An interesting story of a New Zealand telescope maker, possibly Graham Loftus, was told to me.
A New Zealand professional observatory had a large telescope installed, maybe 24 inch or larger and charged the public for viewing.
Possibly Graham Loftus did not think that the public should be charged for viewing the heavens.
So in a couple of days he made a slightly larger mirror and diagonal. He used possibly 3 oil drums welded together to make the tube.
In a few days the completed telescope was put in a nearby car park and free viewing was given.
The amateur telescope was better than the professional one as the optics were made for cooling temperatures rather than for a fixed temperature.
The professional observatory did not like this free viewing and competition, but couldn't prevent it and decided in their wisdom to give free viewing to the public.
Graham Loftus made about 20 telescopes from 20 inch to 36 inch aperture.
In general they were corrected for cooling temperatures.
I think he was a friend of the maker and rider of the 'World's fastest Indian' Burt Munro.
A New Zealand professional observatory had a large telescope installed, maybe 24 inch or larger and charged the public for viewing.
Possibly Graham Loftus did not think that the public should be charged for viewing the heavens.
So in a couple of days he made a slightly larger mirror and diagonal. He used possibly 3 oil drums welded together to make the tube.
In a few days the completed telescope was put in a nearby car park and free viewing was given.
The amateur telescope was better than the professional one as the optics were made for cooling temperatures rather than for a fixed temperature.
The professional observatory did not like this free viewing and competition, but couldn't prevent it and decided in their wisdom to give free viewing to the public.
Graham Loftus made about 20 telescopes from 20 inch to 36 inch aperture.
In general they were corrected for cooling temperatures.
I think he was a friend of the maker and rider of the 'World's fastest Indian' Burt Munro.