[CMAS] 16" mirror near complete, Foss Hill

[Max Arnold]

Very cool Colin, I wish that I was there. If I was maybe you could design a
scope mount for my wheelchair. Mt hood has a good solid covering of snow.




On Mon, Apr 7, 2025, 5:54 PM Colin Caissie <cscmachinedesign at gmail.com>
wrote:

> Recent test report here. I don't 100% trust the readout, but it's
> good enough to put a coat of silver on it and load it in the scope for star
> testing.  It went from about one wave error to 1/4 wave when I silvered it
> and tried it out at the Maine State Star Party in 2023.  Wasn't perfect but
> boy did it pull in the light with the fresh coatings.....Silver is about
> 97% reflective, and with the secondary also silvered, it was like an 18"
> scope.  Now, it's smooth and should be fun to use.
>
> So, this mirror needs to go into a more portable 16"f/4.5 scope for
> outreach, my PreCambrian truck may not be in service, and the original
> MEADE Starfinder 16 dob OTA and mount is just too heavy and is
> failing.....There are designs for compact portable dobs, and the idea of a
> tracking equatorial base is exciting.  We have all the materials for all of
> this. The titanium truss tubes I suggest came from the spare seawater
> condenser from Maine Yankee Plant 20 years ago.
>
> We checked out the fit of the new motor mount for the Foss Hill roll-off
> roof drive and need to drill a few more holes.  Josh and I gave it the OK.
> Then it snowed on us. WE have had large star parties in the old days,
> especially when we offered food and beverages, so maybe a GALA OPENING with
> barbecue (STARBECUE) could be a big kick for CMAS membership and
> involvement.
> The building and site is impressive and could draw a huge crowd.  Josh
> mentioned camping...Wow. Organizing is not my forte...I'm just a member...
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>
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