Die Zauberflöte

Abstract

We have heard much about the milieu of the classical achromat. From the frigid wastes of Russia to the balmy tropical climes of Brazil, the humble crown and flint has distinguished itself as a telescope that can work well in all types of weather. There was once a time where nearly every major observatory across Europe, Asia and the Americas had, at its heart, a large, equatorially mounted refractor engaged in cutting edge astronomical research on the Moon, planets, double stars, not to mention a plethora of dim and distant nebulae. But slowly, the aperture advantages of the reflecting telescope began to supersede the refractor, and as the twentieth century marched on, the role of the achromatic refractor became ever more ancillary, ending its days rather ignobly as part of public outreach programs, or far worse still, having fallen into disuse, or dismantled and auctioned for parts.

The heart is deceitful above all things, and it is exceedingly corrupt: who can know it?

Jeremiah17:9

Now, what I want is, Facts. Teach these boys and girls nothing but Facts. Facts alone are wanted in life. Plant nothing else, and root out everything else. You can only form the minds of reasoning animals upon Facts; nothing else will ever be of any service to them.

Mr. Gradgrind, from Charles Dickens’ Hard Times