Observation by Bill Barton: BAA Instrument 169

Uploaded by

Bill Barton

Observer

Bill Barton

Observed

2020 Jan 06 - 08:46

Uploaded

2020 Jan 06 - 08:46

Objects

Historical

Equipment
  • Micrometer
Target name

Filar Micrometer

Title

BAA Instrument 169

About this image

Originally used by Frank McClean over one hundred years ago.

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Comments
Tim Haymes
Tim Haymes, 2020 Jan 07 - 15:14 UTC

Hi Bill,
Is the micrometer usable on a modern telescope?

Bill Barton
Bill Barton, 2020 Jan 07 - 21:21 UTC

Tim,

Short answer, ‘yes’, long answer, ‘if you can get it to fit‘. This particular example has an eyepiece fitting slightly larger than 2” in diameter, so not easy unless you have custom fitting. Plus these micrometers can have a focal plane where it’s difficult to wind the focuser in far enough to get a workable image. These days there are ‘astrometric reticule’ eyepieces available which will give you most of the function of a micrometer if you want to pursue this line of enquiry. 

Denis Buczynski
Denis Buczynski, 2020 Jan 09 - 01:24 UTC

Hi Bill, Nice piece of kit. Are the webs still intact, if so are they spider webs or has someone rewebbed using modern filaments?

I have heard that the best modern filament can be obtained by unwinding dental floss down to single strands. Have you ever rewebbed a micrometer?

Denis Buczynski
Denis Buczynski, 2020 Jan 09 - 01:30 UTC

Another question, is there provision for focal plane illumination or was there bright field illumination on the McLean telescope?

Bill Barton
Bill Barton, 2020 Jan 09 - 07:40 UTC

Denis, yes, the webs are still intact, but are not in good condition. I’m guessing they’re the original spider. No I’ve never re-webbed an instrument, I’ll bear in mind the dental floss if I ever do.

Bill Barton
Bill Barton, 2020 Jan 09 - 07:43 UTC

Denis, there are the remains of what appears to be a field illuminator (filament lamp or LED) on the underside.

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