Telescope assemblies

Claim 1

Apparatus for use with a refracting astronomical telescope having an eyepiece end, an objective end, and an optical axis for forming an astronomical telescope assembly, the apparatus comprising: a frame including a cradle for the attachment thereto of a refracting astronomical telescope for rotation about its optical axis only, the frame being adapted for mounting in a position in which said optical axis is parallel to the axis of the earth's rotation, and with the eyepiece end of the telescope higher than the objective end, the frame having first and second end walls spaced apart on a base and substantially perpendicular thereto and carrying first and second bearing means, the opposite ends of the cradle being rotatably supported by said bearing means for enabling the telescope to be rotated about its optical axis; a reflector unit for attachment to the objective end of the telescope for rotation with the telescope, the reflector unit having a reflecting surface which intersects said optical axis, means for pivoting the reflecting surface about a second axis substantially perpendicular to said optical axis when the reflector unit is attached to the telescope for directing light into the objective end of the telescope; and manually operable reflecting surface control means carried by the frame in a position adjacent the eyepiece end of the telescope for remote positioning of the reflecting surface about said second axis.