G'day from downunder...24" project.

ED,

What software did you use to design the scope? and how far down the scope could you move the focuser when compared to a traditional Newtonian design?

Thanks
Darragh

Welcome along to our humble Irish community Ed! I like the diary of pictures in your project. Very ambitious to say the least, but also something to admire.

Can't wait to see some proper astrophotography taken with it.

Seanie.

A mate of mine does the optics as he has more time than I have to spend on it.
The cassegrain secondary is convex which helps bring the light rays further down the telescope. The secondary is not as heavy as you might think and the spider veins are tensioned making it very rigid.

Thanks Ed.
Does this mate of yours sell the optics commercially?
What shape are the curves on the mirrors? (Parabolic/hyperbolic/spherical/other?)

Cheers,

ED,

What software did you use to design the scope? and how far down the scope could you move the focuser when compared to a traditional Newtonian design?

Thanks
Darragh

I drew it up on the CAD.
You can move the focuser down as far as you want it. It all has to do with the size and the shape of the cassegrain secondary.

Welcome along to our humble Irish community Ed! I like the diary of pictures in your project. Very ambitious to say the least, but also something to admire.

Can't wait to see some proper astrophotography taken with it.

Seanie.

Thanks Seanie, although I haven't got the equipment to do astrophotography a few mates at the Newcastle Astronomical Society are jumping at the chance!

A mate of mine does the optics as he has more time than I have to spend on it.
The cassegrain secondary is convex which helps bring the light rays further down the telescope. The secondary is not as heavy as you might think and the spider veins are tensioned making it very rigid.

Thanks Ed.
Does this mate of yours sell the optics commercially?
What shape are the curves on the mirrors? (Parabolic/hyperbolic/spherical/other?)

Cheers,

No he doesn't sell them commercially.
Primary mirror is Parabolic and the secondary has a convex shape like a cassegrain.