System for Handicap Accessibility, Recreation, and Education
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S.H.A.R.E System for Handicap Accessibility, Recreation, and Education |
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In early 1998 NSAAC members developed a system for remotely viewing the night sky using "off the shelf" components. The SHARE System (System for Handicap Accessibility, Recreation, and Education) is a fully portable real-time video astronomy system, including an 8" f6.3 Meade LX200 telescope, an Astrovid 2000 video camera, and a host of peripheral equipment. This system enables audiences to observe real time images of the sun, moon, planets, stars, clusters, galaxies, and nebulae from the comfort of a heated, handicap accessible classroom, lecture hall, or auditorium. The system was financed through Grants from the G.E. Employees Good Neighbor Fund, Osram/Sylvania, Lucent Technologies, Inc., The Marsh & McLennan Companies, A.W. Chesterton Company, General Mills, and Nelson Industries. We also received support in the form of generous discounts and donations provided by equipment vendors, especially telescope accessories provided by Harry Chase of F.C. Meichsner Company in Boston, MA. After nearly a decade of use on the North Shore, NSAAC has donated SHARE to Idaho's Magic Valley Astronomical Society, where it will continue to provide years of service to the public.
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