astronomy-products

The Latest Spaceship to the Sun the Coronado SolarMax II

Tue, 03 Jan 2012 20:41:17 +0100

Is ready to blast off

Implementing the revolutionary RichView tuning assembly, the new Coronado SolarMax II allows you to zero in on any wavelength of light for each area of either side of the hydrogen-alpha band for the highest contrast views of active regions, flares, filaments and other surface features – or quickly retune for spectacular images of prominences on the solar limb. No other commercially available telescope currently provides the tuning range and accuracy of the new Coronado SolarMax II.

The RichView tuning assembly works by directly tuning the etalon, the heart of the Coronado hydrogen-alpha filter system, which gives you tuning range and detail not found on other solar telescopes.

For serious astronomers requiring even more surface constrast and detail, the new Coronado SolarMax II Double Stack system gives you a narrower bandpass (Single Stack .7 Angstroms to Double Stack .5 Angstroms). Only the new Coronado SolarMax allows you to fine tune both etalons in the Double Stack for the finest views available to the amateur astronomer. If you're serious about your solar observing the new Coronado SolarMax II is what you need.

Solar activity has been increasing dramatically over the last few years. This could be the perfect time to purchase a new Coronado SolarMax II, so you don't miss out on future solar maximums.

Big Bang for Your Viewing Buck

Tue, 03 Jan 2012 20:05:52 +0100

Meade LX and LS Series telescopes
Image courtesy of Meade

Meade's legendary LX800 and LX 200-ACF put the perfect combination of state-of-the-art Advanced Coma-Free optics, precision mechanics, cutting edge electronics and computer control into the hands of serious astronomers interested in observing, imaging, and stellar research for a price thousands of dollars less than systems with similar capabilities.

There are astronomers who believe Meade's LS Series telescopes are the most technologically advanced and easiest to use telescopes ever designed and manufactured. Implementing electronic sensors including GPS, magnetometer, digital level and a CCD imager, all you need to do is flick one switch and the LS does a complete, fully automatic alignment without any guidance from you. The multimedia Astronomer inside will then take you on a guided tour of the best looking stellar treats in the night sky above for your time and location.

Meade's LT, LXD75 and LX90 are mid-priced telescopes unsurpassed for features and unmatched quality. Including features like Advanced Coma-Free, Premium Schmidt-Cassegrain and Schmidt- Newtonian, and mounts like alt azimuth forks, German equatorials, there is the right telescope for any amateur astronomer on a budget needing quality and reliability.

Introducing the Tele Vue 3.7 mm Ethos-SX 110

Mon, 02 Jan 2012 19:50:44 +0100

An idea 45 years in the making
Photo courtesy of Tele Vue

Astrononmy Products

Practicing lunar landings and Command Module docking in the Lunar Excursion Module (LED) simulator, the Apollo astronauts had a 110 degree field of vision peering out of the craft's signature triangular windows. The optical system providing that view was designed by Tele Vue founder, Al Nagler. Years later, that simulator experience inspired him to design the 82 degree apparent field eyepieces bearing his name. With edge-to-edge sharpness even in fast scopes, no prior “widefield” eyepiece produced such a natural looking star field. One early user dubbed it the “spacewalk” eyepiece.

At 110 degree, the new 3.7mm focal length Ethos-SX is nothing short of the “Simulator experience” brought to your observing. Compared to eyepieces with equivalent true-fields-of-view, the 3.7mm focal length produces darker sky backgrounds allowing fainter stars to reveal themselves. With a 110 degree AFOV, it's a globular cluster busting, lunar roving, planetary exploring eyepiece like no other.

Yet, like every Tele Vue eyepiece, Ethos-SX is a proprietary Tele Vue design, using the highest specification glasses, glass-matched multi-coatings, and stray light suppression techniques honed over thirty years of pushing the eyepiece envelope. Try the Ethos-SX and get in the experience.

The SkyX Professional has Landed

Sun, 01 Jan 2012 20:29:31 +0100

The finest astronomy software on the planet

Photo courtesy of SkyX Professional
The SkyX Pro for Mac or Windows is a robust, seamlessly integrated, multi-threaded application designed to enhance your journey to the stars. Users can customize the user interface included to match work flow. Tightly integrated, native telescope controls make all observing sessions more productive. The SkyX Pro also supports the latest astronomical catalogs including NOMAD and UCAC3 and integrates reliably with CCDSoft, AutomaDome and Orchestra for Windows. Customers can even select options like a Tpoint Add On for professional-quality telescope pointing or the addition of TheSkyX Pro Database Add On.

Zoom on Your Journey to the Beginning of Space and Time

Sun, 21 Nov 2010 04:12:40 +0100

: The essential accessory for your "Journey to the Beginning of Space and Time" Photo courtesy of Hyperion.

Zoom eye-pieces use to be a star-gazing tool astronomers would leave in the camera bag a few years ago. Now a days, several useful premium quality zoom eye-pieces are available for the star-gazer looking for a spectacular view of the universe on their journey to the beginning of the universe. The Hyperion 8-24mm Zoom Mark III eye-piece by Baadar Planetarium in Germany is one of the best examples of a useful zoom eye-piece perfect as an accessory for your time machine to the stars, or as the perfect accessory for amateur astronomers using binoculars with barrel diameters of 1.25" and 2". The Hyperion 8-24mm Zoom Mark III comes with a seven-element Hyperion Zoom, that's continuously variable across the focal-length range, with click-stops at 8mm, 12mm, 16mm, 20mm, and 24mm. You can also combine the Hyperion 8-24mm Zoom Mark III with an optional adapter, for connecting any T-threaded camera or accessory to this Zoom eye-piece, all at a price that will surprise you.

http://www.optcorp.com

A Moderately Priced Time Machine to the Stars is Available

Sun, 21 Nov 2010 04:12:54 +0100

: Apochromatic refractors are in the price range of amateur astronomers. Photo courstesy Astronomy Technologies.

Amateur astronomers during the past decade have had the opportunity to use moderately priced apochromatic refractors that just a few years ago were out of their price range. One of the finest 4-inch apochromatic refractors available for amateur astronomers, the 4.2-inch f/6.5 AT106LE from Astronomy Technologies combines outstanding optical performance thanks to a triple objective, and engineering and design in tune with more expensive telescopes from a few years ago. Within the AT106LE, a FPL-53ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass element decreases false color, while a dual-speed 2" Crayford focuser, retractable dew shade and aluminum storage case complete the ensemble of a top-shelf telescope, without the sticker shock buyers normally associate with apochromatic refractors.

http://www.astronomytechnologies.com

For the Space Traveller Constantly on the Go

Sun, 21 Nov 2010 03:55:47 +0100

: The perfect base for your time machine to the stars

Space travellers are always on the go and being able to quickly move from spot to spot can be the difference between the great view and the one the rest of your astronomy buddies are talking about seeing. For the star traveller on a journey to the beginning of the universe constantly on the move, Astronomy Technologies Voyager alt-azimuth mount is the perfect base for your time machine to the stars. All you need to do is place your telescope's Vixen-style dovetail bar in the Voyager's matching cradle on the altitude axis, tighten the thumbscrews provided, and your time machine to the stars is ready to blast off on your journey to the beginning of the universe. The axes of the Voyager are engineered and designed to smoothly move in all directions, with telescopes weighing up to 20 pounds (9.1 kilograms) mounted into place. Adjustable slip clutches enable you to point your time machine to the stars to any region of time and space in the night sky you select for your journey to the beginning of the universe, and then manually track a celestial object using dual slow-motion controls.

http://www.astronomytechnologies.com/altazimuth-mounts.asp

: This eye-piece tray is designed to be used with the Voyager mount

: This extension tube will come in handy for certain views

Astronomy Technologies Breaks the Price Barrier on Ritchey-Chretien Telescopes

Sun, 21 Nov 2010 03:57:29 +0100

: Professional grade telescope for the dedicated amateur

Ritchey-Chretien Cassegrain reflectors are the preferred professional telescope that amateur astronomers often avoid due to the financial investment required for this kind of time-machine-to-the-stars. Astronomy Technologies has re-written the history books and broken the price barrier on professional grade Ritchey-Chretien Cassegrain reflectors this year, with three new affordable Ritchey-Chretien telescopes, perfect for the amateur astronomer or young adventurer heading out on a journey to the beginning of the universe. The 10-inch f/8 AT10RC is a superb photographic telescope, with premium features like quartz mirrors, a dual-speed Crayford-style focuser, dielectric mirror coatings, two dovetail mounting rails, and three built-in cooling fans.

http://www.astronomytechnologies.com/listing.asp?o=10607&b=t

Astromist: The Essential Star Map for Your Journey to the Beginning of Space and Time

Sun, 21 Nov 2010 03:59:29 +0100

: Your star map to the universe. Photo courtesy of Astromist.

Before beginning your journey to the beginning of the universe pick up a copy of Astromist by Astromist Software. An essential star map in your palm or pocket, Astromist is a versatile software application for Palm-based computers that shrinks the power of a PC-based planetarium program into a palm-sized form perfect for the road. Astromist plots up to 2.5 million stars and more than 18,000 deep sky objects, and then displays them in an easy to read format on charts ranging from the whole-sky to smaller eye-piece close-ups. Astromist also shows the position of the moon, planets, and some of the comets in the solar system, and lets you maneuver your time-machine-to-the-stars using Bluetooth or infrared controls.

http://www.astromist.com/

A Newtonian Time-Machine-to-the-Stars

Sun, 21 Nov 2010 04:00:51 +0100

: This Newtonian is the perfect time-machine-to-the-stars. Photo courtesy of Astronomy Technologies.

Fast-focal-ratio Newtonian telescopes are known for a wide field of view ideal for spectacular wide field deep space observing or high contrast views and images of the solar system. The 8" Astronomy Technologies AT8IN is perfect for taking pictures of spectacular celestial objects from your backyard or favorite dark sky spot. A good choice for your first time-machine-to-the-stars, or as a gift for a young mind looking to expand horizons, the Astronomy Technologies AT8IN includes features that will impress the professional astronomer. Mirrors with a 91 percent enhanced reflectivity, a tube optimized with internal baffles for improved image contrast, a built-in cooling fan, a 2" dual-speed Crayford focuser, and an 8x50 finderscope in a quick release bracket are all included, for the relatively small price of $449. Just add a suitable mount and you have a time-machine-to-the-stars ideal for a journey to the beginning of the universe.

http://www.astronomytechnologies.com/listing.asp?o=17400&b=t