My amateur telescope making page

A 12" travel telescope

Deep Space Trill

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I want to create the biggest telescope that can be transported in checked luggage on an airplane. Thus, DS-Trill is born. Very high level requirements are for a 12" telescope that weighs under 50 pounds (including case), and fits in wheeled luggage.Update: Total weight needs to be at or under 44 pounds. Maximum luggage weight in some countries for train transport is 20 kilos.

Mirror: 12" diameter, 1.5" thick, f5.0
Eyepiece height: TBD
Focuser: 1.25" HC-1 helical crawford
Eyepieces: 24mm Panoptic, 12mm (using the Pan and a 2x barlow) and 8mm (using the Pan and a 3x barlow)
Rigil Quickfinder
Telescope total weight: 32 lbs (travel configuration)
Telescope size stored: 15" X 15" X 8". Trusses are 23 1/2" long
Medium sized wheeled suitcase weighs 7 lbs, inside dimensions 24" X 15 1/2" X 8" (unexpanded).

Powerpoint presentation given at Okie-Tex and OzSky : Building Deep Space Trill.

Designs and requirements are here: DS-Trill Design and brainstorming notes. (TBD)

Building steps and details are here: DS-Trill Building directions. (TBD)

Mostly finished scope, pre paint. The only things missing are a permanent mirror cover and back baffle.

Finished scope! I took DS-Trill to Okie-Tex. The finder is hidden behind the focuser, and I have not attached the baffle.

Trusses in suitcase.

Mirror box and rocker box in suitcase.

Complete telescope in suitcase. Notice the extra space for clothes on the right. To stay within 20 Kg, this space is filled with 3 slabs of 2" thick foam insulation.

Telescope in case, side picture. Note that I have not needed to expand the suitcase.

Total telescope:

Weight - Actuals

Name	Weight
Mirror	14 lbs 3 oz
Mirror box and cell	4 lbs 5 oz
Trusses	5 lbs 2 oz
Secondary cage	3 lbs 4 oz
Rocker box with base	4 lbs 8 oz
Suitcase	7 lbs
Total Telescope weight	32 lbs
Total weight	39 lbs
Optional weight of clothes for 50 lbs total weight	11 lbs
Optional weight of clothes for 44 lbs total weight	5 lbs

Dimensions

Height of eyepiece at zenith	tbd
Size of mirror box and base, secondary, no bearings	15"X15"
Length of trusses	23 1/2"