FOR SALE – Meade 14″ SCT and accessories

Posted by as Buy&Sell

RASC Victoria Centre is selling surplus astronomical equipment

Meade 14″ SCT telescope, cradle mount & Hyperstar f/2

PLEASE NOTE – ALL ITEMS ARE NOW SOLD!

Photo gallery of Victoria Centre’s Observatory

 

  • Please refer to the asking prices of the items listed below. Items will be sold to the bidder who submits the highest bid price.
  • Once a bid is accepted, prompt payment by bank draft or certified cheque is preferred, payable to: RASC Victoria Centre. Payment by personal cheque drawn on a US or Canadian bank is also acceptable, but will cause delays.
  • Tie bids will be decided by the date and time the bids are first received.
  • Local pickup of items is preferred, otherwise successful bidders are responsible for shipping costs in addition to their bid price.
  • The equipment listed below has been used together for the last 10 years at Victoria Centre’s observatory. Items can be bought separately or together.
  • All equipment is sold as-is without any warranty or guarantee of fitness for purpose.

Please contact Bruno Quenneville if you need further details about the items offered for sale Email (brunoqvictoria@gmail.com) or call ‭(250) 888-3450‬.

Send your bids to Joe Carr

  • Email (web@victoria.rasc.ca)
  • Postal mail or courier: Attn: RASC Victoria Centre, 3046 Jackson St, Victoria, BC Canada V8T 3Z8.

Meade 14” f/10 SCT telescope optical tube – SOLD

  • Optical tube only – no diagonals or mounting hardware is included
  • Includes
    • Meade standard finder scope
    • Feather Touch ultra fine thread focuser upgrade – see red arrowed item in photo below
    • Dew shield
  • Other accessories available – see below for Hyperstar and cradle mount (both used with this 14″ SCT)
  • Meade’s website
  • $1,350 asking price
  • Condition: Used showing minor wear, but in good operating condition with no marks. Optics need cleaning.
Meade 14" SCT, Feather Touch focuser upgrade (included), WO 2" digital focuser (not included), Meade finder scope (included)
Meade 14″ SCT, Feather Touch focuser upgrade (included), WO 2″ digital focuser (not included), Meade finder scope (included)

Hyperstar f/2 focal reducer for Meade or Celestron SCT telescopes – SOLD

  • Reduces optics from f/10 to f/2 for imaging only (not for visual use)
  • Starizona website – verify with Starizona this reducer will work with your telescope!
  • $450 asking price
  • Condition: Used showing minor wear, but in good operating condition with no marks.

Cradle mount for 14″ optical tube telescopes – SOLD

  • This heavy duty metal cradle provides excellent support for a 14″ optical tube such as the above Meade 14″ SCT
  • Includes
    • Losmandy style rails suitable for attaching the cradle to a heavy duty tracking mount
    • Two (2) Losmandy style rails  on both sides for mounting additional telescopes or other gear
  • $650 asking price
  • Condition: Used showing minor wear, but in good operating condition with no marks.
Meade 14" SCT with cradle & Paramount ME
14" cracle

 

FOR SALE: Observatory Equipment

Posted by as Buy&Sell

RASC Victoria Centre is selling surplus astronomical equipment

FOR SALE BY BID: telescopes, equipment & optics

Due date: April 30, 2018 at 11:59PM

BIDDING NOW CLOSED

Photo gallery of Victoria Centre’s Observatory

 

  • Each lot itemized below will be sold to the bidder who submits the highest bid price by the due date, providing our minimum bid (reserve) price is met or exceeded.
  • Once a bid is accepted, prompt payment by bank draft or certified cheque is preferred, payable to: RASC Victoria Centre. Payment by personal cheque drawn on a US or Canadian bank is also acceptable, but will cause delays.
  • Tie bids will be decided by the date and time the bids are first received.
  • Local pickup of items is preferred, otherwise successful bidders are responsible for shipping costs in addition to their bid price.
  • All equipment is sold as-is without any warranty or guarantee of fitness for purpose.

Please contact Bruno Quenneville if you need further details about the items offered for sale Email or call ‭(250) 888-3450‬.

Send your bids to Joe Carr

  • Email (web@victoria.rasc.ca)
  • Postal mail or courier: Attn: RASC Victoria Centre, 3046 Jackson St, Victoria, BC Canada V8T 3Z8. Bids sent by postal mail or courier must be postmarked April 27, 2018 or earlier. 
Orion 80mm telescope
Orion 80mm telescope

LOT 1 – Orion ED80 80mm f/7.5 apochromatic refractor telescope – SALE PENDING

  • Includes:
    • William Optics 2″Dielectric diagonal & 1 1/4″ adaptor.- William Optics website
    • William Optics 2-speed Crayford focuser
    • Orion right angle finder scope & mounting bracket
    • Orion mounting rings
    • Orion custom ED80 Hard case
  • No other hardware included
  • Orion’s website
  • $300 reserve
  • Condition: Used showing minor wear, but in good operating condition with no marks
Tele Vue NP127is telescope
Tele Vue NP127is telescope

LOT 2 – Tele Vue NP127is apochromatic imaging refractor telescope – SALE PENDING

  • Includes (all Tele Vue brand unless otherwise indicated)
    • 2.4 inch diameter Focus Mate dual-speed rack and pinion focuser
    • Sliding dew shield
    • 2 inch accessory adapter with clamp ring
    • photo accessory adapter
    • custom fitted hard shell case
    • Focus Mate Driver FDF-2004
    • 90 Degree Everbrite Diagonal (2 inch diameter)
    • 10 micron position indicator for the 2.4 inch focuser
    • 0.8X Focal Reducer NPR -1073
    • Three 1 Inch Spacers for 2.4 inch focuser
    • One 0.5 inch spacer for 2.4 inch focuser
    • One 0.375 inch spacer for 2.4 inch focuser
    • One 0.25 inch spacer for 2.4 inch focuser
    • SBIG STL Camera Adapter STL-1071
    • Large Field Coma Corrector LCL – 1069
    • Canon T-Ring for EOS dSLR
  • Tele Vue’s website
  • $4,500 reserve
  • Condition: Used showing minor wear, but in good operating condition with no marks.
    • The Focuser is bent, but operating. Replacement cost would be US$350.
    • The optics deliver close to perfect star images visually and for photos taken by APS-C and smaller sensors, however when using a full-frame 35mm sensor, some star elongations are apparent in the corners of the photographic frame. Please view this evaluation done by our members for further details. Tele Vue is able to restore the telescope optics to factory specification for a charge of US$495 plus shipping, however this work would be done at a prospective purchaser’s own expense.

 

LOT 3 – Meade 14” f/10 SCT telescope optical tube

  • Optical tube only – no diagonals or mounting hardware is included
  • Includes
    • Meade standard finder scope
    • Feather Touch ultra fine thread focuser upgrade – see red arrowed item in photo below
    • Dew shield
  • Other accessories available – see below for Hyperstar and cradle mount (both used with this 14″ SCT)
  • Meade’s website
  • $1,500 reserve
  • Condition: Used showing minor wear, but in good operating condition with no marks. Optics need cleaning.
Meade 14" SCT, Feather Touch focuser upgrade (included), WO 2" digital focuser (not included), Meade finder scope (included)
Meade 14″ SCT, Feather Touch focuser upgrade (included), WO 2″ digital focuser (not included), Meade finder scope (included)

LOT 4 – Hyperstar f/2 focal reducer for Meade or Celestron SCT telescopes

  • Reduces optics from f/10 to f/2 for imaging only (not for visual use)
  • Starizona website – verify with Starizona this reducer will work with your telescope!
  • $500 reserve
  • Condition: Used showing minor wear, but in good operating condition with no marks.

LOT 5 – Cradle mount for 14″ optical tube telescopes

  • This heavy duty metal cradle provides excellent support for a 14″ optical tube such as the above Meade 14″ SCT
  • Includes
    • Losmandy style rails suitable for attaching the cradle to a heavy duty tracking mount
    • Two (2) Losmandy style rails  on both sides for mounting additional telescopes or other gear
  • $700 reserve
  • Condition: Used showing minor wear, but in good operating condition with no marks.
Meade 14" SCT with cradle & Paramount ME
14" cracle

 

Victoria Centre Observatory gets a new telescope!

Posted by as News

TPO 16" f/8 Ritchey-Chretien Truss Tube Astrograp
TPO 16″ f/8 Ritchey-Chretien Truss Tube Astrograph

On July 12th Victoria Centre’s Council approved a plan to replace the telescopes currently in our observatory with new and improved optics. The Technical Committee’s plan includes replacing our existing Meade 14” SCT and Tele Vue NP 127is apochromatic refractor with a 16” F/8 Ritchey­ Chretien (RC) optical system. The new gear will be mounted on our existing Paramount ME mount, giving us a simpler setup that is actually a bit lighter than the old configuration.

The cost of the new RC telescope and accessories will be about $14,000, depending on the US$ exchange rate. Most of the gear will be purchased from OPT Oceanside Photo & Telescope in California, since they sell their brand TPO Ritchey Chretien telescopes at very attractive prices, and we took advantage of a recent sale price. We expect to eventually sell our surplus instruments and accessories, but will keep the current setup in place until the new gear arrives and is installed, in order to maximize the availability of the VCO to members.

We will fundraise from our members to directly offset the upgrade costs, since Victoria Centre Council originally budgeted $7,000 for the upgrade some months ago.

Benefits

  • Improved cool down time
    • new RC is a truss design open tube giving good airflow around the primary optics,
    • old SCT is a closed tube design with a corrector plate restricting air flow
  • Improved guiding accuracy
    • new RC system will use an in-line off-axis guider,
    • old SCT system uses a piggyback-mounted telescope for guiding
  • Improved pointing accuracy
    • new RC system has a fixed primary mirror,
    • old SCT system suffers from primary mirror flop
  • Improved light gathering and resolution
    • new RC system has a 16″ primary mirror
    • old SCT system has a 14″ primary mirror and a corrector plate
  • Easier operation
    • new RC system is a single optical tube that will be used for guiding, imaging and observing
    • old system included an SCT, a Hyperstar f/2 attachment, a 127mm apo-chromaic refractor, and a guide scope, all mounted piggyback and in a custom cradle
  • We wish to enter RASC’s 150th year in 2018 with a first-rate observatory!

Fundraising

Our target is to raise $5,000 from members over the next few months. Tax receipts will be issued for all donations.

Joe Carr is our fundraiser, so please contact him for questions about the new telescope or to donate – email or telephone 250-294-1992.

Bruce Lane is our Treasurer, who will issue tax receipts and account for all donations to Council and members – email.

The first fundraising event was held at the RASCals Star Party on Saturday, July 29th at 2PM in Metchosin House. Thanks to everyone who donated so generously – we are already over half way to our target!

VCO Upgrade – fundraising slideshow – 1.8Mb pdf

 

New Equipment

Surplus Equipment

  • Meade 14″ SCT $2,000.00
  • Hyperstar f/2 $500.00
  • Cradle $300.00
  • Tele Vue NP127is $5,000.00
  • Total $7,800.00

Estimated Net Cost after sale of surplus $6,800

Please note that proceeds of the sale of used astronomical equipment is highly variable and can take many months. RASC Victoria Centre and then all RASC members will be given first chance to purchase our surplus equipment. Please contact Joe by email or telephone 250-294-1992 if you are interested.

Buy & Sell

Posted by as

Advertising appearing below is posted by RASC Victoria Centre as a public service, and does not imply any endorsement of any purchaser or seller by listing them below. It is important for both the purchaser and seller involved in any transaction to perform appropriate research and to take all precautions to protect themselves against fraud and other potential problems of doing business with unknown persons.

Contact the Webmaster if you wish to place an ad on this page.

FOR SALE: Skywatcher Star Adventurer GTi

Like new. Bought in the fall and upgraded to another mount. Comes with mount head, pillar extension and tripod. Also everything included with original purchase.

$900

Darren Delorme email (250) 882-1379

FOR SALE: Top Quality iOptron CEM-60 Mount

This centre-balanced equatorial (or CEM) mount puts the payload weight at the mount’s centre of gravity, giving a big advantage in carrying capacity and accuracy. The head weighs only 27 pounds (12.3 kg), but handles up to 60 pounds (27.2 kg) of equipment.  In all other respects, it behaves exactly like a GEM.

I’ve used this mount for a number of years and have nothing but good to say about it.  For visual use, it’s smart GOTO controller has a database of 200,000 celestial objects, polar alignment feature where Polaris is not visible and superb tracking: a resolution of 0.06 arcsec.  Other features include a magnetically loaded gear system, gear switches on both RA and DEC axes, screw/worm type latitude adjuster.  The polar alignment scope is built in and is never blocked by the RA axis.

This mount was made for astrophotography!  It has a through-head cable management system (no more ruined subs from stuck cables!)  The mount has been measured at 3.5 arcsec or better permanent periodic error correction.  Unguided exposures of a minute or more are possible and, seeing permitting, have guided 12-minute subs over extended hours. It has 32-channel GPS and integrated ST-4 guide port. It is perfectly compatible with the latest ASCOM interface standards. I’m including a 2-inch tripod, counterweight and hard aluminum carrying case.  There are many other features and I’d advise checking its specs on the iOptron site.

$2200

Doug MacDonald email (250) 884-2646 Victoria

FOR SALE: TeleVue Pronto & accessories

  • Teleview Pronto, serial #4064, 70mm, 480mm, f/6.8
  • Tele Vue Qwik Point
  • 17mm plossl
  • 48mm Nagler
  • 3x Barlow
  • Angle viewer

The telescope was purchased in 1996 and used my daughter and me until 2000 in backyard astronomy. Then it was put away in secure dry storage. It’s in very nice shape.

Asking: $850

Rob Skelly email (236) 971-1782 Pender Island

FOR SALE: Stellarvue 102 Apo refractor, HEQ 5 mount & accessories

  • Stellarvue 102 mm F7 Apochromatic Triplet
  • 10 x 60 correct image RA finder scope, F06042
  • Red dot finder, F1001
  • SVF25 focusser
  • Dielectric 99 % 1/10 Lamda viewer. D1028ECF 45 degree prism D1032
  • Pole Master (new) and home-made brass adapter
  • Skywatcher HEQ5 mount with Synscan, and Tripod
  • Eyepieces (new )
    • Explore Scientific Bressler 25mm 70 degree
    • Baader Hyperion 10mm 68 degree , modular, with various adapters
    • Planetary II, 3.2mm, SW
  • Instruction manuals and RASC books
  • Padded bag for scope
  • Aluminum box for mount etc
  • I have a skookum outdoor mount, currently in the lawn at home which I could dig up and include. It is designed to be durable and convenient and easily set to north.

Asking $3,000 or reasonable offer

John Brears – email – 250 218 1258 (Courtenay)

FOR SALE: SkyShed Pod, 2 telescopes & accessories

As the expression goes, “all good things come to an end”, even for an aging amateur astronomer. Sadly it appears that holds true for me as well. Therefore, I must part with my astronomy equipment. I have attached an inventory list describing the “stuff” that I have available, listing the original cost, the purchase date and the name of suppliers from whom the articles were purchased.

In addition, most of the articles have the original packing containers (clamshells) and all in all, are in excellent condition.

  • Meade 10″ Starfinder Newtonian c/w Equatorial Mount
  • Sky-Watcher EQ6 Pro Mount c/w Tripod & Counterweights
  • Meade LX90 12″ ACF SCT c/w Mount & Autostar Controller
  • Numerous eyepieces and filters – refer to detailed inventory list
  • XL-2 Desert Tan SkyShed Pod
  • Detailed Inventory List (pdf)

New price: approximately $20,000. Make offers.

Larry J. Samoil – email
Nanoose Bay, BC
Tel: 250.468.5757

FOR SALE: Skywatcher Flextube 200P 200mm (8”) Synscan Computerized GoTo Collapsible Dobsonian Telescope with original and bonus accessories.

Condition: Like new

  • With proper alignment, the Synscan computerized system finds thousands of celestial objects without any manual searching.
  • The Synscan system will track the object being observed, keeping it in the centre of the field of view.
  • Manual searching of objects is possible if one wishes to test one’s star-finding ability.
  • The flextube design allows for relatively easy transportation of the scope and its base in a mid-size SUV vehicle (rest base on its side in a Subaru Outback or equivalent vehicle)
  • The telescope accepts both 1.25” and 2’’ eyepieces.
  • This is not a beginner’s level telescope. Novices entering amateur astronomy should expect a high learning curve with this telescope.
  • Fully assembled. No assembly from boxes necessary. 

Original accessories:

  • The telescope come with a Plossl 25mm eyepiece, a Plossl 10mm eyepiece, an 8×50 finderscope, a 2” eyepiece adaptor, the Synscan computerized system and manuals. 

Bonus features:

  • A 2” 34 mm Sybony eyepiece providing a 2.05 degree true field of view at 35x magnification. Makes for spectacular wide starry sky viewing. My favourite eyepiece!
  • A Celestron Omni Barlow lens for doubling the magnification.
  • A SR 4mm (Symmetric Ramsden) eyepiece offering 300x power. This is a fairly low quality eyepiece which ultimately should be replaced for better quality.
  • Celestron Cheshire type collimator eyepiece for optical alignment.
  • Meade 4000 series moon filter.
  • Zhumell O-LLL filter for discerning nebulae.
  • Astro AI AC to DC Converter, 110v to 12v (necessary equipment).
  • 12 foot automobile auxiliary power outlet (plug-in) extension cord for when out in the field without a source of power for the telescope.
  • Custom made portable base for the telescope designed to:
    • wheel the telescope from points A to B when on a smooth surface (not on interlocking brick or rough surfaces) 
    • level the telescope on uneven terrain (e.g., grass, sloped driveway, etc.) with adjustment screws.
    • provide a higher base for the telescope  often promoting more comfortable viewing positions.

The owner would be pleased to instruct and to demonstrate to the buyer the operation of this telescope system.

Price: $1,900

Contact Ray Tomusiak – 250 743-5686 (Cobble Hill) – email

FOR SALE: Meade LX-90 telescope, mount & accessories

  • Meade LX-90 8” f/10
  • Telrad
  • Kendrick Dew Heater Dual Channel with 3 heaters: Corrector, Telrad and EP Kendrick Battery Pack
  • Bob’s Knobs – Collimation
  • 2” Star Diagonal (Astro-Tech)
  • Baader Hyperion Mk IV Zoom
  • TeleVue 55mm Plossl
  • TeleVue x2 Barlow
  • Meade 9mm EP
  • Chinese 32mm Plossl
  • 11⁄4” Star Diagonal (Meade)
  • AstoTech 10 x 5 RACI Finder and Base
  • Illuminated Reticle EP
  • Observing Chair
  • Comes in a fitted plastic box

Asking $3,000.00 (Less than the cost of a new LX90)

Contact: Terry Flight email (View Royal)

LX-90 Accessories
LX-90 Accessories
Kendrick Power Pack
Kendrick Power Pack
Eyepieces
Eyepieces
Meade LX-90
Meade LX-90

About Us

Posted by as

The Victoria Centre of the Royal Astronomical Society is part of a national society dedicated to bringing information about astronomy to the general public.

Membership

Open to everyone with an interest in astronomy. Membership in the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada does not require any knowledge of astronomy. We enjoy helping beginners!

Joining the Victoria Centre of the Canada-wide RASC is easy – Join Now

Primary Contacts

President – Dr. Chris Gainor – email

Membership Coordinator – Chris Purse – email

Victoria Centre Directors

President – Dr. Chris Gainor, FRASC – email

Overall responsibility for Victoria Centre, its members and Council & public relations

First Vice President – Dan Posey – email

Monthly meeting & speakers, major events

Second Vice President – Kirsten Pedersen – email

Special projects, observing events, volunteers

Treasurer – Doug Hardy – email

Financial recording and reporting

Secretary – Oliver Robinow – email

Minutes, official records, correspondence

Past President – Randy Enkin- email

Business continuity, special projects, nominating committee

Directors at Large – David Lee, Myles Morrison, Jeff Pivnick, Lauri Roche, Alex Schmid

Assist in the operation of the Centre

Victoria Centre Officers

Computer Applications – vacant

Server, Email, Online Services Coordination

Librarian – Alex Schmid – email

Lending library – periodicals, books, CDs, DVDs & other media in our library

Membership Coordinator – Chris Purse – email

Enquiries from the public & new members, membership roster, email lists

National Representatives – Nathan Hellner-Mestelman & Bill Weir

National RASC representation and liaison

Observing Chair – Jim Stilburn- email

Vested with authority by the National Observing Committee to review and approve observing certificate applications

Progressive Lighting Policies – Dave Robinson

Liaison and education about effective use of lighting

Schools Programs – Lauri Roche – email

School visit and education program

SkyNews Editor – Randy Enkin – email

Editor of SkyNews, our monthly newsletter

Telescope Loans – Sid Sidhu – email

Lending Centre-owned telescopes to members

Victoria Centre Observatory – Reg Dunkley – email

Victoria Centre Observatory operations

Webmaster – Joe Carr – email

Website content

Advisors and Liaisons

  • James Di Francesco (Dominion Astrophysical Observatory, National Research Council)
  • Jim Hesser
  • John McDonald
  • Jim Nemec (Camosun College)
  • Lauri Roche (Friends of the DAO)
  • Alex Schmid (University of Victoria)
  • Bill Weir (Pearson College)

RASC Roots

In 1868 a small group of amateur astronomers formed the Toronto Astronomy Club. In 1903, King Edward VII gave his permission for “Royal” to be included in the title and the Society became the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada. There are now around 5,000 members in 30 Centres, found in most major Canadian cities.

The Victoria Centre was formed in 1914 and quickly developed into one of the largest centres in the country. There are currently over 250 members. Most are amateurs with some being professionals from the Dominion Astrophysical Observatory, the University of Victoria, and Camosun College. Professional astronomers frequently appear as guest speakers at RASC monthly meetings.

Victoria Centre members have a long history of offering public observing sessions to residents of Victoria.