Telescope Loan Program

The Astronomical Society of South Australia launched its Telescope Loan Program in February 2022. The initiative enables ASSA members to borrow a telescope at very low cost for a period of approximately 3 months. The purpose of the program is to support members that do not have ready access to an astronomical telescope. This is one of the many benefits of ASSA membership.

The initial pool of loan telescopes consisted of three brand new Sky-Watcher Classic 200P (200mm or 8-inch diameter) Dobsonian telescopes. The telescopes, which were difficult to source at the time, were purchased with the help of Will Godward at Sky-Watcher Australia (skywatcheraustralia.com.au) and Ron Pinksterboer at the Adelaide Optical Centre (adelaideoptical.net.au). Thanks Will and Ron!

The pool of loan telescopes has since increased to a total of five Sky-Watcher Classic 200P Dobsonian telescopes.

Wayne McLuckie (Telescope Loan Program manager) with Dob#1

How it Works

  1. ASSA members wishing to borrow a loan telescope can add their name to the waitlist by registering their interest with the Telescope Loan Program manager. Do this by sending an email to the Telescope Loan Program manager whose contact details appear in The Bulletin. 
  2. Loan telescopes are exchanged every three months at a central Adelaide location. For example, during a Telescopes in the Park event. Loan telescopes are returned, inspected and then re-issued on the same day to the next round of members on the list.
  3. Members allocated a telescope will be contacted and only then will they need to provide a deposit of $75, to be paid as follows:
    • A non-refundable amount of $25 must be transferred electronically to the ASSA Treasurer upon receiving notification of an available telescope.
    • A refundable amount of $50 (cash only) must be handed over to the Loan Manager at the time of collection. The $50 deposit (cash) will be refunded upon return of all equipment in good order.
    • The total deposit will be withheld if the equipment is damaged or pieces are missing.
  4. Details on how to register for the program will be emailed to all members from time-to-time.

 

Terms & Conditions

Please download and read all the Terms and Conditions (PDF) for the Telescope Loan Program and direct any questions to the Telescope Loan Program manager (email and phone number in The Bulletin).

 

Allocation of Loan Telescopes

The first round of loan telescopes were allocated using a random draw conducted on 8 March 2022 and witnessed by a Justice of the Peace. Congratulations to the "winners":

  • Jan Stanek
  • Andrew Jackson
  • Kristy Blunden

A second round of loan telescopes were handed out in June 2022 to:

  • Nigel Oaklands
  • Finley Elliot
  • Ann-Marie Yeates
  • Peri Skordos

The third round of loan telescopes were handed out in September 2022 to:

  • Paul Winds
  • Michael Vaughan
  • Emy Vianelli
  • Andrew Bosley
  • Suren Marharjan