The Richmond Astronomical Society maintains an inventory of observing equipment that is available for loan to members in good standing with current dues payments.
Members should contact John Raymond at raymond7419@verizon.net regarding the availability of specific items.
Equipment currently in our inventory appears below. Note that equipment is generally in circulation and is not stored at a central location. Images below are representative and may not match the exact piece of equipment. Equipment loans are subject to availability. Since much of the equipment has been donated to RAS, the current condition of specific pieces of equipment varies from item to item.
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Celestron 8-inch Schmidt Cassegrain telescope with basic mount Notes: Alt-Az mount, unmotorized, RAS item #11. Available for loan. |
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Meade 4.5-inch reflector with basic mount RAS item #13. Available for loan. |
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Meade 8-inch Dobsonian telescope Notes: Mounted on dolly wheels. RAS item #3. Available for loan. |
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Meade Deep Sky Imager Pro CCD camera RAS item #28. Available for loan. |
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Stellacam low-light integrating video camera with DVD player display Notes: Stored in heavy case for transporting with DVD player that can be used as a monitor. RAS item #27. Available for loan. |
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Coronado Personal Solar Telescope Notes: With additional hydrogen-alpha filter kit (double stack filter) for enhanced narrowband views. Mounted on simple tripod with slow-motion controls and low-precision battery-powered tracking motor. RAS item #1 (scope) and #2 (double stack filter kit). Available for loan. |
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Celestron Powertank battery Notes: RAS item #26. Available for loan. |
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Video imaging system and occultation timing kit Notes: Includes Supercircuits analog video camera and shortwave radio for timing of occultations. RAS item #29. Available for loan. |
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Celestron biniculars Notes: Good binoculars, but in need of careful cleaning. When cleaned, need to remove mildew and deposits on lens surfaces using an appropriate procedure compatible with optical coatings. RAS item #15. Available for loan. |
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Celestron 4.5 inch Newtonian telescope on equatorial mount Notes: Unmotorized on wooden tripod with set of accompanying eyepieces. RAS item #14. Available for loan. |
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6″ f/8 RV6 Criterion Newtonian reflector with equatorial mount Notes: RAS item #16. Available for loan. |
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Filters for 1.25-inch eyepiece barrel Notes: Polarizer (RAS item #18), 25A (RAS item #19), 80A (RAS item #20) |
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Equipment item Notes: |