20 replies to this topic

[lamy]

I was given this old telescope that originally belonged to my local observatory. There are no markings anywhere on the tube or mount. I've researched various forums and wikis to try and identify the manufacturer, but have had no luck. The closest I can find are the Meade Research Grade telescopes from the mid 80's, but it is not a match. I'm trying to decide if it is worth restoring. Any help with identification would be greatly appreciated.

 

 

 

 

 

[ram812]

Any kit like that😯, no matter what brand, IMHO would be worth restoration big time! I don't know but the mirror SHOULD have some writing on it's edge or back- pertinent info to it's real identity, maybe F-ratio and person who figured it and when. What an awesome gift!😉😁

Congrats, like winning the lottery...
Ralph

[Sincos]

What an excellent beast of an instrument ! Who were the benefactors for the observatory, was it a university or some other institution that would have some documentation or records . Would you be able to track down any of the members of the observatory group to ask , you got some sort of connection to be offered the scope in the first place . Even try any local newspapers that might have run an article about the observatory opening or the installation of the telescope .

 Good Luck and Clear Skies

 

Oh My Gosh.  just noticed did you transport it with the mirror in that position ?

Edited by Sincos, 27 July 2024 - 08:20 PM.

[DAVIDG]

 Optical Craftsmen from  the 70's. Here is  a link to one of their catalogs https://wiki.telesco...964_Catalog.pdf

 

               - Dave 

Edited by DAVIDG, 27 July 2024 - 08:40 PM.

[rachnoman]

Looks like an Optical craftsman mount with a sky micro giant focuser.

Dave

[YourNotSirius]

Someone really scored! We'd love it if someone would give us such a gift! WOW

 

Definitely worthy of restoration!

 

Q

[tim53]

Looks like the RA circle is missing.  The pointer is there, but not the circle (which would be just in front - northward - of the clock drive enclosure.  Otherwise, an excellent score.  The mirror might be engraved on the back (or edge) by the optician.  The OTA would have had an optical craftsmen sticker on it near the focuser.  Often these are missing, though.

 

-Tim.

[Bill Griffith]

"The Optical Craftsmen"

 

Appears to be a Connoisseur series.

 

Dick Nelson   Northridge  Ca.

 

Bill

[apfever]

I tried comparing this to my 10" O.C. (ANRA version).  I'm having harder and harder times trying to scale things even with pictures and my scopes in hand. I can't tell if the posted mount has 1.5" shafts or 2" shafts.  The early finders were 4.25" reflectors. 

[CHASLX200]

 

I was given this old telescope that originally belonged to my local observatory. There are no markings anywhere on the tube or mount. I've researched various forums and wikis to try and identify the manufacturer, but have had no luck. The closest I can find are the Meade Research Grade telescopes from the mid 80's, but it is not a match. I'm trying to decide if it is worth restoring. Any help with identification would be greatly appreciated.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OC.  Should be fine.

[tim53]

I tried comparing this to my 10" O.C. (ANRA version).  I'm having harder and harder times trying to scale things even with pictures and my scopes in hand. I can't tell if the posted mount has 1.5" shafts or 2" shafts.  The early finders were 4.25" reflectors. 

I think the 10" used the same mount as the 8", so 1 1/2" shafts.

[Kokatha man]

...probably just me but that shaft looks thicker than 1.5".

[CHASLX200]

...probably just me but that shaft looks thicker than 1.5".

Could be a 2". Here was my 2" Starliner for scale with the 10".

Attached Thumbnails

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Edited by CHASLX200, 29 July 2024 - 06:21 AM.

[lamy]

Sorry for not responding earlier, I was not receiving notifications. You guys are Rockstars! Thanks for all the input!

 

 

What an excellent beast of an instrument ! Who were the benefactors for the observatory, was it a university or some other institution that would have some documentation or records . Would you be able to track down any of the members of the observatory group to ask , you got some sort of connection to be offered the scope in the first place . Even try any local newspapers that might have run an article about the observatory opening or the installation of the telescope .

 Good Luck and Clear Skies

 

Oh My Gosh.  just noticed did you transport it with the mirror in that position ?

 

My local University was the benefactor of the telescope, but they had not documentation. I plan on stopping by the observatory to find out if they have any information, and any old, extra parts (they had multiples of this same telescope). 

 

And yes I transported it in that position, I am a newb, but it was just down the road a short distance.

[Tom Stock]

Nice 10" on a lovely mount.  Is that an F7?

 

Absolutely worth restoring and using. Shame that the RA circle has been removed.

Edited by Tom Stock, 04 August 2024 - 08:34 PM.

[RichA]

 Optical Craftsmen from  the 70's. Here is  a link to one of their catalogs https://wiki.telesco...964_Catalog.pdf

 

               - Dave 

The Sky Micro (giant?) focuser is a give away.

[B 26354]

The Sky Micro (giant?) focuser is a give away.

"give away".

 

Meaning "a worthless freebie, so give it away"?

 

Or "giveaway"... indicating that it's "a realy great mechanism, and you're lucky to have gotten it"?

 

 

Edited by B 26354, 05 August 2024 - 11:50 AM.

[apfever]

A 'give away' in terms of a notable defining part of identifying the scope. There were other makers using the Sky Micro line of focusers though. The Sky Micro Giant is a great mechanism. 

[Cavs56]

I think he was being facetious.

[ccaissie]

Giveaway, as in the information that clinches a suspicion.

 

As in, "The murderer was obviously known to the family...the dog not barking was the giveaway."

[Kasmos]

simply put, Clue