Secretan Refractor

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  Guy has kindly shared some images of his superb Secretan refractor. Of classical proportions, the elegant tube looks well on the restored and modified MkIII. The ornate brasswork is always a feature of such instruments. Guy has brought bronze and brass details into the MkIII. To carry over the luxury finish to the mounting.

The tall stand, with original cast iron feet, adds the correct, period character to the entire instrument. Bringing the eyepiece to a comfortable level for observation. Quite unlike the modern instruments. Which are obviously designed by complete non-observers. These low mountings cause the refractor observer to grovel on their knees to see any objects overhead. With their badly designed tripods, in flexible, modern materials, adding their own vibrations to every touch. Not here! All is solid and well constructed. With nothing to break or wear out.

 

The wonderful brasswork of the tailpiece is well seen here. With rack and pinion focussing mount and turned stuffing boxes.

Towering high above the ground, the elegant tube supports the objective cell. Which shares the same materials, skill and quality as the rest of the telescope.






The brass finder telescope is mounted well away from the main tube. Making it easily accessible without the danger of collision by one's head with the main instrument in the dark. Why modern instruments use such short stand-off rings is a complete mystery. They look mean-spirited and make the finder eyepiece all but impossible to reach except in certain orientations. Probably just more cost-cutting measures by the Chinese mass producers. In order to maximise profits for the greedy, box-shifting dealers.

The view from the objective end. I do like the grey finish to the main tube. Light enough to be avoided in poor light. Dark enough not to reflect accidental lights. The great refractors at Herstmonceaux were mostly painted grey. Sombre, professional and timeless. So much more tasteful than modern, shocking white. Or boring, universal black gloss.





Guy's Fullerscopes MkIII mounting has been much improved over standard. The new thrust bearing to the polar axis is housed in a smart, brass sleeve. The rust-prone, original screws have been substituted with bronze or brass. The bronze wormwheels, on the slow motions, have been polished to a long-forgotten brightness. Brass details have been added to the slow motions.

A sepia photograph fully in keeping with the age and style of this fine instrument.

The surroundings are also most attractive.


A link to more, mouth-watering, refractor goodies:

http://astronomiedelangrola.pagesperso-orange.fr/fullerscopes.html

Have a good look around Guy's fascinating website. There are pages and pages of telescope making, testing, photographic astronomical images and restoration of original antique instruments. Even a period, musical background.


Click on any image for an enlargement.

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MV80 V Philips webcam.

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Feb 10th 2012

I had bought a tiny MV80 video camera as a supermarket cheap offer. Twice the price after buying a micro memory card. 8GB Class 6 Silicon Power.

Used as a webcam the MV80 exceeds the image quality of my Philips SPC230NC webcam. This is quite noticeable on full screen on my 23" Philips LCD monitor. Both claim a 640x 480 resolution. I used the supplied MV80 webcam (Amcap) software  for both cameras. I have no idea if this favoured the mV80. The Philips software seemed not to improve matters over the Amcap.   

I have never tried webcam astro imaging due to a lack of a laptop computer. So I am limited to the length of a long USB cable.

The MV80 Spycam beside a USB stick. It has a tiny lens which better suits digiscoping compared with many digital cameras. Fitting it to the digiscoping adaptor should not be difficult.

Two planets and the Moon are south at the moment so I might just be able to capture something through an upstairs window. The recent winter weather has been harsh. With lying snow, winds and very low temperatures at night. Down to at least -2F, -19C. Foolishly low for observing out on the open lawn.

The first example of this camera proved to have a dud battery which would not charge. The second had been opened and was probably returned goods. The third can't even get itself recognised by the computer so is going back! I tried two different micro memory cards to no avail. 

Click on any image for an enlargement.

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