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The 18" Telescope
This was my second telescope and my first 'serious' one. The 10" telescope was very nice and took me travelling on many fascinating adventures, but with the 224% increase in light-gathering ability this was a very large improvement! At f/4.0 and combined with the fact that I made many height reducing modifications to the original design, there was only a one step necessary when pointed at zenith. The optics in this were exquisite, a "second cut" Galaxy Optics primary mirror meant this one was one of the best of the lot and the images sure attested to that fact. This telescope probably would have been my last telescope if it weren't for the great deal offered on the 24". One of those too good to be true deals and I had used the 18" for several years so I was ready for an upgrade anyway.
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Mirror Box: 66 lbs.This is the engine compartment of a telescope. The primary mirror lives in here supported by the mirror cell. The altitude bearings are mounted to the sides and the bottom truss pole mounts anchor here too. |
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Rocker Box: 16 lbs.The rocker box supports the mirror box and allows it to pivot horizontally and vertically. In a large scope you want this box to be as low profile as possible to help reduce the number of steps up the ladder when viewing. |
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Truss Assembly: 7 lbs.The truss assembly consists of 3 pairs of 1" aluminum tube, each pair being joined at the top. Cam levers are used to affix the pairs at the cage and mirror box. |
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Upper Cage: 6 lbs.This is where the focuser, the secondary mirror and the finder scope are mounted. Here's where I spend all of my time ooooing and aaaaahhhhhing and escaping the hectic world far below. |
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Finished Scope: 95 lbs.First Light on June 8, 2002. |