Apertura Library Telescope
A Telescope Designed to Make the Universe More Accessible!
The Apertura Library Telescope is a combination of a tried-and-true telescope design and pragmatic innovation. At the core of this design is a 114 mm Newtonian reflector that sits on an easy-to-use and portable table-top Dobsonian mount. Utilizing an already "grab-and-go" design, the Library Telescope takes that concept one step further with various modifications that allow the telescope to pass between library patrons with minimal need for servicing from library personnel between check-outs.
This Newtonian Reflector comes with a 114 mm parabolic mirror, a unique feature for a telescope of this size, which helps correct for spherical aberration to provide sharper views. Utilizing high-reflectivity coatings, this Newtonian can deliver more than 90% light transmission to provide brighter views, even for dim celestial objects like nebulae! The Apertura Library Telescope 114 mm optical tube assembly comes complete with a table-top Dobsonian mount. Dobsonian bases are renowned for their simple, yet stable design that makes pointing your telescope a breeze. This "table-top" design provides portability, which is incredibly important when transporting the entire Library Telescope from the library to patrons' homes.
What Makes a Telescope Library-Ready?
With feedback from library patrons and countless hours of trial and error, the Library Telescope Program has developed several upgrades which ensure a telescope can be used by everyone and will stand the test of time. With their guidance, Apertura has applied these upgrades into a robust telescope offering, including minimized optical alignment issues, a simplified red dot finder, tethered dust caps, Apertura LED headlamp and more! Learn all about these upgrades below!
Robust Optical Alignment
A critical component of the Apertura Library Telescope's performance is the
alignment of the optics. Collimation, as it's called, is important as it
ensures the best possible focusing of the light entering the telescope.
Traditional reflecting telescopes provide user-adjustable knobs for the
purpose of collimation, but this can also increase the chances of
misaligning the optics, if done incorrectly. In order to combat this
possibility, the Apertura Library Telescope simplifies this process by
offering a nut and bolt system in place of the knobs. This provides a longer
lasting and more robust alignment. It also eliminates the need for library
patrons to adjust the collimation but gives library facilitators the ability
to adjust easily when necessary.
Rack & Pinion Focuser
To help give your patrons as
frictionless experience as possible, Apertura equipped this telescope with a
sturdy Rack & Pinion focuser. This focuser provides a smooth motion
across its full focus range, which combined with large textured knobs makes
for an easy focusing experience. The robust rack & pinion mechanism
helps keep the focus point steady for minimal adjustment once an object is
in sharp focus. Apertura has CNC machined critical components for lasting
durability and high quality feel.
Simplified Object Locator
Being able to locate objects in the night sky is one of the most exciting
parts of any observation, but knowing where to point the telescope can be
daunting. The Apertura Library Telescope comes with an object locator called
a Red Dot Finder (RDF). While there can be a learning curve in using the
RDF, with some practice, this tool can be an excellent navigational aid by
providing a simple and effective way of aligning your telescope with the
objects you want to view. Apertura affixes the RDF to the 114 mm telescope
tube for closer alignment right out of the box. Battery changes are simple
with a compartment located on top of the find, allowing you to swap
batteries without interfering with alignment.
Affixed Zoom
Apertura emphasizes the importance of eyepieces when it comes to visual
observations, stating the optical system is only as good as the eyepiece
being used. That is why, for the Apertura Library Telescope they've affixed
a Zoom eyepiece. This eyepiece offers various magnifications from 22x to
65x. This means, this single eyepiece is capable of providing views of
various objects, whether it be our celestial neighbor, the Moon, or further
way objects like planets or star clusters. The 7 mm to 21 mm Zoom eyepiece
is attached directly to the focuser, ensuring it will never be lost and the
magnification range means there is no need for patrons to change out
eyepieces when they are ready to explore other objects in our night sky.
Tethered Dust Caps
With the knowledge that the Apertura Library Telescope is meant to be shared
with the public, safety and cleanliness of the optics is a high priority.
This is why Apertura has included three tethered dust caps. Keeping these
accessories tethered to the telescope means that they will never be
misplaced and always readily available during times of storage and travel.
The first tethered cap is actually a protective shroud for the affixed
eyepiece. Then, there is a larger dust cap for the entire front objective.
Finally, there are two smaller caps on this front dust cap, also know as the
lunar caps. These caps can be removed during use to reduce incoming light,
allowing two levels of light reduction for comfortably view the full Moon.
Accessory Bag
Accessories can truly round out an observation experience. With that in
mind, there is a convenient accessory bag included with the Apertura Library
Telescope. This bag is ideal for carrying the included Apertura Ember LED
headlamp, the extra batteries, and any other optional accessories a library
may want to include for their patrons. The bag is made out of a polyvinyl,
water resistant material, and it includes multiple, zippered pockets for
optimal organization. The bag is wrapped around the Dobsonian base for ease
of access and to prevent possible misplacement.
Apertura Ember LED Headlamp
An exciting inclusion with the Apertura Library Telescope is their Ember
Headlamp. This headlamp has four different brightness levels: “Dark Site,”
“Star Chart,” “Backyard,” and “Setup,” with 0.3, 2.5, 25, and 50 lumen
ratings respectively. These modes make it easy to find the appropriate
setting for your observation environment. The headlamp uses a rechargeable
lithium battery with an incredible 40-hour runtime on the “Dark Site” or
“Star Chart” mode. You can quickly recharge this battery with the included
USB-C cable. The high-quality elastic headband fits snuggly and includes
adjustable straps to provide a comfortable, hands-free light source. Using
this LED headlamp in conjunction with the the Library Telescope provides a
great solution for viewing the included graphics or viewing your
surroundings while preserving your night vision through its red light only
mode.
Helpful Graphics
Hands on experience with a telescope isn't the only goal of the
Library Telescope Program. They also want this library-ready telescope to aid in the learning about
the night sky. To accomplish this, Apertura has added a magnification chart
for the included eyepiece helping put everything into perspective. A QR code
has also been applied that will direct patrons to the Library Telescope's
website for quick start resources. This page includes an introduction to
astronomy, and educator/patron resources.