Here's a view of the equatorial mount assembly. Upon inspection I have determined this to be made by Cave Optical of Long Beach California. It was designed for their larger instruments and feaured 2-1/2 inch steel shafts. We have no idea if the Cave mounting replaced the original Mackett & Co mount or if the instrument was simply designed to incorporate the Cave mount as part of the design. It however appears to me that the Mackette tube assembly is quite a bit older than the Cave mount.

Al Paslow Astronomy Collection

Images and events of personal interest.

This 9 inch refractor was made by C. E. Mackett & Co Mfrs & Opticians in Brighton England and has been housed in the Woodland Hills High School in Churchill Boro., near Pittsburgh, PA. Much of the instrument is good condition. It yeilds sharp contrasty images as reported by Jayson Kowinsky who teaches astronomy. Dave Smith & I were able to document this instrument on Nov 10, 2006. Dave Smith's shots are #109-#137 For more about the history of this telescope see: http://telescopium.org/Woodland_Hills_Refractor.html

Gallery pages: 1 2 3 4 5 6 > >>

< 8 of 137 >

Al-Paslow > Observers end of the telescope reveals the manufacturer

Al-Paslow > Telescope from the observers end reveals the instruments maker.

$Al-Paslow > Here we see that the refractors rack and pinion focuser has been replaced. It is an A. Jaegers focuser characterized by the bright red focusing knob and orver all design. Over the years the Jaegers focuser wore out and one red knob and pinion gear were replaced by an Edmund Scientific Co. doner. That is why the knob on the right is black! ( The "doner" Edmund telescope is shown in another image.)$

Al-Paslow > Jayson Kowinski teaches Astronomy and Physics at Woodland Hills High in Churchill Borough, PA.

Al-Paslow > Jason removes the "shower cap" from the main objective lens.

Al-Paslow > Jayson and Dave Smith at the objective end of the clasic telescope.

Al-Paslow > one of the finderscopes is not currently on the imstrument.

Al-Paslow > Here's a view of the equatorial mount assembly. Upon inspection I have determined this to be made by Cave Optical of Long Beach California. It was designed for their larger instruments and feaured 2-1/2 inch steel shafts. We have no idea if the Cave mounting replaced the original Mackett & Co mount or if the instrument was simply designed to incorporate the Cave mount as part of the design. It however appears to me that the Mackette tube assembly is quite a bit older than the Cave mount.

Al-Paslow > Another image of the Cave mount and clock drive.

Here's a view of the equatorial mount assembly. Upon inspection I have determined this to be made by Cave Optical of Long Beach California. It was designed for their larger instruments and feaured 2-1/2 inch steel shafts. We have no idea if the Cave mounting replaced the original Mackett & Co mount or if the instrument was simply designed to incorporate the Cave mount as part of the design. It however appears to me that the Mackette tube assembly is quite a bit older than the Cave mount.