"Nathan Koren" wrote in message
...
Nonetheless,
if you had $750,000 to blow on a telescope, to whom would you go?

Thanks in advance for any help you can give!

I think you need to go back and talk to the client a lot more...
Though you say the price does not include the sitework/enclosure, the first
big question, is whether it also includes the mount?. This makes a massive
difference. The second 'set' of questions, relate to what sort of target,
and use, is involved. Though it sounds lovely to think about a '$750,000
telescope', if, the scope is to be guided for astrophotography, a second
'guide scope', attached to the same mount may well be needed (adds the cost
of a double mounting system, and for this scope itself...). Now though it is
allways 'nice' to think of a single scope for everything, it may also apply,
that for some objects a shorter focal length system may be 'optimal',
compared to the best scope for other applications. This again introduces the
possibility of needing two actual scope tubes. The final question, is that
if the scope is intended for imaging, as well as simple observing, then the
price of a CCD camera/guider system, may also have to be considered. Hence,
you need more data...
That having all been said, the price, is the sort of figure, that might well
be paid, for a medium sized Ritchie Chretien scope (about 30", or slightly
larger), on a high quality mount, with perhaps an APO, mounted alongside, a
CCD camera, and accessories (focusser, control system etc. It is quite
simple to use at least half the 'budget', on these latter parts (rather than
on the main scope), and indeed for the mount, if it is to be adequate, a
cost in the same order as the telescope tube, becomes allmost 'de rigeur'.
If the budget is purely for the 'scope', then the target grows somewhat, but
I would doubt it...

Best Wishes