Classic telescopes a guide to collecting, restoring, and using telescopes of yesteryear Neil English

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

English, Neil

Series:

Patrick Moore's practical astronomy series

Patrick Moore's practical astronomy series 1431-9756

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Telescopes.

Telescopes--Collectors and collecting.

Genre:

Observations

Physical Description:

1 online resource

Place of Publication:

New York, NY Springer ©2013

Language Note:

English

Summary:

Classic Telescopes explores the exciting world of telescopes past, as well as the possibilities involved in acquiring these instruments. What are classic telescopes? First, the book takes a look at the more traditional telescopes built by the great instrument makers of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries and the dynastic houses founded by the likes of John Dollond, Alvan Clark, Thomas Cooke & Sons and Carl Zeiss, plus some lesser-known luminaries, including John Brashear, John Calver, and Henry Fitz. Instruments constructed from the 1950s until as recently as the early 1990s are now also considered 'classic.' There is thus a very active market for buying and selling these 'modern' classics. The author examines some of the most talked about instruments on the amateur Internet forums, including the Unitron refractors, the Questar 90, a classic 6-inch reflector, the RV-6; a 3-inch F/15 achromat by Fullerscopes; the time-honored AstroScan Richfield reflector; and many, many more. Classic telescopes are of interest to amateur astronomers for a variety of reasons. There are, of course, the dedicated collectors, but in addition many amateurs love classic telescopes for their nostalgia. These telescopes have a fit and feel quite unlike any contemporary telescope and perhaps a unique ability to reconnect the owner to a bygone age of craftsmanship. This book not only informs as to what's out there and how to acquire it but also provides a wonderful historical background on the evolution of telescopes in a world just beginning to recognize the treasures to be found in scanning the skies. Just reading about this world can help you feel a part of it, and if you decide to continue on with collecting, then this book can serve as an invaluable guide in your pursuit

Contents:

The Dollond Century A Yorkshireman Makes Good Once upon a Time in America Zeiss Is Nice The Story of Broadhurst, Clarkson and Fuller The 60 mm Brigade Classic Specula The Age of Unitron Die Zauberflöte Pioneers of the New Glass Classic Cats Resurrecting the Master's Glass The Antique Telescope in the Twenty-First Century

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index

Other Format:

Print version:

ISBN:

9781461444244

1461444241

1461444233

9781461444237

9781283624091

1283624095

9786613936547

6613936545

OCLC:

809794115

Access Restriction:

Restricted for use by site license