22 replies to this topic

[drjoeshmoe]

I found an old telescope part while out garage selling.

The old man told me he believes it come out of the Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, AZ (just 1.5 hours drive from me).

There are 2 counters (not sure the technical name), made by Veeder and pat. date is 1886-1911.

 

I did read there have been ongoing restoration projects at Lowell, so this is definitely possible.

I came to this forum trying to find info, I found a post from 2015 by a member of(rockethead26), who was an employee of Lowell.

Perhaps he could tell if this part looks to have been something that was replaced during a restoration?j

 

 

Attached Thumbnails

• 

[John Rogers]

It appears to be an x-y stage that would allow an eyepiece or instrument to be centered on an object in the field-of-view.  It definitely could have originated at Lowell Observatory.  There is an organization called the Antique Telescope Society that has experts who could possibly assist with more information.

 

https://antiquetelescopesociety.org/

[Alrakis]

Filar micrometer? 

[drjoeshmoe]

It appears to be an x-y stage that would allow an eyepiece or instrument to be centered on an object in the field-of-view.  It definitely could have originated at Lowell Observatory.  There is an organization called the Antique Telescope Society that has experts who could possibly assist with more information.

 

https://antiquetelescopesociety.org/

Thank you very much for the help!

[rachnoman]

For astrometry?

[WillR]

I don’t know what forum here would be best to answer your question, but probably not the beginner’s forum. Are you into astronomy yourself or are you looking to find the value? Since you just joined, I assume it was to inquire about this particular piece of equipment.

 

You mentioned a forum member who worked at Lowell. If you go to that topic and click on his name, you will see an option to send him a PM. You can also see if he is even still active here.

 

Did you try emailing or contacting Lowell directly?

[Jon Isaacs]

 

You mentioned a forum member who worked at Lowell. If you go to that topic and click on his name, you will see an option to send him a PM. You can also see if he is even still active here.

 

Did you try emailing or contacting Lowell directly?

 

 

 

Most likely, that would be rockethead26, Jim Cole. 

 

https://www.cloudyni...4-rockethead26/

 

Jon

[drjoeshmoe]

I don’t know what forum here would be best to answer your question, but probably not the beginner’s forum. Are you into astronomy yourself or are you looking to find the value? Since you just joined, I assume it was to inquire about this particular piece of equipment.

 

You mentioned a forum member who worked at Lowell. If you go to that topic and click on his name, you will see an option to send him a PM. You can also see if he is even still active here.

 

Did you try emailing or contacting Lowell directly?

I posted to the beginners forum because I was unsure which forum would best be suited, and did not want to risk having my post removed.

I do appreciate astronomy, but am not actively into it.

I would guess there were be a market for this piece, especially if it was confirmed to be from Lowell. I will try sending a PM, I do not think that was possible when I first came across the post, as I was not yet approved to comment.

 

I thought about emailing Lowell directly, and that may be a good idea, Hopefully they would forward my email to the correct employee who may be able to help.

[drjoeshmoe]

 

Most likely, that would be rockethead26, Jim Cole. 

 

https://www.cloudyni...4-rockethead26/

 

Jon

Thank you, I sent Jim a message.

[rockethead26]

Thank you, I sent Jim a message.

HI,

 

Got your PM. I am now retired from the workforce as of 2 weeks ago and no longer working at Lowell, but I will send an email with your image to a few folks who may be in the know.

 

Cheers,

Jim

[drjoeshmoe]

HI,

 

Got your PM. I am now retired from the workforce as of 2 weeks ago and no longer working at Lowell, but I will send an email with your image to a few folks who may be in the know.

 

Cheers,

Jim

Wow, what timing!

Enjoy your retirement.

I would appreciate very much your help in asking your former colleagues.

[RalphMeisterTigerMan]

My guess, part of a "blink comparator"?

 

Clear skies and keep looking up!

RalphMeisterTigerMan

[BFaucett]

Finding Pluto With the Blink Comparator

May 14, 2015
By David DeVorkin

National Air and Space Museum

https://airandspace....link-comparator

 

 

 

[WillR]

My guess, part of a "blink comparator"?

 

Clear skies and keep looking up!

RalphMeisterTigerMan

I thought a blink comparer flipped photographic plates. That looks like it goes in the optical train and has dials for measuring. My guess would be for spectroscopy or measuring double stars.

[Echolight]

I was going to say a henweigh.

[RalphMeisterTigerMan]

Dear Echolight. I was going to suggest a Cardigan.

 

Clear skies and keep looking up!

RalphMeisterTigerMan

[AlamoBob]

Studying the device carefully, you can see that the "shot glass holder" is on a dovetail slide, providing horizontal translation, (dial on the far left) and the base appears to be built for rotation (front dial), resulting in a mil-spec cocktail shaker - obviously for very precisely concocted martinis.

 

Actually, I'm guessing that the lower assembly is ALSO on a dovetail slide (inverted) for X/Y positioning.

Edited by AlamoBob, 12 December 2024 - 10:29 AM.

[rockethead26]

Update: I have only heard back just yesterday from one other contact (one of Brian Skiff's) who said that he did not recognize the instrument. Still a mystery as to where it might have come from.

[rockethead26]

I thought a blink comparer flipped photographic plates. That looks like it goes in the optical train and has dials for measuring. My guess would be for spectroscopy or measuring double stars.

You are right, Will, on both counts. Lowell still has the blink comparator that Clyde Tombaugh used to find Pluto which is the same one in the photo when it was on loan to the Air and Space Museum, so we know it looks nothing like the OP's instrument and it is a measuring device of some design.

[doyers017]

very interesting.

[Illinois]

Look like Clyde Tombaugh used to discover Pluto.  Who knows. I remember that similar machine that Clyde use to search for Planet X. If it’s original and should be in museum. 

[jokrausdu]

I was going to say a henweigh.

What's a henweigh?

[Bill Weir]

What's a henweigh?

approx. 2-3 kg.

 

Bill