Here's another Schiaparelli initiative of the Year: the restoration of the original drawings of "Merz great" (as he is known here in the Observatory), which is the second telescope used by Schiaparelli.
The instrument, a Merz-refractor Equatorial Repsold purchased by the Italian government in 1878, was equipped with an objective diameter of 49 cm and had a focal length of almost 7 m, it went into operation at the Brera in 1886.
The telescope had ups and downs, which ended with his transfer to Merate, where there is now awaiting restoration.
In the archives of the Centre are kept constructive schemes of the instrument, five drawings on tracing paper, tightly rolled, impossible to open without breaking them. Last week, the restorer
Viviana Molinari has taken to proceed with their designs for restoration and then they can finally see.
For those interested, here's some technical detail:
- Dry cleaning media brushes with soft tires and taking care not to erase the pencil marks.
- Test the solubility of ink manuscripts. This operation will allow to evaluate the soundness of the operations after dosing inks and moisture for use in later stages.
- Humidification capillary with Gore-Tex to soften the media and for mitigating the undulations and wrinkles more apparent. The use of Gore-Tex will also make a mild cleaning filter for transporting the most persistent dirt.
- Smoothing the plans of non-woven fabrics and paper towels under a weight until dry.
- mending holes and tears with Japanese paper and webs of suitable weight and Tylose 5%.
- color integrity of the gaps with Winsor & Newton watercolors and pencils, Faber-Castell.
Eventually the designs will no longer be rolled up, but kept lying.
Their return is planned for early next year
Image: Viviana Molinari with the designs of the telescope to leave for the restoration.
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