A Thing of Beauty: First Light Report 20 July 2003
I'm sure you all remember your Greek Philosophy. That stuff about form
and function? And you've all seen beautiful things (form) that serve
no useful function or very utilitarian things (function) that aren't
much too look at. The ultimate in beauty is when form and function are
in total harmony. In the case of a telescope, that would be one that
performs exquisitely when looked through, but is so beautiful itself
that you just want to look at it, not through it.
Yesterday I took delivery of a new CPT (Compact Precision Telescope)
from our very own Mark Wagner, complete with a "First Base". If you
haven't seen this telescope or the base, you owe yourself a favor:
check it out at
http://astronomy-mall.com/regular/products/cpt/
As I said, this is a Thing of Beauty. If it didn't belong out under
clear night skies, then it would belong in an art museum. Of course,
beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so I'm not asking you to take my
word for it...check it out yourself and make up your own mind. See the
web site or, better yet, come see a CPT in person.
Last night (at Coyote Lake) wasn't the best night for an optics test.
It was partly cloudy and the seeing was yucky-sucky (that's a technical
term). Actually, the seeing got better as the clouds got worse, and I
did get a few pretty nice views of double stars and globs. And Mars,
eventually (very bright white south polar cap). None of the views were
to die for, but then I don't think anyone was getting much better out
of any other instrument. TOBY will have to wait for a better night to
really show what it can do in the function department.
BTW: I understand that Jim Everett also made significant contributions
to the CPT design.
Big thanks to Mark and Jim for bringing this Thing of Beauty into the
world. I will be forever indebted to them, far beyond the cost of the
instrument, for the privilege of owning and using it.
Bob J.
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