78 replies to this topic

[jtsenghas]

@ jtsenghas:  Kudos to you!  I'd be interested in knowing how much it costs you to prepare those "sundry hardware, printing and laminating of materials, and mods to the base, etc." 

It appears we'll be managing this a bit cheaper than most. The miscellaneous hardware cost just over ten dollars including the epoxy cement for the slightly larger metric collimation screws.  That brought the cost up to  $299 for the scope, zoom eyepiece, and hardware. This pretty much spent the budget the Friends of the Library allocated.

 

A few more items are being covered by the library itself without hesitation on the part of the library director: a new fanny pack ($11), the Audubon Pocket Constellation Guide ($11), and printing and laminating stickers and the manual.  I'm providing electronic copies of these after editing them significantly myself.  The library staff and I plan to make these ourselves using their own equipment. Materials should be less than $10 and will come out of incidental library expenses. I'll simply punch three holes in the pages of the laminated booklet and assemble it with 1" binder rings to avoid the approximately $25 cost to have a spiral bound book professionally made.  This option should also more easily allow for future edits of individual pages. Our club will provide a red flashlight and the AA battery pack for the RDF to the kit. It helps that we have such things on hand.

 

After talking to Pete Smith, the chair of the Library Telescope program in the NHAS, we've decided not to include the camel hair cleaner infused lens brush.  They've had such zealous use of that accessory by patrons that AR coatings have been entirely polished away and fine swirly scratches made on some eyepieces. That's also an item that reportedly tends to get lost. I plan on servicing the scope personally often enough I'd rather not have patrons doing ANY cleaning. 

 

It appears that if all materials are bought new and professional services from such a supplier as Staples were used for the manual, total costs for everything would be about $350 per scope. 

Edited by jtsenghas, 01 June 2017 - 10:42 PM.

[Vesper818]

That's great, JT

Turn all the librarians into astronomers! Lol.

[jtsenghas]

That's great, JT

Turn all the librarians into astronomers! Lol.

It's fun to have adult professionals getting all excited over such things and trying to diplomatically jockey for a position in line to borrow the scope themselves...

 

"Has it firmly been established who will be taking the scope home first?..." 

 

"Hey, the image of the clock is upside down, why is that?"

 

"Cool! I feel like I can reach up and touch the clock tower!  I can even see the pigeon poop on the hour hand!"

 

"You took that moon photograph with a cell phone through this??!!"

Edited by jtsenghas, 02 June 2017 - 01:09 PM.

[jtsenghas]

And....it's in the hands of the library now!

 

Here's an image of the handoff. (Not exactly the one we shared with the press). From left to right are Jim Flechtner, President of the Friends of the Library of Findlay-Hancock County Library, myself, J.T. Senghas, and Jeff Winkle, the Library Director.  I see the Astronomical League is also showing this on their Facebook page.

 

[jtsenghas]

We made the local paper!  I'm glad the writer credited the Astronomical League for being the catalyst for this, and the NHAS for setting the fine example.

 

http://thecourier.co...ffer-telescope/

[DLuders]

You should also credit your wife, "a member of the Friends of the Library, [who] suggested that they buy a telescope...."   

[jtsenghas]

You should also credit your wife, "a member of the Friends of the Library, [who] suggested that they buy a telescope...." 

Yes, indeed! Although I didn't mention her by name here, she was included in the above "we". After my phone interview with the reporter I sent her an email with more details and asked her to be sure to include my wife for convincing other members of the board of the Friends to pay for the scope. She needs to be recognized for our getting  to this point so quickly. 

 

(When mama ain't happy, ain't NOBODY happy! )

[BJS]

Great job getting this program started! The Toledo Astronomy Association started a lending program with the Toledo public library and the Way library in Perrysburg last fall. We have six scopes in service and are planning on adding more this fall.

Brian

[aeajr]

When selecting a specific telescope for a Library Loan program, what is the best "balance" between Cost, Weight, Portability, and Performance?  As aeajr pointed out, "If you can lower the cost of the program you have the potential to expand on the same budget."  The Orion StarBlast 4.5 (used by the New Hampshire library system) is a fine scope, but there are other small telescopes that would make fine "loaners" too.  Perhaps timid libraries only agree to start their own Library Loan program when they see the documented success of the Orion StarBlast 4.5 being used in New Hampshire and other states.  Is there a reluctance to try some other telescope that may be a "better all-around value"?

 

Orion StarBlast 4.5:

COST:  ~$210 or so (but you have to add in the cost of the ~$61 Celestron 8-24mm Zoom Eyepiece, finder battery pack, and other minor modifications) --> $300 total

WEIGHT, FULLY ASSEMBLED:  13.0 lbs. (light enough for young kids to carry) 

PORTABILITY:  Overall size is 25"x18.5"x23.5" with an 18.0" optical tube (small enough to strap into the front passenger car seat).  Tabletop/pickup tailgate viewing is OK for kids.   

PERFORMANCE:  4.5" (114mm) f/4.0 mirror on a Dobsonian Reflector.  The integrated carrying handle is a plus (could other telescopes be modified to have a handle too?). 

 

What other compact, tough telescopes could be purchased and modified for ~$300 for Library Loan?  The Orion StarBlast 4.5 (unmodified and modified) looks like this:

 

Orion StarBlast 4.5

 

  library-telescope-key.jpg  

 

Modifications to the beginner-friendly Orion StarBlast 4.5 tabletop reflector include: (1) adding “Can’t Lose Strings” to loose parts; (2) cutting a 2-inch hole in the end cap to reduce the Moon’s brightness; (3) installing an AA-battery pack for the red-dot finder; (4) adding setscrews in the focusing tube; (5) providing an 8-to-24-mm zoom eyepiece; and (6) adding a Sun warning and other stickers to the main tube.

 

 

Zhumell Z100 100mm

 

Orion SkyScanner 100mm

In the first post you mention the Z100 and the SkyScanner 100 as possible alternatives.   Have you or anyone else tried them out for the library program?

 

I ask because I may get involved in a similar program in NY.  Clearly these could lower the cost and, since the mirrors are permanently mounted you don't have to protect the collimation screws from tampering.

 

I have not used one personally so interested in your experience.

[DLuders]

In the first post you mention the Z100 and the SkyScanner 100 as possible alternatives.   Have you or anyone else tried them out for the library program?

Nope! 

[Astrosetz]

Our club (Northern Cross Science Foundation, www.ncsf.info) got a "seed" Library Telescope "kit" from the Astronomical League about two years ago -- they gave one away to one club in each region, and our club was randomly selected. It's been a hit with that library since day one, with a healthy, continual, waiting list. 

We just handed over Library Telescope #2 to a second local library, and have two more "in the hopper" getting ready to go, as well. We're very excited about the success! Got a nice write up in the local paper last week

 

[jtsenghas]

Our club entered this year's drawing with the Astronomical League for the ten scopes offered similarly this year - one per region. The March edition of Reflector magazine said the drawing  would occur on our around August 18.  I hadn't heard any results so I contacted the chair for our region, the Great Lakes Region. He replied last week that he hadn't heard either and would inquire. Presumably one scope will go to one of the organizations in his region. 

 

Does anyone reading know the status of this year's drawing? 

[S.Boerner]

Look here to see this year's library scope winners:

https://www.astrolea...ry-telescopes-0

[jtsenghas]

Well, our club, the Millstream Astronomy Club is not on that list, despite having overwhelming odds of about 4% of winning.

 

I'm glad our library chose to purchase their own scope in May. They optimistically labeled it #1 and looked forward to that drawing, though... 

[Trailboss]

I have just started my library telescope lending program with 2 modified Orion StarBlast scopes. I believe we are the only library in Tennessee that is doing this now. If anybody else in TN has a program I would like to hear how it is doing;  we are in eastern TN outside of Knoxville. I am displaying one of the scopes in the lobby with related DVDs and books, and have backup support from local astronomy club. Doing alot of publicity in various venues. Trying to cover all the bases, but I suppose there will be some problems!

[DLuders]

@ Trailboss:  Kudos to you!     Did you modify those two Orion StarBlast reflectors as suggested by the New Hampshire Astronomical Society, or did you make any changes? 

[BJS]

https://www.telescop...16/p/106929.uts

 

Our club is going to test out this scope to see if its suitable for the library program.  It looks like it will be.  Basically the same as the starblast 4.5 with a simpler mount.

Brian

[WalterC]

I am a bit shocked how many libraries in MA and NH have telescopes. I am in a small town of 7000 people(Ashburnham, MA, N. Central Mass.). Our library has one provided by the Aldrich Astronomical Society (Worcester, MA area). They have provided 80 libraries in Mass with a telescope. http://aldrich.club/...rary-telescope/  Their website says the NHAS has put 90 into NH libraries. From the info our library has, you need a library card in their regional library consortium. 

      I have taken advantage of this yet, but once I have my 8" dob set up and learned the sky a bit I'll check it out.

      This is a great program. When I was a kid I would have been so excited by these library scopes. Those of you doing this should be proud of yourselves.

[DLuders]

https://www.telescop...16/p/106929.uts

 

Our club is going to test out this scope to see if its suitable for the library program.  It looks like it will be.  Basically the same as the starblast 4.5 with a simpler mount.

Brian

Actually, the Orion FunScope Astro Dazzle has a Focal Length of 500mm, slightly more than the Orion StarBlast 4.5's 450mm FL.  Thus, it can achieve slightly more magnification.  I have the StarBlast 4.5 and like its wide views of the Pleiades, bright regions of the Milky Way, etc.

[jtsenghas]

https://www.telescop...16/p/106929.uts

Our club is going to test out this scope to see if its suitable for the library program. It looks like it will be. Basically the same as the starblast 4.5 with a simpler mount.
Brian

I have to admit, I prefer the slightly more solid build of the Starblast for a lending scope. The steel tube and full clamp of the altitude bearing around the tube will probably stand up better in time among patrons who might not be too gentle.

Additionally, the zoom eyepiece and mod to add two AA batteries to the finder both add a fair amount of weight to the upper end of such a wee thing compared to the stock eyepieces. The fact that the Starblast can be slid rearward a bit in its clamp for balance is worth noting, in my opinion.

I'm still thrilled you are making a similar scope available. Please tell us how it works out.

[Jack23]

Excellent thread. Very helpful with all the links etc.

 

My kid likes going to our local library as they have a bunch of stuff for young kids and toddlers, including play areas. So one day a couple of months ago I just casually mentioned to a librarian if they would be interested in a telescope lending program. And she immediately took me to the library's manager and we had a short 5 minute discussion and the manager said she was very interested. So I sent them a long email detailing how it works in NH (with links) and what all they'll need to start the program. She said they have a meeting with the Friends of the Library in a week. After the meeting I was told they were very interested in funding it but they didn't have everyone present at that meeting to vote and approve it so she had to wait 2 more months.

 

So 2 weeks ago, I got an email saying that the library has the funds, $350 for purchasing everything. They wanted a meeting with the librarians and others who will work on the project before they actually purchase everything. So we are meeting this Wednesday. I don't have a 4.5" dob but I have a Celestron FirstScope that I'll take with me to show them what their scope will look like and what they can expect.

 

I'm planning on showing them how the telescope works and how the program works in NH and at other libraries and all the recommendations from this thread. Does anyone have specific recommendations that I should include in our discussions? I thought of taking a bigger scope too, but I don't want them to be disappointed by the smaller size when they get theirs, so the FirstScope would be perfect for a demo. I don't have a zoom eye piece so I'll take a couple of plossls instead.

Edited by Jack23, 18 December 2017 - 05:58 PM.

[DLuders]

.  If you demonstrate the $50, f/3.95, 3" 76mm Celestron FirstScope Dobsonian reflector https://www.celestro...scope-telescope , realize that its performance will be less than the (now $180) f/4.0 Orion StarBlast 4.5" (114mm) Dobsonian reflector  https://www.telescope.com/Orion-StarBlast-45-Astro-Reflector-Telescope/p/102010.uts   recommended by the New Hampshire Astronomical Society.  

 

Celestron FirstScope specs:

Aperture = 76mm

Focal Length = 300mm

Focal Length of Eyepiece 1 = 20mm, resulting in a Magnification of (300mm)/(20mm) = 15x

Focal Length of Eyepiece 2 = 4mm, resulting in a Magnification of (300mm)/(4mm) = 75x 

 

Orion StarBlast 4.5 specs:

Aperture = 114mm

Focal Length = 450mm

Focal Length of Eyepiece 1 = 17mm, resulting in a Magnification of (450mm)/(17mm) = 26x

Focal Length of Eyepiece 2 = 6mm, resulting in a Magnification of (450mm)/(6mm) = 75x

 

Note that the Edmund Astroscan Dobsonian Telescope https://www.ebay.com....c100677.m4598 

is very similar to the Orion StarBlast 4.5. 

[Jack23]

.  If you demonstrate the $50, f/3.95, 3" 76mm Celestron FirstScope Dobsonian reflector, realize that its performance will be less than the (now $180) f/4.0 Orion StarBlast 4.5" (114mm) 

Yes, I understand that, maybe I wasn't clear in my post earlier. They're not really expecting me to bring a telescope, they just want to meet to discuss how everything will plan out. I'm taking the scope with me so they have an idea of what a dob looks like and I didn't want carry my 6" f8 dob into the library . They're still funded and on track to buy the 4.5" StarBlast.

 

The meeting is tomorrow and the other options I have are 8" f8 newt, 10" f10 SCT and a 120mm refractor. Maybe I'll keep the 6" dob in the car if they want to take a look at something bigger, but I don't think that'll help.

 

I'll make sure to point out to them that their scope will have much better optics and a higher magnification than the FirstScope.

[Jack23]

Quick question everyone, what did you all use for the 2" hole in the dust cap and where did you buy it? I've done all the mods except this onr, And I'm finding it very difficult to find a 2" access cover anywhere. Thanks!

[jtsenghas]

Quick question everyone, what did you all use for the 2" hole in the dust cap and where did you buy it? I've done all the mods except this onr, And I'm finding it very difficult to find a 2" access cover anywhere. Thanks!

Hmmm... I'm not sure what to suggest as a cap to adapt. It would help if it had a top lip and a slight taper to fit snugly.

In my case I turned a stopper from maple on a wood lathe and made a groove on it and installed an O ring to act as a retainer. I'll see if I have photos. Perhaps you have a friend who can help. Even if you don't have a lathe perhaps you could use a drill press to sand a tapered plug out of something compressible enough to act as a stopper.

Do you now have a 4.5 Starblast scope you are turning into a library telescope?

Edited by jtsenghas, 25 April 2018 - 05:45 PM.