neil phillips Posted January 7, 2022 Share Posted January 7, 2022 (edited) A year before the moon landings this Telescope was born. Swift 831 F13 Achromatic refractor. 2022 its taking lunar images. I think thats cool. It could have looked at the moon while men were up there ? Thanks goes to Anthony McEwan who lovingly restored this old timer. And moved it on to me. This first image is for Anthony. 29 degrees very rushed capture. Some cloud around. Poor seeing. And the scope not cooled properly. But its coped well 60% downsized Edited January 7, 2022 by neil phillips 28 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A McEwan Posted January 7, 2022 Share Posted January 7, 2022 Thank you for that Neil. That is a beautiful image and I'm very pleased (and inspired) by the fact it was taken with a true old-school achromat that's three years older than I am! Ant Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neil phillips Posted January 7, 2022 Author Share Posted January 7, 2022 7 minutes ago, A McEwan said: Thank you for that Neil. That is a beautiful image and I'm very pleased (and inspired) by the fact it was taken with a true old-school achromat that's three years older than I am! Ant No thank you Ant. And of course your very welcome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FinleyChambers Posted January 8, 2022 Share Posted January 8, 2022 Beautiful image! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neil phillips Posted January 8, 2022 Author Share Posted January 8, 2022 1 hour ago, FinleyChambers said: Beautiful image! Thank you Finley.. Its Nice bringing a old scope into the future. Its a different feeling Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trevor N Posted January 8, 2022 Share Posted January 8, 2022 Great image from an older scope. It proves you don’t always need the latest gear to get into astronomy. It should inspire many people to have a go with whatever they have. Good detail as well in not the best conditions 👍 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neil phillips Posted January 8, 2022 Author Share Posted January 8, 2022 Thats the beauty of the moon isnt it Trevor. It doesnt need the largest scope to get a pleasing result. Sometimes the journy and participation. Can be as equally satisfying. As the end result. These types of telescopes are ideal for these kind of conditions. What might appear to be a weakness to some. Could actually be a strength. Not least of which is fast cooldown. And quick setup. Easy setup too. Is something that can be appealing. Despite the fact of a reduction in resolving power. Ive always hoped begginers would be inspired by my lunar images with smaller telescopes. Cheap cameras can be got. And laptops are a common way of life. If the interest is there this should never be a pursuit of just the well off. Thanks Trevor. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skyhog Posted January 9, 2022 Share Posted January 9, 2022 (edited) Very nice image and a reminder that the humble refractor will, with the right amount of care, literally last a lifetime. Very inspiring Neil. Edited January 9, 2022 by skyhog 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teoria_del_big_bang Posted January 9, 2022 Share Posted January 9, 2022 Great image and a great tale. That looks a lovely scope and it's great to hear its still doing a cracking job after more than 50 years, it's a pity the laptop in the third picture will be long gone by the time it is 1/5 of that 🙂 Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark at Beaufort Posted January 9, 2022 Share Posted January 9, 2022 Such a lovely refractor. I was desperate to own a Swift refractor in the 1960s but all I could afford was some Swift eyepieces. So Neil you have done a grand job taking such a lovely Moon photo and also Ant for restoring this lovely instrument. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saganite Posted January 9, 2022 Share Posted January 9, 2022 A beautiful image Neil taken through a beautiful refractor. I too remember , as a kid, drooling at pictures of Swift telescopes with absolutely no chance of owning one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neil phillips Posted January 9, 2022 Author Share Posted January 9, 2022 Thanks for lovely comments guys. Appreciated Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Justin P Posted February 13, 2022 Share Posted February 13, 2022 Great photo - they are indeed fantastic telescopes. I have a question as I’m trying to service the focuser on mine…. The teeth of the focus thumb wheel (which had to be removed) are (were) covered in a thick ‘tacky’ grease - this provides a little lubrication but also some friction. Any ideas on a replacement brand / type of grease ? Thanks Justin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Justin P Posted February 13, 2022 Share Posted February 13, 2022 On 07/01/2022 at 19:55, neil phillips said: A year before the moon landings this Telescope was born. Swift 831 F13 Achromatic refractor. 2022 its taking lunar images. I think thats cool. It could have looked at the moon while men were up there ? Thanks goes to Anthony McEwan who lovingly restored this old timer. And moved it on to me. This first image is for Anthony. 29 degrees very rushed capture. Some cloud around. Poor seeing. And the scope not cooled properly. But its coped well 60% downsized Neil, could I also ask where you sourced the tube rings ? I have original swift ones but they’re rather old and worn. Yours look perfect and I may get a set ! Thanks Justin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
morimarty Posted February 13, 2022 Share Posted February 13, 2022 Thats telescope as some lovely history Neil. Great stuff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neil phillips Posted February 13, 2022 Author Share Posted February 13, 2022 55 minutes ago, Justin P said: Great photo - they are indeed fantastic telescopes. I have a question as I’m trying to service the focuser on mine…. The teeth of the focus thumb wheel (which had to be removed) are (were) covered in a thick ‘tacky’ grease - this provides a little lubrication but also some friction. Any ideas on a replacement brand / type of grease ? Thanks Justin Grease i am not sure about. I would have thought similair to what is used on mounts. Like on the EQ5 And 6 youtube threads. I use this from ebay. But i have no idea if its the best Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neil phillips Posted February 13, 2022 Author Share Posted February 13, 2022 47 minutes ago, morimarty said: Thats telescope as some lovely history Neil. Great stuff. Its enchanting isnt it Martyn. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neil phillips Posted February 13, 2022 Author Share Posted February 13, 2022 1 hour ago, Justin P said: Neil, could I also ask where you sourced the tube rings ? I have original swift ones but they’re rather old and worn. Yours look perfect and I may get a set ! Thanks Justin Tube rings i got with the scope But there is some here. Not sure if any UK suppliers have any ? Teleskop-Express: TS-Optics CNC Aluminium Tube Rings for telescopes with 80mm diameter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WestCoastCannuck Posted February 14, 2022 Share Posted February 14, 2022 Awesome post Neil! And a great result. :))) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Spock Posted February 14, 2022 Share Posted February 14, 2022 Lovely scope and image. Back in 1968 I was 10, so, probably dreaming of a scope like this Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neil phillips Posted February 14, 2022 Author Share Posted February 14, 2022 Glad you found it interesting guys Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Astroblagger Posted February 18, 2022 Share Posted February 18, 2022 Great story Neil👍 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neil phillips Posted February 18, 2022 Author Share Posted February 18, 2022 Cheers Blagger Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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