116 replies to this topic

[CHASLX200]

There was actually a 6346 catalog entry, if the camera adapter was included.

 

I do remember running up the 76/1200mm 6344 to its claimed power, 600x, and it actually worked. But the view was so dark and weird, and at such a tiny exit pupil, every irregularity in your eye was starkly shown against the dim Moon. I never did that again. I very rarely used it at 300x, even for just goofing off.

 

-drl

250x is the max and things start to get dim jim.

[John Rogers]

...and my personal favorite!

 

questar with greek goddess.jpg

have you seen her sister?

[98105dude]

My goodness!

[CHASLX200]

have you seen her sister?

1980_Cross_Nustar_14_r.jpg

Coma city kitty since there was no Paracorr then. Plus we had the 12.5" F/4 Volk scope.

[harpo80]

have you seen her sister?
1980_Cross_Nustar_14_r.jpg

I don’t always wear a toga when I go out to observe, but when I do….

A Meade ad in Astronomy mag around 1980-81 for a 4” SCT on a German is what did it for me. Compared to Granddad’s B&L spotting scope I was using it looked huge. Still have the scope but can’t find the ad.

[CHASLX200]

I don’t always wear a toga when I go out to observe, but when I do….

A Meade ad in Astronomy mag around 1980-81 for a 4” SCT on a German is what did it for me. Compared to Granddad’s B&L spotting scope I was using it looked huge. Still have the scope but can’t find the ad.

Never saw that scope or a ad back then.

[harpo80]

Never saw that scope or a ad back then.

This is the scope.  Ad had the usual gentleman in a sportcoat with this one, spotting scope and telephoto lens versions. 

 

Speaking of sportcoats, for a while I thought everyone must wear them when observing because of those ads.

Attached Thumbnails

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Edited by harpo80, 17 August 2024 - 07:43 AM.

[Rick-T137]

When I was a kid, my source of inspiration was always the Sears catalog. I'd always open it up, jump to the index page and look up "telescopes" and "microscopes". Sometimes they'd have entries in multiple spots and you had to see 'em all! I loved dreaming about having my own telescope and microscope. This was when I was 5 to 8 years old. Then it happened! My parents bought me a telescope AND a microscope for Christmas.

 

 

I foolishly got rid of my little Sears 40mm reflector when I was in my 20's once I had acquired a Celestron C8 (why would I ever need that dinky little thing again?!). I have since bought another one, and will keep it for the rest of my life...

 

 

It's funny - my oldest son is in his mid-20's and when he moved out, he wanted to throw away a lot of his childhood stuff. "I don't need any of that anymore, Dad." Wifey and I set aside a few of his things that we know he played with a lot. He'll likely appreciate it when he's older.

 

So, my answer is Sears - their ads turned me on to science and astronomy in a big way.

 

EDIT: Just re-read the OP, and the question is what things did I want to see with my scope... the answer to that was certainly the Moon, Jupiter and Saturn. Which I did see with my little 40mm. They were tiny except the Moon. I loved looking at the craters, and the hair on my neck actually stood up the first time I had the scope out and focused it on the Moon (which took ages to do! LOL!).

 

Clear skies!

 

Rick

 

Edited by Rick-T137, 17 August 2024 - 07:45 AM.

[CHASLX200]

This is the scope.

Never saw one for sale on that mount.  But the mount looks to be made around 1980 with them locks.

[starman876]

This is the scope.  Ad had the usual gentleman in a sportcoat with this one, spotting scope and telephoto lens versions. 

 

Speaking of sportcoats, for a while I thought everyone must wear them when observing because of those ads.

great looking scope

[deSitter]

This is the scope.  Ad had the usual gentleman in a sportcoat with this one, spotting scope and telephoto lens versions. 

 

Speaking of sportcoats, for a while I thought everyone must wear them when observing because of those ads.

What a cutie! Probably Mizar. Anyone know?

 

-drl

[harpo80]

Never saw one for sale on that mount.  But the mount looks to be made around 1980 with them locks.

That's about right for timing.  My earliest memory of using it was looking at the college up on the hill with it, and I think I was in junior high, which would have been 1980-81.  Fork mounts for it came pretty quickly afterward.

[harpo80]

What a cutie! Probably Mizar. Anyone know?

 

-drl

Maybe a little bitty one?  Good thought!

 

I found a copy of the brochure (unfortunately not the brochure itself - lost it somewhere):  Meade System 1000, model 1037.  There's a thread from a while back about another one in the CN community:

 

https://www.cloudyni...ade-model-1037/

 

I'll scan the copied brochure and put it here when I get a moment.  It has the sportcoat guy but wearing something more Barry Manilowish.

Edited by harpo80, 19 August 2024 - 09:25 AM.

[bjkaras]

When I was 13 or 14 the director of the local planetarium gave me an Edmund catalog. Then I saw ads for Cave and Optical Craftsmen in S&T, so I requested catalogs from them. I eventually ordered a 6” f/8 from Cave because it was a 20 minute drive from our house.

[scout]

Rod Molise once compiled a montage of some of Celestron's lovely ad ladies. (Courtesy of Phil Harrington's website)

 

[tim53]

have you seen her sister?

1980_Cross_Nustar_14_r.jpg

I didn't realize Gene Cross sold telescopes.  I know he sold Clave eyepieces and focusers.  I met him on a few occasions.  He lived not far from me when i lived in Whittier, CA.  He was a very kind and knowledgeable gentleman.

[Monel76]

Mizar telescopes (among which the rare bird FA80 fluorite) advertisement from Miotti ottica, Milan, early 1980s….the FA80 costed about two average monthly salaries those times in Italy….

I remember this advertisement very well, late 80s I would say. I drooled a lot over the absolutely overpriced 150 f/5. Unfortunately, I've never seen one, not even on the used market.