
Post a Picture of Your Classic Telescope- with or without you!
#1
Posted 16 August 2013 - 11:08 PM
The original thread has been archived! See the sticky Useful Classic Scopes Links for that so I'm starting Part II of the thread so that anyone that has recently obtained classic scopes may post here with them. Here's a link to Part 1: www.cloudynights.com/ubbarchive/showflat.php/Cat/0/Board/classics/Number/3522... Thanks, Gary
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#3
Posted 17 August 2013 - 12:26 AM
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#4
Posted 17 August 2013 - 09:45 AM

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#5
Posted 17 August 2013 - 11:50 AM
Mel and I have some pics of us that were taken from his home in Florida during an observing session while I visited there. I will be getting in touch with him soon, and we will definitely post some images .We have also shared many observing sessions dating all the way back to 1970,and it was from this activity that we founded the Vega Sky Center on August 16,1970, some 43 years ago. It was then called the Vega Observatory . Started out with a couple of small telescopes- Selsi 60mm variable power refractor and a Selsi 4 inch f/8 alt-azimuth reflector back then. The event that night was a partial lunar eclipse and we used these scopes to observe it.
Brian, I've always hoped to find replicas of the scopes from back then, and I've been fortunate to have done so. The first view is that of the 60mm Variable Power (15x, 30x, 45x, and 60x)alt-azimuth scope. Though this one was marketed by HOLMAR, it is exactly like the Selsi I had back then, down to the color of the focuser, dewshield and tube. This scope, like the aforementioned Selsi has no focuser label,so I don't know who actually built them. However, I also have a white Selsi made exactly like these two,with a Circle T(TOWA)on the tube near the focuser, so I will say that they both were Circle T's.You can see part of the box the 234 came in as well as part of the scope itself.
The next image is that of the 4-inch Selsi STARGAZER Model 234 reflector. This scope is an enigma as to who made it; the label on the focuser reads Made in Japan,also possibly a Towa product. It has two small eyepieces- 40x and 80x
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#7
Posted 17 August 2013 - 02:24 PM
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#8
Posted 17 August 2013 - 04:04 PM
Selsi Stargazer Model 234.
Wow, Gary, that makes me revisit old memories! The ota is very similar to my first telescope, especially the 'finder' scope, although the tube mounting to the alt-az mount was different from memory and the tripod too. That was the scope that started my interest in astronomy, I guess in the arly to mid 70s. Thanks for rekindling those memories.
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#9
Posted 18 August 2013 - 03:20 PM

#10
Posted 18 August 2013 - 03:55 PM
Thank you so much for the kind words you conveyed to Gary and I. Our friendship goes back quite a ways. It is hard to believe sometimes that we stayed in touch with each other for so long. Gary is indeed a true brother and dear friend.
But, I must say that meeting great amateurs like you, Brian, is just a as fulfilling. The information and support you have given me during my ATM projects will never be forgotten. Thank you very much, and for being there.



As you requested, here is a photo of Gary and I observing back in October of 2005 at my residence, just after Hurricane Katrina destroyed his home.
Mel
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#11
Posted 18 August 2013 - 03:59 PM
Mel
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#12
Posted 18 August 2013 - 11:19 PM
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#14
Posted 19 August 2013 - 09:44 AM
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#15
Posted 19 August 2013 - 10:12 AM

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#16
Posted 19 August 2013 - 12:19 PM
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#17
Posted 19 August 2013 - 12:23 PM
I have too many scopes.
I don't think so, looks like there's more floor space available to the sides and front!

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#18
Posted 19 August 2013 - 02:02 PM
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#19
Posted 19 August 2013 - 03:05 PM
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#20
Posted 20 August 2013 - 01:07 AM
I posted a similar shot in the refractor forum, but I'm in this shot, so I'm safe. L to R: 1969 Sans & Streiffe 618; Optica b/c; 1968 Sears 6339-A (on mantle w/mount awaiting rebuild); 1960 Swift 831; 1969 6339-A. I have too many scopes.
Hi CharlieB,
I am truly astound of your collection!





Mel
#21
Posted 20 August 2013 - 08:52 AM
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#23
Posted 22 August 2013 - 02:23 PM
#24
Posted 22 August 2013 - 03:22 PM
#25
Posted 22 August 2013 - 05:04 PM
Thanks Charlie, you are right about the mount, a real nice combo.I'll bet that mount works like a charm with that scope.
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