PLEASE READ - Sick kids want a scope

Astro78 · #1 28-10-2009, 01:34 PM

Dear fellow Icers,

Bear Cottage is a special children’s hospice based in Manly Sydney. This is a place where many very sick children go to spend quality time with their families. Sadly, this is the last place many children get to experience. Many do indeed go there to pass away and in the best surroundings possible.

Getting out there once a month with a scope and providing tours of the sky is covered already. However, with your support, I would like to provide them with a quality refractor on a simple Alt Az mount. To have a scope available to them permanently and not have to wait for the monthly visit provides an obvious benefit.

Apart from most of these kids and their families never having had the opportunity to look through a telescope - simply getting them to ponder about the size and unknowns of the universe can be extremely helpful.

Bear Cottage is arranging a special donations account exclusively for this cause. Update They asked us to use the following for donations http://www.everydayhero.com.au/scope...copes_for_kids $1000 is still our goal!

http://www.bearcottage.chw.edu.au/

Will also be seeking a consensus as to the most appropriate equipment too? Collimation is not an option for example.

Best Wishes,
Astro78

stephenb (Stephen) · #2 28-10-2009, 01:59 PM

Astro, You have my full support. I will be donating as soon as you put up the details, mate

It is not about the astronomy, as you well know. It is about the respite and quality of life that these young 'uns get enjoy at this time in their life.

Geez, if we cannot raise at least $1000 you are proposing there is something wrong.

Omaroo (Chris Malikoff) · #3 28-10-2009, 02:04 PM

I have a WO Megrez 80SD in a soft case which I'm more than willing to donate to this wonderful cause if this helps. It's in very good condition and would mean that the rest of the cash could go into a good mount and a variation of decent eyepieces along with a few books and maps. It has the original L-bracket.

The offer's there anyway...

Otherwise, I'm in for a donation!

multiweb (Marc) · #4 28-10-2009, 02:10 PM

I have a GOTO Nexstar Celestron Az mount with the Hand controller that I don't use at all. If Chris' refractor fits on it then they have a full system with basic tracking. It's a simple dovetail attachement. I have the dovetail too somewhere. Let me know.

DavidU (Dave) · #5 28-10-2009, 02:14 PM

I'll give a Meade 10mm plossl eyepiece

Astro78 · #6 28-10-2009, 02:32 PM

You fine generous gentlemen! Stephen, Chris, Marc and Dave - you guys ABSOLUTELY ROCK!!!!!

It is AMAZING that not 1hr after the post we might already have a very tidy setup to give to Bear Cottage

Omaroo (Chris Malikoff) · #7 28-10-2009, 02:37 PM

A pleasure sir!

Now - we need a diagonal... the Megrez has a 2" focuser...

Anyone?

DavidU (Dave) · #8 28-10-2009, 02:48 PM

Diagonal..mmmmm
I'll chuck in a 2" to 1.25 adaptor.Working on a 2" diag

Omaroo (Chris Malikoff) · #9 28-10-2009, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DavidU

I'll chuck in a 2" to 1.25 adaptor.

The scope already has one David - but thanks!

PeterM · #10 28-10-2009, 03:10 PM

I have a spare Meade 26mm series 5000 eyepiece (in good nick). Tell me where to send it and I will post it tomorrow.
PeterM.

Astro78 · #11 28-10-2009, 03:54 PM

PM sent to PeterM

freespace · #12 28-10-2009, 06:05 PM

What equipment I do have do not hold a candle to what has already been offered, so I will happily pledge my next tutor pay toward this worth cause.

Let us know when the account details are up

Omaroo (Chris Malikoff) · #13 28-10-2009, 06:17 PM

Scope is on its way tomorrow or Friday

What a great cause this is. I couldn't imagine how hard it is for these kids and their families. I hope that they get all the enjoyment in the stars that they can take!

Well done Astro.

Major kudos to Marc for the mount, Stephen, David and Peter for eyepieces and such. Very cool fellas.

spacezebra (Petra) · #14 28-10-2009, 06:20 PM

Hi Astro

Just yell if you need some gear - Im sure that I could contribute a finder or something. Well done to all that have contrbuted, what a great cause.

Cheers Petra d.

Omaroo (Chris Malikoff) · #15 28-10-2009, 06:30 PM

I've found an Orion 1.25" Dielectric diagonal that I don't use. That's now accompanying the scope, so we're OK for that folks.

We do, however, need still a WO red dot finder with the WO stand-off post. Anyone have one?

Gallifreyboy · #16 28-10-2009, 06:31 PM

I'd like to donate $ too, when you have the account details please let me know. There are few things that compare to the thrill of seeing for the first time Saturn or Jupiter, even the moon through a telescope no matter what age you are. I'd love to get feedback on how it all goes too.

Peter

DavidU (Dave) · #17 28-10-2009, 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Omaroo

I've found an Orion 1.25" Dielectric diagonal that I don't use. That's now accompanying the scope, so we're OK for that folks.

Awesome.

Do we need a finder scope??

Omaroo (Chris Malikoff) · #18 28-10-2009, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DavidU

Awesome.

Do we need a finder scope??

Yep David, we do!

The scope is a William Optics, and is designed to accommodate the William Optics red dot finder which attaches to a specially-made single-bolt stand-off post. I don't have one otherwise it'd be in the case too. If anyone has one it'd be fabulous! I'm not sure of the best way to fit a standard finder if it comes to that as the dovetail that they typically use interferes and binds with the rotating focuser mechanism on the Megrez. It's always possible to shoe-horn a 6x30 or 7x50 on somehow.

barx1963 (Malcolm) · #19 28-10-2009, 06:45 PM

What an awesome effort guys. As I have been in the hobby a relatively short time and don't have surplus gear, I would like to contribute some $$$. So please post details as soon as they are available.
Also is there a similar facility in Melbourne, perhaps some of we Victorian IIS members can do something similar?

Malcolm

TrevorW · #20 28-10-2009, 06:48 PM

I've got a red dot finder but no post they can have PM if interested