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Resources for telescope design
Software tools
These are the tools that I found the most useful and were therefore used in my projects. The packages are usually free for non-commercial use:
| PLOP: | FE mirror cell simulation. |
| FlexPDE: | Version 5 is a 3D PDE solver, get student licence. |
| CadStd: | CAD, to make technical drawings, small and easy. |
| Eagle: | Schematic capture and PCB layout / autorouter. |
| OSLO-LT: | Optical design and analysis. |
| CassDesign 2: | Mike Jones' Cassegrain system design help. |
Data files
Some of the data that I have generated in the various projects, free for all to use as long as the source is mentioned:
| CadStd: |
Primer scope,
Carry-on scope,
Floppy Foucault tester.
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| FlexPDE: |
Mirror cooling model.
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| Newt 2.5: |
10", F/6.4 scope.
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| PLOP: |
10", 6 point cell.
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| Eagle: |
CCD-237 camera,
Stepper drive.
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| Excel: |
Vignetting model,
Schief toolkit,
Wirespider sag estimation,
Scope design tools.
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| FreeCAD: |
Workshop Bath head for 60mm XYZ table,
Bath head and support for 60mm XYZ table,
SS Mak-76mm, piston focuser,
SS Mak-76mm, Omegon focuser.
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| Various other: |
Background on steppers and driving them (zipped).
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Useful links
Cloudy Night DIY forum
Messier finder maps, Hawaiian Astronomical Society
Amateur Telescope Optics, by Vladimir Sacek (or backup)
Nils Olof Carlin, the website of this late ATM (or backup)
Peter John Smith, many diy tips and tricks, lots about eyepieces from down under
ATM mailing list, the one and only...
Heavens Above, satellite information
INDI, telescope control system
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