Post by Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe on Feb 11, 2014 17:21:06 GMT -6
65 Year old Telescope....
I received this email from a gentleman who wished to get his first scope back in shape.....
Mike,
Great that you still hung on to that telescope you got when you were 5.
With the limited info, it rather hard to direct you in the proper manner in which to restore your prized scope. But here are some preliminary thoughts:
In a scope that is 65+years old the mirror is most likely that it's of the .096" eyepiece variety. The mirror is most likely shot and has lost it's reflective properties. Mirrors cannot be "polished", but instead must be sent out for re-coating, but with a mirror of that small size, it shouldn't be expensive at all. The missing .096" diagonal cannot be repaired, but there are many of them available on Ebay for cheap.
I understand the sentimental value of your scope, but at 3.5 inches, the views would be limited and not one for serious observation. Please do send us a pic of the scope for a better understanding of what you may have there and we van better assist you in getting that scope back to working order.
I received this email from a gentleman who wished to get his first scope back in shape.....
On my 5th Birthday, I got a 3.5 inch telescope.
Now 65 years later, I would like to get it back in shape.
The main mirror needs to be polished and the eyepiece mount is missing its mirror.
Can anyone help me?
Mike
Now 65 years later, I would like to get it back in shape.
The main mirror needs to be polished and the eyepiece mount is missing its mirror.
Can anyone help me?
Mike
Mike,
Great that you still hung on to that telescope you got when you were 5.
With the limited info, it rather hard to direct you in the proper manner in which to restore your prized scope. But here are some preliminary thoughts:
In a scope that is 65+years old the mirror is most likely that it's of the .096" eyepiece variety. The mirror is most likely shot and has lost it's reflective properties. Mirrors cannot be "polished", but instead must be sent out for re-coating, but with a mirror of that small size, it shouldn't be expensive at all. The missing .096" diagonal cannot be repaired, but there are many of them available on Ebay for cheap.
I understand the sentimental value of your scope, but at 3.5 inches, the views would be limited and not one for serious observation. Please do send us a pic of the scope for a better understanding of what you may have there and we van better assist you in getting that scope back to working order.
