7 replies to this topic

[Oregon-raybender]

Here are a few images of a simple Q4. It was brought about 40 years ago for optical company I worked at to test a mirror assembly.

The telescope has a 1/10 wave PV as tested on Zygo ( I don't have the report anymore). The scope was scrapped, since the project

was no longer being produced. I use for nature watching and if I need a quick observing scope to take. It's a f/15  (1,500mm) system.

The views are wonderful and sharp. Since the sun is active again and Mars is close, I plan some imaging, (simple, I am not strong processor)

The optics are still clean, the mirror is fine, the corrector is not coated, not an issue. Not a Questar, but it does the job.

 

Starry Nights

 

 

 

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[pbealo]

The GI in S/N means it was made in 1078. Lack of "C" at end of S/N means it is a traditional aluminum coating. I'm surprised at the lack of AR coating. Are you sure?? It would have been simple MgFl.

[Oregon-raybender]

Made in 1978, that sounds about right. We were using a Questar, but the owner (company board member)

wanted it back, since he wanted to observe with it. I checked the scope again. The mac lens front surface

does not have a AR coating (it failed the color (lack of) and finger oil test, oil from your finger will show up

as "glow" changing the index) The back surface, hard to tell, a slight color appears really soft,

if that. If it does have a AR coating, it's very very thin. You can see it the lights in the lens image does

not have any or much color (it should be lite blue or purple for MgF2)  I would guess they may not have

heated the lens, which was the standard back then, it would have been a risk.

Maybe a cold coat of MgF2 is possible, but would not stick very well after a period of time.

In any case, the scope has fine optics, even if a simple model.

 

Starry Nights

[pairofdocs]

I have the Questar look-alike Quantum-4 and have found the optics to be outstanding. I rarely get to use the full potential of the scope due lousy local seeing conditions. I had the scope with me in the Marshall Islands during the KWAJEX field experiment and it was the only time I got see it’s full potential. It will be the last scope I give up

Edited by pairofdocs, 10 December 2022 - 01:45 PM.

[Spikey131]

I’m still looking for the black lab….

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[Oregon-raybender]

   Got it.   

[RichA]

Here are a few images of a simple Q4. It was brought about 40 years ago for optical company I worked at to test a mirror assembly.

The telescope has a 1/10 wave PV as tested on Zygo ( I don't have the report anymore). The scope was scrapped, since the project

was no longer being produced. I use for nature watching and if I need a quick observing scope to take. It's a f/15  (1,500mm) system.

The views are wonderful and sharp. Since the sun is active again and Mars is close, I plan some imaging, (simple, I am not strong processor)

The optics are still clean, the mirror is fine, the corrector is not coated, not an issue. Not a Questar, but it does the job.

 

Starry Nights

Interesting, it does remind me of the Quantum 100.

[telescope200]

Interesting, it does remind me of the Quantum 100.

It is a Quantum 100. If dates are being read right this is #45 built in 1979 (based on this being #4 built in 1978). They probably used the same parts to build custom scopes, they wouldn't have had much leeway to machine all new stuff.