Auburn Astronomical Society

Loaner Telescopes


Terms and Conditions 

One of the  benefits of membership in the Auburn Astronomical Society, is the availability of the telescopes and binoculars.  There is also an Electronic Color Imaging Eyepiece that can be used with either of the AAS scopes or with ones personal telescope for use with a TV, monitor, tape or DVD. 

AAS Loaner Telescope FAQ

1)  Who is elegible to borrow AAS Loaner Scopes?

All of the AAS loaner scopes are to be loaned out to AAS members only and on a first come, first serve basis, with official society functions always having the highest  priority.   Due to the size and weight of the 12.5-inch, we'll require that a minimum of two able-bodied members will be available to load, transport, unload, and set-up the scope.  A van or truck will be needed to transport this scope. 

2)  How does an AAS member reserve time for a loaner scope?

Rhon Jenkins is the AAS Loaner Scope Steward.  Make your requests to borrow the scopes with Rhon .

3)  Who is responsible for damage to the loaner scope?

The telescope will have a joint inspection with the borrower and the Scope Steward, with any anomolies noted by both parties upon check-out and return.  Incidental repairs such as minor broken hardware with a replacement cost of less than $25.00 will be absorbed by the society.  Damage to major components whether through accident, neglect, or abuse will be paid for by the person responsible.  You must agree to these conditions before checking out the loaner scope.

4)  How long can an AAS member keep the loaner scope?

We haven't set a hard and fast limit for the time a scope can be loaned.  To date, this hasn’t been a problem.  For members who live outside the Auburn-Opelika area, a month would seem a reasonable length of time and would not place an undue burden to return the scope before the next meeting.  As in the past, common courtesy on the part of the borrower, should keep this from being a problem.  Rhon will let the borrower know if someone else is on the waiting list so that the period that the scope is loaned can be adjusted to suit the needs of the AAS members as a whole.  If a conflict arises, Rhon will be the final authority. 
 
 
 
 


 

8-inch Dobsonian PST Solar Scope 12.5-inch Dobsonian
ETX-90 Maksutov Astroscan Rich Field 20x80 Binoculars

 

 

Orion 8-inch f/6, SkyQuest XT8

This is a good general purpose telescope and an excellent choice for beginners.   It's large enough to show detail on the Moon and planets as well as all of the objects in the Messier catalog, yet small enough to be portable.  Its simplicity will require a knowledge of the sky.

This kit includes:

  • 6x30mm finder scope
  • Telrad unity finder & Batteries
  • 40mm 1.25 -inch Plossl eyepiece (30x) 
  • 25mm  1.25-inch Plossl eyepiece (48x)
  • 10 mm 1.25-inch Plossl eyepiece (120x)
  • Sighting Tube Collimator
  • Laser Collimator

 
 

 

Coronado
Personal Solar Telescope

This is a single purpose telescope, optimized for safely observing the Sun in the narrow bandwidth of hydrogen alpha light.  This scope will show prominences on the Sun's limb and granularity on the it's surface.

The PST kit contains:

  • Padded aluminum case
  • Tripod/Mount case
  • 40mm Ha PST
  • 12mm eyepiece
  • RA and DEC slow-motion attachments
  • Clock drive
  • Tripod accessory tray
  • Tools:  Screw driver, Allen wrench, Multi-purpose wrench, 
  • Declination axis wrench
  • Observers Manual
 

 
 

 

12.5-inch f/7 Cave Scope

This is the flagship of the AAS loaner telescope fleet and used primarily for public events.  Due to the size and weight of the 12.5-inch, we'll require that a minimum of two able-bodied members will be available to load, transport, unload, and set-up the scope.  A van or truck (with a padded floor) will be needed to transport this scope.  It will not fit into a small SUV.  Expedition/Suburban class vehicles should be large enough.  You should have a 6-foot step ladder if you plan to observe near zenith.  It's also suggested that if this will be your first time using a Dobsonian telescope, that you get your feet wet with the 8-inch Loaner before using the 12.5-inch.
 
 

Weights and Measures



 


 

OTA Length 80 inches (6'-8")
OTA Diameter 16.5 inches
Cage Diameter 27 inches
Rocker Box 39.5" high x 27" deep x 25.5" wide
Eyepiece zenith height 80 inches (6'-8")
Total height at zenith 8 feet
Rocker Box weight  85 Lbs
OTA weight  75 Lbs

Optics



 


 

Aperture 12.5 inches 317.5mm
Focal Length 87.5 inches (7.29 ') 2222.5mm
Focal Ratio  f/7  

 

Eyepiece Magnification Exit Pupil
32mm 69 4.6
10mm 222 1.43

 
 

 

Meade ETX-90

This is the one you want for the Moon, planets, and splitting binary stars.  The Maksutov design allows a long 1250mm focal length in tube of only 11 inches.  It's not a Go-To, but once polar aligned, the EXT's clock drive will track celestial objects.

  • Table top tripod legs, 
  • 1.25-inch Series 4000 eyepieces: 
      • 40mm, (31x) 
      26mm (2), (48x) 
      12.4mm, (100x)
  • T-adapters (2), 
  • 8x21 finder, 
  • 2x barlow, 
  • 45degree erect viewing diagonal,
  • Assorted allen wrenches, 
  • Star and Planet Locator (cardboard planisphere)
  • User Manual

 
 

 

Edmund Scientific Astroscan

The short focal length will not do justice to the planets, but the wide field really shines when sweeping the Milky Way.  You'll be able to see the brighter deep-sky objects. 

  • 28mm RKE, (16x)
  • 15mm RKE, (30x)
  • Eyepiece extension tube, 
  • Table top base, 
  • Shoulder strap, 
  • Peepsight finder, 
  • Nylon tote bag, and 
  • All original documentation
  • Star & Planet Locator

 
 

 

Celestron 20x80 Giant Binoculars

These binoculars are too heavy and have too much magnification for hand held use, but now are mated with a Orion Paragon-Plus Binocular Mount and tripod. In this configuration, the binoculars will reveal the moons of Jupiter and most of the objects in the Messier catalog.

  • Multi-Coated, 
  • BAK-4 prisms, 
  • 3.5 degree field