[SJAAboard] Low-end scopes

[Nelsonastro at aol.com]

low end junkers
 
  They have some value - and for the $5 I spent on
a 50mm refractor I got parts for a "Sun Gun"
(refractor with plastic flower pot projection
screen) and a cheap wooden tripod that works fine
as the bottom end of one of Gary's 'red light box'.
 
  The issue of refurbishing (or lending free)
scopes to deserving students is interesting.
There is a club that uses this as a young
member promotion!  Write an essay of why
you would like a scope (for a schoolyear
-free-) and the club selects and distributes.
Done through teachers - it could be pretty
encouraging for poor kids at some of the
star party schools!  If 1/3 of them never
came back - no problem.  If 1/4 resulted in
more interest and a youth membership -
more 'scope huggers' (Mimi Wagner's
S&T front cover).
 
  The 'signature scope' Dob - with its very
public history - is a prime example on the
higher end of this range.
 
Steven Nelson, member
 
 
PS even truly junk scopes - The Meade
'auto scope' with 0.9"(?) H eyepieces
makes a nice little automated platform
for experimenting with wide angle CCDs.
I'd never use or recommend it 'as a scope'
put the parts were worth $100 to me (and
for SJAA).  That's significantly less than my
small cooled SBIG CCD!



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