Now Shipping Worldwide!

In-stock Items

- Updated 8/5/08 -

12.5" f/4.8 Stellafane-Donation-Scope (SDS)

I have a very exciting announcement here, that some of you who attended the 2008 Northeast Astronomy Forum (NEAF) and those of you who subscribe to Astronomy Technology Today (ATT) magazine may have already heard about - the 12.5" Stellafane-Donation-Scope (SDS)!

To paraphrase the first article that I wrote for ATT about this project, it began as my desire to contribute articles to ATT and ATT's desire for coverage of an extended project, or scope build in particular. It was decided that ATT would solicit the components necessary to build a modest size telescope based around my Truss-Dobsonian design.

I would donate the Baltic Birch and labor to construct such a scope and the various other parts would be donated from other vendors. The project would then be covered from start to finish in ATT magazine and the scope would be donated to the Springfield Telescope Makers at their annual Stellafane convention this July 31-August 3.

Of course, the last thing Stellafane needs is another telescope up on Breezy Hill. The thought then is that Stellafane will accept the SDS and will auction it off (either on Astromart Auctions, or eBay) and the proceeds from the sale of the scope will go toward the debt they've acquired to build their fantastic new Flanders Pavillion.

A final run-down of the donated components included with this scope is as follows:

12.5" f/4.8 1.5"-thickness Pyrex Primary from Ostahowski Optics with matching 1/10th P-V enhanced aluminum-coated 2.60" MA Secondary mirror;

Moonlite Telescope Accessories' dual-speed, tri-knob, Crayford focuser with brass compression rings;

Moonlite Telescope Accessories' Ball & Socket Truss Connectors and black anodized 1.00" OD Truss Poles;

AstroSky Company's custom 9-point flotation mirror cell;

ProtoStar's 4-vane spider with built-in "wireless" dew-heater;

JMI's SuperMax digital setting circle computer;

StellarCat's ServoCat Jr. Go-to/Track drive system with their Powered Groundboard option;

Markless Astronomics' DSC Stalk II;

StellarVue's 50mm black RACI finderscope with matching machined mounting rings;

Rigel Systems' QuickFinder reflex sight and reticle illuminator for StellarVue optical finders;

Shrouds by Heather's custom Light Shroud and Truss Pole Carry Case;

TeleVue's tunable-top 2"/1.25" ParaCorr;

Denkmeier's Standard Universal Power x Switch Package with 1.25" OCS;

Matched pair of TMB's 1.25" 20mm Stellar Series eyepieces from Burgess Optical;

Jim Fly's Cats Eye TRIPLEPACK PRO XL collimation kit.

In addition, Astronomy Technology Today Magazine purchased a Kendrick DigiFire dew-heater controller and a Celestron PowerTank battery pack that are also both packaged with the SDS.

The scope will also come with all the trimmings that usually come with a Teeter's Telescope, including:

- Cherry Stain with SuperGloss finish;

- Dual Boundary Layer Cooling Fans;

- Complete brass package including corner protectors, fan grill guards, mounting hardware and handles;

- Velvet light-trap across from focuser in Upper Tube Assembly (UTA).

And last, but certainly not least, my telescope-making buddy, Max, did a very special one-off "Tri-Stain" artwork pattern on the mirrorbox, altitude bearings, focuser-board and top UTA ring. This scope looks SHARP and is certainly one-of-a-kind.

If anyone is in the market for a super-premium 12.5" Truss-Dob with all of the trimmings this Fall, keep an eye on this website and the CloudyNights.com message boards and on Stellafane's website for the exact date of the anticipated auction/raffle.

Here's to all the vendors who were so very kind to donate components to this project and help make this scope a reality! And to Gary and Stuart Parkerson at ATT for their diligent phone calls and Emails to round up all these parts! And to a special telescope that will bring an awesome observing experience to a lucky amateur and that will help the Springfield Telescope Makers pay down their debt! Cheers all the way around!

Take care,

Robert J. Teeter Jr.

Owner, Teeter's Telescopes LLC.