Details: Category: Curie

Curie Elementary Telescope Program

We have telescopes that you can check out from the library!

News

Astronomy Night 2012: February 23!

Thanks to SDAA for bringing seven (I think) big scopes to Astronomy Night (Click on the image below for a blowup and count them yourself. The shot is a long exposure shot in the dark.)

We have a new scope. It's a robotic scope that aligns itself. You turn it on, and then hit a "Tour" button. Around the sky you go.

It should dramatically open up the sky to even novice observers!

Note: scope checkout will be directly through me until we get a permanent librarian again. Please email me if you are interested in using either of our scopes (you must be a Curie Parent). My email is at the bottom of this page.

Since the Scopes have been introduced to the school in the 2010-2011 school year, they have been used by Curie Families, at training and observing sessions, at school and in the desert, by the Cub Scouts and by the Girl Scouts. Year number two will see expansion of the program to a robotic self-aligning scope as well as more training for more families, including the use of both computer systems.

In order to check out either of the telescope, you must attend (or have attended) a training session, which offer periodically. The next training is on October 19, at Family Science Night.

Marie, our original Orion Starblast 6i is available right now to those trained last year (email me).

In addition to the general astronomy guidance already posted on this site, we now have specific instructions for using this scope.

“We borrowed one of the telescopes last week when we went camping and had a great time with it. We had very nice views of the moon and Saturn (including the rings!) and the Orion nebula."

- Van Daelen Family

"Just wanted to let you know of the great time we had with the scope last weekend -- Saturn was the 'star' of the night. The neighbors came over -- people were really blown away how clearly you could see it."

- E. Cole.

Scope Equipment Checklists

We have two Starblast 6i's, equipped similarly, but not exactly.

Marie's Accessories

Marie comes in a canvas case with a small folding dolly.

The following accessories are in the canvas outside pocket:

Computer Object Locator
EZ Finder II
Zoom Eyepiece/Case (Celestron 8-24mm) (provides 31x to 93x magnification)
Red Light Flashlight
Moon Filter and case

The following accessories are in the envelope/pouch:

Custom Instruction Book
Star Map: Deepmap 600
Star Atlas: Finder Charts of Deep Sky Objects
Planisphere

Pierre's Accessories

Pierre does not currently have a bag or a cart.

Computer Object Locator
Zoom Eyepiece w/caps (Parks 7-21mm) (provides 35x to 107x magnification)
EZ Finder II
Red Light Flashlight
Moon Filter
Eyepiece: Orion Sirius 10mm Plossl Eyepiece (provides 75x magnification)
Eyepiece: Orion Sirius 25mm Plossl Eyepiece (provides 30x magnification)

Custom Instruction Book
The New Atlas of the Stars
Star Atlas: Finder Charts of Bright Telescopic Objects
Planisphere

Einstein's Accessories

Tripod, Mount, Optical Tube
Power Pack
Power Cord
Red Dot Finder
Hand Controller
Eyepiece: K9
Eyepiece: K25

Details: Category: Curie

Scopes: an Orion Starblast 6i & a Celestron SkyProdigy 130

The Starblast (aka "Marie)

The Starblast 6i is a Newtonian reflector telescope with a 6-inch mirror. Six inches is a large enough mirror to see faint objects such as galaxies and nebulas under dark skies.

Detailed use instructions are here.

Under our bright San Diego skies, it performs respectably compared to larger scopes (the underlying secret is that under bright skies, faint objects are hard to see, even with large scopes).

It weighs about thirty pounds, but its size makes it somewhat cumbersome to carry. We are awaiting a canvas carrying case and small dolly to get it from the library to your car (checkout will be by the parents from the library).

The scope is mounted on a Dobsonian base, which is very sturdy.

The mount is known as "mini-dob" or "tabletop dob." The picture to the right shows a Curie student looking through the scope placed on the ground. Placing the scope on a sturdy low table will make it easier for adults to look through. It is better to kneel with the scope on the ground than to place the scope on a wobbly table.

The scope has no gears: you point and guide it by moving it with your hand.

A small finder scope allows you to aim the scope at a target you select by eye.

If you want to read the full Owner's Guide, click here for a PDF file

We'll include a custom User's Guide with the scope. The online guide is here.

The Starblast 6i isn't particularly heavy, but it is large and awkward.

Celestron Sky Prodigy 130 (aka "Einstein")

Full instructions for the Sky Prodigy are here.

The Celestron Sky Prodigy series is a self-aligning "robotic" scope series. Set it up, turn it On, it aligns itself. Use the hand controller to select sky targets from a menu. Off you go!

It is more complicated to setup and you have to learn how to use the hand controller menu, but once you do, the sky is yours!

See the Assembly Guide

Accessories

Zoom Eyepiece

We have a zoom lens eyepiece on the scope which allows low-power centering of an object and then simply twisting the eyepiece to zoom in. This eliminates the need to change eyepieces and lose sight of the target. The zoom lens is 8mm-24mm, which provides a magnification range from 31x to 94x.

Transport Case and Dolly

We have a padded canvas case and a small dolly to transport it. When placing it in your car, be sure to secure it, as sudden stops and quick turns could knock it over.

Miscellaneous

Planimeter - shows what constellations are visible at any time and date

Full Sky Map - The Orion DeepMap 600, which shows the location of 600 of the best deep sky objects)

Red light flashlight - so you can see the map and equipment without ruining your night vision

Lunar filter - screws into the bottom of the eyepiece so that a bright moon doesn't ruin your night vision (it's necessary for looking at any moon other than a crescent moon).

Details: Category: Curie

Curie Events

Training Sessions

Next: Thursday, March 31, 7:00pm, Auditorium.

The first training took about 15 minutes indoors and then we took the scopes outside for some hands-on.

Parents are required; students are welcome, but not required.

Then: April 13, before the PTA meeting.

Training/Observing Sessions

We may or may not have observing sessions immediately after the training sessions.

Astronomy Presentations

We hope to be able to host some Astronomy/Telescope Science presentations to complement the instructional sessions. Depends on the "support" load.

Details: Category: Curie

Parents are eligible to reserve the scope after attending a training session. If you have questions about reserving a scope at Curie, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Check-in and checkout will take place at the Curie Library during normal library hours (8:00am to 1:00pm).

Marie is available in 5-day periods (includes a weekend). Einstein, because it is more complex, is available for 12-day periods (two weekends).

Please return the scope on time so that the next family can use it. There is usually only a little slack-time in the schedule.

Once I know the scope is ready, I will email you. If you go to pick up the scope prior to me notifying you, the scope may not be ready.

Click here for an online calendar to show used/free dates.

Reservation Sheet