Javascript Disabled Detected

You currently have javascript disabled. Several functions may not work. Please re-enable javascript to access full functionality.

CNers have asked about a donation box for Cloudy Nights over the years, so here you go. Donation is not required by any means, so please enjoy your stay.

6" Merz refractor

Started by spatzek , Dec 06 2006 04:05 PM

This topic has been archived. This means that you cannot reply to this topic.

8 replies to this topic

#1 $6" Merz refractor: post #1$ spatzek

Vostok 1

topic starter

Posts: 107
Joined: 06 Apr 2005

Posted 06 December 2006 - 04:05 PM

Hallo from Denmark

A picture from Rundetaarn Public Observatory in the middle of Copenhagen where Copenhagen Astronomical Society has shown the stars since 1982.
The telescope is an semiapo f/15 6" Merz refractor from 1929. The other telescope is a 4" Unitron.
Great telescopes.
Photo: H. Delfer.

Lars Spatzek

Attached Thumbnails

Back to top

#2 $6" Merz refractor: post #2$ Bonco

Skylab

Posts: 4,008
Joined: 17 Apr 2006

Posted 06 December 2006 - 04:42 PM

Absolutely beautiful setup. Looks like a Unitron camera too.
Thanks for posting the picture. Have you observed thru the scope?
Bonco

Back to top

#3 $6" Merz refractor: post #3$ spatzek

Vostok 1

topic starter

Posts: 107
Joined: 06 Apr 2005

Posted 06 December 2006 - 05:36 PM

Bonco!
The camera is a Voigtländer from around 1930.
I was the leader of the observatory from 1983 to 1887 and did use the telescope a lot. Great..great planetary instrument with very little CA.
I will later post some info. regarding our societys 12" Merz refractor at the moment located at Brorfelde Observatory (Copenhagen University Astronomical Observatory)where the sky is dark.

Lars Spatzek

Back to top

#4 $6" Merz refractor: post #4$ Scott Beith

SRF

Posts: 48,307
Joined: 26 Nov 2003

Posted 06 December 2006 - 07:13 PM

Lars,
I just drooled on my keyboard!
Wow those are some beautiful scopes! :bow:

Back to top

#5 $6" Merz refractor: post #5$ Bonco

Skylab

Posts: 4,008
Joined: 17 Apr 2006

Posted 06 December 2006 - 08:11 PM

Lars...If my memory serves me, Unitron offered a Plate camera similar to the Voigtlander...Likely they copied the design. Please post your observation reports on the 6 and 4 inch scopes. I too am drooling as I love these long focus refractors.
Bonco

Back to top

#6 $6" Merz refractor: post #6$ Awesomelenny

Skylab

Posts: 4,221
Joined: 02 May 2004

Posted 06 December 2006 - 09:24 PM

Lars,
That is such a beautiful setup! Bonco is right. Unitron did have an astrocamera very similar to that Voiglander. You have to just love those long focus refractors! I too am looking forward to more images of these telescopes from different perspectives.

Back to top

#7 $6" Merz refractor: post #7$ spatzek

Vostok 1

topic starter

Posts: 107
Joined: 06 Apr 2005

Posted 07 December 2006 - 05:06 PM

Well - planetary observations and a project to observe many small (3-6") planetary nebulas was my primary projects with the 6" refractor around 1984-1986. I used Clavé short focal eyepieces. A great time in my early twentys. Private I did use my good old orange C8 and my first telescope an Unitron 114.
The 4" Unitron was installed around 1984 and was bought from a good friend. The mount was sold to someone else. I had used that telescope a lot from a dark place. The optics are as good as the old 6" Merz.
Copenhagen Astronomical Society has a 12" Merz f/10,66 refractor currently at Brorfelde Observatory, a dark place 40 miles outside Copenhagen. The telescope is mounted on one of the best german mounts ever made!! The load capacity is around 800 lbs.
In one night using the new GO-TO system i did observe the same planetary nebulas using 800 x and the telescope just placed the objects in the center of the eyepiece every time.
The unusual Merz objective (from 1922)is a modified Littrow system, and the CA is better than the typical Synta 6" refractors. Contrast (the background is black!!) is excellent and the pinpoint stars in globular clusters are amazing.

Lars Spatzek