[SJAAboard] Thoughts on requirements for scopes larger than 10"

[Rob Hawley (SJAA)]

> To Mark

Keep in mind that there is no scope 28.  The tube is discarded and the
mirror is not usable.  We also have a contract with Albert that he has
fulfilled.

I disagree with your position on Albert's scope. I do not regard this as a
boutique item as you do. Everyone I have talked to who is building a > 10"
scope today is using either the Albert Mark IV or Mark VI design.  

While Orion still sells a tubed 12", I would recommend against buying it. It
is simply too unwieldy.  If someone wanted a commercial 12" I would send
them to Sam to buy the LightBridge or to a LightBox or other truss scope.
If they could not afford a commercial scope and were unwilling to build a
scope I would advise them to stick to a 10".

Despite my own preferences, I am not opposed to a tubed 12" being in the
program.  My problem with 27 and 28 was they were both poorly built with bad
mirrors. The program has other unusual homebuilt tubes such as #14, but they
have reasonable optics and are in good condition.

> To Craig

I am flexible on the 18".  It is too large for me to transport in my car.
Its size increases the storage risk for the club.  I believe the 17" makes
the same point on what it is like to use a big scope but does not present
the same operational risks for the club.

The mirror was being cleaned, but my first attempt at reapplying the center
dot failed.  I will bring the mirror Saturday and will extend the loan to
you at your request.  At some point we might test it, but since I am not
going to be able to rebuild it this year there is no rush.

>> Are we running a "try before you buy" program?  If so, maybe we
>> should get a cut.

My reaction is similar to Mark's.  

We are also not running a museum of what people used 20 years ago.  All of
the scopes need to be in good condition with at least commercial quality
optics. They must not have any defects that prevent their target members
from using them. I am happy to keep older scopes (like the Zeider, the
Orions, and a more limited set of the 8" SCTs) that are in working condition
with good optics.  However, commercial grade optics are much better today
then they were in the past.  That raises the bar above at least three of the
pre 2007 scopes (27, 28, and the 14").  All of these are now gone.


Rob Hawley