The new project in line after the 14-inch wood dobsonian mount is the future Frankenstein Telescope. Dubbed the AstroImaging FrankenScope, this monster will take the cake and perform unlike what you'd normally expect from a Dob.
This is a big Dob Frankenscope made from the best, finest, and most suitable collected telescope parts and put together.
Key features will include large size mirror, ultra light ultra compact telescope that can be disassembled and put into a car or erected in the back of a Tesla Cyber Truck or conventional SUV, maybe even a mid sized car, and hauled out to the mountain. It must also have a size that fits onto the skyscraper deck thousands of feet in the air hanging off the building side, so weight is another consideration. It won't be as large as Mike Clement's 70-inch scope for sure as it must fit the deck and remain portable. These quality astro parts come at very hefty premium prices so we'll do a bit of savings before taking this plunge. There are also big decisions to make - for example, the focal ratio of the mirror. Too long and the telescope needs a tall ladder which is prohibited in this project. Too short and performance issues come into play. The range, on one side of the coin is F/4 to F/4.5 and the other side is F/3.2 - F/4. Noted there are only a few optical companies in the world that qualify to make the exceptional mirrors.
