OK IIS people what is this

[dannat (Daniel)]

Troughton & sims are resppnsible for a telescope at melb obs , - the threaded access. in last pic are very similar to some still in use by asv meners today on the 8"

[Graham Sanders (Graham Sanders)]

Originally Posted by dannat

Troughton & sims made the big 8" frac at melb obs c1874, ASV telescope makers might be of assistance - the threaded access in last pic are very similar to some still in use by asv

Thank you for the lead, I'll do some investigating and get back to IIS when I have some updates. The journey continues folks, cheers Graham

[Graham Sanders (Graham Sanders)]

Originally Posted by MattT

Hi Graham,
I have an old mount made by Thomas Gaunt circa 1876, as best I can find out.
Kunama..one of a few Matt’s bought it from Lars Hansen and stripped it back to Brass and black iron. Lars bought it form Cris Ellis who bought it from an old bloke in Ballarat who had had it for decades.

I bought it up to the 1950’s with a slip clutch and tangent arm, both controlled by a Losmandy/ Celestron 492 drive system and stepper motors.

I’m not really interested in selling it but your scope is made for it...
Here is a photo with my 90x1000mm achro on it. Only weighs 160kgs as pictured.
Matt

A work of art and engineering, thanks for sharing, if you couls put it on a diet I could think about it!!! cheers Graham

[Graham Sanders (Graham Sanders)]

Originally Posted by Wavytone

The Cooke refractor I’m familiar with was very much ok, having used it many times. A beautiful thing with fine optics. As I recall it, despite being a 4.25” doublet at f/16 the residual colour errors were not objectionable - unlike some modern achro refractors.

That’s only a sample of 1.

The other refractor I used a lot was the Oddie at Mt Stromlo but that was not an amateur scope. Compared to say my Santel MK91, the Santel is optically better than the Oddie was.

I think it will be ready for 1st light in the winter, looking forward to that magical moment!

[AstroApprentice (Jason)]

FYI, there's a beautiful T. Cooke refractor & mount available here for $$$:
http://skylight-telescopes.com/?page_id=314