Jump to content

  •  

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.

Photo

Moonraker! (GALAXY CLASS) 90mm f8.9 MgF2 achromat refractor!

  • Please log in to reply
14 replies to this topic

#1 Supernova74

Supernova74

    Soyuz

  • *****
  • topic starter
  • Posts: 3,733
  • Joined: 25 May 2020
  • Loc: Epsom surrey near (London)

Posted 15 April 2025 - 10:42 AM

Hi all 

 

I recently required this little gem of a refractor telescope

 

its understandable that Moonraker telescopes is not going to appeal to everyone and was unaware if i should place this thread in the classic section of CN or the refractor section which i decided to place this thread.I personally wouldn’t call it a classic it’s more retro! i guess as this moonraker (GALAXY CLASS) was manufactured in the 21st century.the telescope is a 90mm (3.5”) f8.9 achromat which is manufactured out of MgF2 Japanese glass elements and i must admit was very impressed with the optical quality and would definitely say it’s on par with a ED doublet.However do many amateurs actually use these steam punk,slightly industrial looking refractor telescopes in the field,and I’m not so sure!.So as the telescope will be for sale shortly I’m unware the path i should take.Do i advertise in the CN sections or perhaps go to a specialist auction site instead.

 

far as I’m aware mark at moonraker has now retired and these telescopes are no longer in production.I did also look at the price list of these instruments so i am aware how much they cost originally.

 

Attached Thumbnails

  • IMG_1659.jpeg
  • IMG_1656.jpeg
  • IMG_1661.jpeg

Edited by Supernova74, 15 April 2025 - 11:03 AM.

  • zjc26138, Lagrange, ken30809 and 15 others like this

#2 Astroman007

Astroman007

    Hubble

  • *****
  • Posts: 14,548
  • Joined: 27 Oct 2017
  • Loc: Latchford, Northern Ontario, Canada

Posted 15 April 2025 - 10:47 AM

It's a great scope and I understand you're pumped but does it really require five identical posts? grin.gif

 

Yes, not a classic. Why not keep it? Every backyard astronomer should have a good 90 to 100mm refractor IMO.


  • AndresEsteban and CharLakeAstro like this

#3 Supernova74

Supernova74

    Soyuz

  • *****
  • topic starter
  • Posts: 3,733
  • Joined: 25 May 2020
  • Loc: Epsom surrey near (London)

Posted 15 April 2025 - 10:49 AM

It's a great scope and I understand you're pumped but does it really require five identical posts? grin.gif

 

Yes, not a classic. Why not keep it? Every backyard astronomer should have a good 90 to 100mm refractor IMO.

Yes was aware of that as when i posted the first time round the screen went white lol 


  • VA3DSO, Celerondon and Polyphemos like this

#4 CharLakeAstro

CharLakeAstro

    Mercury-Atlas

  • *****
  • Posts: 2,868
  • Joined: 12 Jan 2015
  • Loc: 44.5N

Posted 15 April 2025 - 10:52 AM

Wow, that scope sure is beautiful. I would  most certainly use it out under the stars, but also keep it on display in my office as eye candy. 


  • havasman and Astroman007 like this

#5 VA3DSO

VA3DSO

    Gemini

  • *****
  • Posts: 3,205
  • Joined: 28 Feb 2015
  • Loc: Canada

Posted 15 April 2025 - 12:20 PM

Yes was aware of that as when i posted the first time round the screen went white lol 

I've had the same issue when posting - after clicking "Post" I sometimes just get a blank white screen - but my post is there. I've seen many people with multiple identical posts so don't feel bad! 


Edited by Rick-T137, 15 April 2025 - 12:25 PM.


#6 havasman

havasman

    James Webb Space Telescope

  • *****
  • Posts: 16,834
  • Joined: 04 Aug 2013
  • Loc: Dallas, Texas

Posted 15 April 2025 - 12:40 PM

Those are the most beautiful refractors I know of and if I had one, an unlikely eventuality, I'm sure it would not leave even if all it did was sit on a mount in the den. If I ever saw one on an observing field I would certainly visit with the owner and hope to get a look through it.


  • CharLakeAstro likes this

#7 RichA

RichA

    Hubble

  • *****
  • Posts: 13,783
  • Joined: 03 Jun 2010
  • Loc: Toronto, Canada

Posted 15 April 2025 - 01:37 PM

Go to an auction site. Sell to the monied rubes

#8 John Huntley

John Huntley

    Aurora

  • *****
  • Posts: 4,979
  • Joined: 16 Jul 2006
  • Loc: South West U.K.

Posted 15 April 2025 - 04:16 PM

That one was up for sale for a while recently here in the UK. It's a wonderful looking instrument but perhaps a little "niche" ?

 

You could try a lower price perhaps ?



#9 betacygni

betacygni

    Gemini

  • *****
  • Posts: 3,382
  • Joined: 06 Feb 2011

Posted 15 April 2025 - 11:54 PM

Trick on valuing rare and generally unavailable scopes is to start at the higher end, assuming you are in no hurry to sell. The issue of course as mentioned prior is that it’s quite niche being an expensive achromat. Additionally people that really wanted one probably would have purchased one when they were available, so that’s going to leave a pretty tiny market, especially at higher prices.

Good luck with the sale, always really wanted one of those scopes. I’m one of those that view telescopes as works on art in themselves, this scope surely is that.

Edited by betacygni, 15 April 2025 - 11:55 PM.


#10 db2005

db2005

    Surveyor 1

  • *****
  • Posts: 1,705
  • Joined: 23 Dec 2017
  • Loc: Denmark

Posted 16 April 2025 - 12:24 AM

Nice scope!

 

I recall drooling over the Moonraker scopes years ago; that special unique appeal of steampunk/astronomy/jewelry design-language is sure to attract some attention in any living room display, although the very shiny surfaces are probably somewhat impractical in real use.

 

Unless my memory is faulty I believe I read somewhere that Moonraker were using optics which were supplied by Tele Vue in the USA.


Edited by db2005, 16 April 2025 - 12:25 AM.


#11 Supernova74

Supernova74

    Soyuz

  • *****
  • topic starter
  • Posts: 3,733
  • Joined: 25 May 2020
  • Loc: Epsom surrey near (London)

Posted 16 April 2025 - 01:05 AM

Nice scope!

 

I recall drooling over the Moonraker scopes years ago; that special unique appeal of steampunk/astronomy/jewelry design-language is sure to attract some attention in any living room display, although the very shiny surfaces are probably somewhat impractical in real use.

 

Unless my memory is faulty I believe I read somewhere that Moonraker were using optics which were supplied by Tele Vue in the USA.

Richard day used televue objective lenses of (skylight telescopes) similer to moonraker aesthetically.

mark at moonraker also fussy about the lenses he uses various lenses such as jaegers,Istar R35 objective lenses,


  • db2005 likes this

#12 kmparsons

kmparsons

    Viking 1

  • -----
  • Posts: 702
  • Joined: 07 Jun 2007
  • Loc: Texas

Posted 16 April 2025 - 08:18 PM

I have a candy-apple red 100mm f/10 Richard Day made for me several years ago. It has an outstanding Vixen objective. it is wonderful to look at and to look through. It makes you realize how great refractors could be even in the "pre-apo" era. 



#13 R Botero

R Botero

    Fly Me to the Moon

  • -----
  • Posts: 6,164
  • Joined: 02 Jan 2009
  • Loc: Kent, England

Posted 17 April 2025 - 06:48 AM

Richard day used televue objective lenses of (skylight telescopes) similer to moonraker aesthetically.

mark at moonraker also fussy about the lenses he uses various lenses such as jaegers,Istar R35 objective lenses,

Mark would make an OTA for whatever lens you'd give him.  I gave him a 94mm f/7 Brandon triplet lens made by Roland Christen in the late 80s and he made me this one a bit more than 10 years ago.  I actually had two of those lenses but one was chipped and there went my dream of a binoscope made by Moonraker!

 

YxzcGcG9pUaM_2560x0_bDM8psdn.jpg

 

I am saddened to hear he is not making scopes anymore.  I enjoyed visiting his workshop a lot.

 

Roberto


  • zjc26138, kmparsons, ken30809 and 6 others like this

#14 zjc26138

zjc26138

    Loved By All

  • *****
  • Posts: 10,122
  • Joined: 24 Feb 2005
  • Loc: Steubenville, Ohio

Posted 17 April 2025 - 09:12 AM

They sure are beautiful scopes!



#15 Terra Nova

Terra Nova

    ISS

  • *****
  • Posts: 33,250
  • Joined: 29 May 2012
  • Loc: Kentucky, just south of the Ohio River

Posted 20 April 2025 - 09:21 AM

Hi all 

 

I recently required this little gem of a refractor telescope

 

its understandable that Moonraker telescopes is not going to appeal to everyone and was unaware if i should place this thread in the classic section of CN or the refractor section which i decided to place this thread.I personally wouldn’t call it a classic it’s more retro! i guess as this moonraker (GALAXY CLASS) was manufactured in the 21st century.the telescope is a 90mm (3.5”) f8.9 achromat which is manufactured out of MgF2 Japanese glass elements and i must admit was very impressed with the optical quality and would definitely say it’s on par with a ED doublet.However do many amateurs actually use these steam punk,slightly industrial looking refractor telescopes in the field,and I’m not so sure!.So as the telescope will be for sale shortly I’m unware the path i should take.Do i advertise in the CN sections or perhaps go to a specialist auction site instead.

 

far as I’m aware mark at moonraker has now retired and these telescopes are no longer in production.I did also look at the price list of these instruments so i am aware how much they cost originally.

Congratulations! Moonraker’s are lovely instruments, and rather rare as they are truly bespoke one-offs. Mark did gorgeous work and he was willing to work with the customer on the design. I had an Astronomy friend (now deceased) that had one the Mark made just for him. He was very proud of it. Really cool, Steampunkish retro-Victorian designs. I know you will enjoy it.


  • zjc26138 likes this


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.


Recent Topics






Cloudy Nights LLC
Cloudy Nights Sponsor: Astronomics