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ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY OF SOUTHERN AFRICA
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| Rockefeller
Reflector (Boyden) |
Photo Gallery: Rockefeller
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Index:
Summary;
History;
Current;
Technical;
Sources;
Links:
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Important
Contributions:
Description:
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Possibly the largest telescope in South America until 1927.
- The
largest telescope in South Africa for two decades. 1927 - 1951. (Currently
third largest)
- This
telescope was initially installed in the first Boyden Observatory
in Arequipa, Peru. For a variety of reasons the Observatory moved
to its new site in Bloemfontein.
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History:
- "The
name of the telescope has an interesting history. In the early part
of the century Harvard obtained two mirrors from a famous English
optician, Dr A. A. Common, with the intention of installing them in
a southern station. But the cost of a mirror is only a part of the
cost of a whole telescope, plus its observatory, and - as so often
happens - funds were short. So the mirrors lay unused; and it
was only in the 1930s that the Rockefeller family agreed to provide
what was needed. It was then, only fair to call the 60-inch
the Rockefeller reflector. But there was another point to be
considered: Common's mirrors were good, but not up to modern requirements."
[Copied from Moore, p.123.] (Quandery: If the telescope was
in use at Arequipa, Peru and moved to Bloemfontein in 1927 then
how can the above paragraph be true? Any new information on the topic
will be appreciated)
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'When Jarrett became Director, in 1968, he promptly decided that the
telescope would have to have new optics. The cost amounted to about
200 000 Rands, but was well worthwhile. The opportunity was
also taken to renovate the drive of the telescope, which had become
worn over the years, so that when everything was completed the
telescope was as up to date as any in the world." [Copied
from Moore, p.123.]
- "Of
course, telescopes of this size are almost never used visually. Until
recent year's (1970s), the emphasis has been on photography, but photoelectric
devices, which are far more sensitive, are now superseding even this.
Photoelectric photometers, image tubes and the like are used with
the Rockefeller reflector and the large number of clear nights means
that programmes can be carried on throughout the year with practically
no interruption." [Copied from Moore, p.123.]
Owner:
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Harvard University: 1904 - 1976?
- University
of the Orange Free State: 1976? - present
Where
Located:
- Boyden
Arequipa: 1904 - 1927 [Centrepiece, MNASSA]
- Boyden
Bloemfontein: 1927 - present.
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Present
Location:
Boyden Bloemfontein.
Owner:
University of the Free State
Status:
Operational.
Condition:
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Type:
Reflector
Aperture: 60 inch (152.4 cm)
Focal Length: 314 inch (798 cm)
Mirror:
-
Mirrors made by A.A. Common. Installed in 1930's. Mirrors were
good but not quite up to scratch.
- 1968.New
mirrors. Weight 4 tons.
Mounting:
Equatorial
Attachments:
One of the main features of the telescope is the ease with which a changeover
from one attachment to another can be achieved.
Manufacturer:
Operational History:
- Initial
Optics was not too good. [Moore, p.122.]
- 1927:
Upgrade of telescope and installation of mirrors made by Common. This
was done during the downtime created by the move [Smits; Moore, p.123.]
- 1968:
New optics.
- 2001:
Upgrade New DFM control system, Pixelvision CCD camera and ST-6
autoguider CCD camera.
Building:
Other Information:
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Weight of telescope: 40 ton.
- Driving
mechanism very precise.
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