2 replies to this topic

[AdrianH]

My father-in-law bought this with my son (studying physics with astrophysics) from the Norman Lockyear Observatory recently.

We've been restoring it and so far got the mirrors recoated and fitted back to the scope body.

The aim is to get this telescope working with Stellarium. I think I just need a modern Vixen DD3 controller and I'm looking at one on ebay from Japan.

Here are some photos. I understand only 100 of these were ever made.

 

Edited by AdrianH, 29 July 2024 - 08:33 AM.

[R Botero]

Excellent!  The predecessor mount to the first Astro-Physics ones.  

 

See here:  https://www.cloudyni...ions-pm1-mount/

 

I wonder if the optics were his/bought from someone like AE Luton?  What else is the Norman Lockyear observatory selling?!!  One of the Cooke's?

 

Roberto

Edited by R Botero, 30 July 2024 - 08:19 AM.

[AdrianH]

Excellent! The predecessor mount to the first Astro-Physics ones.

See here: https://www.cloudyni...ions-pm1-mount/

I wonder if the optics were his/bought from someone like AE Luton? What else is the Norman Lockyear observatory selling?!! One of the Cooke's?

Roberto

The R J Miller telescope was sold by the lady who I think was chairman or at least heavily connected with the observatory rather than the observatory itself. Apparently she was the first women in the UK to graduate with an astrophysics degree. There are a number of telescops at the Norman Lockyear observatory with open to the public evenings a few times a year. Some of the scopes are real old classics in their own big domes.

I can't tell where the optics came from, but the lady did advise and who could refurbish the mirrors for us.
We'll be building a new hard standing and dome for this RJ miller scope soon.