The picture (taken 3 weeks ago) shows the McGregor Observatory located at
"Stellafane East" in Springfield VT. It contains a 13-inch Schupmann
refractor (the world's largest scope of this design). The Schupmann design
has two advantages: it's a totally color-free refractor, and it's made from
inexpensive glass. The down-side: the scope is huge and of very long
F/ratio. I've observed Saturn (and other things) thru this scope over the
years and the most amazing thing is that it has a knob that you use to dial
out the CA color error. Turn the knob and the view is a contrasty as a
refractor and as color-free as a reflector!

The roof rolls off, but there is also a nice enclosed meeting room, library,
optics work shop, etc that is not exposed.

In the picture the silver thing is a covered 32-inch Dob (home-made
including the optics) owned by John V. The guy in the black shirt (forget
his name) near the ladder, is the designer of the new Televue Ethos 13mm 100
degree field eyepiece.

The field in front of the McGregor is suppose to be the main observing
field, but I don't use it because you can't camp near your scope.

George N

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