Re: ATM refractor

[astrojoe@erols.com]

I would like one for nostalgia purposes only. It was my first scope. I
still remember building a crude fork mount holding the OTA in altaz
position. It was  very unsteady; but the first views of what else the,
gibbous moon, left me speechless ! Sold it shortly therafter for
something that could hold more power than 70X and gather more light. It
was a colorful objective as you noted and you can't do anything to fix
the problem. A terrible scope. BTW, how much do you want for it ?

Joe Castoro


Frank Ward wrote:
> 
> I've spent so much time with my reflector lately I had
> left my 5" f5 Jaegers refractor to gather dust.
> 
> Tonight I took it out and checked venus.  I usually
> use a long eye relief 32mm Brandon which gives
> 20 power.  I sweep around and say Ahhhhhh a lot.
> 
> Tonight I focused on Betelgeuse and tried the highest
> power I can put together.......a 12mm H. from Edmunds
> and a Brandon 3X Barlow.  The color was overwhelming.
> Outside of focus the outside ring held 90% of the light
> with 6 separate rings and a little center ..........green
> most of it was green.  Inside focus was almost a blur
> but rings were visible, again very colorful, mostly purple
> 
> I cleaned the scope several months ago.  Would replacing
> the lens in its cell reversed, i.e. flint first cause color like this,
> or would an unstable upper atmosphere do it?
> 
> Back to low power everything was sparkling again.  White dots
> (where appropriate)
> 
> Any suggestions would be appreciated.  Oh, and I was using a
> prism diagonal at first, but removed it.
> 
> The lens is 25 years old and has always given good service.  I
> don't remember ever seeing so much color.
> 
> Frank Ward
> Atlanta, GA (78degrees and partly cloudy)