Chapter Donations

Our Latest Donation:  Charles Gale has donated a 12.5" Optical Craftsman
scope on a hefty German Equatorial mount, with lots of accessories!
Please see below.  MANY THANKS to Charles!

Would you like to make a donation to the chapter?

The chapter accepts donations of astronomy related equipment, books or cash on behalf of the Atlanta Astronomy Club. 

Your donation is tax deductible and helps to finance the chapter's many projects and to bring astronomy to schools, youth groups, scouts or anyone interested in the science of astronomy.

Please contact the Chapter Director for more information (director@CEastronomy.org)
 

A complete Meade Starfinder 16EQ was donated by Chuck Kibbling in 2003.  The scope was restored, improved, accessorized and star tested by Larry Owens in 2004.  Larry's improvements included an OTA attachment that allows the scope to be assembled by one person.

Chapter founder Philip Sacco donated a Criterion 6" Reflector in 2004.  The scope was restored by Larry Owens and the Criterion mount doubles as an excellent platform for wide angle camera astrophotography.  Thanks Philip!

A new "Horton Hauler" 8 foot trailer was donated to the chapter in 2005 by chapter member Steve Kennedy to store and transport chapter equipment.  In addition, Steve donated a $200 Home Depot gift card, and has contributed cash and time to support various chapter projects and events since becoming a chapter member in 2004. 

Michael Covington donated an "ALCOR" motor control circuit in 2005.  Michael spent many hours out of a very busy schedule as an author and professor at UGA to build the circuit for the chapter's "Byers Mount" project.  Michael designed the "ALCOR" circuit for telescope mounts that employ synchronous AC motors.  The circuit provides crystal controlled accuracy to the tracking rate and even allows the use of an autoguider for astrophotography.  Thanks Michael!

A Meade Starfinder 16" Dob OTA was donated to the chapter by Missy Wood of Hampton, GA in the spring of 2005 after the death of her father who was an amateur astronomer. 

The chapter had the 16" mirror from the OTA refigured and recoated by Galaxy optics and the mirror is currently used with the Starfinder EQ. 

Chapter member Jim Honeycutt donated a Coulter Optics 12.5" mirror and secondary with cells on April 22nd 2006.  Steve Bieger has volunteered to build a Dobsonian scope around the optics for the chapter.  Please check the chapter projects page for updates.  

Jim Honeycutt teaches astronomy at Oxford College and is a regular member of the chapter.  Many thanks Jim!.

Friend of the chapter Charles Gale (above and below right) of Roswell, GA donated an Optical Craftsman 12.5" scope on a very sturdy German Equatorial mount with several accessories in August 2006, including a second freshly coated 12.5" mirror!  Earlier in the year, Charles donated 2 additional OTA's, a 102mm and a 127mm Orion Maksutov. 

Charles has been an amateur astronomer and astrophotographer for decades and wanted to make the donation to an active group who will use the scope frequently.  Charles isn't giving up on astronomy though, he still has many scopes, including an 8" Schmidt Cassegrain and several refractors.

Also pictured above is chapter member Jonathan Wood (below left).  Jon agreed to refurbish the 12.5" and make it available through the chapter's "Baby Sitting" program.

Thanks to Charles, the chapter can now reach out to groups and conduct astronomy events in class!  Charles, we can't thank you enough!

Last Updated Wednesday, January 30, 2008