Lending Period: One Month
Cost:
Members: FREE
Non-Members: $40 refundable depositPlease bring exact change & a valid Photo ID. Deposit is refunded on return of telescope; on time and in the same condition as when lent out.
Available for members and non-members alike, the Telescope Loaner Program provides the opportunity to borrow a telescope for one month as a first time introduction, for travel, or to view special events such as eclipses and comets.
Interested or have questions?
Contact the Loaner Program Coordinator today!
Pick-Up and Drop-Off
By Appointment Only – Contact the Loaner Program Coordinator
Affordable Storage, downtown Edmonton
10301 – 104 St NW
There is free parking at this facility
Telescope Safety
Never point a telescope, or finder, at the Sun without a sun filter.
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.
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. |
![]() 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. |
![]() 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. |
Care of Telescopes
Please allow optics to dry thoroughly before capping and storing in a secure, dry location. Provide cushioning when transporting and make sure that optical components are sealed.
Do not attempt any maintenance on the telescopes or their components. We attempt to keep our equipment in good shape and will not knowingly lend a telescope which has mechanical or optical defects. 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 Loaner Program Coordinator.