Image GalleryThis page has two sections, the first is a gallery of your Astro Images. Please Email us your images at sales@harrisontelescopes.co.uk and we will publish as many as possible here.
The second section invites you to send in images of your setup, this is especially useful for those seeking ideas on equipment and their configuration. |
Astro Images |
 | Derek William's ISS Image
Derek took this amazing image of the International Space Station on the 15th July 09 with a Meade LX90 8" SCT Telescope using a Canon 350D DSLR Camera. A 4" spacer combined with a 2x Barlow lens allowed the image scale to reveal this fantastic detail. |
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 | Roger Macdonald's Lunar Image
Roger took this superb Lunar image through the SkyWatcher Equinox 80 Apo mounted on an HEQ5 with a DMK31 camera and 2x Barlow lens. Roger combined 14 stitched images to produce the fine Lunar mosaic. |
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 | Caradon Observatory M42
This image was taken using the equipment at Caradon Observatory. An hour long series of 3 minute exposures was used to take this image through a 120mm telescope (supplied by Harrison Telescopes) with a standard digital SLR (Canon EOS 450D). |
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 | Roger Macdonald's Solar Image
Roger took this fine image of our closest star - the Sun with a Coronado Personal SolarTelescope and his DMK31 camera, a 2x Barlow lens was used to provide the correct image scale, prominences on the Solar limb can clearly be seen. |
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 | Roger Macdonald's Lunar Mosiac
This excellent Lunar Mosaic was taken by Roger using a Meade SCT 8" and his DMK31 camera, the image is a carefully produced mosaic of 34 seperate image. Why not Click here and visit Roger's website which contains many more images. |
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 | Shaun Dales Copernicus Image
This image of the famous lunar crater Copernicus was taken with a SkyWatcher Explorer 130P SynScan telescope, Shaun used a 4x Barlow to get this close up showing a great deal of detail. |
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Your Telescopes |
 Chris Campbell's TEC200 FluoriteI have been the proud owner of a TEC 200mm Fluorite Refractor since 2001. This is the only instrument of it's kind in the UK, and I have christened the telescope Phoebe.
Ted Harrison has played a major part in Phoebe's history, and I have always referred to him as "Phoebe's Godfather"! Whilst the telescope, which is in fact the TEC prototype, was under construction, Ted installed an 8 foot Sky Dome in my garden in Stapleford Abbotts in Essex, in preparation for the arrival of the telescope. On Phoebe's arrival in September, 2001, Ted applied the necessary mechanical refinements to enable the telescope to be mounted within the dome on an early Astro -Instruments PM1 mount on a pier. He also added a sliding weight mechanism to Phoebe's main tube to facilitate a fine balance when using heavy eyepieces.
I moved home back to my roots in Hornchurch in 2004. Ted again installed the dome on a 9 foot concrete base I arranged to be prepared in the garden, augmented with extra height by means of a circular brick base to accomodate a Losmandy G11 mount on a higher pier. This has been further upgraded to newer G11 to facilitate the inclusion of a Gemini Go To system, also installed
It was shortly after this that I noticed, to my horror, that the star images had become diamond shaped. Ted's optical experience enabled him to quickly ascertain that this was the result of "pinching" by Phoebe's complex lens cell following the move to a less damp environment. He quickly rectified the problem via delicate cell adjustment and has serviced the instrument again since. Such expertise with dome installation and with a large and rare apochromat amply demonstrates his skill as an engineer as well as in optical upkeep.
Upper right is a picture of Phoebe inside the dome, below is Albireo imaged with a Canon 350D digital camera and lunar detail taken with a small digital camera held up to a 13mm Ethos eyepiece.
Interested parties may write to me care of Harrison Telescopes.
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| Albireo and the Moon through Chris's TEC200 |  |
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James superb APM - TMB collectionJames is the privileged owner of one of the finest collections of premium apochromat refractors with no less than seven APM -TMB triplets from the 80mm through to the legendary 152mm F8. Each of these optical masterpieces are cared for like family members some of which boast strehl ratios in excess of the magic 99.
In Xmas May 2002 I received my first telescope, the 130mm SkyWatcher reflector, this was a self promise on the back of a childhood dream to one day be able to afford my own telescope. From observing the Moon through this instrument for the first time I was hooked. Within months I had the privilege of owning the 6" SkyWatcher achromat refractor, Meade ETX90, LX200 8" & 12" and in all cases have been humbled by the experience and ownership of these fine instruments. From personal preference I always dreamed of owning a 6" apochromat but with so much information out there I was completely lost, I guess from a financial standpoint it had to be the right decision due to the cost of these types of instrument.
Through the retail avenue I made contact with Astronomy enthusiasts and this included Ted Harrison. With his wide and long standing experience in the field of using astronomical instruments, his experience in the field of telescope engineering (in repairing some of the most advanced computerised and complex optical systems to his retail experience in astro equipment) made him the perfect person to help and advice. This led to the purchase of the 6" F8 APM - TMB apochromat refractor giving views I can only describe as sublime when looking at Planets with these optics. This chance meeting with Ted who I now consider a dear and trusted friend, supported by Ted's long standing contact with Markus Ludes of APM who's collaboration with the late legendary optical designer Thomas M Back has enabled me to own some of the finest apochromatic refractors in the world - period.
James Howes BA (Hons) MA, fine arts, PGCE
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| James extraordinary APM - TMB collection |  |
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