Unexpected Discovery

[reconair]

So, I'm out observing with my TOA130 at my club's monthly star party a couple of months ago. As usual, there is a fair amount of general attendance from the local area with the visitors clambering to peak through the big stuff. Up comes this diminutive older lady who introduces herself as Betty Lou Braden. Now Betty Lou is 74 years old and very inquisitive about all things astronomy. Fairly knowlegeable she is about the constellations and such. Of course I smile with pride as she comments on my TOA130.

In the course of our converstion about the heavens, she says "Oh, I have a telescope, but it not in very good condition right now and needs a little work. Perhaps, you or someone in your club would like to help me get it in shape." As you probably can guess, I'm thinking she's probably got a Walmart Special that's been in the garage for the last several years.

So, I turn the tables and ask what she thinks is wrong with it? She calmly replies that the dome is stuck and the motors won't work right. Hmmmm, dome? motors? I don't think we're talking Walmart special here. So, I ask where she lived and I would drive out and take a look at it.

Pics are attached. It works now!!!... and I get to use it. Betty Lou and her son poses for a pic. The young man is our club President's son

Scott

[Spoonsize]

Details, Scott....we require more details!!! A great find!

[reconair]

I didn't want to give it away until somebody saw the pics. The scope is an Astro Works 16" Newtonian mounted on a Astro Works fork mount. RA and DEC drives at variable speeds.

The scope has a 14" mirror mounted instead of the 16". Both primary and secondary mirrors were recently returned cleaned and resurfaced. The Observadome manufactured dome was a problem and had to be thoroughly cleaned and lubricated.

The joystick control for the RA and DEC drives was not working in the DEC modes. I took it apart and resoldered a bronken connection. Also, the DEC drive plug connector that plugs into the main electrical panel had to be replaced. A new focuser is on the way and will replace the OEM focuser which is stripped. All that remains for full operation is the RA and DEC worms need to be cleaned and lubed.

I think eventually, we will dismount the scope and clean and regrease the main bearings. The fork and the pedestal could use a good bead blasting and powder coat, but that would be just for esthetics. The OTA is in fine shape and just needs a surface cleaning.

The observatory was built in 2001 by Betty Lou's now passed husband. The scope was acquired a few years earlier as part of an estate sale. The concrete observatory foundation and the brickwork were contracted and the pedestal is bolted to a 700lb block of concrete. The block is resting on the concrete foundation and is movable if it needs to be.

I'm quite excited at the propect of using this scope and I plan to try some imaging with it once it's in shape. The observatory itself is located on Betty's 100 acre farm about 25 miles east of Frederickburg, VA. Skies are about mag 5 on clear nights with only Fredericksburg and Dahlgren light domes visible.

[Gary Beal]

Good find Scott, nice to hear all has worked out. Enough WD40 to clean and lubricate for a while too. Make sure you post some images, I'll just hope that the lunar and planetary shots are not better than your TOA.

[budguinn]

fun story..and good for you for helping out.

[neilfleming]

Great story, and marvelous opportunity!

...Neil