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Subject: Brown Dwarf
Date: Thu, 8 Mar 2001
Hello, Thanks for your question. The scientific activity of the Observatoire de Neuchatel (Switzwerland) doesn't involve astronomical observations. We have already heard of a presumate discovery of a brown dwarf at Neuchatel. Such an information comes from a "chat" without any scientific base and we have to invalidate it.
Best regards, Bernard Nicolet (from Geneva Observatory)
Subject: [tt-watch] Neuchatel
Date: Tue, 13 Mar 2001
Neuchatel website does say that there is amateur observation, not part of the official use of the "Cantonal Obeservatory".
The use of the telescope (refracting ZEISS, located in the Hirsch house) does not form part of the activities of search of the Cantonal Observatory. On the other hand, of the public astronomical observations are organized by a group of amateurs neuchâtelois. The principal heavenly objects observed are: the Moon, planets, nebulas, etc.
Introduction: The glasses of the Observatory of Neuchâtel, a single instrument built and inaugurated in 1912, are from now on accessible to the public. ... Glasses: Built by the Zeiss company at the beginning of this century, it is refracting triple. In addition to one tube of aiming with a diameter 30 cm and focal distance 4,5 m (f/15), it are equipped with two photographic tubes (astrographes) with a diameter 36 cm and focal distance 3,6 m (f/10). The astrographes were built for the study of the ultraviolet radiation, which was a revolutionist for the time. ... But fortunately, the central tube was designed for the visual observation! It is equipped with an objective with two lenses, of Fraunhofer type, and it gives excellent images of the moon and planets such as Mars, Jupiter or Saturn, which makes the delights of the visitors.
Subject: Re: [tt-watch] Neuchatel
Date: Thu, 15 mar 2001
I can tell you something about Zeiss optics. Carl Zeiss lenses are considered by photographers to be some of the best in the world. Hasselblad cameras use Zeiss lenses. They are amazing. A Zeiss lens from 1912 is probably still as good as a modern telescope.