John Dobson Brings the Universe to the Common Man
Astronomy: A Hobby of Kings
It's no coincidence that early astronomers were so often titled peers of various realms, or otherwise affluent pillars of society whose other hobbies might have included falconry or fox hunting. There were exceptions, of course, but for the most part few common citizens had either the necessary funds or the leisure time required for even casual astronomy.
Even as late as the middle of the twentieth century, telescopes of more than six inches in aperture were prohibitively expensive. 
A reflector's primary and secondary mirrors have always been cheaper to produce than the best refractor lenses, so it would seem that relatively large reflectors could have been offered for sale at reasonable prices. The problem was in producing mounts that would carry a telescope safely, while providing an accurate system of pointing, as well as smooth continuous motion along two axes.
Prices for the best equatorial mounts haven't changed much over the years. In the year 2010 he sturdiest and most accurate commercially produced mounts can cost between ten and forty thousand dollars. Go to any astronomy forum and introduce yourself as an aspiring astrophotographer. Ask for equipment purchase tips. The most common advice you will hear will involve spending as much as possible on a mount, and only then consider the telescope, camera and filter wheel purchases. In the world of astrophotography, the telescope used is of secondary importance.
But when it comes to large aperture telescopes with quality optics, prices have changed significantly for the better, and the credit is largely due to John Dobson. Today it is possible to own an eight-inch reflector on a "Dobsonian" mount for five hundred dollars.
Enter John Dobson
John Dobson's name is familiar to all astronomers, amateur as well as professional. Most are at least roughly familiar with what he did for astronomy. Others will describe him as some sort of modern day Johnny Appleseed character. Nearly all will at some point refer to a "Dobsonian" telescope. There is no such thing as a Dobsonian telescope. John Dobson was not an optical engineer. He didn't work toward the creation of new optical configurations. In his telescope making workshops he used basically the same design that Isaac Newton developed centuries before.
John Dobson's most valuable contribution to the world was in the creation of an affordable means of supporting and maneuvering reflector telescopes with larger aperture mirrors than were commonly seen or used outside of large observatories. When... continued soon (12-10-2010)
John Dobson was born on September 14, 1915 in China, where his grandfather had founded Peking University. His father taught at the
university. The family to the United States early in the nineteen twenties, settling in San Francisco and attended Morbi lectus, donec diam nec ac orci ultrices integer, et at rutrum felis, lectus tincidunt donec porttitor. Nam turpis metus dui magnis et, hendrerit diam id mi lacus ultricies, id nullam maecenas. Lectus massa eu. In vestibulum, consequat sem tortor dui, vel tristique. Id curabitur sem erat, massa purus justo, ipsum convallis quis nisl pharetra, nibh ultrices. Nulla libero dictum ligula lacus arcu nibh, sapien ornare montes ligula eius tincidunt dapibus, convallis fusce, wisi lectus lacus pede elit feugiat, tincidunt porttitor lacinia pellentesque iaculis aliquam id.
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