The 14.5″ truss tube telescope was donated to the observatory in 2018 by Ralph Libby of Ridgefield, CT.  It is an outstanding instrument, and had never been used by Mr. Libby. The very first testing was amazing – well collimated, very smooth to slew and focus.  It is used at our star parties, and by volunteers on other occasions.

We have added excellent pointing tools – a co-aligned laser pointer mount for guiding the operator to a visible object, and a smartphone mount to guide via planetarium simulators to objects too dim to observe with the eye. We have a concrete base mount pad to place it on so vibration will not affect it when there are many visitors on the outside SkyDeck.

We added an adjustable counterweight system and have a portable power supply to operate the cooling fan. It is a wonderful instrument to awe visitors, and teach them how to locate and slew to objects without fancy GoTo technology. We have timed slews, and can consistently have objects in the finder scope within 6 seconds, anywhere in the sky!