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Astronomy Image Gallery
This 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.
Chris Campbell's TEC200 Fluorite
I 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 accommodate 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.
James superb APM - TMB collection
James 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
Our own Telescopes
We don't just sell telescopes - we use them, our latest addition is the limited edition Takahashi FC100-DL, it is a Fluorite Apochromatic refractor with a lens diameter of 100m at f9. This fine instrument is the benchmark optic we use to assess eyepieces and accessories, allowing us to advise customers on the merits of literally hundreds of products.
We actively observe regularly, the main interest is assessing instruments and accessories, star testing, and planetary observing.
Astro Physics 6" Super Planetary
We were lucky enough to find an early Astro Physics 6" Super Planetary refractor in need of some repairs, our good friend Mark at Moonraker was commissioned to make a new tube from scratch using a new AP focuser and finder sourced direct. Roland Christen of Astro Physics who made the triplet in 1986 kindly re-figured and re-polished the lens on the very latest optical machines for us to a stunningly high standard.
This instrument is now used for Planetary observation on a Swiss Ayo Master mount and is the finest optic we have come across so far.
Classic Vixen Fluorite 102mm f9
Our latest addition is this.wonderful classic, a Vixen 102mm Fluorite apo which again enables us to scrutinise new eyepieces, filters and accessories. We have carefully re-blacked all the internal surfaces, reset, cleaned and collimated the lens and cell and stripped, lubricated and adjusted the focuser. Now in perfect working order this instrument optically provides images that are very hard to better - even in today's premium models.
These instruments were produced in Japan in the 1980's when glass types now considered environmentally unfriendly due to heavy metal content could be used, the results are CaF2 combined with KzFN2 (unavailable nowadays) as the mating element enabled the optical designers to achieve superb corrections.
