ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
*****************************************************************************

Hi Glen:

A possible solution to this problem would be to fit the telescope with a version of the instant change welder's mask. In this way, the telescope would be safe whether or not it was pointed at the sun. An even simpler solution is to so situate the scope that it cannot be pointed this high up. Careful placement (taking into account buildings and trees) could also mitigate this problem.

John Bowditch

> ----------
> From:         Glenn A. Walsh
> Reply To:     Informal Science Education Network
> Sent:         Saturday, May 15, 2004 4:28 PM
> To:   [log in to unmask]
> Subject:      Re: Outdoor telescopes
> 
> ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
> Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
> *****************************************************************************
> 
> The following [at the end of this message] is ONE
> vendor of outdoor binoculars, who has sent me
> information in the past. I cannot vouch for his
> product; I only know that he has solicited me in the
> past. Other vendors can probably be found in a web
> search.
> 
> One aspect of outdoor binoculars and telescopes needs
> to be considered, which usually is not considered in
> tourist locations where these are installed. That is
> the risk of a child [or even an adult] pointing the
> binocular or telescope at the Sun, which could
> seriously damage the retina of the eye.
> 
> Fortunately, most people would never even think of
> pointing a public binocular or telescope at the Sun.
> And, I have never heard of an incident where a
> patron's eyes have been damaged due to this
> misapplication of the public binocular or telescope.
> However, there is a first time for everything.
> 
> Around 1990, Pittsburgh's Carnegie Science Center had
> acquired the World War II submarine, U.S.S. Requin,
> for exhibition in the Ohio River next to the new
> science center building. The Carnegie Science Center
> also had the option of placing a separate submarine
> periscope on shore, so the public could see how a
> periscope is used [the submarine's periscope is not
> accesible to the public].
> 
> At that time, I warned the submarine exhibit
> supervisor of the potential danger of having the
> periscope available to the public, without very strict
> supervision. In the end, the on-shore periscope was
> never installed.
> 
> gaw
> 
> >>>Name and contact information for ONE outdoor
> binocular/telescope vendor:
> 
> Joe B. Golden
> General Manager
> 
> SeeCoast Manufacturing Co., Inc.
> P.O. Box 551
> Fairhope, AL 36533
> 
> Ph: 251-928-8882  800-343-8882
> Fax 251-928-8909
> 
> email     [log in to unmask]
> web site  http://www.seecoast.com
> 
> >>>Original Message:
> Date: Sat, 15 May 2004 12:49:26 -0700
> From: "David Taylor" <[log in to unmask]>
> Subject: Outdoor telescopes
> To: [log in to unmask]
> 
> ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of
> Science-Technology
> Centers
> Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums
> and related
> institutions.
> *****************************************************************************
> 
> Does anyone know where you get the outdoor vandal
> proof
> binoculars of telescopes that you see  permanently
> mounted
> in tourist locations?
> 
> Dave Taylor
> 
> ***********************************************************************
> More information about the Informal Science Education
> Network and the
> Association of Science-Technology Centers may be found
> at
> http://www.astc.org.
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> =====
> gaw
> 
> Glenn A. Walsh
> Electronic Mail - < [log in to unmask] >
> Author of History Web Sites on the Internet --
> * Buhl Planetarium, Pittsburgh:
>   < http://www.planetarium.cc >
> * Adler Planetarium, Chicago:
>   < > http://adlerplanetarium.tripod.com >
> * Astronomer & Optician John A. Brashear:
>   < http://johnbrashear.tripod.com >
> * Andrew Carnegie & Carnegie Libraries:
>   < http://www.andrewcarnegie.cc >
> * Duquesne Incline cable-car railway, Pittsburgh:
>   < http://www.incline.cc >
> 
> 
> 
> 
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> More information about the Informal Science Education Network and the
> Association of Science-Technology Centers may be found at http://www.astc.org.
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> 

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