Light grasp(compared to eye with 7mm pupil size): 2,580x
Optical design: Schmidt-Cassegrain catadioptic; diffraction limited
Focal Ratio: f/11
Focal length: 154 inches (3,910mm)
Highest useful magnification: 840x
Lowest useful magnification: 50x
Photographic resolution: 182 lines/mm (theoretical at 4100 angstroms)
Closest focus: 100 feet (30.5 meters)
Resolution (Dawes limit): 0.3 arc seconds (diffraction limit)
Stellar magnitude limit: (visual; approx.) 15
Image scale: 0.37 degrees/inch (=0.014 degrees/mm)
Photographic field of view: 0.35 x 0.51 degrees on 35mm slide film
Primary mirror:
figure: spherical
diameter: 14.25 inches (361.9mm)
f/ratio: f/2.14
radius of curvature: 60 inches
(1,524mm)
Secondary mirror:
figure: spherical (final hand figuring
yields a slightly aspheric figure)
diameter: 3.50 inches (88.9mm)
radius of curvature: 17.6 inches
(325.1mm)
amplification ratio: 5.14
Central obstruction: 4.5 inches (10% by area or
32% by diameter)
Corrector plate: true aspheric Schmidt curve on exterior; plane interior
Thickness of corrector: 1/4 inch
Back focus: 14 inches approx. maximum (from apex of primary)
Mirror coatings: enhanced aluminum; with silicon monoxide (SIO) protective
overcoat
Corrector plate coatings: anti-reflection magnesium fluoride (MgF2); 1/4 wave
thickness optimized for 540NM.
Optical tube assembly dimensions (max.):
width: 16 inches (40.6cm)
length: 30 inches (76cm)
weight: 50 lbs. (23 kg)
The New Observatory Setup
This Spring I plan on constructing a new roll-off roof observatory on my property in Manchester, MI. The plan is to use this new instrument to track minor planets. When everything is completed, the entire observatory will be remotely controlled via the Internet or remote observing room.