Deep Violet - an 18" f/4.5 Truss-Tube Dobsonian Telescope
Deep Violet setup outside of Benson, Arizona with the Dragoon Mountains in the background In April 2001 I realized a dream that had been many years in the dreaming and a year in the making, a large aperture dobsonian. The decision process that eventually settled on the 18" f/4.5 design was a long one. As a very active amateur I had had many opportunities to examine other scopes. To see where they excelled or where they fell short. With this experience I eventually decided on a list of requirements.
Over a decade of engineering experience has taught me that a well defined set of specifications can make all the difference at the end of a project. With these design goals in mind the plan then progressed rapidly. |