MAS Loaner Telescope Program
The Milwaukee Astronomical Society maintains a wide range of quality telescopes which are available for loan to our members. The telescopes can be taken out or returned only during Saturday Member's Nights or 1stWed meetings.
- Don't buy a telescope until you have used one and learn what it can and cannot do.
- Take a real, quality telescope home or vacation for 1 or 2 weeks.
- No charge
- Instruction on operation included with an experienced amateur astronomer
Here's what we have available, although some if not all of them may be rented out at any given time.
Beginner Loaner Telescope
Description: 102mm (4") f/4.5 Bresser doublet
achromatic refractor
Finder: 8x50mm
Eyepieces: 25mm (18x), 7mm (66x)
Weight: Telescope: 6lb Tripod: 5lb
Great for families with kids!
What you can expect to see:
achromatic refractor
Finder: 8x50mm
Eyepieces: 25mm (18x), 7mm (66x)
Weight: Telescope: 6lb Tripod: 5lb
Great for families with kids!
What you can expect to see:
- Craters on the Moon
- Rings of Saturn
- Belts & Moons of Jupiter
- Phases of Venus
- Double Stars
Beginner Loaner Binoculars
Description: 8x56mm on heavy
duty tripod
What you can expect to see:
duty tripod
What you can expect to see:
- Craters on the Moon
- Moons of Jupiter
- Comets
- Brighter Star Clusters
- Wide views of Milky Way
- Widely separated double stars
Intermediate Loaner Telescope
Description: 125mm (5") f/10 Celestron Schmidt/Cassegrain Motorized Computerized GOTO
Eyepieces: 25mm (50x), 9mm (139x)
Weight: Scope: 7lb Tripod: 11lb
What you can expect to see:
Eyepieces: 25mm (50x), 9mm (139x)
Weight: Scope: 7lb Tripod: 11lb
What you can expect to see:
- Craters on the Moon
- Rings of Saturn
- Belts & Moons of Jupiter
- Phases of Venus
- Brighter Star Clusters
- Double Stars
- Sunspots (with included filter)
Advanced Loaner Telescope
Description: 200mm (8") f/10 Celestron EdgeHD Schmidt/Cassegrain Motorized Computerized GOTO
Eyepieces: 25mm (50x) , 9mm (139x)
Weight: Scope: 14lb Mount: 35lb
What you can expect to see:
Eyepieces: 25mm (50x) , 9mm (139x)
Weight: Scope: 14lb Mount: 35lb
What you can expect to see:
- Craters on the Moon
- Rings of Saturn
- Belts & Moons of Jupiter
- Phases of Venus
- Brighter Galaxies, Star Clusters & Nebulae
- Double Stars
- Astrophotography!
The Loaner Telescope Program Slides (PDF)