I went 35 years without a telescope. Back in 1980, at Lansing Community College, to be employed as a lab aide, I added a couple of independent studies in celestial mechanics to a couple of classes in physics and got approved to use the school telescope in the dome on the roof. I took our daughter to the planetarium often, of course. But only in 2014 did I get an instrument for myself. My wife and daughter bought it for me. I picked it out. I chose one that most reminded me of the telescope I had in my early to mid- teens. But they don't make 'em like they used to. I was never happy with it.
As a member of the Austin Astronomical Society, I borrowed several large catadioptrics, eight- and ten-inch Schmidt-Cassegrains and a (fake) Ritchey-Chrétien, all from Meade. Nice as they were to view through, and as much as I appreciated the big setting circles for more accurate measurements, they were a bear to wrestle with and set up. It was hard enough to lift 65-lbs from the box. Putting it back without dropping it was the real challenge.
The last straw with the gift from my wife and daughter was having to collimate the mirrors. When the secondary swung free, I just tightened everything back up before it came apart in my hands. Like one of the used SCTs I bought from the club, I donated it to the Goodwill. The scopes did some social good along their ways to new homes.
Last autumn, I bought myself a 102-mm refractor from Explore Scientific because I could lift it with one arm and carry it in two hands, out my office door, down the hall, through the dining area, through the kitchen, out the back door, and down the porch in to the backyard without hitting anything. The other factor was its larger aperture versus the 70-mm National Geographic that I bought used. I made sketches of Mars with it and viewed much else. What failed was splitting the double-double in Lyra. I tried several times over several months, but it just did not gather enough light. So, I bought more diameter. I got the ES 102 because Scott Roberts spoke to our local club (along with Stuart Parkerson of Astronomy Technology Today) about the markets for instruments. I have been happy with my choice.
Earlier this month, I got some emails from other sellers. Astronomics is in Norman, Oklahoma. They are second-generation suppliers to the hobby. They sponsor the Cloudy Nights discussion board. First, I bought an oddly-branded not-Meade 82-degree 14 mm ocular (Meade colors and logo, but no logotype name). Then, they sent notice of a new shipment of 115-mm apochromatic refractors for $1399.
My 102 is achromatic. The design goes back to London instrument maker John Dollond. Flint glass and crown glass are used in combination to reduce chromatic aberration. It is not perfect, but it is close. (Reflectors do not have that problem.) Better still and nominally perfect is the triple lens apochromatic system. Not only do they cost more, but to appreciate what you are paying for, you need good seeing, clear and steady atmosphere, and dark skies. I have none of those in my backyard. But the telescope and the other accoutrements were all good deals, and belonging to an astronomy club, I do have access to dark sky sites with overnight camping.
So, this is what $2500 looks like viewed through a telescope.
 |
| Astro-Tech 115 mm Apochromatic Extra-low Dispersion refractor from Astronomics ($1399) |
 |
| Nagler "smoothie" (before Series numbers) 7mm ocular from Enerdyne, Suttons Bay. (Last one on the shelf; inventoried 01-16. $199) |
 |
| Meade logo branding but no logotype Name 14 mm 82-degree ocular warehouse close-out from Astronomics ($79.95) |
 |
| 2-inch-to-1-1/4 inch 99% right angle prism adapter for oculars from Explore Scientific (factory refurbish; $119.95 )  Right angle adapter 99% erecting prism with focusser from Stellarvue ($79) (for use with the 102 mm) |
 |
| Explore Scientific Twilight-1 Mount and Tripod (factory refurbish $209.) |
 |
| Sun Catcher solar filters (bought 4 mediums) $19 and $25 each Explore Scientific (Thousand Oaks Optical sheets). The Sun is the nearest star and it is very average. |
PREVIOUSLY ON NECESSARY FACTS
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.