THREE VANE CURVED SPIDER by ALBERTO MONTALVO

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				*THREE VANE CURVED SPIDER by ALBERTO MONTALVO*

This optical system is a part of the Newtonian Reflecting telescope introduced in the 1940's. One of the faults of a reflector for serious observing is diffraction spikes. The curved vane spider does not remove them but render them less noticeable for high-resolution in planetary work. In this concept it is my opinion that the variation of the 3 vane curved spider works the best for high-resolution observing. I know because I speak from experience having been observing with these types of systems

for almost 20 years.

12" REFLECTING TELESCOPE BY ALBERTO MONTALVO 1988-89 BURBANK, CA.

THE INDIVIDUAL UNIT by 1800 DESTINY.com

Again for the serious planetary observer, the finest tool to use with the reflecting telescope is the 3 vane curved spider. My fist introduction came through my firend Alberto Montalvo of Burbank, California who in 1988 had designed several of the finest reflecting telescopes ever assembled by hand in a backyard enviorment. His knowledge having been with the Royal Observatory in Cuba in the 1950's gave him the ability to create these works of art which out performed refractors of simular size an f/ratio.

Alberto explained to me in general that the curved spider helped greatly in removing the diffraction spikes from around an image of a star or planet in flushing the stray light to the inside wall of the telescope tube thus giving one a low cost spike free apochromatic image required for serious lunar and planetary observing.

3 VANE CURVED SPIDER DESIGN CONCEPT INCORPORATED BY ALBERTO MONTALVO

FRONT VIEW OF THE SPIDER ASSEMBLY IN TELESCOPE TUBE (Daniel Mounsey)

DIFFERENT TELESCOPE WITH THE OPTICAL SYSTEM OF THE 3 VANE CURVED SPIDER

Knowing that there are a wide variety of opinions about reflector's vs. refractors, all I can say on this issue is if one wants to enjoy the finest quality tool for observing the planets and the Moon the reflector incorporating the tool of the 3 vane curved spider will give the best performance under most conditions.

My experience in making this observation comes from my own backfround from having done observing with such a system within several feet away from a large aperture refractor in addition to countless statements of agreement by others more experienced than myself as to the quality of the optics.

Alberto in the Fall 1990 became well known in the astronomy community from having co-discovered a large white storm on the surface of Saturn. (Sky&Telescope)

The truth stands as the facts are the facts, I have seen it for myself along with others, Alberto's legacy shall live on through his works of art.

Loron Knowlen

THE GEORGE H. LUTZ OBSERVATORY

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Web Page Posted January 1, 2007

by

LORON KNOWLEN

GEORGE H. LUTZ OBSERVATORY, MOUNTAIN GATE, CA.