a possible cure

[Brian W]

Hi all, I need some advice, but first a little background. I love Austin Minis, 650 singles, small air planes and ... well you get the idea. I love my 8" reflector and have had no desire to get a bigger scope.

However now I have been struck by -historic fever- which in my case is much more sever than aperture fever.

If I cannot find a cure I will be in the market for a Nasmyth Optical System, circa 1845, with an aperture of 12 - 14" and a f/l of about 13.

Would anyone know if there is anyone in Australia that could be tempted to create such a beast?

Brian :confused2:

[Gama]

Hi Brian,

You may want to speak to Normand Fullum in the U.S.A
He makes telescopes to peoples specifications, and is a master craftsman with woodwork and such..
His website is http://www.normandfullumtelescope.com/ and his email address is normand fullum <telescopesnormandfullum@videotron.c a> .

I'm pretty sure he can help, so give him a try.

Theo.

[torana68]

There are a lot of truely impressive 'scopes about and I like shiny brass/chrome/polished wood as much as anyone ,Id be looking at something like the new 36" Orion or something form Obsession. Possibly looking to the future rather than the past Id get the best guiding and photography set ups (Argo Navis for example). Id imagine any of the really good mirror makers could make something to keep you busy. If you see any 1971 Dodge Colts lying about up there PM me :)
Roger

[Brian W]

Theres the beauty of this world, I am an ex-pat Canadian living in the Philippines being guided by an Australian to get in contact with a Canadian telescope maker.

And unless my memory fails me he is the person who is putting together the monster dobs for Orion.

However if you do a search on Nasmyth telescopes you will see they are more like a cannon than anything polished and pretty. They simply have the advantage of having the ep at the bottom of the tube rather than the top.

Brian

[torana68]

seen, It could be made to look good, along the lines of an antique but also plain I spose, why this style other than the placement of the EP?

[Brian W]

As I said the historic bug has got me and it was a style developed about 1845. The main advantage was that the observer could stay on the ground and even be seated almost irregardlless of the size of his or her scope.

I would certainly go with a truss tube set up for the modern advantages of weight reduction etcetera. But I am looking for a long focal length. Sir John Herschel's 18" reflector was 20 feet long.

We all have our particular twists and one of mine is that the observing done from about 1750 to 1850 has a hold on me so if I can get the equipment, at an affordable price, that will allow me to replicate that time period I will be a happy camper.
Brian

[torana68]

I can understand that , this is my favorite :
http://www.melbourneobservatory.com/GreatMelbourneTelescope.htm

wont be getting one in minature unless i do it myself though :)

[Gama]

As i said Brian, give him a call.
He will make the telescope you want. Dont assume its only wood he does. He also told me that he can do a folded reflector in the Giant Dobs if people asked for it.
So do yourself a favour and ask.

Theo.

[Brian W]

Hi Gama already took your advice and am awaiting his response. Torana that is one fine web page.
Brian

[Brian W]

Well I have been cured. Not of the historic bug but of the historic equipment bug. I got my response from Norm in Quebec and while he can do it my wallet can't.

Looks like I am back to modern close approximations.
Thanks for the suggestions.
Brian