The K-20 Project

The K-20 Project

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6/27/2007 - FIRST LIGHT!!!! - 6/23/2007

OK, all the entries from 6/23/2007 actually happened on 6/23/2007.  It just took me a few days to get all these pictures up.  Anyway, when building a scope like this, it's wisest to cut the truss tubes a couple inches LONGER than the math calls for....just in case.  The cost of the Aluminum Tube was enough for a couple nights at a nice hotel in Niagara Falls!  After the first set-up we started trimming the poles in 1/4 inch increments.  The scope would be set back up, eyepieces tested, taken down, poles trimmed and so on until focus was reached in the focuser at a point where the most eyepieces would work with room for adjustment.  This act of course culminated in the true First ASTRONOMICAL Light.  I say astronomical because the mirrors were actually tested over a month ago to confirm focal length in the unfinished mirror box and mirror cell.  Regardless, First Light was done on the Moon (it was out during the day and the tube trimming process takes a while!).  By the time this was achieved it had gotten darker, people from my brother's neighborhood had already started gathering around and Jupiter came up above the trees.....why not? I said!  It was beautiful!  With no collimation what-so-ever I was seeing detail in the Jovian atmosphere and the image was bigger and brighter than any scope I've looked through!  My brother, father and John Hudek have helped create a beautiful instrument.  The scope was slightly bottom heavy (which is the better off-balance issue) but I also did not have the finder plate mounted, batteries in the Telrad, tube insulation installed or a light shroud.  I'm guessing the scope will be dead-on balance-wise will all these items in place!

ENTRY PICTURES


First Light occurred on the Moon after the final trim of the truss poles, what a sense of accomplishment!	After 6 set-ups and take downs, my father (who built the Mirror Cell and Tailgate) and his assistant look a little um, bored! Seriously though, I feel very confident and safe that the Primary is living happily in his workmanship.

The Wheel-barrow handles are installed and the scope is packed in my truck ready for its ride "home".	Now begins the odds and ends phase. With the scope "complete" there are lots of little things that need to be done to wrap up the project (for now anyway!). One of those things being dressing the Aluminum Truss Tubes with pipe insulation both to protect them and my forehead. Rather then using hard plastic zip ties that could tear the light shroud or worse fall on the Primary I found these soft Velcro "cord keepers". They are not only softer and flatter but they are also removalble and re-usable.