Auburn University Astronomy

16” Dobsonian Telescope

The pictures below show the new Dobsonian mount for Auburn’s 16-inch telescope. The actual tube and mirror were donated with a permanent mount meant to be placed in an observatory (keep your fingers crossed for that development). The portable mount was built by Randy Ivins of Manchester, GA. The design allows this scope to be either mounted on a permanent mount or quickly dismounted and placed on this portable alt-az mount.
	The tube stands almost 10 feet tall when pointed overhead. The scope has a diameter of 0.41m (16-inches) and has an optical speed of f/5.8. This scope has the ability to view objects at both low power/wide field of view AND medium high powers.
	Shown here is the 16” telescope with the AU Astronomy Lab crew. From left to right are Berk Bendeck, Chris Compton, and Luther Richardson.
	Here is a picture of the 16-inch on display at the Coca-Cola Space Science Center.
	Here is the 16” on its inaugural run. This is the first time in ten years that star light has touched the surface of the mirror. Note Randy and Betty’s dog guarding the scope.