| 12.5" Dobsonian Telescope |
I built this scope to be my deep-sky workhorse for quick 1-2 hour observing sessions. I wanted something that could be setup in five minutes and could still easily fit in the back on my minivan. The 12.5" aperture gives good deep-sky performance, while the F5.5 focal ratio delivers excellent performace on planets without the need for a step-stool to reach the eyepiece (unless the observer is less than 6ft tall).
Although you can't tell from this photo, the scope tube splits into two pieces which are joined within the center box-section. The upper section is just over 4 feet long and easily fits in the backseat of my Dodge Caravan. The overall height of the entire scope is just under 7 feet.
The 12.5" primary was ground, polished and figured just in time to be coated and installed into the scope for the Summer Star Party (in Savoy, MA) in July of 97. The focuser is a JMI NGF-3, the secondary mirror is 2.14", and the spider/holder is from ProtoStar.
Digital setting circles - a homebuilt MG-I unit designed by David Lane, was installed to help find the obscure faint fuzzys.
More details will be added after I get some decent pictures...
