This week's assignment is to generate a model of a possible final project. The only criteria for the project is that it must utilize a majority of the fabrication techniques and associated skills that we will learn about in the class.
I very quickly settled on the idea of making my own dobsonian telescope. The dobsonian is the simplest design for a reflecting telescope. The optics consist of a parabolic primary mirror situated at the base of a tube, which reflects incoming light to a small secondary mirror positioned at the primary's focal point. The secondary is angled at 45 degrees to reflect the light into an eyepiece.
The optical tube is situated on a base that allows it to rotate about two axes. The altitude axis controls the up-down tilt of the telescope, while the azimuth axis controlls the compass bearing.
I have previously used two types of dobsonian telescopes: manual and go-to. The manual dobsonian is completely operated by hand, and purely relies on the skill of the observer to locate the object that they wish to view. The go-to dobsonian is a computerized and motorized system that points in the direction of the object that the observer inputs.
My idea is to create an intermediate "push-to" telescope. This design would have a computer that knows the position of the object, and shows the observer how to orient the telescope.
I created a basic 3D model of the chassis in Fusion 360. This design is parametic, and I can adjust the diameter and focal length of the primary mirror.