Telescope Loaner Program Form
Our telescope loaner program makes available telescopes for members and future members who would like an introduction to telescopes or want to see what kind of telescope would fit their needs. The program also provides an outreach for members who don’t actively observe but still would like a telescope for travel or for special events like eclipses and comets. For any questions or details not listed here, contact the Telescope Loaners Coordinator.
Telescopes Available
 Sky-Watcher EQ3 Mount For Solar Telescope and DSLR Camera The Sky-Watcher EQ3 with SynScan Computer and GPS is an excellent, fully GoTo, equatorial mount that can handle a wide variety of light-weight telescopes. This mount and tripod are available for two options:
The EQ3 mount comes with a universal mounting plate. The Coronado mounts directly on the mounting plate and comes with 25mm and 12.5mm eyepieces suitable for viewing the full disk of the Sun. A DSLR camera (not supplied) can be attached to the mounting plate using a Manfrotto 496RC2 Ball Head (supplied). The system is powered by a compact Celestron lithium power pack that can drive system for 10 hours. |
 Meade ETX 90mm Maksutov-Cassegrain We have two of these compact telescopes. They are excellent for planets and stars, and good for deep sky objects. A nice telescope for travel. This telescope can also serve as a 1250mm telephoto lens for a DSLR camera. Mount The tripod has an equatorial tilt bar and the mount is motorized with tracking in RA. The telescope has a control paddle for slewing in RA and Dec (see image). Specs 90mm f/14, 1,250mm FL. Eyepieces Various. |
 Meade 390 90mm (3.5″) Refractor This telescope is typical of what beginners buy as a first telescope, often from a department store; it has that ‘classic’ look. However, the optics on the Meade 390 are excellent and probably surpass the ETX 90 Maksutov-Cassegrain (also in our loaner program) in image quality because the Meade 390 has an unobstructed primary. The telescope is simple to use, it is great for taking to the cottage and setting up on the deck and looking at the Moon and brighter planets (Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn) at night and birds and landscape during the day. This particular model has been re-mounted on a EQ3 equatorial mount for a much more sturdy system than what is often provided with inexpensive department store type telescopes. If you want to discover what you can see through a small telescope before you buy one for your kids for Christmas, try this one out first. It comes with a variety of eyepieces. Mount Metal tripod and manual equatorial mount. Specs 90mm f/11, 1,000mm FL. Eyepieces Various. |
 Meade ETX-125 Observer 125mm (5″) Maksutov-Cassegrain The Meade ETX Observer is a larger and newer version of our ETX 90 telescopes. Like the ETX 90, the Observer is a Maksutov-Cassegrain with an internal 90-degree diagonal and a flip mirror system to which a DSLR camera can be attached (user must supply camera adapter). The system is fully GoT0 with an AudioStar controller containing over 30,000 celestial objects. All components including the tripod and accessories are packed in a single box weighing about 10 kg which can easily be transported in a small vehicle (not motorcycles!). The telescope is powered by eight 1.5 V AA batteries (user supplied). Mount Metal tripod and GoTo equatorial mount. Specs 127mm aperture, f/15, 1,900mm FL Eyepieces Super Plossl Eyepieces : 1.25″ 26mm (73X) and 9.7mm (196X) |
 EfstonScience Newstar 120mm (4.7″) Refractor This achromatic telescope is good for all around observing. Mount Metal tripod and motorized equatorial mount (no GoTo). Specs 120mm f/8.3, 996mm FL. Eyepieces Various. |
 KidScope 152mm (6″) Newtonian This telescope, designed and built by the Edmonton Centre, features an excellent 6″ mirror made by master mirror maker Barry Arnold. Several of these telescopes were made for use by youngsters, hence the name “KidScope”, and they are extremely durable and easy to use. But they are not just for kids, observers of all ages can view many celestial objects.The telescope is powered by a rechargeable battery and a charging unit, so all that has to be done to charge the battery is to plug the unit into a standard wall socket. However, it is advisable to have access to a 120 volt power supply via an extension cord or a 12 volt DC power tank and an inverter when observing because the battery may not hold its charge for long. NOTE: The two boxes in which the telescope is packed are quite heavy and probably need two people to carry to the observing site. The big box weighs about 16kg (35 lb) and the small box weighs about 7kg (15 lb). One person can assemble (and disassemble) the telescope in less than 10 minutes. Mount Metal tripod and motorized equatorial mount (no GoTo). Specs 6″ f/5, 750mm FL. Eyepieces 25mm (30x), 15mm (50x), 8mm (94x) Note: Only one of these telescopes is available in the loaner program. |
Celestron 6SE 152mm (6″) Schmidt-Cassegrain |
Pakan 152mm (6″) Newtonian |
 Omnicon 515S 152mm (6″) Newtonian This telescope, made by Sky Instruments Vancouver, has the identical aperture and focal length as our 6″ KidScopes (described above). However, the optics are mounted on an EQ5 mount with manual controls making this system substantially lighter in weight than the KidScopes. The right-angled finder has a large 50mm aperture with a 200 mm focal length requiring its own 1.25″ eyepiece; hence, the magnification of the finder is adjustable. Mount Metal tripod and manual equatorial mount. Specs 6″ f/5, 750mm FL. Eyepieces Various. |
SkyWatcher 20cm (8″) Newtonian |
 Celestron NexStar 8 GPS 20cm (8″) Schmidt-Cassegrain The Celestron NexStar is a larger but older version of our Celestron 6SE 152mm (6″). Like the 6SE, the NexStar 8 is a fully automated, Go-To, alt-az system, With a database of 40,000 celestial objects. Tripod and telescope weigh in at nearly 20 kg, but should fit in a small vehicle. The telescope is powered by a 12-volt AC adapter. The telescope is very easy to set up and use, though the optics tube is a bit heavy, but can be handled by one person.Mount Heavy duty metal tripod. Alt-Azimuth mount, motorized, Go-To. Specs 8″ f/10, 2,032 mm FL, Starbright, 9×50 Finder Eyepieces 1.25” diameter, E-lux 40 mm Plossl Features 16-channel GPS receiver, AutoGuider port, Auxiliary port Power 12-volt AC adapter (no car battery adapter is included) |
Celestron 8 Classic 20cm (8″) Schmidt-Cassegrain Note: This telescope was donated by RASC Fellow, “Sir” Franklin Loehde. Please handle it with the respect and care that it deserves. |
 Meade 20cm (8″) LXD55/75 Schmidt-Newtonian This telescope is a Schmidt-Newtonian LXD-55 optics design mounted on a LXD-75 motorized German Equatorial Mount which is computer controlled using Meade’s AutoStar system. This telescope has been upgraded with a JMI Event Horizon Dual-Speed SCT Focuser that can accommodate 1.25 and 2-inch eyepieces. If you are thinking of purchasing a fully automated telescope, then this is the system you should borrow if you first want to obtain some experience with a serious amateur telescope with GoTo system. NOTE: The LXD-75 mount requires 12V DC power in order to power the RA and Dec motors and the Autostar hand controller. To power the telescope, you can use either the battery pack and holder that requires 8 (user supplied) D-cell batteries, or the Meade #607 cigarette lighter adapter that requires a (user supplied) car or a (user supplied) 12V DC power pack. Mount LXD-75 Motorized German Equatorial mount, Meade AutoStar GoTo. Specs 8″ f/4, 812mm FL, 8×75 Finder Eyepieces Various. |
 Coulter 25cm (10″) Newtonian This large telescope is excellent for deep sky objects, easy to star hop, wide field of view, good optics, good for deep-sky. Has a Telrad finder. This telescope was donated by Chantal and Richard Perry. Mount Wooden dobsonian mount. Not motorized. Specs 10″ f/6, 1,220mm FL. Eyepieces Various. |
Telescope Lending Policies
Lending Period
The normal lending period is one month.
Cost
Members: FREE
Non-members: FREE + $40 refundable deposit. Please bring exact change. The deposit is refunded if the telescope is returned on time and in the same condition as when it was borrowed.
Care of Telescopes
Telescopes are finely tuned precision instruments. Care should be taken when using, storing, and transporting a telescope. Please allow optics to dry thoroughly before capping and storing, store in a dry and secure location. Provide cushioning when transporting and make sure that optical components are sealed.
We attempt to keep our loaner telescopes in good shape and will not knowingly lend a telescope which has mechanical or optical defects. However, please do not attempt any maintenance on the loaner telescopes or their components. This includes optical cleaning, optical alignment, or disassembly of the telescope or its components telescopes in any way. If there is a performance issue, please inform the Telescope Rentals coordinator.
Telescope Safety
Telescopes can provide hours of enjoyment and enrichment when used properly to explore our universe. HOWEVER, never point a telescope at the Sun unless it is properly filtered. The same rule applies to the finder. For safety reasons, the RASC Edmonton Centre does not provide solar filters with their loaner telescopes as incorrect usage or damaged filters can lead to irreparable eye damage. The Edmonton RASC Centre will not be held liable for any damages caused by pointing a loaner telescope at the Sun or careless use of a loaner telescope.
Pick-Up and Drop-Off
Telescopes are lent from our storage locker at Affordable Storage located at 10301 104 St NW, downtown Edmonton. There is free parking at this facility. Send an email to the Telescope Rentals coordinator to make pick-up and drop-off arrangements. Time arrangements are limited to the hours of operation of Affordable Storage. Please bring exact change for the deposit, if required.