Observatory Build Set 2

This set concentrates on the 25.4 cm refractor in a 6.1 m diameter (3-storey) observatory. The tube is from 1856 - West Point Military Academy - made by Henry Fitz (one of the first American telescope makers). The tube itself is 3.3 m long. Modern lens was ground by me, using precision annealed Hoya blanks. Coated on all 4 surfaces by Evaporated Coatings, Inc., Willow Grove, PA, using ECI #149 ion beam sputtering. Average reflectance 0.34% @ 450-650 nm. 

Here is the foundation, going down to bedrock. There are a few pillars in the middle, but the main pillar is 1.4 m square, filled with concrete, to support the telescope itself.

And here is that massive central pier, starting to rise above ground.

Here is the 3-story pier, with the 3 m observatory in the foreground.

Here is the mahogany tube (restored), and custom - machined brass lens cell holder (hanging from the ceiling in my home lab). 

Another view of the tube.

Here is the crown lens (two lenses are required). Nearly ground and polished. My interferometer tested it as virtually perfect (.98 Strehl). An achromat can never achieve a 1.00 Strehl.

And here are both lenses, mounted in their custom-made brass cell.