Equipment Library
The Seattle Astronomical Society maintains a library of small and medium size telescopes that may be checked out by members in good standing. If you are new to astronomy, this is an excellent way to learn how to use a telescope and to begin viewing the wonders of the night sky, without having to invest immediately in a telescope of your own. To check out a telescope, please check out our equipment available for loan.
If you have any questions about borrowing equipment, or do not see a specific piece of equipment please reach out to our Equipment Manager.
See the complete equipment list in alphabetical order.
Keywords
You can narrow your search of our equipment library by selecting any one of the below keywords.
Astrophotography Beginner Binoculars Camera Intermediate Maksutov Newtonian Refractor Schmidt Cassegrain Visual
Search
All our equipment is currently on loan to other members.
Available Soon
The following list of equipment is currently loaned out, loan ends in the next two weeks, and no one else has requested to borrow it. This is a great time to request to borrow it!
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Sky-Watcher Star Adventurer Mini Tracking Mount
Currently there are 1 requests to borrow this.
Star Adventurer Mini is a high precision, portable star tracking platform that is useful for making wide-field images of the Milky Way with a DSLR, It includes a small equatorial mount that must be carefully polar aligned and may be confusing for beginners.. A MeFoto GlobeTrotter with a ball head is included but the user must supply their own DSLR and lens.
Available Eventually
The following list of equipment is currently loaned out to a member, and may include other members waiting to also borrow.
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APO/Ultrastar CCD Astrophotography Kit
Currently there are 2 requests to borrow this.
This astrophotography kit is designed for capable amateur astronomers who wish to learn the basics of imaging with CCD cameras. It is not suitable for beginners, and the borrower needs to understand how to align and use an equatorial mount. Some prior observing or imaging experience with simpler equipment, such as a star tracker and DSLR camera, is strongly recommended. However, this kit does include a laptop computer with the necessary drivers and the UltraStar camera is a basic, entry level CCD.
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APO/ZWO Advanced CCD Astrophotography Kit
Currently there are 3 requests to borrow this.
This astrophotography kit is designed help capable amateur astronomers develop the skills requried to image deep sky objects. It is not suitable for beginners. Some prior observing or imaging experience with simpler equipment, such as a star tracker and DSLR camera, is strongly recommended. The borrower needs to understand how to align and use an equatorial mount.
The borrower must supply a laptop computer and install the necessary software to operate the camera and associated equipment.
The kit includes a Meade Series ED APO (apochromatic) 80mm refractor, a Celestron Advanced VX telescope mount, and a capable ZWO color CCD camera. Beginner astrophotographers are encouraged to consider requesting and using our Star Tracker/DSLR kit or the the entry level (but capable) "APO/Ultrastar Astrophotography Kit", prior to requesting this kit.
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Portable DSLR Astrophotography Kit
Currently there are 1 requests to borrow this.
This is a complete portable astrophotography kit which includes the Star Watcher mount, a portable tripod, and an astronomy-modified Canon T3i with a 50mm and a 100mm lens. Note: the Starwatcher mount must be carefully polar aligned and this may be confusing for beginners.
Available by Request
Contact the Equipment Manager for more information on borrowing the following equipment.
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AWB 130mm Reflector
Table Top Newtonian Telescope
This telescope is suitable for all ages and is a good choice for viewing the moon, planets, and bright deep sky objects. It has a Dobsonian style mounting that is compact and intuitive to use. A red-dot reflex sight and a set of eyepieces is included.. It is designed to be placed on a small table or similar support and does not come with a tripod.
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Celestron C102 Acromat Refractor
Celestron 102mm f/10 Equatorial Refractor
The Celestron C102 is a 102mm aperature, achromatic refractor with a sturdy XLT equatorial mount.. The long f/10 focal ratio provides a sharp image and is ideal for viewing planets, the moon, and bright deep sky objects.
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Celestron Echelon 16x70 Binoculars
High Power Astronomy Binoculars
Large-aperture astronomical binoculars are intended for wide angle viewing star clusters, nebula, and galaxies, but will also provide nice views of our Moon and Jupiter with it's four Galelian moons. These 70mm binoculars are heavy and an Orion parallelogram binocular mount and tripod is included. 16x magnification is sufficient to provide nice views of many deep sky objects, such as the Andromeda Galaxy (M31),, the Orion Nebula (M42), and the Great Globular Cluster in Hercules (M13). It will not show Saturn's ring (about 30 power is required to reveal this detail).
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Celestron NexStar 4 SE
The Celestron NexStar 4SE is a 102mm (4 inch) aperture f/13 Maksutov-Cassegrain. It is a computerized - GoTo telescope that uses Celestron's user-friendly NexStar software to point the telescope to the scope to the desired object.
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Celestron NexStar 6 SE
Six Inch Computer Controlled (GoTo) Schmidt-Cass Telescope (SCT)
The Celestron 6 SE is a current model computerized Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope. The 6 SE features a relatively long 1500mm focal length (f/10) and a total weight of 30 lbs including the tripod.
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Celestron NexStar Evolution 6 (#1)
Damaged - Awaiting Repairs
Six Inch GoTo Schmidt-Cass Telescope (SCT)
This telescope is a premium model 6 inch NexStar telescope. The loaner kit includes eyepieces, a "Red Dot" finderscope for initial alignment, and a good quality 1.25” star diagonal.
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Celestron NexStar Evolution 6 (#2)
Assigned to the SAS Outreach Team
Six Inch GoTo Schmidt-Cass Telescope (SCT)
This is a premium model Celestron 6 inch NexStar telescope. The loaner kit includes a "Red Dot" finderscope for initial alignment, eyepieces, and a good quality 1.25” star diagonal.
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Edmund Astroscan
Table Top Newtonian Telescope
Note: This scope has a small collimation error but it works well up to about 30x for wide field viewing.
The Astroscan telescope is suitable for all ages. The package includes the telescope, a red circle refles sight (Rigel Quik Point) for aiming the scope, a cast-aluminum tabletop base that's padded to prevent scratches on sensitive surfaces, a user's manual, two eyepieces, and a carrying bag. The telescope is intended to be placed on a table and does not include a tripod.
The Astroscan has a focal length of 445mm and makes a great "grab and go" scope requiring virtually no setup. It is a good telescope to use with children. Unfortunately the telescope is slightly but permanently out of collimation and is not suitable for high power viewing, but it works well with the provided low power eyepieces. A 16x eyepiece provides a three degree angle true field of view. A 25x eyepiece is also provided. The Astroscan provides good views of large star clusters and nebula, such as the Double Cluster, the Andromeda galaxy, and the Great Nebula in Orion complex, all of which can be seen from the suburbs of Seattle. It will show Jupiter and it's moons but 25x magnification is not enough to resolve Saturn's ring system.
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Meade 8" LX200 Schmidt Cassegrain
8 Inch GoTo Schmidt-Cass Telescope (SCT)
Important: Contact the Equipment Manager for approval before requesting this heavy bulky telescope..The optical tube assembly includes the fork mount and weighs 43 lbs. It is stored in a plastic tub that is 30" x 20" x 16" (L,W,H).
This is a Meade eight Inch aperture, fork mounted, f/10 GoTo Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope. The GoTo pointing accuracy is very good but the setup and alignment directions contained in the Quick Start guide must be carefully followed. Note that this kit does not include an optional equatorial wedge, since this is not required for visual observing.
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Meade ETX-125 (#1)
5 Inch (125 mm) Maksutov-Cassegrain GoTo Telescope
This is an older computer controlled telescope. Optical quality is very good but mechanical quality is not as good as newer telescopes. The GoTo setup procedure must be followed exactly. Beginners may need assistance.
The Meade ETX-125EC telescope is a Maksutov-Cassegrain design that folds a relatively long focal length into a relatively short optical tube. The long focal length makes it easy to reach high magnification for observation of the moon and planets. The Meade AutoStar controller provides Go-To operation, but AutoStar is an older generation. Setup involves several steps that may be confusing for beginners,
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Orion 80mm ED Refractor
High Quality 80mm Refractor.
Temporarily unavailable - mounting needs repair
The Orion 80ED is a small, general purpose refractor telescope that will give sharp images of the moon and planets as well as the brighter star clusters and galaxies. ED glass improves the image contrast compared to a traditional acromat. The Twilight I Alt-Az mount is easy intuitive to use.
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Orion SkyQuest XT10g - Computerized GoTo Dobsonian
Important: Contact the Equipment Manager for approval before requesting this heavy bulky telescope..
10 Inch GoTo Dobsonian Telescope
The XT10g is a 10" aperture Newtonian telescope in a motorized Go-To mount. A red dot reflex sight finder and eyepieces are included.
This is a very heavy and bulky telescope and it is usually loaned for extended periods. The base is large and weighs nearly 40 lbs. The optical tube weighs 30 lbs and is about 12 inches in diameter by 48 inches long. It may require 2 people to lift it and a bigger vehicle to transport it.
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Orion SkyQuest XT10i
10 Inch Dobsonian Computer Aided (PushTo) Telescope
Important: This is a heavy and bulky telescope and it is usually loaned for extended periods. It may require 2 people to lift it and a bigger vehicle to transport it.
The Orion SkyQuest XT10i IntelliScope is a 10" aperture Dobsonian Reflector with a Push-To computer system for aiming the telescope.
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Orion SkyQuest XT8 Dobsonian
8" Newtonian Reflector on Dobsonain Mount.
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Orion StarBlast 4.5
The Explore Scientific Twilight Alt-Az Mount is out for warranty repair. Contact the Equipment Manager for an estimated availability date..
Compact 4.5 Inch (114 mm) Newtonian Telescope
This Orion StarBlast 4.5 reflector telescope is a good beginners telescope. Advanced amateurs will appreciate its portability and its low power, 2.2 degree field of view, which is ideal for viewing large star clusters and galaxies. It is mounted on a Twilight II Alt-Az mount that is intuitive to use.
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Orion StarMax 127 EQ
5 Inch Maksutov-Cassegrain Telescope with Equatorial Mount.
The StarMax 127 telescope has a long focal length and is ideal for observation of the moon, planets, and double stars. The equatorial mount makes it easier to track the moon and planets at high magnification, but can be confusing for beginners.
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TeleVue Eyepiece Set
Special Item-Please contact the Equipment Manager and get approval to borrow these eyepieces. before submitting a request. Thanks.
This set includes two older wide angle Tele Vue eyepieces (16mm and 9 mm) and two newer (13mm, 8mm) wide angle eyepieces.
Telescope Types
What are those numbers?
The f-ratio is the focal length divided by the diameter of the telescope. Magnification is the focal length of the telescope divided by the focal length of the eyepiece.
Example
To find the f-ratio of a telescope 10 " in diameter with a 45" focal length:
Divide 45 " F.L. by10" D. to get an f-ratio of 4.5.
Compute Magnification
First, convert focal length to mm: 45" = 1146 mm, then:
1146 mm focal length divided by 35 mm eyepiece equals 33 magnification.
More Information
If you are interested in learning more about telescopes, we recommend:
- SAS member Sorin (aka Soggy Astronomer ) has written an article, The Agony of Buying Your First Telescope and also presented at our May 15, 2013 general meeting, which includes additional information and links.
- Sky & Telescope's excellent article on equipment basics
- North Ireland's Choosing A Telescope by Andrew Johnston
