Model, Reflecting Telescope, Parts

These are miscellaneous parts from the brass working model of a combination Newtonian/Cassegrain reflecting telescope (A19820361000).

The model itself employs a 4.5-inch main parabolic mirror set in an open ribbed cage. The equatorial mounting has a spring wound drive. According to its donor it was constructed between 1913 and 1915 as a demonstration device to raise funds for building a large telescope in Ohio, and was on display in the Capitol Rotunda in 1915. The scale model came into the possession of a science professor at Chabot College in California when George V. Simon, M.D. acquired it in 1978. Simon claims that the model foreshadowed the design of the Perkins telescope of Ohio Wesleyan University now located at in Flagstaff. Simon donated the telescope model to NASM in 1982 and shipped it to the Garber facility in August. It went on display in the Stars Gallery after cleaning and stayed there until October 1997. It is now on display at the Hazy Center.