JAO

A very engaging read indeed. Many thanks for sharing this. The  instrument sounds like a serendipitous find and its clearly in a good home. As you say, JO made a small number of these triplets, I am aware of a couple of others, but I wonder where the other instruments now reside?

Very sad indeed to hear this news, Kieron was such a fixture at events such as Astrofest going back years. Always knowledgable, quietly understated and always very helpful. Please pass on heartfelt condolences to his family and RIP Kieron, a gentleman who will be missed.

In addition t the great books mentioned already 

S&T Pocket Sky Atlas - https://www.shopatsky.com/pocket-sky-atlas

and 

Peter Birren's Objects in the heavens - http://www.birrendesign.com/astro.html

are two guides I often use with my binoculars and scopes

John

I have Kydex extention shields on both my 12" and 18" Dobsonians and even in dark site conditions they enhance contrast. In the circumstances you describe I am sure you will get some benefit. On my 12" the shield is 10" high and on the 18" the shiled is 12" high. In both cases the shields go around 50% of the tube circumference, centred on the point opposite the focusser.

I have found these people an excellent source of Kydex (and indeed other ATM materials, nice poeple too!)

Kydex Ebony Star Laminate Telescope Bearings

Hope this is of help

Regards

Adrian