Society for Popular Astronomy

But just how good are Acromat scopes

I don't want an APO

thanks

http://www.opticstar.com/Run/Astronomy/ ... 10_1_1_245

They are excellent if long focal ratio.
Preferably f/15 but f/10 also.
But they must be good quality.

I have excellent 120mm f/8.3 and smaller f/14 or f/15.

Skywatcher may be O.K.

The Russian Tal 100mm f/10 is supposedly good.

The Pentax 100mm f/12 is unbelievably good.
135mm f/16 Merz excellent.
Cooke 150mm f/15 excellent.
Harvard 9.5 inches f/12 also good.
Northumberland 12 inches f/18? also excellent. But the new objective probably special glass.

Horace Dall ~108mm f/30 camera obscura objective maybe the world's best.

What size do you want?

Regards,
David

Hi Skyhawk. There seems to be a problem with the link you gave. Did you mean this one:

http://www.opticstar.com/Run/Astronomy/ ... 10_1_1_245

regards,

Thanks Brian,
I couldn't get it to work.

Regarding chromatic aberration.
A 3 inch f/9 doublet refractor.
4 inch f/12
and 5 inch f/15
are reckoned to be CA free.

However, using the stricter Conrady limits it would be.
3 inch f/15
4 inch f/20
and 5 inch f/25.

However, in the real world a Tal 1000mm f/10 is reckoned to be very good.

I have no idea what size is intended.

Weight, portability, fixed mount or not are all important especially as we get older.

Regards,
David

APO refractors are expensive, but no mention has been made of the cheaper semi-apos.
I have a semi-apo CELESTRON 80mm/f.7.3 refractor and it gives superbly sharp results. This particular model isn't produced now, but there are equivalents out there.

Thanks all