NewAstronomer
Post Laureate
Reged: 09/03/04
Posts: 3767
Loc: Northeast, PA U.S.A
|
|
After a horrible work week , feeling sorry for myself, this really puts things into perspective. Tragic.
I own one of his designs, he was brilliant.
--------------------
|
RRaubach
AstroCowboy
Reged: 01/26/05
Posts: 2173
Loc: Douglas (Converse County),WY
|
|
I am saddend to hear this news. I always hoped to meet Thomas Back, the man, and not just the legendary optical designer. I spoke at length with Thomas so many times in the course of my growth as an amateur astronomer, that I really regard him as a mentor , or such. He always answered my questions in wonderful detail, and never seemed to be rushed.
He certainly provided me with a telescope of a lifetime, the TMB 203 f/7, which he personally autographed on the lens cell using gold paint, next to the APM lettering. He stated to me that he hoped that I wouldn't mind, but he felt that the telescope deserved recognition as the finest refractor he ever built. I now have a lump in my throat to think of what he provide for my space explorations.
I'm thankful that I knew him, and that I participated in his forums.
--------------------
Rodger
Meade SN-10 (UHTC) on Tak EM-200 mount/Antares rotating rings. Moonlite focuser.
Parallax 14.5" Newtonian on HD 200 mount (arriving soon!) w/ conical Royce mirror.
TMB 203 f/7 APO refractor on Tak NJP-160 mount.
Discovery 12.5" PDHQ
Schneider 18x80 "Flakfernrohr" binoculars/tripod mounted. Canon 15x50 IS binoculars
Unihedron Sky Quality Meter
|
BillP
Postmaster
Reged: 11/26/06
Posts: 9093
Loc: Vienna, VA
|
|
This is indeed very sad news. I spoke and corresponded with Mr Back on several occassions. He was always a kind and gentle individual, more accessible than most in the industry, and always desired to help. A true credit to the astronomical community and very much one-of-a-kind. He will be missed, and always remembered fondly.
God speed your soul to the heavens you so loved.
--------------------
Bill
The KING: Any Eyepiece in the Focuser
The SUBJECTS: XT10i Dob---Meade 2080 SCT---TSA-102 S APO---Onyx 80EDF APO---SkyLight 60mm F15m---P.S.T.
If you want to make an apple pie from scratch, you must first create the universe. - Carl Sagan
|
Mr. Mac
super member
Reged: 09/26/05
Posts: 146
Loc: Henrico Co., Va.
|
|
I was not fortunate enough to meet Mr. Back personally...but seeing his telescopes, reading Mr Trusocks interview with him and reading about him on this forum made me realize I have met him....through his work and the people who knew and loved him...
RIP Mr. Back....and thank you
--------------------
Mac
8" Lx200GPS
WO Megrez 80FD
WO Binos
Canon Rebel XT
Unbridled enthusiasm
|
JerryWise
Postmaster
Reged: 12/26/03
Posts: 9284
Loc: Lexington, SC
|
|
The astrophoto image I love the most was taken through one of Tom's scopes. The Flame Nebula. Tom's Flame ended too soon. God Speed young man.
|
Craig L
sage
Reged: 05/10/03
Posts: 353
Loc: London, Ontario, Canada
|
|
When I read of his passing yesterday, a cold shock pulsed through my spine. He was far too young. As many here have mentioned, he's left a lasting legacy within the amateur astronomy community. The volume of condolences here and elsewhere are testament to his impact.
- Craig
--------------------
7x50, 20x80
Coronado Maxscope 40
90mm f13.8 ETX
102mm f8 AP APO
13.1" f4.5 Dob
|
FoxTrot
sage
Reged: 06/01/06
Posts: 372
Loc: Melbourne, Australia
|
|
Quote:
After a horrible work week , feeling sorry for myself, this really puts things into perspective. Tragic.
I own one of his designs, he was brilliant.
Here, here. I have had exactly the same week with crushing amounts of work, and also just starting a new relationship with my girl. This news puts all my emotional rollercoasting into perspective, and to cherish life with the time given to us. May you rise to the stars Thomas..., Mike Ching.
--------------------
TV Genesis (non-sdf)
TV NP127is
Clave 6, Pentax XW 7, Vixen LVW 13, Panoptic 27
2x TeleXtender, 2.5x Powermate
LXD75 AutoStar
|
ABC
sage
Reged: 10/22/06
Posts: 422
Loc: Heidelberg, Germany
|
|
Quem di diligunt adolescens moritur.
Titus Maccius Plautus, 250 - 184 ante Christi
--------------------
Kind regards, Christian
Meade 178 ED
Meade 152 ED
Intes Micro Alter M500
Bresser 70/700 Achromat
CGE
EQ-6
|
TheDude
member
Reged: 09/16/07
Posts: 15
|
|
Rest in peace. I've only ever heard of your work, but from what people have said here, it seems like you touched a great number of hearts, as well as optics.
|
kfred
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 11/11/03
Posts: 2164
Loc: Dayton, Ohio
|
|
Very sad.
Fred
--------------------
Trixie
|
Cotts
Just Wondering
Reged: 10/10/05
Posts: 3155
Loc: Toronto, Ontario
|
|
I firmly believe that a couple of Pluto-orbits from now on CN's refractor forum we could hear the following exchange:
A: "I just found an old Alvan Clark 6-inch in an estate sale. Am I the luckiest astro-guy or what?"
B: "Well, that's nice but I'm using a TMB that has been passed down through my family for 20 generations!"
What a legacy TMB will have! And if that's not the closest thing to immortality then...
--------------------
David Cotterell
Toronto, Ontario
"All you need for a happy life is good health and a bad memory."
8" f/15.5 TEC Maksutov
16" f/5 Teeter/Zambuto Dob - Servo Cat - Sky Commander
80mm WO Zenithstar FD
66mm WO ED
Astro-Physics Mach 1 GTO Mount
Canon T3i + 105mm f/2.5 Nikkor-p lens
99% Visual Observer - Double Stars, Clusters, Planets, Deep Sky...
|
Chriships
super member
Reged: 09/09/04
Posts: 191
Loc: Reading, England
|
|
On one of the walls of the cemetery of the small town where I was born in Cornwall there is a plaque which reads - "This was erected in memory of xxxx as a token of esteem by his friends" I have always thought that the man, whoever he was, must have been a very special person. From the postings which have appeared on this thread there is no doubt that Thomas Back also falls into that category.
I, like many others, only knew Tom Back through his postings on this and other websites. I was always impressed by his knowledge and manner, even when others were less than courteous or fair.
Chris P
|
ManuelJ
professor emeritus
Reged: 12/19/05
Posts: 538
Loc: Madrid, Spain
|
|
RIP, Tom
--------------------
CDK 17, Paramount ME, FLI PL 16803
LS80THa/PT/B1800/FT, Grasshopper 2 GS2-FW-14S5M/C
TV NP127, EM-10
20" F/3.43 dobson
http://www.manuelj.com
|
mblack
Throw me a bone here
Reged: 10/31/05
Posts: 5651
Loc: Florida
|
|
sympathy for the family.
respect for the man.
tribute for legacy.
my tribute... a greater love for the stars... in whose lifetime our quibbles last but a tick of the clock.
--------------------
David
Dob XT10i ▪ MoonLite CR2
Enough light pollution to read by
|
zjc26138
Loved By All
Reged: 02/24/05
Posts: 6961
Loc: Mingo Junction, Ohio
|
|
RIP Mr. Back
--------------------
TMB130 SS (Currently out of service.  )
Celestron Edge 8"
iEQ45m
Meade 102ED
Stellarvue 80/9D
9/11- Never Forget.
|
gripweed44
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 02/12/05
Posts: 1019
Loc: PDX
|
|
The day I heard -
my 40mm Paragon arrived
Thanks TMB!!
What would have come next we will never know
--------------------
John
Omega Centauri is the finest Globular I have seen with my own eyes.
|
RRaubach
AstroCowboy
Reged: 01/26/05
Posts: 2173
Loc: Douglas (Converse County),WY
|
|
My next post in this forum will be (finally) my long-promised review of the TMB 203 f/7. It will be my tribute to Thomas.
--------------------
Rodger
Meade SN-10 (UHTC) on Tak EM-200 mount/Antares rotating rings. Moonlite focuser.
Parallax 14.5" Newtonian on HD 200 mount (arriving soon!) w/ conical Royce mirror.
TMB 203 f/7 APO refractor on Tak NJP-160 mount.
Discovery 12.5" PDHQ
Schneider 18x80 "Flakfernrohr" binoculars/tripod mounted. Canon 15x50 IS binoculars
Unihedron Sky Quality Meter
|
Chopin
Canis Insanus
Reged: 02/03/05
Posts: 3969
Loc: In the doghouse.
|
|
Wow, this is truly sad. Best wishes to his family, and may he rest forever knowing he's impacted the astronomical community like very few ever will. Thank you TMB.
--------------------
JasonŽ
VeritableImagery
Reflectors: 110/900mm, 250/1140mm (in progress)
Refractors: 80/400mm, 72/430mm ED
Binoculars: 8x40mm, 15x85mm
Eyepieces: Televue Naglers, Faworski Abbe orthos
Canon 1D, 20D, 10-24mm, 50mm, 70-200mm, 150-500mm
|
heavyd49770
member
Reged: 05/02/07
Posts: 33
Loc: Northern Michigan. USA
|
|
I am so new to this community and hobby I never got a chance to get to know the man, but I feel a loss after reading all I have about him the last few days. I will take the time to say a prayer for his family and friends.
God Bless Tom
Dennis
|
ForgottenMObject
Post Laureate
Reged: 09/11/04
Posts: 3660
Loc: Maryland, US
|
|
What a loss... I had no idea his illness was something really serious.
RIP Tom - you will be remembered for all that you contributed to so many people.
--------------------
Matthew
IDA member
XT8i, 10x50 binoculars, lots of eyepieces
|
Previous
Index
Next
Threaded
[Re: 
Edit
Reply
Quote
