236 replies to this topic

[Lew Chilton]

Another shot of the big gun with Caveman, left, and Pons, right. Caveman looks kinda reverent, doesn't he?

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[Lew Chilton]

I layed on my back to get this perspective of the tailpiece. Impressive, isn't it?

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[Lew Chilton]

Here's another shot of the tailstock. Note the quartz star diagonal.

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[Lew Chilton]

If you thought that Pons is exclusively a refractor man, you'd be wrong. He is working on a 12-1/2-inch high-performance Newtonian based on a highly improved Optical Craftsmen mount. He claims he has a "perfect" Ed Beck (?) mirror. Pons has designed an ultra precision mirror cell and secondary adjustment supported by a curved spider of his own design. He also designs and builds the drive electronics. This scope is still a work in progress. Everything he does is 1st class.

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[Lew Chilton]

Here's a close-up of the clock drive built by Pons for his 12-inch Newtonian on a highly modified Optical Craftsmen mount which now utilizes helicoptor rotor bearings - ye gods!

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[Lew Chilton]

And here is a Bill Schaeffer mount being modified for a 9-inch refractor that Pons is making for a customer.

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[Lew Chilton]

And finally, here's a picture of yours truly in front of
Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles (well, actually, in front of a picture of Griffith Observatory).

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[clintwhitman]

I would have to ask John about the titan, I do know the Goto came out of a house in beverly hills that had a 18 foot observitory built into its structure about 4 years ago and as taken out just ahead of the demolishion crews. John is not a driver so he told me the story about how him and his girlfreind moved it piece by piece on the subway to save it from the dump I spent the day over there watching him go like a mad man rebuilding my 4" unitron objective! he said bring it by and I will culminate it for you I just left his house 5 hours later with a completly rebuild custom locking lens cell and a custom re-made unitron super focuser, also some 6" unitron weights for my byres drive. John and I hit it off I guess. He is a great guy and I am soaking up his knowlage like a sponge. At last someone that really knows what he is doing to show me all the stuff I could only guess at.

[Bonco]

Thanky Lew great report. Saved almost all of the pictures.
A yard party like this can only happen in California.
Bonco

[clintwhitman]

Thats A super unitron 2" bad to the bone Focuser in case Lenny gets back in time to see this!!!!

[trainsktg]

It sure looks like the same scope. Since I've never heard of 'Titan Observatory', it very well could have been the name of a private/home dome. The timing is right. 1956 on the scope, early 1957 advertisement. The location is right. I'd say its an almost certainty.

Keith

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[Lew Chilton]

Keith,

Here's the Titan Observatory as it was covered in a Los Angeles Times article on September 8, 1960. I hope you can read it. The provenance of this telescope is impeccable!

John Pons took the Titan Observatory door which he keeps in his house.

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[Lew Chilton]

Here's the 6-inch Goto owner plate which is screwed to the pier. I took this shot at Pons' house at last night's star party.

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[trainsktg]

Lew, this is amazing. With your permission, I'd like to send these pictures to my contact at Goto Japan. I believe they will be very excited to see the refractor's continued existance. I'd like to send the one with Jon, too, if you can get his permission. Thanks.

Amazingly, now that we know what to look for, you can see Choate Telescope, ***, 1956 plate on the Sky and Telescope advertisement, too!

Since this LA Times article was from 1960, the young Joe Choate should only be about 65 years old. Any ideas why this telescope was left for the wrecking ball, or where he might be? Most probably lost interest when he moved away from home, the father died, and the house was sold to a new owner who had no interest in the hobby and neglected the poor thing.

Keith

[Daniel Mounsey]

Nice work guys. Lew, why don't you post that classic picture of you at Charlton in the 60's That photo blows me away.

[Lew Chilton]

Dan,

Your wish is my command. Here is Ralph Nye (behind my homemade 8-inch Newt.) and me in front of it. Taken at Charlton Flats, California (near Mt. Wilson Observatory), circa 1961.

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[Lew Chilton]

Here is a picture of Ralph Nye recently featured in an Arizona magazine. He's been the observatory engineer at Lowell Observatory for over 30 years.

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[Lew Chilton]

And here is a photo of Ralph Nye and a Brashear astrograph that he painstakingly restored.

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[clintwhitman]

Boy you look like a real hellraiser Lew!

[mikey cee]

Yeah Lew!.... you guys are suppose to look like nerds not like punks daring somebody to touch your scope! :smirk:Mike

[Lew Chilton]

Here's another view of the 1961 Charlton Flats star party. Check out the old cars! If this picture had been taken in 2007, you'd think it was an antique car show instead of a star party.

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[ngc2289]

Mmmmmmmmm. Nice red and white Ford!

[clintwhitman]

Looks like a herd of Cavemen desended from the past to take over the place!!!

[clintwhitman]

Well at least one

[Daniel Mounsey]

That picture gives me goose-bumps The greatest planetary views in my life are where you stood. I just can't believe it, it's like a time machine. You look so young Lew. Clint, you must visit Charlton.