Homebuilt 6" F15 Refractor and Mount

Step 17: How does it perform?

This refractor is an achromat which normally would not be suitable for photography. Due to it's large focal ratio (f15) and long focal length(2276mm) this scope is a superb planetary performer.  This is a photo of Saturn taken with a Celestron Neximager, a webcam-based imaging camera. This photo is a stack of 1000 frames in Registax. There is a white blob which is a storm imaged on the surface of Saturn from 3 blocks outside of Chicago! 

Comments

[jmacdonald6]

Very nice work indeed bro. Congratulations. But I found those instructions are so imprecise to the inexperienced (myself) that I could as easily end up with a vertical lawn mower or letter opener for giraffes. Not only that, this project could be impossible in many other countries: one bemoans e.g. in the UK the lack of DIY venues -- of junkyards, 'local machine shop guy', spare materials, shops, suppliers, space, of ANY PERSON within 1000 miles 'discarding' any hardwood in size and number bigger than a single chopstick. Thus MY assessment: life is tough in the US now but appreciate that you don't need to crop your own talents as in Europe. Keep on building and posting!

[Astrochef]

Our streets are paved with gold, don'tcha know....

I set out with this project to prove that you didn't need a full-on engineering degree to make an accurate large mount. Frankly, Imprecise is my middle name, I measured very little during this project. It was more important for the parts to be square with each other rather than specific sizes.

Everyone's access to materials is different all over the world. One of the largest homebuilt refractor's (a dialyte)is in the UK with an objective of 32" or so. During the first year I was gathering parts, no dumpster was safe! I remember measuring pipe in my restaurant's basement for a pier I was thinking about mounting the scope on!

[pcgate]

just plain ole wow. good job.

[raul38]

Thanks for share your excellent works

[mr.frob]

seriously, great job!

[bahi]

superb!

[bclamore]

This is all way-cool. Please consider volunteering a little time at your local school. Middle or high school kids would love this. If school has budget maybe they can get some of those Galileoscopes for the kids to make. Or just get a couple convex lenses and stick them on a meter stick with clay or lens holder. You could show them some pics of deep space objects, if you have them. Maybe show them one of your other scopes?

[valveman]

A beautiful and professional Job. congrats!