
|
Re: My 16" f7.2 Newt project code named "Grace"
[Re: Sean Cunneen]
#5602673 - 01/03/13 10:18 AM
|
|
Edit
|
Reply
|
Quote |
Quick Reply
|
|
|
Which is rather unfair too, given that Sean's kids are sweethearts, and his scopes - well, let's just say they don't hold a conversation very well.
|
StarryHost
member
Reged: 01/13/09
Loc: Vista, CA
|
Re: My 16" f7.2 Newt project code named "Grace"
[Re: magic612]
#5602700 - 01/03/13 10:38 AM
|
|
Edit
|
Reply
|
Quote |
Quick Reply
|
|
|
Can't wait to see this come about. When it's done, we can play "Patriot" vs. "Scud" with our two rocket scopes. ;-)
Jack
|
k9yr
super member
Reged: 05/21/08
Loc: Far North suburbs of Chicago
|
Re: My 16" f7.2 Newt project code named "Grace"
[Re: StarryHost]
#5603696 - 01/03/13 09:05 PM
|
|
Edit
|
Reply
|
Quote |
Quick Reply
|
|
|
Jeff and Sean, killer scopes! Much braver than my little 16" F4.5. 
|
Sean Cunneen
Let Me Think
Reged: 08/01/07
Loc: Blue Island Illinois
|
Re: My 16" f7.2 Newt project code named "Grace"
[Re: k9yr]
#5603756 - 01/03/13 09:52 PM Attachment (66 downloads)
|
|
Edit
|
Reply
|
Quote |
Quick Reply
|
|
|
So I thought I'd start with some of my ideas behind my design aspects. I've been fortunate enough to have built a lot of scopes and I've also spent a fair amount of time traveling with, setting up and viewing through scopes that I have built.
So to massacre one of my favorite speeches ever, There are knowns I know and knowns I don't know. There unknowns I know and unknowns I don't know, you know?
So I know that I like to have a very quick setup. I don't like fiddling with lots of pieces. When my scope breaks down, it has to break down into 3 or four manageable parts.
I know from where I usually observe that stray light is a constant problem. The 12" dob Darren took a picture of was built to be as open as can be. It was since rebuilt to shield the mirror from as much ambient light as possible.
I like for my scopes to be as stiff and "tight" as I can manage. No wobbles.
stuff either has to move or it has to never ever move with nothing in between.
I don't mind heavy scopes (once they are set up)
Fans are important.
Baffles are important.
Having the mirror protected is important.
As I learned from my 12", crazy looking scopes are great but take a walk around a star party and check out which scopes are getting used and they all tend to look the same.
Here is a photo of "Big Tom" in his original form:
Edited by Sean Cunneen (01/03/13 10:01 PM)
|
Sean Cunneen
Let Me Think
Reged: 08/01/07
Loc: Blue Island Illinois
|
Re: My 16" f7.2 Newt project code named "Grace"
[Re: Sean Cunneen]
#5603768 - 01/03/13 09:58 PM
|
|
Edit
|
Reply
|
Quote |
Quick Reply
|
|
|
I've decided to make my platform in the style of Warren Peters. You can find his article here:
Warren Peters Platform
There are three or four different designs, all have some strengths and weaknesses. The Warren Peters design is a little harder to make as there are two arcs of different radius you have to cut out but the plusses for a large heavy scope is that the actual platform can be a square or slight rectangle and the weight is supported on all four corners. A Poncet platform is a little simpler as the back arc is replaced by a single angled pivot but for a scope this size and weight, the extra stability should more than pay for the extra work.
|
Napersky
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 01/27/10
Loc: Chicagoland
|
Re: My 16" f7.2 Newt project code named "Grace"
[Re: Sean Cunneen]
#5603957 - 01/04/13 12:39 AM
|
|
Edit
|
Reply
|
Quote |
Quick Reply
|
|
|
Very cool Sean I admire your craftsmanship especially the equatorial mount you made for your 6" refractors.
I can't wait to look through your 6" Jaeger's although I won't be building mine any too soon. I am totally occupied with my Interferometer project and have the 6" AP for my observing.
Mark
|
bremms
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 08/31/12
Loc: SC
|
Re: My 16" f7.2 Newt project code named "Grace"
[Re: Napersky]
#5604218 - 01/04/13 08:18 AM
|
|
Edit
|
Reply
|
Quote |
Quick Reply
|
|
|
Yes, TOOOO many projects. I suffer the same. I did get a Jaegers 6" F10 from SS and need to make a cell and all the fixins. My 4" F15 Jaegers is almost done.
On a side note, What do a lot of you use for artificial stars?
I was going to make pinholes like the old days, but it's hard to control the size. We do have a laser at work I could make some holes with. I cold shoot some spots at some copper foil.
|
Previous
Index
Next
Threaded
