On offer is one piece of historic UK Schmidt film depicting the Abell 1060 Galaxy Cluster. It is a very nice and very large image. It was produced by the Royal Observatory, Edinburgh, from an image taken at the UK Schmidt Telescope, at Siding Spring near Coonabarabran, NSW. This image centres on RA 10 degrees 34 minutes; Dec. -27 degrees 22 minutes.
When the Royal Observatory Edinburgh film library was closing down, I managed to get hold of some of the film before it was thrown out. The film is particularly interesting and I am using it in the astronomy programs. The film library has all but shut down now. I am selling off some surplus film.
The faint stars on the negative film are 2 million times fainter than the eye can see (mag. 23, I think). Each negative image is 34 cm x 34 cm but is on a plastic sheet that is 35cm x 43cm (and in a protective sleeve that is slightly bigger again). The images are 6.5 degrees by 6.5 degrees: a wide field of view. The film is best viewed on a lightbox and with a magnifier (loupe) but some people put these on their windows.
For any amateur astronomer, the film is truly a treasure and a piece of history.
The film will be sent in a postal tube. Additional images may be purchased and combined in the same package at no extra cost (up to 500g of domestic postage and 20kg for international postage).
Other UK Schmidt film is available for between $10 and $30. There are other very nice galaxy and galaxy clusters. Please send me an email via naomiian@bigpond.net.au and I will send you the list of available film.
