Optics Websites

Discussion of optical systems and their characteristics.
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Optics Websites

#1

Post by mikemarotta »


I found this one:
https://www.telescope-optics.net/index.htm
Amateur Telescope Optics by Vladimir Sasek.

it seems all right and several or many others must be out there.
Any other leads?

(I have Harrington's Star Ware. I also downloaded William Paolini's review of the TAL eyepieces that was cited in the Eyepieces forum here on TSS. I also have a couple of books on mathematics for amateurs such as Fleisch & Kreganow (Cambridge) and James H. Fox (Astronomical League) and they go into some calculations for instruments. However, the website cited above is far more detailed.)
---------------------------------------
Michael E. Marotta
Astro-Tech 115 mm APO Refractor Explore Scientific 102 mm f/6.47 Refractor Explore Scientific 102 mm f/9.8 Refractor Bresser 8-inch Newtonian Reflector Plössls from 40 to 6 mm Nagler Series-1 7mm. nonMeade 14 mm. Mounts: Celestron AVX, Explore Twilight I Alt-Az, Explore EXOS German Equatorial
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Re: Optics Websites

#2

Post by Lady Fraktor »


Evolution of eyepieces which is available in the eyepiece forum (sticky)

Mr. Suiter book on optics is a excellent place to start: https://www.willbell.com/TM/tm5.htm

If you search online you can find a copy of Max Born and Emil Wolf; Principles Of Optics

Depending on how indepth you wish to get immediately I would star with Mr. Suiter book.
See Far Sticks: Antares Elita 103/1575, AOM FLT 105/1000, Bresser BV 127/1200, Nočný stopár 152/1200, Vyrobené doma 70/700, Stellarvue NHNG DX 80/552, TAL RS100/1000, Vixen SD115s/885
EQ: TAL MT-1, Vixen SXP, AXJ, AXD
Az/Alt: AYO Digi II/ Argo Navis, Stellarvue M2C/ Argo Navis
Tripods: Berlebach Planet (2), Uni 28 Astro, Report 372, TAL factory maple, Vixen ASG-CB90, Vixen AXD-TR102
Diagonals: Astro-Physics, Baader Amici, Baader Herschel, iStar Blue, Stellarvue DX, Takahashi prism, TAL, Vixen flip mirror
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Re: Optics Websites

#3

Post by Don Pensack »


There is this (and the pages that follow):
http://www.handprint.com/ASTRO/ae1.html

And here are a few more you might find relevant (not all may still be live links..sorry):
https://www.cloudynights.com/topic/7581 ... ry11188531
https://www.telescope-optics.net/images/ept.PNG
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Distortion_(optics)
http://web.mit.edu/hyperbook/Patrikalak ... ode23.html
https://www.astrofotoblog.eu/?p=856
https://www.cloudynights.com/topic/4063 ... a-mystery/
https://stargazerslounge.com/topic/3081 ... y-beaning/
https://www.lonelyspeck.com/wp-content/ ... ns-key.jpg
https://www.cloudynights.com/topic/4899 ... try6584578
https://www.cloudynights.com/topic/6279 ... try8784669
https://www.astromart.com/images/articl ... 9/50-1.jpg
http://www.mdpub.com/scopeworks/paper/S ... /spot1.gif
https://www.cloudynights.com/topic/1098 ... istortion/
https://www.cloudynights.com/topic/1098 ... try1446673
http://www.cloudynights.com/ubbarchive/ ... t/all/vc/1
http://www.cloudynights.com/topic/54552 ... try7390071
http://www.telescope-optics.net/tilted3.htm
http://www.damianpeach.com/simulation.htm
http://www.handprint.com/ASTRO/ae4.html#SAEP
http://www.handprint.com/ASTRO/ae4.html#coma
http://umich.edu/~lowbrows/reflections/ ... el.27.html
http://www.televue.com/pdf/Paracorr_T2_spotsizes.pdf
http://www.opticalmechanics.com/technic ... _coma.html
http://imaging.creol.ucf.edu/publicatio ... action.pdf
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/c ... s-coma.svg
http://www.holgermerlitz.de/globe/distortion.html
http://www.astromart.com/articles/artic ... icle_id=50
http://www.astronomics.com/main/product ... ct_id/ATCC
http://www.atmsite.org/contrib/Marvelde/gettingStarted/
http://www.telescope-optics.net/reflecting.htm
http://geogdata.csun.edu/~voltaire/rola ... test2.html
http://www.cloudynights.com/ubbarchive/ ... t/all/vc/1
http://www.fpi-protostar.com/bgreer/seeing.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coma_(optics)
http://www.scopecraft.com/Technical%20D ... ection.htm
http://www.cartage.org.lb/en/themes/sci ... s/Lens.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Optical_ab ... d_sense.29
http://scienceworld.wolfram.com/physics ... tions.html
http://www.astrosurf.com/luxorion/repor ... ations.htm
http://celestialwonders.com/articles/seeing/
http://aberrator.astronomy.net/html/pocket.html
http://www.telescope-optics.net/distortion.htm
http://www.handprint.com/ASTRO/ae3.html#SAEP
http://www.cloudynights.com/ubbarchive/ ... art/1/vc/1
http://www.loptics.com/articles/starsha ... shape.html
http://www.atm-workshop.com/ronchi-test.html
http://wise2.ipac.caltech.edu/docs/rele ... ion_spikes
http://books.google.com/books?id=wrtFcU ... on&f=false
http://www.cloudynights.com/ubbarchive/ ... art/5/vc/1
http://televue.com/pdf/Paracorr_T2_spotsizes.pdf
http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/s ... clnk&gl=ca
http://stargazerslounge.com/topic/15852 ... ser-guide/
http://starizona.com/acb/basics/optics/distortion.jpg
https://www.cloudynights.com/topic/3716 ... ary-vanes/
http://www.petersonengineering.com/vignetting.htm
https://web.archive.org/web/20101126214 ... sting.html
http://fidgor.narod.ru/Observers/Test/test_84.html
https://www.teleskop-spezialisten.de/sh ... 2c193e600d
https://stargazerslounge.com/topic/3226 ... s-it-work/
http://teleskop-spezialisten.blogspot.c ... skope.html
http://www.willeyoptical.com/pdfs/AO90294540.pdf
http://www.bbastrodesigns.com/JoyOfMirr ... sting.html
http://www.researchgate.net/publication ... y_criteria
http://r2.astro-foren.com/index.php/de/ ... dte-fragen
http://www.cloudynights.com/topic/11529 ... ont-error/
http://www.telescope-optics.net/eyepiec ... tion_2.htm
http://www.opticsinfobase.org/ao/abstract.cfm?id=27568
http://www.beugungsbild.de/diffraction/diffraction.html
http://www.cloudynights.com/item.php?item_id=345
http://www.cloudynights.com/ubbthreads/ ... 13fc60e337
http://www.normankoren.com/Tutorials/MTF.html
http://www.astromart.com/articles/artic ... cle_id=473
http://www.telescope-optics.net/
http://legault.perso.sfr.fr/obstruction.html
http://www.cg.tuwien.ac.at/research/the ... 0000000000
http://www.cg.tuwien.ac.at/research/the ... 0000000000
http://www.cg.tuwien.ac.at/research/the ... 0000000000
http://www.cg.tuwien.ac.at/research/the ... 0000000000
http://www.cityastronomy.com/rez-mag-contrast.htm
http://www.cis.rit.edu/people/faculty/m ... ch3p1.html
http://www.ifa.hawaii.edu/haleakalanew/dnsm.shtml
http://zambutomirrors.com/zambutoopticalca.html
http://www.cloudynights.com/ubbarchive/ ... in/1989794
http://www.cloudynights.com/item.php?item_id=1215
http://www.brayebrookobservatory.org/Br ... f%20IT.pdf
http://geogdata.csun.edu/~voltaire/roland/index.html
http://stellafane.org/misc/links.html#Quality
http://www.hoflink.com/~mkozma/obstruction.html
http://blog.astrofotky.cz/pavelpech/fil ... tretch.jpg
http://www.cloudynights.com/topic/31516 ... try4034252
http://www.cloudynights.com/topic/34663 ... try4448406
http://www.cloudynights.com/topic/46111 ... -eyepiece/
http://www.handprint.com/ASTRO/ae4.html
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Re: Optics Websites

#4

Post by SkyHiker »


Some moderator make this a sticky please.
... Henk. :D Telescopes: GSO 12" Astrograph, "Comet Hunter" MN152, ES ED127CF, ES ED80, WO Redcat51, Z12, AT6RC, Celestron Skymaster 20x80, Mounts and tripod: Losmandy G11S with OnStep, AVX, Tiltall, Cameras: ASI2600MC, ASI2600MM, ASI120 mini, Fuji X-a1, Canon XSi, T6, ELPH 100HS, DIY: OnStep controller, Pi4b/power rig, Afocal adapter, Foldable Dob base, Az/Alt Dob setting circles, Accessories: ZWO 36 mm filter wheel, TV Paracorr 2, Baader MPCC Mk III, ES FF, SSAG, QHY OAG-M, EAF electronic focuser, Plossls, Barlows, Telrad, Laser collimators (Seben LK1, Z12, Howie Glatter), Cheshire, 2 Orion RACIs 8x50, Software: KStars-Ekos, DSS, PHD2, Nebulosity, Photo Gallery, Gimp, CHDK, Computers:Pi4b, 2x running KStars/Ekos, Toshiba Satellite 17", Website:Henk's astro images
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Re: Optics Websites

#5

Post by Don Pensack »


Astronomer since 1963
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Re: Optics Websites

#6

Post by Gordon »


SkyHiker wrote: Sat Jul 03, 2021 8:32 pm Some moderator make this a sticky please.
Done….
Gordon
Scopes: Explore Scientific ED80CF, Skywatcher 200 Quattro Imaging Newt, SeeStar S50 for EAA.
Mounts: Orion Atlas EQ-g mount & Skywatcher EQ5 Pro.
ZWO mini guider.
Image cameras: ZWO ASI1600 MM Cool, ZWO ASI533mc-Pro, ZWO ASI174mm-C (for use with my Quark chromosphere), ZWO ASI120MC
Filters: LRGB, Ha 7nm, O-III 7nm, S-II 7nm
Eyepieces: a few.
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Re: Optics Websites

#7

Post by Lady Fraktor »


You could not sleep Don??
Thank you for all of the links, they should be some interesting reading.
See Far Sticks: Antares Elita 103/1575, AOM FLT 105/1000, Bresser BV 127/1200, Nočný stopár 152/1200, Vyrobené doma 70/700, Stellarvue NHNG DX 80/552, TAL RS100/1000, Vixen SD115s/885
EQ: TAL MT-1, Vixen SXP, AXJ, AXD
Az/Alt: AYO Digi II/ Argo Navis, Stellarvue M2C/ Argo Navis
Tripods: Berlebach Planet (2), Uni 28 Astro, Report 372, TAL factory maple, Vixen ASG-CB90, Vixen AXD-TR102
Diagonals: Astro-Physics, Baader Amici, Baader Herschel, iStar Blue, Stellarvue DX, Takahashi prism, TAL, Vixen flip mirror
Eyepieces: Antares to Zeiss
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Re: Optics Websites

#8

Post by j.gardavsky »


One of the best tutorials on optics and optics design in a nut shell the traditional way comes from the University of Arizona, The Wyant College Of Optical Sciences,
https://wp.optics.arizona.edu/jgreivenk ... -hdbk-141/
These lectures, next to the ray tracing, cover also the classic wave theory of light, and its applications to the optics design.

The modern Fourier optics analysis and design methods are best covered by the Universities of Erlangen (close to my location), and of Jena.
A very good starter are the Herbert Gross lectures at the IAP Jena
https://www.iap.uni-jena.de/Institute/T ... chive.html
Most of the young optics designers are today recruited by ZEISS and Leica from the universities in Erlangen and Jena,
and here is one of the publications lists from the university research: https://www.iap.uni-jena.de/Institute/P ... p-110.html

The Herbert Gross books on the optical systems are here, https://www.iap.uni-jena.de/Optical+Sys ... Books.html
These are the reference books for the modern optics design.

Best,
JG
6" F/5 Sky-Watcher achro, 2" BBHS Star Diagonal, 2" zenith prism, 1.25" Takahashi prism
Leica 82mm APO Televid
Eyepieces: Docter UWA; Leica B WW and WW Asph. Zoom; Leica HC Plan S and L, monocentric; Pentax SMC XW, O-, XO; Tak MC O, Carl Zeiss B WW, and Pl, E-Pl, S-Pl, W-Pl;
Swarovski SW; Baader Symmetric Diascope Edition; Nikon NAV SW, ; TMB supermonocentric; Rodenstock; Vixen HR; TV Delos
Filters: Astrodon, Astronomik, Baader, Balzers, Zeiss West and East, Lumicon
Binoculars (7x42 up to 15x85): Docter Nobilem, Leica Ultravid, Nikon Astroluxe, Swarovski EL Swarovision; BA8 (Kunming Optical)
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Re: Optics Websites

#9

Post by Don Pensack »


And here is another batch.
Same caveat that not every link may still be live.
This batch deals with eyepiece optics:

http://rick_oleson.tripod.com/index-166.html
http://www.edmundoptics.com/technical-r ... -coatings/
http://www.canon.com/technology/s_labo/ ... 03/03.html
http://www.hhv.in/products/broadband-an ... n-coatings
https://www.televue.com/engine/TV3b_pag ... Tab=_chron
https://www.baader-planetarium.com/de/d ... l_data.pdf
https://www.dropbox.com/s/tkk44ufa7zj2q ... d.pdf?dl=0
https://faculty.virginia.edu/ASTR3130/l ... _ECalc.gif
https://www.handprint.com/ASTRO/IMG/epdesign.gif
https://stargazerslounge.com/topic/3652 ... nt-3977656
https://stargazerslounge.com/topic/3652 ... /#comments
http://www.edmundoptics.com/technical-r ... lackening/
http://www.quadibloc.com/science/opt04.htm
https://www.cloudynights.com/images/Pen ... cb3b56.png
http://nimax-img.de/Produktbilder/zoom/ ... -75-mm.jpg
http://stargazerslounge.com/uploads/mon ... 903526.gif
http://www.quadibloc.com/science/images/eyevar34.gif
http://www.telescope-optics.net/images/eps2.PNG
http://spie.org/Images/Graphics/Publica ... 8.6Big.JPG
http://www.astrosurf.com/re/eyepiece_diagram_window.jpg
https://www.cloudynights.com/uploads/mo ... 543712.jpg
https://patents.google.com/patent/US428 ... =US4286844
http://www.brayebrookobservatory.org/Br ... re%206.jpg
https://www.telescope-optics.net/eyepiece_raytrace.htm
https://www.cloudynights.com/topic/6570 ... try9291398
https://www.google.com/search?q=cross+s ... XxwJ7wMdKM:
https://www.google.com/search?q=cross+s ... Cz-RLBDN_M:
https://www.google.com/search?client=op ... 2lsCKQJUSM:
http://www.brayebrookobservatory.org/Br ... PIECES.pdf
https://www.google.com/search?client=op ... Ry181suc_M:
https://www.google.com/search?client=op ... Ry181suc_M:
https://www.google.com/search?client=op ... uvjsvmTNSM:
https://www.cloudynights.com/topic/7711 ... p=11100678
http://www.translatetheweb.com/?ref=SER ... 3Ft%3D1445
http://www.cieletespace.fr/instruments
http://astro-talks.ru/forum/viewtopic.p ... 483#p41976
http://astro-talks.ru/forum/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=1897
http://www.astrosurf.com/laurent/tectest.pdf
http://astro-talks.ru/forum/viewtopic.php?f=32&t=1483
https://web.archive.org/web/20110622011 ... laires.pdf
https://web.archive.org/web/20130829052 ... s_10mm.pdf
http://www.cloudynights.com/ubbthreads/ ... 20mine.pdf
http://www.cloudynights.com/ubbthreads/ ... ission.txt
http://www.cloudynights.com/analysis/ey ... img13.html
http://www.amateurastronomie.com/Astron ... /tips3.htm
http://www.cloudynights.com/analysis/ey ... img14.html
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Re: Optics Websites

#10

Post by Don Pensack »


And, finally, the eye--the natural optical system:

https://skyandtelescope.org/wp-content/ ... tacles.pdf
http://www.brayebrookobservatory.org/Br ... _AFOV.html
https://www.skyandtelescope.com/wp-cont ... tacles.pdf
http://www.mvr.mcgill.ca/Kathy/PDF-85-9 ... i-1990.pdf
http://www.skyandtelescope.com/wp-conte ... tacles.pdf
http://vsri.ucdavis.edu/research/psychophysics
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corneal_topography
https://www.researchgate.net/figure/The ... _275891163
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/ar ... 8911003105
http://lasikcomplications.com/images/pu ... r2011).jpg
http://math.ucr.edu/home/baez/physics/Q ... hoton.html
https://www.ecse.rpi.edu/~schubert/Ligh ... hapter.pdf
http://simonwinder.com/projects/simulat ... human-eye/
http://www.aoa.org/x5352.xml
http://www.pixiq.com/article/eyes-vs-cameras
http://vision.arc.nasa.gov/personnel/al ... ion/17.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naked_eye
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:AcuityHumanEye.svg
http://webvision.med.utah.edu/book/part ... y/#factor2
http://www.opticampus.com/files/progres ... byopia.pdf
http://lugt.home.xs4all.nl/tnp/starting ... s_work.htm
http://www.rochester.edu/news/show.php?id=2299
http://duchekconsult.com/pupil_gauge.htm
http://psy.swan.ac.uk/staff/carter/unix ... lgauge.htm
http://www.reinervogel.net/index.html?/ ... on1_e.html
http://homepages.uni-tuebingen.de/marti ... p_age.html
http://books.google.com/books?id=FTUqAA ... my&f=false
http://www.redalyc.org/pdf/570/57062813.pdf
http://www.darksky.org/assets/documents/is136.pdf
http://vision-lab.tp.chiba-u.jp/~yaguch ... vision.pdf
http://homepage.psy.utexas.edu/HomePage ... Color3.pdf
http://arxiv.org/pdf/1405.4209.pdf
http://www.sff.net/people/j.oltion/Cata ... nomers.htm
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Re: Optics Websites

#11

Post by mikemarotta »


Lady Fraktor wrote: Fri Jul 02, 2021 6:16 pm Evolution of eyepieces which is available in the eyepiece forum (sticky)
Yes, Milady, I did download "The Evolution of Eyepieces" some time back in December 2020 and then again last month. I have it in several /folders on my computer: History, Instruments, etc. I should have mentioned that. It is a valuable essay, easy to read. At 61 pages, it is a bit involved, but I have referred to it as a reference for geometries.
Lady Fraktor wrote: Fri Jul 02, 2021 6:16 pm Mr. Suiter book on optics is a excellent place to start: https://www.willbell.com/TM/tm5.htm
But it is a Willmann-Bell book and they are out of business.
wiilmann-bell closed.jpg
However, I found the book for sale in the aftermarkets. I prefer Abe Books to Amazon and certainly either of those over eBay, but in any case, the book can be found. Oddly enough, I searched the University of Texas Libraries - I will have a library card once more when the campus open up after Covid is declared to have passed - and the only copies are at the McDonald Observatory (by appointment only). For those in Europe, the distance from Austin to Fort Davis is the same as Paris to Prague.
suiter star testing.jpg
However... I tried the city library (without much hope) and Lo! they have it! So, I placed a hold request for myself. Personally, this will be a one-time check-out. (Maximum is three renewals and I have done that often, but probably not this time.) Anyway, thanks for the recommendation!
Lady Fraktor wrote: Fri Jul 02, 2021 6:16 pm If you search online you can find a copy of Max Born and Emil Wolf; Principles Of Optics
Depending on how indepth you wish to get immediately I would star with Mr. Suiter book.
Thanks, once more, the Max Born book will be very far from helping me select eyepieces. However, I note that it is still in print with a new 60th Annivesary Edition just released (Febraury 2020). It must be selling like hotcakes.
born wolf cambridge.jpg
---------------------------------------
Michael E. Marotta
Astro-Tech 115 mm APO Refractor Explore Scientific 102 mm f/6.47 Refractor Explore Scientific 102 mm f/9.8 Refractor Bresser 8-inch Newtonian Reflector Plössls from 40 to 6 mm Nagler Series-1 7mm. nonMeade 14 mm. Mounts: Celestron AVX, Explore Twilight I Alt-Az, Explore EXOS German Equatorial
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Re: Optics Websites

#12

Post by mikemarotta »


Don Pensack wrote: Sat Jul 03, 2021 8:01 pm There is this (and the pages that follow):
http://www.handprint.com/ASTRO/ae1.html
[etc x 50]
then again... and again...
Wow! I am amazed because your posts say that either you spent an hour three times online searching for titles (unlikely) or else (more likely) you have this all at your fingertips in /files in a /folder on your computer. You are quite a collector!

One note, if you will permit me: All of your links are http and none is https. So, these are old listings and not secure-socket. Anyone who wants to follow these should edit the URLs to https and see what still works.

(I am still astounded.)

Best Regards,
Mike M.
---------------------------------------
Michael E. Marotta
Astro-Tech 115 mm APO Refractor Explore Scientific 102 mm f/6.47 Refractor Explore Scientific 102 mm f/9.8 Refractor Bresser 8-inch Newtonian Reflector Plössls from 40 to 6 mm Nagler Series-1 7mm. nonMeade 14 mm. Mounts: Celestron AVX, Explore Twilight I Alt-Az, Explore EXOS German Equatorial
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Re: Optics Websites

#13

Post by Don Pensack »


Michael,
I have over 4000 bookmarked pages and sites in over 80 folders related to astronomy.
I am often called to provide information for a particular purpose (like limiting magnitude), and it's easier to save the links than to find them again.
However, I don't continually check them, so I apologize for any dead links.
Astronomer since 1963
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Re: Optics Websites

#14

Post by SkyHiker »


mikemarotta wrote: Sun Jul 04, 2021 4:32 pm
Don Pensack wrote: Sat Jul 03, 2021 8:01 pm There is this (and the pages that follow):
http://www.handprint.com/ASTRO/ae1.html
[etc x 50]
then again... and again...
Wow! I am amazed because your posts say that either you spent an hour three times online searching for titles (unlikely) or else (more likely) you have this all at your fingertips in /files in a /folder on your computer. You are quite a collector!
... and also a contributor. I have forwarded a link to his treatise on collimation https://www.catseyecollimation.com/pensack.pdf at the astronomy forum several times, and here too. Very useful how your Newt's optical axis might not be pointing where you thought it should especially when doing astrophotography. Thanks Don for that article.
... Henk. :D Telescopes: GSO 12" Astrograph, "Comet Hunter" MN152, ES ED127CF, ES ED80, WO Redcat51, Z12, AT6RC, Celestron Skymaster 20x80, Mounts and tripod: Losmandy G11S with OnStep, AVX, Tiltall, Cameras: ASI2600MC, ASI2600MM, ASI120 mini, Fuji X-a1, Canon XSi, T6, ELPH 100HS, DIY: OnStep controller, Pi4b/power rig, Afocal adapter, Foldable Dob base, Az/Alt Dob setting circles, Accessories: ZWO 36 mm filter wheel, TV Paracorr 2, Baader MPCC Mk III, ES FF, SSAG, QHY OAG-M, EAF electronic focuser, Plossls, Barlows, Telrad, Laser collimators (Seben LK1, Z12, Howie Glatter), Cheshire, 2 Orion RACIs 8x50, Software: KStars-Ekos, DSS, PHD2, Nebulosity, Photo Gallery, Gimp, CHDK, Computers:Pi4b, 2x running KStars/Ekos, Toshiba Satellite 17", Website:Henk's astro images
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Re: Optics Websites

#15

Post by Lady Fraktor »


mikemarotta wrote: Sun Jul 04, 2021 4:24 pm the Max Born book will be very far from helping me select eyepieces.
The book explains optics and okulars are optics.

Besides you did not ask for information about okulars, just optics.
Enjoy Mr. Suiter book when you get to read it. :)
See Far Sticks: Antares Elita 103/1575, AOM FLT 105/1000, Bresser BV 127/1200, Nočný stopár 152/1200, Vyrobené doma 70/700, Stellarvue NHNG DX 80/552, TAL RS100/1000, Vixen SD115s/885
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Re: Optics Websites

#16

Post by mikemarotta »


SkyHiker wrote: Sun Jul 04, 2021 5:07 pm
mikemarotta wrote: Sun Jul 04, 2021 4:32 pm
Don Pensack wrote: Sat Jul 03, 2021 8:01 pm There is this (and the pages that follow):
http://www.handprint.com/ASTRO/ae1.html
[etc x 50]
then again... and again...
Wow! I am amazed because your posts say that either you spent an hour three times online searching for titles (unlikely) or else (more likely) you have this all at your fingertips in /files in a /folder on your computer. You are quite a collector!
... and also a contributor. I have forwarded a link to his treatise on collimation https://www.catseyecollimation.com/pensack.pdf at the astronomy forum several times, and here too. Very useful how your Newt's optical axis might not be pointing where you thought it should especially when doing astrophotography. Thanks Don for that article.
Thanks for pointing that out. I downloaded the article to the relevant /folders.

This saved me $200. I joined Astronomers Without Borders and I have been considering their OneSky reflector. (See the User Manual here: http://archive.astronomerswithoutborder ... Manual.pdf Note that the current version of the telescope comes with a Celestron collimation eyepiece.) The 5.3-inch (135mm) mirror is marketed as f/5 (actually f/4.8). In any event, it clearly requires more fussing with expensive equipment than I care to invest. I would rather read a book and leave the instrumentation to the machinists at the observatory. That's what we pay them for.

My refractors are fine. And Explore Scientific promises to collimate theirs free of charge if you pay the shipping both ways. Even at my low wages, the time invested is better spent working at my paying craft than being a self-taught apprentice in opto-mechanical systems. So the shipping charges are cost-effective against the required collimation tools and learning time.

I know that Lady Fraktor insists that she can collimate her reflector with a 35mm film can with a hole punched in the bottom. That was my first attempt six years ago when I first owned a Celestron EQ 135 reflector. I donated that instrument to the Goodwill earlier this year after another session of headaches with a Celeston collimation lens.

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---------------------------------------
Michael E. Marotta
Astro-Tech 115 mm APO Refractor Explore Scientific 102 mm f/6.47 Refractor Explore Scientific 102 mm f/9.8 Refractor Bresser 8-inch Newtonian Reflector Plössls from 40 to 6 mm Nagler Series-1 7mm. nonMeade 14 mm. Mounts: Celestron AVX, Explore Twilight I Alt-Az, Explore EXOS German Equatorial
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Re: Optics Websites

#17

Post by j.gardavsky »


I am here in a wrong movie with the optics lectures from Arizona and Jena, ha, ha, ha.

Sorry,
JG

PS: Thank you Gabby for reminding the Born and Wolf's Principles Of Optics!

I have the 7th edition of that book, which Emil Wolf has signed for me during the SPIE-Society (Orlando, Fl) at the Erlangen University, in 2001, held on the 75th birthday of Professor Lohmann.
Wow, It's been already 20 years ago.
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Re: Optics Websites

#18

Post by mikemarotta »


Lady Fraktor wrote: Sun Jul 04, 2021 5:27 pm Enjoy Mr. Suiter book when you get to read it. :)
Star Testing Astronomical Telescopes: A Manual for Evaluation and Adjustment by Harold Richard Suiter (Willmann-Bell, 1994, et seq., 2008) has one paragraph on page 26 about the historical development of refractors as that relates to spherical aberration.

The book is actually a very detailed examination of theory and practice for reflectors, primarily Newtonians, but other configurations, also. The book is all about the mirror. By running the focus up and down and evaluating the images produced, you can make sure that your reflector is properly aiigned and collimated. You can also diagnose misalignments. The recommended solutions can be surprisingly simple. In the Foreword, telescope optics guru Richard Berry tells of a final adjustment achieved by just shaking the telescope and letting the mirror settle into place.

To achieve the best presentation of images, the book was printed on clay paper, which was faily expensive for 364 pages, but well worth the investment for those who can benefit from the accuracy and precision.
---------------------------------------
Michael E. Marotta
Astro-Tech 115 mm APO Refractor Explore Scientific 102 mm f/6.47 Refractor Explore Scientific 102 mm f/9.8 Refractor Bresser 8-inch Newtonian Reflector Plössls from 40 to 6 mm Nagler Series-1 7mm. nonMeade 14 mm. Mounts: Celestron AVX, Explore Twilight I Alt-Az, Explore EXOS German Equatorial
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Re: Optics Websites

#19

Post by Don Pensack »


mikemarotta wrote: Sun Jul 11, 2021 12:56 am
Lady Fraktor wrote: Sun Jul 04, 2021 5:27 pm Enjoy Mr. Suiter book when you get to read it. :)
Star Testing Astronomical Telescopes: A Manual for Evaluation and Adjustment by Harold Richard Suiter (Willmann-Bell, 1994, et seq., 2008) has one paragraph on page 26 about the historical development of refractors as that relates to spherical aberration.

The book is actually a very detailed examination of theory and practice for reflectors, primarily Newtonians, but other configurations, also. The book is all about the mirror. By running the focus up and down and evaluating the images produced, you can make sure that your reflector is properly aiigned and collimated. You can also diagnose misalignments. The recommended solutions can be surprisingly simple. In the Foreword, telescope optics guru Richard Berry tells of a final adjustment achieved by just shaking the telescope and letting the mirror settle into place.

To achieve the best presentation of images, the book was printed on clay paper, which was fairly expensive for 364 pages, but well worth the investment for those who can benefit from the accuracy and precision.

Alas, like all Willmann-Bell publications, it is now out of print with the closing of Willmann-Bell. So many books on optics are now history.
And the used market has been thoroughly scoured for the available titles by now, 9 months later.
We are all hoping someone else buys his company and keeps the books in print, but, as time passes, this is looking less and less likely.
Astronomer since 1963
Currently using a 12.5" dob and a 4" apo refractor
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