20 inch Dobsonian Design, Build and Observing

A big 'scope tour! Lots of ideas, tips and advice on building and using a big telescope. Amazing views through an amazing bit of kit.

A tour through Alan Marriott's homemade 20-inch / 505mm telescope at Kelling Heath Star Party, England.

My thanks to Alan Marriott for showing us his wonderful telescope and also for letting us view through it. We had a wonderful view of the Orion Nebula in the early hours of the morning.

00:00 Star Party Observing
00:41 Telescope Design and build
02:44 Scope Dog: Tracking and GoTo
04:41 Filter Wheel
06:03 Improved Secondary Collimation
08:04 Wheel Barrow Handles for Portability
09:18 Scope weights and balance
09:44 Power System
10:55 Painting and Finishing
12:59 Fitting Truss Connectors
14:09 Fitting Scope Dog: GoTo & Tracking
20:11 Observing with a 20-inch
23:10 Favourite Deep Sky Objects
26:34 Improved Front Collimation
26:48 Lightweight Mirror Cell
28:25 Dew Heater for Primary Mirror
29:15 Rain / dew drain holes
29:45 Scope Cover & Tying Down