unknown make vintage 3 inch scope

[DaveL59]

so tonight I decided this old scope should get a peek at the red planet. Inside the conservatory tho aimed out the open door, much warmer and out of the wind lol. No finder on it at the mo so was a faff aiming esp as the EQ5 wasn't aiming north to make life easier in tracking. Still, the original brass plossl (20-25mm) and diagonal and got it in view and focused. Moved to the HM12.5 which gave sharp view if no real detail. Clearly a reddish colour tho with uneven colouring across the disc.

Decided to pop the 1.25-inch diagonal and 8-24mm zoom in and much the same views, perhaps a little clearer but I'm comparing against a prism diagonal and a pretty old circle-V eyepiece. With the TAL x2 barlow added life got more difficult but again a reddish disc with uneven colouration across it, tho down at 8mm I think I was over pushing the mag.

Still, the old glass got a look at the red planet, probably for the first time in 40+ years and it wasn't too bad for an ancient 3-incher 🙂 The new Celestron LT70AZ didn't really give much more if anything even with modern glass and coatings.