[LVAS] Small Scopes

[roger ivester]

All,

 

Did anyone read those old "Deep-Sky Wonders" by Walter Scott Houston in the 60's and up? If so, you may remember that he used a very old Alvin Clark 4-inch f/15 refractor for most of his observations, at least for his last 30 years. When he was much younger and living in Kansas he ground a 10-inch mirror and built his own telescope. He often made many references to his observations of various deep-sky objects using this instrument, but they were often in the 30's 40's maybe 50's. After that I mostly remember his current viewing being with the Clark refractor.   

 

I also enjoyed hearing about his observations of various Messier objects when he was kid, using a 2-inch paper tube refractor of his own making. 

 

I really enjoy observing with my 10-inch reflector, and would also like to have a larger scope, but just don't have the room for anymore scopes as of current. 

 

Seems that I have this desire to see what can be seen with a small scope. It is sometimes amazing what can be observed through a "good quality" 50 or 60 mm finder.

 

I want to start using my 4-inch refractor a bit more this year on the Observers Challenge. I am also going to do a supplemental and describe the view of M-51 (Spring Supplemental) and NGC-5907, a beautiful galaxy in Draco using...guess which scope? My 76 mm Celestron FirstScope. I know that many are already thinking, no way. 

 

It is probably not going to be spectacular, but I will describe what it as best as possible. 

 

Most all of the 2010 Observers Challenge should be visible in a 60 mm refractor, and for sure in a 4-inch refractor. Check out Skiff and Luginbuhl.

 

I think that it would be great if someone with a good 60 mm or 80 mm refractor would attempt some of the Observer Challenge objects and submit a report. 

 

Aprils Fool Joke: Fred Rayworth sells his 16-inch for $553 dollars to make a down payment on a 4-inch APO refractor. I am surely smiling as I write this. 

 

Best regards, Roger

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
    The moon and stars to govern the night.....   Psalm 136:9



 		 	   		  
_________________________________________________________________
Hotmail: Trusted email with Microsoft’s powerful SPAM protection.
http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/201469226/direct/01/
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://lvlug.org/pipermail/lvas/attachments/20100216/887e18a4/attachment.htm