You are not going to believe this!!

[Astro_Baby]

Check this thread out:

Where can I get one of these?

Are they the same?

Dont think so - the one on that thread looks more like either a StarSplitter or an Obsession.

Thats quite a scope - main mirror weight of 500lb should make for some fun moving it about.

[Macavity]

I think, in terms of practicality, I could actually imagine something more like:

Buy 40" New Technology Telescope (Alt-Az Folded Newtonian)

I cannot honesty see the attraction in clinging to a ladder 18 feet in the air? Not that it effects me! LOL. But semi-seriously, the idea of oversized secondaries, diverting the light "somewhere" (convenient) seem intriguing. Folded optics? A Dob-Cassegrain?

[brianb]

main mirror weight of 500lb should make for some fun moving it about.

Nah, just a "grab 'n' go" (if you're King Kong).

[oceanheadted]

Its worth taking a look at Normand Fullum's website for some details on the dobs he manufactures. Not surprisingly he has a non-disclosure agreement with Orion concerning the scopes he will be making for them but there is still a lot of info on his mirrors etc.

http://www.normandfullumtelescope.com/mirror_en.html

John

His Wooden telescopes are works of art!

[matt c]

Can you imagine building the thing you'd need to house scopes this size in, there's no way I'd want to dismantle and move them around all the time. Maybe if you were wealthy and lived in the country:)

[Beulah]

/\ You'd need planning permission to have one of those scopes in the garden!

[MG1]

I like the bit about needing a forklift truck or a bunch of friends for delivery!

Yeah....I you get one I'll be your friend!

Hell.... I'll be your dog! (woof woof woof wo-wo-woof woof)

[lulu57]

Any man who feels the need to buy a Dob that size has some serious compensation issues to deal with...

[Euan]

f3.75 as well, that would be some imaging scope

The secondary is tiny compared to the main, collimating it must be a nightmare!

[LukeSkywatcher]

Does it come in Royal Blue?

[Doc]

Any man who feels the need to buy a Dob that size has some serious compensation issues to deal with...

LOL And if a woman bought it.....

[Psychobilly]

LOL And if a woman bought it.....

No dont Billy thats too rude....

[Doc]

I know what you are thinking..

[Saturnalia]

Brings a whole new meaning to the term -'light bucket'...

[lulu57]

LOL And if a woman bought it.....

...she'd drop her false eyelashes on it whilst putting on her face and would be in need of a huge lens pen to get all the smudges off afterwards.

That's what you meant, isn't it Billy?

[Psychobilly]

Or crumbs from a chocolate covered minty biscuit...

[bish]

16x the light gathering power of a 12.5"!! I was amazed looking through 12" scopes when compared to a 6". If I win the lottery I'll let you all have a look through my new 50".

[Saturnalia]

Yup - almost 2000 square inches of mirror...

[MG1]

Does it say how thick the cell is? I bet it must take half the night to cool down!

[johninderby]

Here's a couple of photos of one of the 36" mirrors in production.

John

[Saturnalia]

36"...pah a mere baby...

[brianb]

Here's a couple of photos of one of the 36" mirrors in production.

So it should cool pretty fast - especially if a fan is used to circulate air through the space inside the mirror. Cool - and practical as a way of reducing the weight!

[Beulah]

Here's a couple of photos of one of the 36" mirrors in production.

John

*swoon*

Seriously though, the glass is pretty thin - I suppose the sagitta of the mirror is pretty shallow for a fast scope....

[MG1]

I'm suprised there isn't more contact. Wouldn't the contact points contract slower than the thin glass around causing all sorts of micro wobbles?

[LukeSkywatcher]

That 36" mirror would make a great coffee table for the lounge in between observing sessions. Just have to remember to use a coaster for your cups of coffee. Nothing worse then a mirror with coffee stains on it.