(approx 700KB of images)
Between 100 and 200 people participated in the 2001 OSP walkabout. We visited a half dozen scopes, listening to the owners describe the unique features of their scopes, what they would do differently next time, and answering questions posed from the group.
The telescope walkabout is an idea developed by Randy Johnson and Mel Bartels on the ATM discussion group in the later 1990's to provide a non-competitive, non-threatening environment where attendees can catch the innovative scopes and talk to the owners at length at large star parties.
A portion of the crowd surrounding Mike Gabe's scope
(courtesy Barb Bajec)...
Mike Gabe's 16 inch features springs and a ultralight desigings and a ultralight design (courtesy Barb Bajec)...
Greg Babcock's 24 inch ultralight featuring 6 graphic truss, custom spider, and flex rocker; total weight of scope minus optics 50 pounds (courtesy Greg Babcock)...
Sonny Tremoulet's 10 inch f/6 spring scope with rotating upper end (courtesy Barb Bajec)...
back side view of Sonny's scope (courtesy Barb Bajec)...
Matt Vartanian's 16 inch string scope (courtesy Barb Bajec)...
Battle Point Astronomical Society's 16 inch features a string truss assembly (courtesy Barb Bajec)...
Peter Abraham's 16 inch string scope, built by Dan Gray, features strings, foam core construction, and a flex rocker; easily held overhead (courtesy Barb Bajec)...
Peter assembling the scope (courtesy Barb Bajec)...
Peter finishing assembly (courtesy Barb Bajec)...
not on the tour but should be mentioned...
Chuck Dethloff's rotating light shield – improves visual detection (courtesy Mel Bartels)...
Chuck's face-on mirror fan; the support wires line up precisely with the diagonal's spider (courtesy Mel Bartels)...
...and its frame (courtesy Mel Bartels)...
Mel Bartel's 6 inch f/4 backpack airplane scope (courtesy Mel Bartels)...
Corwin Thomas' 30 inch, built by Chuck Dethloff (courtesy Greg Babcock)...
Corwin's well equipped telescope trailer (courtesy Greg Babcock)...
eof