Solarscope / Green Witch

Another one for the "reliable suppliers" database:

Last Monday I ordered a Solarscope from Green Witch. They didn't have it
in stock, but told me when I could expect it. They were exactly correct
-- it arrived today.

The Solarscope is a nice bit of kit -- assembles as described, and gives
a nice -- if small -- image of the Sun. The corrugated cardboard of
which it is constructed isn't going to be amazingly robust, especially
if (as I will) I assemble and disassemble it every time in order to
store it flat-packed, but it provides a pattern for reconstructing the
thing out of ply or foam-board.

Best,
Stephen

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On Fri, 21 May 2004 18:04:52 +0100, Stephen Tonkin
wrote:

Another one for the "reliable suppliers" database:

Last Monday I ordered a Solarscope from Green Witch. They didn't have it
in stock, but told me when I could expect it. They were exactly correct
-- it arrived today.

The Solarscope is a nice bit of kit -- assembles as described, and gives
a nice -- if small -- image of the Sun. The corrugated cardboard of
which it is constructed isn't going to be amazingly robust, especially
if (as I will) I assemble and disassemble it every time in order to
store it flat-packed, but it provides a pattern for reconstructing the
thing out of ply or foam-board.

Yes - I'll second that they are very reliable.
--
Pete
Homepage at http://www.pbl33.co.uk
Home of the Lunar Parallax Demonstration Project

Stephen Tonkin wrote:

Another one for the "reliable suppliers" database:

Last Monday I ordered a Solarscope from Green Witch. They didn't have it
in stock, but told me when I could expect it. They were exactly correct
-- it arrived today.

The Solarscope is a nice bit of kit -- assembles as described, and gives
a nice -- if small -- image of the Sun. The corrugated cardboard of
which it is constructed isn't going to be amazingly robust, especially
if (as I will) I assemble and disassemble it every time in order to
store it flat-packed, but it provides a pattern for reconstructing the
thing out of ply or foam-board.

Add Astromedia (Germany) immensely co-operative over my varying order
for eclipse type viewers for the transit. Delivered on the nail (and
now passed on to my customers) plus their new solar projector. A
******* to put together - and instructions (as yet) only in German -
but a work of art for 20 euros. Haven't finished it yet so can't judge
the optics (small achromat to one of 2 convex mirrors - of different
focal lengths, then to plane mirror then to white screen. If I manage
to decipher the instructions with my German that stretches no further
than Hande hoch, Britische Schweinhund (and we get some Sun) I will
report image quality. If I don't it is so beautiful I will only use it
at night.

--
Martin Frey
http://www.hadastro.org.uk
N 51 02 E 0 47

Please do not forget Venturescope (http://www.telescopesales.co.uk/)

We (www.sheffieldastro.org.uk) just bought a Solarview 50 from them and
there were very helpful and come recommended

James
www.venustransit.org.uk

On Fri, 21 May 2004 18:04:52 +0100, Stephen Tonkin
wrote:

Another one for the "reliable suppliers" database:

Last Monday I ordered a Solarscope from Green Witch. They didn't have it
in stock, but told me when I could expect it. They were exactly correct --


it arrived today.

The Solarscope is a nice bit of kit -- assembles as described, and gives
a nice -- if small -- image of the Sun. The corrugated cardboard of which
it is constructed isn't going to be amazingly robust, especially if (as I
will) I assemble and disassemble it every time in order to store it flat-
packed, but it provides a pattern for reconstructing the thing out of ply
or foam-board.

Best,
Stephen

Remove footfrommouth to reply

Venturescope and Astromedia are already on my list. :-)
The first time I got something from Astromedia was pre-internet (1986)
-- one of their "Der Grosse Sternhimmel".

Best,
Stephen

Remove footfrommouth to reply

--
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+ Stephen Tonkin | ATM Resources; Astro-Tutorials; Astro Books +
+ (N51.162 E0.995) | http://astunit.com +
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +

Stephen Tonkin wrote:
Another one for the "reliable suppliers" database:

I got my LXD55 from them. It developed a problem with the autostar unit,
and when I contacted greenwitch they immediately sent me a new one, whn
it arrived I sent the problematic one back. Much more friendly than the
`sent us the broken one and then we will fix it or send you a new one`
approach that I expected.

Also, while we are on about good suppliers, I've bought some eyepieces
and bits and pieces from Island Eyepiece in Canada,
http://www.islandeyepiece.com/ . They are quick at replying to emails
and accurate about what they have in stock, and delivery times are
usually 2-3 days by insured canada post, and a lot cheaper than
UPS/Fed-Ex usually. Never have had to return anything, so can't comment
on that part of their service.

Cheers,
~Al

"Stephen Tonkin" wrote
Another one for the "reliable suppliers" database:

Last Monday I ordered a Solarscope from Green Witch. They didn't have it
in stock, but told me when I could expect it. They were exactly correct
-- it arrived today.

The Solarscope is a nice bit of kit -- assembles as described, and gives
a nice -- if small -- image of the Sun. The corrugated cardboard of
which it is constructed isn't going to be amazingly robust, especially
if (as I will) I assemble and disassemble it every time in order to
store it flat-packed, but it provides a pattern for reconstructing the
thing out of ply or foam-board.

Forgive my ignorance, but this thing sounds like two lenses and a cardboard
tube. How much did it set you back?

I know you're no fool, therefore I'm missing something. I'm (obviously)
not familiar with the item in question; could you enlighten the more...
naive... among us?


Thanks,


Martin
--
M.A.Poyser Tel.: 07967 110890
Manchester, U.K. http://www.fleetie.demon.co.uk

Fleetie wrote:
Forgive my ignorance, but this thing sounds like two lenses and a cardboard
tube. How much did it set you back?

Lens, mirror, and a pizza box would be a better description

http://www.greenwich-observatory.co....olarscope.html

The Irish vt-2004 group is still trying to get sponsorship to get these
into as many schools as possible for the transit, so if there are any
generous folks here that would like to sponsor a school let me know and
I'll put you in touch with the relavent people.

Cheers,
~Al

"Albert White"
Fleetie wrote:
Forgive my ignorance, but this thing sounds like two lenses and a cardboard
tube. How much did it set you back?

Lens, mirror, and a pizza box would be a better description

http://www.greenwich-observatory.co....olarscope.html

The Irish vt-2004 group is still trying to get sponsorship to get these
into as many schools as possible for the transit, so if there are any
generous folks here that would like to sponsor a school let me know and
I'll put you in touch with the relavent people.

McLeanNow I understand/

Thank-you. Now I see it's an educational device.

It fits now. Thanks!


Martin
--
M.A.Poyser Tel.: 07967 110890
Manchester, U.K. http://www.fleetie.demon.co.uk