The Concept
The library telescope program places telescopes in local public libraries instead of just schools, allowing greater general access to the scope since they can be put into circulation just as a book.
Where applicable, a local Club member acts as a foster parent to the scope. He or she will periodically clean and adjust the telescope, and act as a local astronomical resource to the library patrons. Additionally, a library member or student from a local school could be engaged as an apprentice astronomer to provide needed care to the scope.
The Telescope
The library telescope lending program uses the Orion StarBlast 4.5-inch Astronomical Telescope along with a zoom eye piece and supportive material. The telescope is easy to use and is robust. There is nothing to assemble. It has a wooden base, not the usual spindly tripod legs. The telescope is of manageable size, but has a relatively large optical tube. This means that the Moon and deep sky objects will show far more detail than one could see with the common "beginners" telescopes. It also has a large field of view that allows the object to stay in the eyepiece longer. This is a quality instrument, reviewed by a number of astronomical publications and found quite worthy.
The Library Telescope Program is pleased to support International Observe the Moon Night
#ObserveTheMoon
View Handy Resource Links: Download
Learn more at https://moon.nasa.gov
Looking for materials to support your space science programs?
Want to know about a special opportunity to receive free lunar images?
Click HERE to learn more.
Libraries are invited to participate in International Library Telescope Observing Week September 25 to October 1, 2022