Alston Observatory, Preston

[iantaylor2uk]

I was fortunate enough to be shown around the University of Central Lancashire's Alston Observatory by Mark Norris. They have a Planewave 700 CDK telescope and they also have a 15" refractor from the 1920s which is not currently in use as the dome contains asbestos. Mark also told me they are hoping to get a Planewave Delta Rho 350 (they already have a Planewave 350 mount). Unfortunately when I was there it was cloudy but still a very impressive facility.

[RobertI]

Very impressive. Shame about the old frac being out of action. I would definitely  be removing those ‘finders’ and finding a way to use them - they look like substantial instruments in their own right. 

[iantaylor2uk]

13 hours ago, RobertI said:

Very impressive. Shame about the old frac being out of action. I would definitely  be removing those ‘finders’ and finding a way to use them - they look like substantial instruments in their own right. 

Yes, agree. In fact the telescope at the bottom of the large refractor was described to me as an astrograph, and you can see the wooden end where photographic plates were inserted.