SAO JAEGERS 6 INCH F/10 "GELINDA J. DAWSON" REFRACTOR OTA BUILD OVERVIEW

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The Ray Trace design diagram for the Jaeger 6" f/10 GJD Refractor (Click to go to page) The crown element for the Jaegers 6" f/10 GJD Refractor (Click to go to page) The crown element for the Jaegers 6" f/10 GJD Refractor (Other side - Click to go to page) The flint element for the Jaegers 6" f/10 GJD Refractor - Side 1 - (Click to go to page) The flint element for the Jaegers 6" f/10 GJD Refractor - Side 2 - Click to go to page) The crown and flint elements for the Jaegers 6" f/10 GJD Refractor (Click to go to page)
The coated crown element for the Jaegers 6" f/10 GJD Refractor (Click to go to page) The coated flint element for the Jaegers 6" f/10 GJD Refractor (Click to go to page) Unpainted Lens Cell components fabricated by Eric Moerman for the Jaegers 6" f/10 GJD Refractor. (Click to go to page) Unpainted Lens Cell components fabricated by Eric Moerman for the Jaegers 6" f/10 GJD Refractor. (Other side - Click to go to page) GSO 2" Crayford Focuser for the Jaeger 6" f/10 GJD Refractor.(Front - Click to go to page). GSO 2" Crayford Focuser for the Jaeger 6" f/10 GJD Refractor.(Rear - Click to go to page).
Main tube options. But the one on the right was the best choice. (Click to go to page) Main tube ready to be cut to proper size - 2. (Click to go to page) Main tube being cut to proper size - 3. (Click to go to page) Main tube being cut to proper size - 4. (Click to go to page) Main tube being cut to proper size - 5. (Click to go to page) Main tube being cut to proper size - 6. (Click to go to page)
Main tube being cut to proper size - 7. (Click to go to page) Main tube being cut to proper size - 8. (Click to go to page) Main tube being cut to proper size - 9. (Click to go to page) Main tube cut to proper size - 10. (Click to go to page) Main tube cut to proper size - 11. (Click to go to page) Main tube cut to proper size - 12. (Click to go to page)
Dew Shield ready to be cut to proper size - 1. (Click to go to page) Dew Shield being cut to proper size - 2. (Click to go to page) Dew Shield being cut to proper size - 3. (Click to go to page) Dew Shield being cut to proper size - 4. (Click to go to page) Dew Shield being cut to proper size - 5. (Click to go to page) Dew Shield being cut to proper size - 6. (Click to go to page)
                                                       

The construction overview for the VSC/ SAO Jaegers 6” f/10 “Gelinda J. Dawson refractor telescope has been my most ambitious ATM project to date. And to be posting the project on the 45th anniversary (08/16/2015) of the Vega Sky Center gives me great pleasure and hope that the VSC will continue to perpetuate and give back to the astronomical community with this, as well as all of the other projects we have done and will do in the future. Each of the ten (10) pages covering this overview consists of thirty (30) images showing the progress of the telescope build. This is the first. By clicking on each of the thumbnails on each page, they will open a page that will provide notes of that particular image. The pages were also designed so that you can progress through the build in chronological order. This way you can get a better understanding of how the instrument was built.

It is my greatest desire that the contents of this telescope build will help inspire others to take on similar projects. Doing projects like this can only foster a great deal and sense of personal satisfaction and accomplishment.

The adventure began with the acquisition of the Jaegers 6" f/10 Fraunhofer type objective from Surplus Shed, who purchased the remaining inventory from the son of the late great A. Jaegers, Sr. To support the optics and focuser, I once again utilized the skills of Eric Moerman to fabricate the lens cell and focuser backplate components. To focus light from the Jaegers 6” f/10 optic, I will use a modified GSO 2” Dual-Speed 10:1 Crayford focuser. Modified meaning that I replaced the GSO's shorter drawtube with a longer one from the focuser of a Meade 80mm Series 5000 APO. The 7" OD aluminum main tube was acquired from Air Flow Systems, after having to ditch the tube I purchased from Hastings, that was badly warped. I do not fault Hastings, for it could have been damaged during shipping. The tubing for the 8" OD dew shield was purchased off of eBay. The main tube was cut to size using a method I adopted to insure it was cut accurately.

Well, this is only page one (1) of ten (10)! There is so much more to see as you click through the rest of these pages showcasing the step-by-step build of the Jaegers 6" f/10 "Gelinda J. Dawson" refractor telescope.

To start the tour, please click on the first image (upper-left.) Each thumbnail accessed will provide a larger photo including a caption note. If you have any questions or comments, please email us at: 

vsc-astronomers@vega-sky-center.com

 

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