I was reading the article of antique telescopes in the Sept. issue of S&T. After shower still reflecting upon the article, my head hit the mirror while shaving: Eureka.
Why is that the antique telescopes, well at the least the ones I have seen in the museum, the magazine, etc. are mostly all refractors. Surely, at the time of Clark for example, there must have been Newtonian produced in the aperture of 4.25" and 6" for amateurs of the time, wouldn't it? Why is it that they aren't generally available? BTW, do the older Newtonian of 100-150 years ago come in brass ;-)?
The S&T article also stated the the 4" refractor (eg. Clark) continues to command high price and is in high demand. I wonder what's so special about the 4" aperture 100-150 years ago? Surely, at f/15 it was no small, portable refractor ;-).
Thanks,
Ron the Antiquely Hopeful TV-102 B[ee]
Why is that the antique telescopes, well at the least the ones I have seen in the museum, the magazine, etc. are mostly all refractors. Surely, at the time of Clark for example, there must have been Newtonian produced in the aperture of 4.25" and 6" for amateurs of the time, wouldn't it? Why is it that they aren't generally available? BTW, do the older Newtonian of 100-150 years ago come in brass ;-)?
The S&T article also stated the the 4" refractor (eg. Clark) continues to command high price and is in high demand. I wonder what's so special about the 4" aperture 100-150 years ago? Surely, at f/15 it was no small, portable refractor ;-).
Thanks,
Ron the Antiquely Hopeful TV-102 B[ee]
