34" Hewitt Camera and the 16" Meade Telescope - Dome C

The Hewitt camera was designed by Joseph Hewitt in the 1950s for use in tracking ‘Blue Streak,' a British ballistic missile which was then under development. Later the camera was used the to track satellites.
The 16" Meade is a modern addition to our telescopes. It is used on some of our Stargazing evenings. Design is a Schmidt Cassegrain with a 16" primary mirror.

[@markwright748]

I operated this telescope in 1979 and 1980. I worked for ESRU as a satellite observer. The unit was based at St Peter’s College, in Birmingham, part of Aston University. The head of the unit was Dr Clive Brookes.

[@seyfert12345]

Hello Mark! Max White and I still exchange chit chats - I was the “predictor” for awhile at ESRU if you still remember lol

[@markwright748]

@@seyfert12345 evening !
The predictors , who sat in a first floor office work the brains behind us Observors 😊

[@seyfert12345]

@@markwright748 hardly! But we did have fun with all those punched cards and the dedicated telex link to NASA London.. The “star” observer of course was Rob McNaught who discovered lots of comets while in Siding Springs…

[@markwright748]

I’d like to add a few photos of me using this in 1980 . How do l do that ?

[@ObservatorySci]

Hi Mark, We would love you to share photos. Could you send them to [e-mail], thanks.

[@yobb89]

anymore details on this scope, is an cassegrain ?, is that a filter wheel at the front? , what kind of camera is on it, is still working etc ?

[@copper12heavy69]

I am always impressed by the equipment but in reality I'm just jealous of the space. I'd love to have a spot like that to use my 8 inch SC.😁

[@michaelmurphy5029]

Love the old woodworking!!

[@martynjones7354]

I've visited and photographed the Sheriffs Lench observatory site quite extensively over the years. I'd love to see the Hewitt Camera in the flesh.

[@ManishFrenchStudio]

Superb video Dear ❤️...

[@Nottsboy24]

Wow! I love it 🙌 greetings from Nottingham 👓🎓🔭

[@anotherwolff3650]

I have the 16" Meade.....but it is soooo cute and small compared to that big machine! :D