Astronomy and Nature TV's video: Vintage telescope masterclass - Hand-held telescopes Part 2

In this episode we take a first look at two important developments in the hand-held telescope -- the achromatic lens and the subsequent rapid proliferation of the Marine or Day & Night telescope. We look at the importance of instrument-maker names on vintage instruments and sound a warning that things are not always what they seem. In this series of videos we look at some of the vintage optics in our collection and along the way trace some of the most important steps in the development of the telescope. In part 2 we look at the development of hand-held telescopes, charting the arrival of the 'day & night' or marine telescope and the role of John Dollond in its evolution. Later in the series we'll be looking at the importance of brass tubing in the development of the telescope and some of the equipment used to manufacture vintage telescopes, and even taking a peek into a 19th century telescope maker's financial accounts! We'll also be looking at vintage binoculars and outlining their long parallel history with telescopes and highlighting the surprisingly late arrival of the recognisably 'modern' binocular. If you are interested in vintage optics - don't forget to subscribe! Presented by Robert J Dalby FRAS Produced by DB Video Services for Astronomy and Nature TV