Lovely old Cooke 6" &5.5" refractors

[F15Rules]

We were up at York University today for the graduation of my youngest daughter in her Master's👏😎..

The gathering venue before the ceremony was the main Physics building, and while we were waiting for her to get "Gowned and Mortar Boarded" up, I had a little wander and noticed a couple of very nice old brass refractors both mounted side by side on a very substantial looking solid iron pillar type equatorial/altaz mount.

I asked if I could pop into the room they were in to take a couple of pictures, and this was readily agreed.

I also snapped a short info piece which I attach below and which gives a little more info on these fine old scopes dating from 1859 (just expand the pic to read the details).

Thought fellow refractors fans might like to see them too😊..

Dave

Edited January 24, 2020 by F15Rules

[Saganite]

Very nice Dave. The mount is almost as sturdy as the one holding Andromeda ...

Hope you had a great day.

[F15Rules]

Thanks Steve, we had a wonderful day and the weather was kind to us as well.

Yes, that mount is a beast. I'd have liked more time to look at it. These were clearly University class instruments, I can only guess what they must have cost when new! I don't know the focal lengths, but I'd guess between F12  and F14 or so..as such they should be pretty well corrected..

Dave

 

[dweller25]

Not F15 ?? 
Scandalous 😂😂

[mikeDnight]

Either one would keep me happy for a very long time.  Having said that, Dwellers FS128 would keep me very happy too. 

[paulastro]

Many congratulations to both yourself and your daughter Dave, you must feel rightly proud.  Good to see the pictures too, just a shame they are  being kept in a museum and not put to good use on the night sky.

[John]

Superb - thanks for snapping and posting the photos

They remind me of some of the refractors that are at the Norman Lockyer Observatory at Sidmouth.

 

[F15Rules]

On 24/01/2020 at 20:15, dweller25 said:

Not F15 ?? 
Scandalous 😂😂

Now, now, David..

I'm nothing if not inclusive!😁😁

 

 

[F15Rules]

24 minutes ago, John said:

Superb - thanks for snapping and posting the photos

They remind me of some of the refractors that are at the Norman Lockyer Observatory at Sidmouth.

 

Thanks John, just got to love those old long fracs! Would be great to put one up against a modern scope, just to see...😊

Dave

[Mr Spock]

Fabulous scopes. Shame not to use them 

[F15Rules]

57 minutes ago, paulastro said:

Many congratulations to both yourself and your daughter Dave, you must feel rightly proud.  Good to see the pictures too, just a shame they are  being kept in a museum and not put to good use on the night sky.

Many thanks Paul. Yes, my wife and I are very proud of both our daughters who got Firsts in their degrees, and our youngest who got a Distinction in her Master's on Friday. And of our son, who like me, hated academia and never went to Uni, but rather went into grocery retail and is now a deputy manager of a large superstore turning over £50m a year.. Horses for Courses, as they say😊.

It is a shame these scopes aren't currently in use, but they did get quite a bit of attention so perhaps being on display to thousands of students has a value in itself?

Dave