Re: Observing on the move


"Zinc Potterman" <zincnews@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx (delete 123's to reply)> wrote
in message news:dk7mqj$t78$1@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

> Are the 8" Schmidt Cassegrains portable?

On a CG-5, they can be, very. Depending on your means of transport. The OTA,
mount, and tripod can be packed up separately, or you might get away with
leaving the mount on the tripod, if you have enough room in the backseat, or
the luggage compartment.

> How long does it take to set up?

Measured in minutes.

However, you can't leave that big piece of glass (the corrector) exposed to
the air for long, before it radiates away all its heat, and starts to
collect dew. You'll need a dew shield at minimum, and quite possibly a
heater system.

Secondly, if you transport the OTA inside the vehicle where it is heated,
after setup it will take some time for cooling of the primary, to quell
internal turbulents.

I know little of photometry, but if stars and portability were primary
concerns, then I'd be thinking 4" F9 ED doublet ($$), or 4" F6 apo triplet
($$$$) refractor. These have comparatively zero cooldown time, and are
pretty much dew proof for hours and hours.


.

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