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New telescopes of the NexStar SLT series from Celestron

July 15 2024, Stefan Taube

Under the name NexStar SLT (Star Locating Telescope), Celestron offers computer-controlled telescopes that allow access to the night sky without any prior knowledge.

Two models with the very popular Schmidt-Cassegrain optics are now available in this series:

Schmidt-Cassegrain optics have a long focal length, which is ideal for observing the moon, planets and planetary nebulae at high magnification. Nevertheless, the tube is very short and easy to transport. The closed tube protects the mirror from dust. SC telescopes are stable in adjustment and show an image without colour errors – this is also ideal for planetary observation.

You can find all models in the NexStar SLT series here in the shop.

The new ZWO AM5 N

July 3 2024, Jan Ströher

ZWO AM5 N – the latest generation of the proven AM5 Harmonic Equatorial mount carries telescopes up to 13kg without counterweight and even up to 20kg with counterweight (counterweight and counterweight rod are optionally available). The compact and very light mount, weighing only 5.5 kg, can be used in equatorial mode for astrophotography and in azimuthal mode for observation.
A hand controller and the App for controlling the mount are included in the scope of delivery. Thanks to the built-in WiFi cables are no longer necessary!

Another new feature of this version 2 is that the App now also supports Bluetooth and the dual dovetail clamp has a DC connection, as well as an USB-C port. This means that the cables no longer get tangled up so easily. The AM5 N has a 3/8″ internal thread on its base, so it can be attached directly to suitable photo tripods. GoTo, Live Preview and many other features can now be controlled via smartphone or tablet. This makes the AM5 N ideal for the use in combination with the ZWO ASI Air!

THE NL PURE FAMILY GROWS: NL PURE 10×52 & 14×52

June 19 2024, Stefan Rieger

Swarovski NL Pure 52

In the 75th year of its existence, Swarovski Optik is expanding the NL PURE model series, which is extremely popular with nature observers, with two new models with a 52 mm objective lens diameter.

The NL PURE 10×52 and 14×52 are suitable for anyone who is out and about exploring nature from early in the morning until late at night thanks to the larger lens diameter. The 14×52 provides numerous details. With the optional forehead support or the tripod adapter available as an accessory, you can enjoy this high magnification without blurring.

These NL Pure models also deliver maximum optical quality, perfect balance and, thanks to the waisted lens tubes, they are easy to grip and perfect to handle even with small hands.

These new models will go on sale on 8 July. Secure one of the first examples!

New ultra-compact scope: KOWA TSN-55 PROMINAR

June 13 2024, Stefan Rieger

KOWA TSN-55 PROMINAR

KOWA, the Japanese manufacturer of premium spotting scopes has revised its range of ultra-compact spotting scopes. The TSN-55 PROMINAR is the successor to the popular TSN-550 model. The most significant innovation is the design of a new eyepiece based on the well-known TE-11 WZ wide-angle zoom eyepiece. This results in a magnification range of 17-40x and an extreme field of view of up to 65m at a distance of 1000m using the lowest magnification. In addition, it has the well-known, previously unrivaled quality fluorite crystal lens of course and the dual focus gives you absolute control over the sharpness at your fingertips with the option of a separate fast or fine focus.

All of this combined with extremely compact dimensions and a weight of less than one kilogram underlines the slogan ‘Travel Light – See Bright’. Available as TSN-55A with angled view and TSN-55S with straight view.

Deliveries will start at the beginning of July, so make sure you get one of the first models already today!

Universe2go+: The next generation of mobile stargazing

June 3 2024, Marcus Schenk

Dear star enthusiasts and night sky enthusiasts. We have news that we have been looking forward to for a long time. Today we present to you Universe2go+, the next generation of mobile stargazing. The popular AR handheld planetarium has been further developed to make the starry sky more interactive and even better to experience. Whether you are a hobby astronomer or a beginner in observation: Universe2go+ takes you on an exciting journey of discovery through the universe with new technology and improved design. It expands the reality of the starry sky with many additional digital information.

New horizons: The exciting innovations of Universe2go+

Universe2go has received a “+” in its name. We want to list the reasons for this briefly, because both the app and the star glasses convince with helpful updates.

1 You probably know it yourself, smartphones have become larger in recent years. Therefore, the new handheld planetarium now accommodates larger smartphones up to the maximum dimensions of 167x78x11 millimeters. With many models, you can even leave the phone case on the device.

2 A more intuitive design: When you open the menu, you immediately notice the change, because it has been completely redesigned. Instead of a list, it appears in a round and clear design that requires hardly any space. All information and settings are understandable and immediately accessible.

3 The newly implemented plate-solving technology ensures unparalleled precision in star recognition and has been introduced in addition to the existing sensor functions. What does that mean for you? In short, higher accuracy. The camera of your smartphone now takes on a significant part of the work. Together with the improved Universe2go+ app (for Android and iPhone), star patterns are analyzed and celestial objects are precisely identified. It is fascinating when the digital star images appear almost magically directly above the real stars.

4 We have also made adjustments to the controls. The star background of the virtual sky is no longer made up of simple representations, but of a naturally appearing graphic. All new features and changes provide an even more intense experience when you gaze at the stars on a clear evening.

 

The universe awaits: What Universe2go+ still offers

In addition to the mentioned new features, Universe2go+ offers a variety of other functions that are useful for every stargazer. With the gigantic integrated database (which contains the entire Hipparcos catalog with its 120,000 stars), you can travel wherever you want. For example, to all 88 constellations that adorn our sky. And even more: Explore the planets of our solar system or find over 150 deep-sky objects. All with sharply rendered images. Universe2go+ also has something for your ears, as an audio guide talks for a total of over 3 hours about planets, stars, and nebulae. Because the audio part was recorded with a professional speaker, listening is particularly enjoyable. The traditional mythology of the constellations is also not neglected. Did you know that the sky is full of stories? Universe2go+ is not just your ticket to the stars, it is a whole library full of interstellar information that you can experience live and even in color. This way, you will become an expert on our starry sky almost effortlessly. With the new Universe2go+, take the opportunity to immerse yourself in the fascinating world of astronomy – a combination of real sky observation and digital exploration.

EQ-AL55i Pro: New mount for small optics and DSLR cameras from Skywatcher

April 22 2024, Stefan Taube

The Skywatcher brand has been offering small mounts for travelling and photography with camera lenses for years under the name Star Adventurer.

The technology and design of these successful models can be found again in a new mount that has a load capacity of 10 kilograms and can therefore also carry somewhat larger optics: Skywatcher mount EQ-AL55i Pro SynScan GoTo WiFi

This versatile mount is equipped with an adjustable counterweight bar. This allows use at all latitudes from 0° to 90° and avoids the problems that arise with many mounts outside our mid-latitudes. It is an ideal travelling mount!

The EQ-AL55i is fully controlled with a smartphone via the built-in Wi-Fi module and the free SynScan Pro app. This app is available for iOS and Android.

You can find more information about this mount here in the shop.

Mounts with strain wave gear from ZWO, iOptron and PegasusAstro

April 19 2024, Stefan Taube

Innovative manufacturers have been offering astronomical mounts with a special drive design for a few years now. You can find these in the shop under the Harmonic / Strainwave link.

These mounts are equipped with a so-called strain wave gear. It is also known under the protected brand name Harmonic Drive.

The advantages are:

  • High load capacity with low dead weight
  • High torsional rigidity: no counterweights required
  • Relatively inexpensive, as industry standard
  • No swivelling error (“backlash”)
  • Very high reduction ratio
  • Compact dimensions
  • Maintenance-free and backlash-free in the long term

The strain wave gear is used for the axes of industrial robots, among other things. It is therefore a standard and does not need to be specially developed and built for astronomical mounts.

Although the periodic gearbox error is also high for strain wave gears, the error typical of worm shafts, which occurs when the direction of rotation changes (“backlash”), is eliminated. This means that the strain wave gear reacts immediately to the control impulses, so that the periodic error can be compensated very well by autoguiding.

For large mounts, such as the Skywatcher EQ-8, the mounts from 10Micron or the CGX-L from Celestron, a worm shaft is still the first choice, because optics with a long focal length require a very low periodic gear error and a counterweight cannot be dispensed with for heavy optics, even with a strain wave gear. In addition, the advantages of strain wave gears in terms of compactness, weight and price are lost as soon as a mount with a high load capacity is required.

There is therefore an ideal range of load capacity in which mounts with a strain wave gear can play to their strengths. The requirements for mobile astrophotography with small to medium-sized optics fall within this range. The harmonic mounts from brands like iOptron, PegasusAstro, RainbowAstro and ZWO are designed precisely for these requirements.

You can find all mounts with strain wave gear under the Harmonic / Strainwave link in the shop.

 

Typical strain wave gear to industry standard

Dobsonian telescope with over 30 centimetre mirror from Bresser

April 3 2024, Stefan Taube

Dobsonian telescopes are simple in design and intuitive to use. They are therefore particularly popular with newcomers to astronomy and occasional observers. But experienced amateur astronomers also love this type of telescope, as the simple design allows the use of a large mirror at a fair price.

The traditional Bresser company now offers a Dobsonian telescope with a 305 millimetre mirror diameter in its Messier series: N 305/1525 Messier Hexafoc

This model also shares the special advantages of the Dobsonian telescopes in the Messier series:

  • Newtonian optics with parabolic primary mirror
  • Large altitude wheels and azimuthal needle bearing for movements without jerking
  • Tube with tube clamps: The telescope can be finely balanced. It is even possible to use the optics on a different mount.
  • The supporting box can be assembled in just a few minutes using metal furniture connectors.
  • A suitable filter for observing the sun is already included in the scope of delivery.

The tube of the largest model N 305/1525 Messier Hexafoc is made of fiberglass and is therefore relatively easy to transport.

You can find more information and the current price for this 12-inch telescope here in the shop.

New member of the Celestron NexStar Evolution family

March 25 2024, Stefan Taube

The popular Nexstar Evolution telescopes from Celestron have a new addition: It’s a five inch telescope!

The NexStar Evolution 5 is even more compact and less expensive than the other models in this series. However, it has everything that characterises a NexStar Evolution telescope:

  • High-quality optics in a Schmidt-Cassegrain design. This design is compact, closed and very easy to use. The long focal length is ideal for observing and photographing the moon and planets.
  • The telescope is equipped with motors and computer control (“GoTo”). This means that even beginners can find all attractive celestial objects.
  • The telescope can be controlled with the hand controller or via smartphone and the SkyPortal app from Celestron. To do this, the telescope generates a Wi-Fi signal so that you can connect your smartphone to the telescope.
  • The NexStar-Evolution has an integrated lithium iron phosphate battery (LiFePO4) with a battery life of approx. 10 hours.
  • The telescope can be disassembled into three parts. This makes it easy to transport and fits in any car boot.

You can find the NexStar Evolution 5 and all other models here in the shop.

New entry-level Dobsonian telescope from Omegon

January 28 2024, Benjamin Mirwald

The Omegon-Dobson family has grown. The Advanced X N 152/1200 telescope expands the “Advanced X” series with a high-quality, yet affordable model.

With a mirror diameter of 152 millimeters, it collects enough light to see even distant galaxies. The slim telescope shows its strengths primarily when observing planets and star clusters. The focal length of 1200mm makes it easy to achieve slightly higher magnifications. The included 25 mm eyepiece gives 48x magnification, with additional eyepieces a range of 30x to 240x is usable. We particularly recommend the Premium Flatfield eyepieces as accessories.

Sometimes at high magnifications you can see the flickering of the air, but there are nights with perfect “seeing” – and this telescope is made for them. As a Dobsonian telescope, it consists of two parts and is ready for use in just six steps:

  1. First set up the so-called rocker box (8 kg),
  2. Place the optical tube (9 kg) in the rocker box,
  3. attach springs on sides,
  4. slide in the finder scope,
  5. insert eyepiece.
  6. Don’t forget: remove the lid 😉

 

This only takes a few minutes. So it is possible to simply peek through a few gaps in the clouds every now and then. The good-natured design is also suitable for use all night long – the telescope can easily handle dew or frost.

A Crayford focuser for 1.25″ eyepieces allows you to precisely focus on the celestial object.

Because it is intuitive to use and really robust, the instrument is highly recommended for children aged 10 and over.

Like its larger siblings in the Advanced X series, the N 152/1200 can also be retrofitted with a digital “sky navigation system”, the Omegon Push+ Go system. The 6×30 finder scope is the classic way to find the objects – in combination with good celestial atlases .