An innovative alt-alt telescope for small observatories and amateur astronomers

M. Riva; S. Basso; R. Canestrari; P. Conconi; D. Fugazza; M. Ghigo; M. Landoni; G. Pareschi; P. Spanó; R. Tomelleri; F. M. Zerbi

doi:10.1117/12.924977

17 September 2012 An innovative alt-alt telescope for small observatories and amateur astronomers

M. Riva, S. Basso, R. Canestrari, P. Conconi, D. Fugazza, M. Ghigo, M. Landoni, G. Pareschi, P. Spanó, R. Tomelleri, F. M. Zerbi

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 8444, Ground-based and Airborne Telescopes IV; 844442 (2012) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.924977
Event: SPIE Astronomical Telescopes + Instrumentation, 2012, Amsterdam, Netherlands

Abstract

This paper want to show an innovative amateur oriented telescope with an unconventional alt-alt conguration. The goal is to make a telescope with good optical quality reducing production costs by adopting a gimbal based mounting to develop an alt-alt conguration suitable for a telescope. Reduce costs while preserving the optical quality is a necessary condition to allow small groups of amateur astronomers, schools and cultural clubs, with reduced economic resources, to acquire an astronomical instrument that encourages learning and advancing astrophysical knowledge. This unconventional mechanism for the realization of a telescope alt-alt provides signicant advantages. The traditional rotary motors coupled with expensive precision bearings are replaced with two simple linear actuators coupled to a properly preloaded gimbal joint and the cell becomes the primary structure of the telescope. A second advantage would be secured by mechanical simplicity evident in the easy portability of the instrument. The frame alt-alt has some limitations on the horizon pointing but does not show the zenith blind spot of the alt-az mount. A dedicated alt-alt pointing and tracking model is under development to be compatible with commercial telescope softwares and with the proposed new mounting.

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M. Riva, S. Basso, R. Canestrari, P. Conconi, D. Fugazza, M. Ghigo, M. Landoni, G. Pareschi, P. Spanó, R. Tomelleri, and F. M. Zerbi "An innovative alt-alt telescope for small observatories and amateur astronomers", Proc. SPIE 8444, Ground-based and Airborne Telescopes IV, 844442 (17 September 2012); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.924977

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