HAS Telescope Loaner Program (Available to Members Only)

One of the benefits of Houston Astronomical Society membership is access to the HAS Loaner Scope Program. This program allows members to borrow telescopes or binoculars and give observing a try. We currently have a selection of smaller Dobsonian telescopes for visual observing, a solar telescope, binoculars, and a smart-telescope for those who want to try astrophotography. .

The program is ideal for beginners who want to learn the sky, practice observing skills, and try different types and sizes of amateur telescopes before deciding what to purchase. We encourage the users to join the SIG meeting of interest to share experience and get advise. The scopes are provided with setup instructions and background on observation skills and targets. The equipment is typically picked up from and returned to a the HAS storage location location (currently near the 610 North Loop).

Requirements & Policies

• Borrowers must be HAS members in good standing for at least 2 months.
• The standard loan period is 45 days, and renewable if there is no wait list.
• Members can sign up for a specific scope (see below) and are placed on a first come first serve wait list if equipment is currently on loan. Alternatives may be offered.
• A limited number of copies of NightWatch by Dickinson is a recommended resource and is available through the HAS Loan Library.
• Loaned equipment must be stored in a clean, sheltered environment, kept capped, and never left in a hot car.
• Never point loaner binoculars or telescopes at the Sun. Use only after sunset or in full shade.
• Equipment must be handled carefully. Do not disassemble or clean optics; contact the Loaner Telescope Chairperson if maintenance is needed.
• There is no rental fee, but borrowers are responsible for replacing any lost or damaged items.
• Borrowers must show a Texas driver’s license (or guardian’s license).
• Checking out equipment constitutes agreement to these terms.

For more information, please email [email protected]. Be sure to put the name
of the telescope you wish to borrow in the header.

Here are some of the scopes available.

6" Orion SkyQuest XT6i  HAS#6
6" SkyWatcher Classic 150P HAS#43
8" Orion SkyQuest  XT8I  HAS#7 & HAS#42
8" Coulter f/4.5 HAS#1
8" Zhumell Z8 HAS#21
10" Z Optical Scope Dobsonian   HAS#25
10" Zhumell Z10 HAS#12
SeeStar S30 Telescope HAS#40
Vortex Diamondback Binos 8x42 HAS#44 / #45
Coronado Personal Solar Telescope HAS#2

We have several other scopes, like the above, that are available. This list gives you an idea of what we have available. If interested in borrowing one of these above or one similar, please email [email protected].