Close-Up View of SCT without Dew Shield

Copyright: Stuart Kingsley

In this picture the 10" SCT is shown on its equatorial mount. The box housing the photomultiplier tube (PMT) optical receiver is mounted directly at the rear of the telescope. The PMT system includes a small pin-hole to limit the field-of-view to that immediately surrounding the targeted star and thus reduce the noise from the sky background. Setting up the telescope and dismantling the telescope system is a somewhat laborious task which is difficult in the depth of the winter and is best done with some assistance. The telescope head weighs 60 lb. It was soon clear that for efficient operation, a permanent installation would be required. This necessitated the purchase of a dome to protect the system from the elements and for security purposes.