Astronomy Lab Purchases and Inventory


Sections and Links

  1. Introduction
  2. Purchases: 2024 May
  3. Purchases: 2023 May
  4. Purchases: 2022 April
  5. Purchases: 2021 September
  6. Purchases: 2018 Mar01
  7. Purchases: 2015: C8's
  8. Inventory: Updated 2015dec27

  1. Introduction:
  2. This is NOT a complete record of purchases and inventory. For purchases, yours truly has just recorded what was considered and sometimes actually bought in reverse time order. For the inventory, the astronomy lab tech manager keeps a complete inventory. So the inventory here is just an inventory of the stuff the lab coordinator has looked at which he hasn't done since 2015.


  3. Purchases: 2024 May

  4. Lab equipment that we've considered or bought circa 2024 May:

    1. Wikipedia: Spectral tube AKA Wikipedia: Geissler tube:
      Request: 4 spectral tubes.
      Rationale: We need 4 new ones as spares for the coming semesters. Note we NO longer use carbon dioxide (CO_2) spectral tubes since they burn out so quickly: it seems they give only a hour of use.
      Total Cost: 4 X 25 = $100.
      Specifics:
      1. Spectral Tube: Argon: Item # P2-9500-02: $25
      2. Spectral Tube: Helium: Item # Item # P2-9500-06: $25
      3. Spectral Tube: Krypton: Item # P2-9500-09: $25
      4. Spectral Tube: Neon: Item # P2-9500-11: $25

      Address:
      Arbor Scientific
      1556 Woodland Dr. E
      Saline, MI 48176
      Tel:   1-800-367-6695 
      Fax:   1-866-477-9373 
      Email:  techsupport@arborsci.com 
      https://www.arborsci.com/ 

  5. Purchases: 2023 May

  6. Lab equipment that we've considered or bought circa 2023 May:

    1. Wikipedia: Spectral tube AKA Wikipedia: Geissler tube:
      1. spectral tube: 6 X 49 + 59 = 353. We get 6 new ones so that we have spares, plus an extra carbon dioxide (CO_2) for one that failed. Spectral Tube Power Supply and Mounts.
        1. Spectral Tube (Argon): SE-9463: 49.
        2. Spectral Tube (Carbon Dioxide): SE-9464: 49. Two of these.
        3. Spectral Tube (Helium): SE-9462: 49.
        4. Spectral Tube (Hydrogen): SE-9461: 59.
        5. Spectral Tube (Krypton): Se-9465: 49.
        6. Spectral Tube (Neon: SE-9467: 49.

        Request: 7 spectral tubes for the stellar spectra lab. Cost $353. See https://www.pasco.com/products/lab-apparatus/light-and-optics/light-sources-and-lasers/se-9463 for the Argon tube. Rationale: These are actually spares for the ones we have plus one replacement for a failed tube.

        Pasco
        10101 Foothills Boulevard
        Roseville, California 95747 USA
        Tel:   1-800-772-8700
        Fax:   1-916-786-7565
        https://www.pasco.com/
        SE-9463 Spectral Tube (Argon) 45
        SE-9464 Spectral Tube (Carbon Dioxide) 45
        SE-9462 Spectral Tube (Helium) 45
        SE-9461 Spectral Tube (Hydrogen) 55
        SE-9465 Spectral Tube (Krypton) 45
        SE-9467 Spectral Tube (Neon) 45
        SE-9460 Spectral Tube Power Supply and Mount 179 
      2. Digital optical spectrometer (AKA spectroscope): RSpec Explorer: 395. See the description in the video Digitally Capture an Individual Spectrum | RSpec Explorer | Arbor Scientific | 3:18.

        Request: A digital spectrometer: RSpec Explorer: Cost: $395. See https://www.arborsci.com/products/rspec-explorer . Rationale: This is for a lab instructor demonstration for the stellar spectra lab. It is a comparatively small addition to the educational value of the lab, but it is an example for the students of modern equipment for analyzing spectra.

        Arbor Scientific
        P.O. Box 2750
        Ann Arbor, MI 48106-2750
        Tel:  1-800-367-6695 customer service
        Fax:  866-477-9373 
        Website:  https://www.arborsci.com/
        Email: helpdesk@arborsci.com 
      3. X items and their sums based on minimum prices seen so far:
        325,
        Total: ????.

    2. Purchases: 2022 April

    3. Lab equipment that we've considered or bought circa 2022 April:

      1. Wikipedia: Eyepiece: Just so we have more of these available since they are the most useful for our labs.
        1. Celestron 93325 40mm Omni Eyepiece (Silver/Black): 8 X 46.23 = 368.
        2. SVBONY Telescope Eyepiece 40mm 1.25 inches Plossl Telescope Lens Fully Multi Green Coated Metal 40 Degree Apparent Field 4 Element Telescope Accessory for Astronomy Telescope: 8 X 20.99 = 168. Let's say 1 for now. So later maybe 7 X 20.99 = 146.93.
          Amazon
          410 Terry Ave N
          Seattle 98109, WA
          https://www.amazon.com/
          Catalog:  B01MAZ7LA6  google finds it
          SVBONY Telescope Eyepiece 40mm 1.25 inches Plossl Telescope Lens Fully Multi Green 
             Coated Metal 40 Degree Apparent Field 4 Element Telescope Accessory for Astronomy Telescope 20.99 
      2. Wikipedia: Finderscope: If we buy 8 new C8 telescopes, we'll need 8 more finderscopes:
        1. Illuminated Right Angle Correct Image Finderscope: 8 X 159.95 = 12800. The Celestron 9x50 Right Angle Correct Image (RACI) Illuminated Finder is a great upgrade to the stock finderscopes found on many Schmidt-Cassegrain telescopes.
          Illuminated Right Angle Correct Image Finderscope
          Celestron
          Manufacturer in Torrance, California
          Address: 2835 Columbia St #3877, Torrance, CA 90503
          Phone: (310) 328-9560
          https://www.celestron.com/
          Celestron catalog Item #: 93781 
        2. Meade #828 8x50 Rear Focus Viewfinder - Blue tube: 8 X 74.99 = 600. This may be what we use now.
          Meade Instruments Corp.
          89 Hangar Way
          Watsonville, CA 95076
          (800) 626-3233
          https://www.meade.com/
          Meade catalog SKU 07828 Meade #828 8x50 Rear Focus Viewfinder - Blue tube 
      3. Wikipedia: focal reducer (AKA telecompressor):
        1. SVBONY Reducer for Telescope 0.5X Focal Reducer 1.25 inches Fully Multi Coated Reducer for Telescope Eyepiece Photography and Observing (Reducer): 2 X 19.99 = 39.98.
          Amazon
          410 Terry Ave N
          Seattle 98109, WA
          https://www.amazon.com/
          Catalog:  B07923SJB4 
      4. Wikipedia: headlamp for heads: Useful for student groups for observing labs.
        1. EverBrite Rechargeable Headlamp - 350 Lumens Headlight with Red/Green Light and Tail Light, 7 Lighting Modes with Memory Function, IPX4 Water Resistant Perfect for Trail Running, Camping and Hiking: 6 X 17.99 = 107.94.
          Amazon
          410 Terry Ave N
          Seattle 98109, WA
          https://www.amazon.com/
          Catalog:  B08975WM6Y  google finds it 
      5. Wikipedia: Laser pointer: These would be useful for instructors for observing labs.
        1. High Power Blue Pointer, Long Range High Power Blue Burning Adjustable Focus with Star Cap Handheld Light, for Hiking Indoor Outdoor Camping Travel Without Aluminum Box: 3 X 54.99 = 164.97.
          Amazon
          410 Terry Ave N
          Seattle 98109, WA
          https://www.amazon.com/
          Catalog:  B09PZZRKZ7 google finds it 
      6. Wikipedia: Optical telescope: If we get a set of 8 new C8 telescopes, we could surplus all the old C8 telescopes and have adequate new C8 telescopes for maybe 10 years to come.
        1. NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope: 8 X 1599.00 = 12800 - 8 = 12792.
          Celestron NexStar 8SE 203mm f/10 Schmidt-Cassegrain GoTo Telescope
          25mm Eyepiece
          90° Star Diagonal
          Limited 2-Year Warranty
          NO finderscope? seems not.
          Celestron
          Manufacturer in Torrance, California
          Address: 2835 Columbia St #3877, Torrance, CA 90503
          Phone: (310) 328-9560
          https://www.celestron.com/
          Celestron catalog item #: 11069 NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope 
      7. Wikipedia: Polarizer filter: For the Lab 4: The Moon so that the Moon can viewed with varying brightness.
        1. Celestron 94107 Variable Polarizing Filter 1.25": 8 X 37.95 = 304.00 - 0.40 = 303.60
          Amazon
          410 Terry Ave N
          Seattle 98109, WA
          https://www.amazon.com/
          Catalog:  B07N99RW5K google finds it 
      8. Wikipedia: Server: The server could manage all the lab computers so that updates to all could be done quickly and easily and also to allow a virtual machine so that students could remotely login and use our astro software if that is allowed by our site licenses. The CLEA is Public domain, and so that can be made remotely accessible. About the commercial TheSky, I don't know.
        1. How Much Does a Server Cost? [All Factors Explained]: "However, a reasonable minimum amount to prepare is $5000."
        2. What the cluster management server is.
        3. Wikipedia: Failover: failover.
        4. Wikipedia: Cluster manager.
      9. Wikipedia: Soundbar:
        1. Dell Stereo Soundbar --- AC511M: 24 X 33.99 = 720 + 96 = 816.
      10. Wikipedia: Spectral tube AKA Wikipedia: Geissler tube:
        1. spectral tube: 5 X 45 + 55 = 280. So we can show students other spectra than just sodium (Na, Z=11). We get 6 so that we can use our 6 new Spectral Tube Power Supply and Mounts.
          1. Spectral Tube (Argon): SE-9463: 45.
          2. Spectral Tube (Carbon Dioxide): SE-9464: 45.
          3. Spectral Tube (Helium): SE-9462: 45.
          4. Spectral Tube (Hydrogen): SE-9461: 55.
          5. Spectral Tube (Krypton): Se-9465: 45.
          6. Spectral Tube (Neon: SE-9467: 45.
          Pasco
          10101 Foothills Boulevard
          Roseville, California 95747 USA 
          Tel:   1-800-772-8700
          Fax:   1-916-786-7565
          https://www.pasco.com/
          SE-9463 Spectral Tube (Argon) 45
          SE-9464 Spectral Tube (Carbon Dioxide) 45
          SE-9462 Spectral Tube (Helium) 45
          SE-9461 Spectral Tube (Hydrogen) 55
          SE-9465 Spectral Tube (Krypton) 45
          SE-9467 Spectral Tube (Neon) 45
          SE-9460 Spectral Tube Power Supply and Mount 179 
        2. Spectral Tube Power Supply and Mount: 6 X 179 = 1080 - 6 = 1074. So we can have 3 setups per classroom
      11. Wikipedia: Spectroscope: The 3 high-quality spectroscopes will allow give us identical spectroscopes for both line spectra and blackbody spectra. This will somewhat lessen student confusion since the hand-held plastic spectroscopes have different display orientation from the high-quality spectroscopes.
        1. SP-125 Direct-Reading Student Spectroscope (WINSCO = Wabash): 3 X 495 = 1485.
          Winsco
          86475 Gene Lasserre Blvd
          Yulee, FL 32097
          Tel:  800-875-3214
          Email:  info@sciencefirst.com
          https://winsco.com/
          SP-125 Direct-Reading Student Spectroscope SP-125 495
          
      12. X items and their sums based on minimum prices seen so far:
        10: 167.92, 599.92, 107.94, 164.97, 12792.00, 303.60, 5000.00, 815.76, 1354.00, 1485.00.
        Total: 22791.11.


    4. Purchases: 2021 September

    5. Lab accesories that we've bought or may buy circa 2021 September:

      1. 2 Pack BlueX LED A19 Red Light Bulb - 9W (60Watt Equivalent) - E26 Base Red LED Lights, Party Decoration, Porch, Home Lighting, Holiday Lighting, Decorative Illumination. Catalog (ASIN) number: ASIN B07ND3F14K. Bought 2.
      2. EverBrite Rechargeable Headlamp - 350 Lumens Headlight with Red/Green Light and Tail Light, 7 Lighting Modes with Memory Function, IPX4 Water Resistant Perfect for Trail Running, Camping and Hiking. Catalog (ASIN) number: ASIN B08975WM6Y. Bought 4.
      3. Nebo 5588 U.S. Army Strong HP-35 35 Lumens LED Cap Light Flashlight 6 Modes: Not as durable as its name implies, but for simple lab use useful. It is simple to use. Bought 0.
      4. Radiant Blue Light 450nm Pen 5 Head 2W Adjustable Focus Visible Beam Hunting Flashlight Pen Wireless Blue Burning Light Goggles High Beam 4pcs Battery Charger Set with Metal Portable Box: It is laser. Reviews are mostly negative. Catalog (ASIN) number: ASIN B094NG5BZH. Bought 2.


    6. Purchases: 2018 Mar01
    7. Proposed purchases:

      1)  Wedge for NexStar Evolution and SE 6/8
          8 units
          ITEM # 93665,
          unit cost $299.00
          total cost  2392.00
          The Celestron page is for the wedge is
          http://www.celestron.com/browse-shop/astronomy/astroimaging-accessories/wedges/wedge-for-nexstar-evolution-and-se-6-and-8
      
          Rationale:  We already have 8 wedges mounted on the pillars and the
          new set of 8 will complete our setup for 16 scopes with equatorial mounts.
      
          Advantages:  The wedges allow us to give the telescopes equatorial mounts
          which makes tracking the sky easier on the clock drive gears and prolongs
          their use without repair.
          The equatorial mounts also seem to improve sky alignment which improves
          finding sky objects, but this advantage is NOT confirmed by a detailed study---but it's
          probably true.
          The wedges are just left on the pillars, and so save time in setup and takedown.
          The old pads for mounting the scopes in alt-az mount are wearing out slowly.
      
          Disadvantage:  It is a bit harder to attach the scopes to the wedges than to the old pads,
          Raymond thinks this is marginal.
      
      2) TheSkyX Student Edition
         1 unit
         unit cost 49.00
         total cost 49.00
         The item page is
         http://www.bisque.com/sc/pages/TheSkyXStudent.aspx
      
         Rationale:  This is software for use in several of our labs.
         Currently, we use TheSky 6
         which is now very out-of-date and is probably NOT supported in any way and may
         NOT 
         function on any new computers we buy in the future.
         It has some bugs that are a nuisance and is NOT totally user friendly since
         some features are hard to find.
      
         We would like to buy 1 copy to make sure it installs well on our computers
         and to try out its features.
         We would put the first one on Raymond's computer.
         If this goes well, we would like then to buy 24 more copies to equip all the
         computers.
         Alternatively, perhaps we can get a site license.
      
         Advantages:  TheSkyX Student Edition claims:
            "The new user-interface graphics are easy to see and understand.
             All commands are designed to be straight forward and clearly described.
             The user interface has been totally redesigned with an emphasis on ease of use.
             Screen updates are up to 100 times faster than in previous versions.
             Built-in tours and time animations are shown with video-like quality
             (60 frames per second and higher possible)."
      
         Disadvantage:  The labs currently don't use TheSky 6 that much which has
         made its use tolerable.
         However, if the TheSkyX Student Edition works well, the labs could eventually
         be updated to use it more often.
         In any case, the total cost would only be 1225.
      
      3) Philips 18W T17 Low Pressure Sodium Bulb Double Contact Bayonet Base
            Ordering Code: SOX-E18
         1 unit
         unit cost 49.99
         total cost 49.99
         The item page is
         https://www.bulbs.com/product/SOX-E18
      
         Rationale:  This is a replacement bulb for one of our sodium lamps which
         is failing after years of use.
         We believe it is the right replacement as specified by PASCO
            https://www.pasco.com/support/technical-support/technote/techIDlookup.cfm?TechNoteID=198
         and it looks like the right part.
         We will probably need to order more replacement bulbs sometime.
      
            print*
            print*,'8 Wedges for the equatorial mounts.'
            cost=299.0_np
            xnum=8.0_np
            costtot=cost*xnum
            print*,'cost,xnum,costtot'
            print*,cost,xnum,costtot
      ! 299.000000000000000000         8.00000000000000000000         2392.00000000000000000
      
            print*
            print*,'24 + 1 SkyX.  The extra is for Raymond"s machine.',          &
           &       'I dont want one.'
            cost=49.0_np
            xnum=25.0_np
            costtot=cost*xnum
            print*,'cost,xnum,costtot'
            print*,cost,xnum,costtot
      ! 49.0000000000000000000         25.0000000000000000000         1225.00000000000000000
      !
            print*
            print*,'1 + 1 SkyX.  The extra is for Raymond"s machine.',           &
           &       'I dont want one.  This is the trial setup.'
            cost=49.0_np
            xnum=1.0_np
            costtot=cost*xnum
            print*,'cost,xnum,costtot'
            print*,cost,xnum,costtot
      !   49.0000000000000000000         1.00000000000000000000         49.0000000000000000000
      !
            print*
            print*,' SOX-E18  bulb'
            cost=49.99_np
            xnum=1.0_np
            costtot=cost*xnum
            print*,'cost,xnum,costtot'
            print*,cost,xnum,costtot
      ! 49.9900000000000000015         1.00000000000000000000         49.9900000000000000015 

  7. Purchases: 2015: C8's

    1. Purchasing details for 2015:

      1. We're buying 16 C8: NexStar 8SE. We will keep 3 of the old C8's for spares and demos and surplus the rest.
      2. Vender options for C8: NexStar 8SE:
        1. Agena AstroProducts price $1199.
        2. Astronomics price $1199.
        3. Celestron C8: NexStar 8SE price $1199. But tax and shipping seem to be extra: see shopping cart.
        4. Focus price $1199.
        5. High Point Scientific price $1199. But they do give a few extras worth $132 while they last. Extras include a Barlow lens and free shipping. Actually, they usually give free shipping: the only vender that explicitly says that, and so I assume the others usually don't. / web site, contact info, address, shipping.
        6. Scientifics Direct price $1199.
        7. Telescopes.com price $1199.
        8. TelescopeS.net price $1199.
      3. Finderscopes are NOT part of the kit. They just include a star pointer. The options were looked over and what we have is:
        1. Meade price $69.99 / web site, contact info, address, Terms & Conditions?, shipping? (probably extra, but they are relatively close in Los Angeles).
        2. TelescopeS.net price $68.95. / web site, contact info, address, Terms & Conditions, shipping? (probably extra, but they are relatively close in Las Angeles).

  8. Inventory: Updated 2015dec27:

    1. Celestial globe: We have 26 altogether: 20 small ones, 6 large ones. 2 of the large ones are being repaired and will always be a bit weak hereafter. Each classroom should have 8 at least. Updated 2014feb04.

    2. CCD cameras: Updated 2014feb07.

      1. Lynxx in green box 60 (RC-165), BPB 230 (Telescope Operating Room), Tag no. 2009604,
      2. SBIG with operating manuals and oddments in black case, date 2003, BPB 230 (Telescope Operating Room), Tag no. 2056271.
      3. ST-237 with operating manuals and oddments in black case, date 1999, BPB 230 (Telescope Operating Room), Tag no. 20043457.

    3. Computers: Updated 2014feb07. These may fall under someone else's jurisdiction.

      1. Dell, BPB 230 (Telescope Operating Room), Tag no. 20075744.

    4. Heliostat 8 SKYTRAK W/lab equ.: A heliostat is a device that keeps turning to face the Sun. Updated 2014feb04.

        The heliostat is on the roof south of the observing area. Bill got it working once, but no one has used it in years.

        It's controled from BPB 252, Raymond's desk computer.

        Tag no. 2009610, Acq. 1978jun08, $19,374.64, Asset type E, BPB 301???, PQ GBI-6/8/78.

    5. IPads in BPB 252: 2080769,2080770,2080771 in room cubboards. Updated 2017feb15.

    6. Oddments in BPB 230: Updated 2014feb07.

      1. 16-inch telescope manuals, oddments. Adapters, connectors, boards, wires on a shelf.
      2. Boxes, empty on top of cabinet.
      3. Computer oddments, including a mouse on a shelf.
      4. Dell box with PC oddments.
      5. Device mount? with an adapter.
      6. File cabinet, contents unknown, maybe nothing.
      7. Passband filters, prisms, optical adapter on a shelf.
      8. Software manuals on a shelf.
      9. Telephone unattached on a shelf.

    7. Photometers: Updated 2014feb07.

      1. SSP3 with BVRT passband filters in gree box 6 (RC7-165), BPB 230, Tag no. 05-02-000442A.
      2. SSP3A with BVURTC passband filters in green box 11 (145), date 1988, BPB 230, Tag no. 2009606.
      3. Photometer? in cardboard box, BPB 230, Tag no. 2009605.
      4. Photometer? or something else in black case, BPB 230, Tag no. 2009605

    8. Telescope: black ones: These are older Celestrons. Updated 2014feb04.

      1. Tag no. 2009613, in roof shed (BPB 302) as of 2017jan24. The tag is on the base.
      2. Tag no. 2009474, in BPB 252 on bookshelf as of 2017jan24. Our No. 21. Tag on Tube near mirror
      3. Tag no. 2009479, in BPB 252 on bookshelf as of 2017jan24. Our no. 20 Tag on tube near mirror
      4. Tag no. 2009612, has an electronics box with 12 DC, in BPB 252 on bookshelf as of 2017jan24. Our no. 19. Tag on base.
      5. Untagged but has an electronics box with 12 DC, in BPB 252 on bookshelf as of 2017jan24. Our No. 22. Could this be the missing Tag no. 2009476, Telescope Powerstar Pec. Maybe.


    9. Telescope: Meade 8-inch: Updated 2014 Aug06.

      This Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope is a Meade LX200 8-inch with serial number 827098. It was a donation to the department from a gentleman in Mesquite, Nevada in 2014, May.

      It seems to be a fine intrument. We can use it for in-lab demonstrations and for outreach. There may be special bright astro events where we can set it on the ground level for open-house observing: e.g., solar eclipses, early-in-the-evening lunar eclipses, great comets, etc. Also someone might carry it off for demonstrations at local schools.

    10. Telescope Control System: Goes with the 16-in telescopes in the dome (BPB 301). Updated 2014feb04.

        Tag no. 2033356, Acq. 1998aug06, $15,100, Asset type E, BPB 301 (dome), PQ 2T98RH00427.

        The tag is on the back against the wall.

    11. Telescope Powerstar Pec: A 1990s Celestron telescope package with a 9-volt electronics package. Officially listed as lost. Updated 2017jan24.

    12. Telescope w/acc DFM: This is the 16-in telescopes in the dome (BPB 301). Temporarily in Bill's electrical lab, BPB 123?, for repairs. Updated 2017jan24.

        Tag no. 2009608, Acq. 1989mar01, $37,000, Asset type E, BPB 301 (dome), PQ 045101.