Go Back   IceInSpace > Equipment > Equipment Discussions

Reply
 
Thread Tools Rate Thread
  #1  
Old 10-02-2020, 09:41 AM
Rainmaker's Avatar
Rainmaker (Matt)
Strictly Visual......

Rainmaker is offline
 
Join Date: Jun 2019
Location: Canberra
Posts: 582
Skylight Telescopes AR101/15

Back in 2006 Richard Day began Skylight Telescopes, London, making some magnificent refractors in style of the classic 18th and 19th century makers like Wray, Broadhurst, Clark et al...

This is one of only two all brass 101mm F15 versions that were sold. This one was made in January/February 2015 and sent to the Colony in March of that year... There is a third all brass version, albeit sans optics, that Richard kept for himself. The optics were supplied by TeleVue and are a fully coated achromatic doublet specifically designed for Skylight Telescopes.

Optics: TeleVue 101mm F15
OTA: Full brass construction
Focuser: Starlight Instruments Feathertouch FTF2535HD
Mount: TeleVue Gibraltar5
Tripod: English Oak by Skylight Telescopes
Finderscope: Custom brass tube with brass Plössl eyepiece
Diagonal: Baader BBHS Sitall 2"

Richard also made 60mm versions as well as several custom ones including one 8.5" F12 behemoth.
Attached Thumbnails
Click for full-size image (MIS_7786 copy.jpg)
136.2 KB122 views
Click for full-size image (MIS_7834.jpg)
133.1 KB125 views
Click for full-size image (MIS_7831.jpg)
155.3 KB98 views
Click for full-size image (MIS_7828.jpg)
112.9 KB114 views
Click for full-size image (MIS_7838.jpg)
139.6 KB105 views
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 10-02-2020, 12:40 PM
anj026's Avatar
anj026
Plyscope

anj026 is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Perth
Posts: 519
Beautiful telecope Matt. I have a big soft spot for f15 refractors!
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 11-02-2020, 08:52 AM
Rainmaker's Avatar
Rainmaker (Matt)
Strictly Visual......

Rainmaker is offline
 
Join Date: Jun 2019
Location: Canberra
Posts: 582
Quote:
Originally Posted by anj026 View Post
Beautiful telecope Matt. I have a big soft spot for f15 refractors!
I'm looking forward to getting this to a dark site Andy, at F15 a well made achromat is surprisingly 'apochromatic'

My wife is even happy for this one to be left set up in the lounge room so I thought I would see how she coped with this:

(She didn't like my storage idea, "The brass ones can stay, the rest out !")
Attached Thumbnails
Click for full-size image (MIS_7824.jpg)
206.9 KB154 views
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 11-02-2020, 01:36 PM
FlashDrive's Avatar
FlashDrive (Poppy)
Senior Citizen

FlashDrive is offline
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Bribie Island
Posts: 5,059
That is so nice .... beautiful
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 11-02-2020, 07:54 PM
Camelopardalis's Avatar
Camelopardalis (Dunk)
Drifting from the pole

Camelopardalis is offline
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Brisbane
Posts: 5,429
Beautiful scope, Matt

I have the 102 and love using it, but keeping the brass clean after a cold, dewy night of Milky Way sweeping is a trick
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 11-02-2020, 09:53 PM
Atmos's Avatar
Atmos (Colin)
Ultimate Noob

Atmos is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 6,982
I like the refractor congregation you have amassing in the lounge

I did eyeball this when it went up in the classifieds, would have been easy for me to make the 30 minute drive. I didn't research or appreciate the significance of this particular brass refractor until you posted a bit more information about it and as much as I considered it, funds wouldn't allow.

I felt the focal ratio was a nice progression for me though, F/9 to F/12 and then to F/15
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 12-02-2020, 06:22 AM
Rainmaker's Avatar
Rainmaker (Matt)
Strictly Visual......

Rainmaker is offline
 
Join Date: Jun 2019
Location: Canberra
Posts: 582
Quote:
Originally Posted by Camelopardalis View Post
Beautiful scope, Matt

I have the 102 and love using it, but keeping the brass clean after a cold, dewy night of Milky Way sweeping is a trick
I think I might make a cover that can be left on during observing to keep the dew etc off the brass

Quote:
Originally Posted by Atmos View Post
I like the refractor congregation you have amassing in the lounge
I did eyeball this when it went up in the classifieds, would have been easy for me to make the 30 minute drive. I didn't research or appreciate the significance of this particular brass refractor until you posted a bit more information about it and as much as I considered it, funds wouldn't allow.

I felt the focal ratio was a nice progression for me though, F/9 to F/12 and then to F/15
Colin, I had previously spoken with Julian about this scope and knew its history so when I saw the ad I was on the phone to him and in the car 15 minutes later.
Whilst I wouldn't wish it upon you, I am glad you didn't have the spare cash then.....
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 12-02-2020, 06:59 AM
Atmos's Avatar
Atmos (Colin)
Ultimate Noob

Atmos is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 6,982
By the sounds of it you well and truly beat me to it
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 12-02-2020, 12:03 PM
FlashDrive's Avatar
FlashDrive (Poppy)
Senior Citizen

FlashDrive is offline
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Bribie Island
Posts: 5,059
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rainmaker View Post

Colin, I had previously spoken with Julian about this scope and knew its history so when I saw the ad I was on the phone to him and in the car 15 minutes later.
Whilst I wouldn't wish it upon you, I am glad you didn't have the spare cash then.....

Good Score Matt .... If I had the free cash to ' splash ' around, it would be very tempting .....
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 12-02-2020, 04:46 PM
Rainmaker's Avatar
Rainmaker (Matt)
Strictly Visual......

Rainmaker is offline
 
Join Date: Jun 2019
Location: Canberra
Posts: 582
Quote:
Originally Posted by FlashDrive View Post
Good Score Matt .... If I had the free cash to ' splash ' around, it would be very tempting .....
I had to borrow it from the Dear Wifey....
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 12-02-2020, 11:52 PM
ariefm71 (Arief)
Registered User

ariefm71 is offline
 
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Perth
Posts: 129
Very nice refractor Matt. A work of art. Now you just need a 5” fluorite doublet and you’re done
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 18-02-2020, 07:44 AM
Rainmaker's Avatar
Rainmaker (Matt)
Strictly Visual......

Rainmaker is offline
 
Join Date: Jun 2019
Location: Canberra
Posts: 582
Quote:
Originally Posted by ariefm71 View Post
Very nice refractor Matt. A work of art. Now you just need a 5” fluorite doublet and you’re done
and a 7" triplet..
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 18-02-2020, 09:54 AM
HowellObsy (John)
Registered User

HowellObsy is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2019
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 5
Always a delight to see someone making custom gear and doing a great job. Great work !!
Well done
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 18-02-2020, 12:13 PM
Rainmaker's Avatar
Rainmaker (Matt)
Strictly Visual......

Rainmaker is offline
 
Join Date: Jun 2019
Location: Canberra
Posts: 582
Quote:
Originally Posted by HowellObsy View Post
Always a delight to see someone making custom gear and doing a great job. Great work !!
Well done
It is a pity that the demand was not enough for Richard to continue making these custom scopes. His craftsmanship is a real credit to him.

These are big scopes to transport and aren't everyone's cup of tea... for me it is as much a joy to have in the house as I expect it will be to use at outreach sessions.....
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 14-06-2020, 11:43 AM
Rainmaker's Avatar
Rainmaker (Matt)
Strictly Visual......

Rainmaker is offline
 
Join Date: Jun 2019
Location: Canberra
Posts: 582
The Skylight makes for fine solar viewing:
Attached Thumbnails
Click for full-size image (MIS_7917s.jpg)
210.6 KB100 views
Click for full-size image (MIS_7910 (2).jpg)
180.2 KB75 views
Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT +10. The time is now 09:46 PM.

Powered by vBulletin Version 3.8.7 | Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Advertisement
Bintel
Advertisement
Testar
Advertisement