[LVAS] Small Scopes

[Fred Rayworth]

All,

 

Ha ha!

 

The reason I used to get S&T in the 70's and 80's were for three things. The ads, Gleanings for ATM's, and Deep Sky Wonders. The rest I usually ignored.

 

Fred


 


From: drivester at hotmail.com
To: lvas at lvlug.org; fred.rayworth.ctr at nellis.af.mil
Date: Tue, 16 Feb 2010 14:39:08 +0000
Subject: [LVAS] Small Scopes




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






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