2 replies to this topic

[SeeNstars]

Hi,
Editor - Albert Ingalls
I have seen these older books for sale in various places including Ebay. I see books 1-2-3 dated anywhere from the '30's to the late 50's.
Are there any dated any later than this?
Would more recently dated books have information relative to the dates or same info as earlier publications?
Any help here from someone whom has experience w/ these books would be greatly appreciated.
-Thanks, Gordon

[John Jarosz]

My copies are from the forth edition published in 1972.

There is a new version edited by someone other than ingalls. I don't know how much of the original information they retained and how much of it is new. Check out the S&T site or Willman-Bell.

There is a lot of fundamental information in my copies but, so much has changed in the last 30 years that the newer edition might be better. The older editions definitely give you the historical view, when it was possible to make everything. There are a LOT more choices available to ATM'ers today than in the past.

For example, the old editions have nothing about DOBs, or computer anything. But if you're looking for the fundamental math, mirror or lens grinding; well, that stuff hasn't changed.

John

[FAB]

I have a set I purchased as they were printed in 1964, 1963, and 1961 volumes 1-3 respectively. Dobs hadn't been invented, and computers occupied entire temperature and humidity controlled floors of large buildings when they were printed. The techniques of ATM are explained very exhaustively, but they're from an era when it was much less expensive to make a telescope rather than purchase the finished product. I know of no editions published subsequent to 1972. I've always been more interested in using the telescopes rather than making them. I know for many people the craft of telescope making is fascinating and equals or exceeds the pleasure derived from their use. For those, there's a lot of good information in those books. For myself, I value them for their ability to take me back through the decades to when I actually made my first real scope because I couldn't afford to buy one.
FAB