- NOTE: This website is currently in development.
- The new 48" 'scope "Barbarella" has been installed. read more...
How Optical Mechanics Built a Texas Size Dob!
In June of 2007 OMI started a project to build a 48" Dobsonian for my new observatory in Ft. Davis TX.
The June issue of Astronomy Technology Today will detail the project from start to finish. Here is a short list of the telescope's specifications and features.
- The primary mirror was supplied by Yuri Petrunin at Telescope Engineering Company. It was made from Astro-Sitall by Lomo in Russia. The Physical diameter is 48.875" and it is 5" thick. The focal ratio is f/4 and it weighs a little over 700 pounds.
- The secondary mirror is an 8" minor axis flat made of fused quartz by Howard Johnson Optical Labs.
- Pointing and tracking are provided by Gary Meyers at RXDesign. OMI used components from his standard ServoCat system with some custom made components to interface the ServoCat drives to their friction drive system.
- Digital telescope control is provided by Wild Card Innovations Argo Navis.
- The mechanical parts of the scope are constructed from steel and aluminum. The whole thing weighs about 3000 pounds.
© 2008 Lowrey Observatory
