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New in January: Taurus-Dobsons, APOs by Vixen, solar telescopes by DayStar, Atik Horizon cameras and a high-end mount by iOptron

January 12 2018, Stefan Taube

This year, too, we would like to present a small selection of items to you every month that we have recently included in the range:

  1. Taurus Dobson N 304/1500 T300 telescope

Taurus T300

Telescopes by Taurus have recently been added to our shop. The Dobson T300 with a 12-inch aperture is the first model that we would like to present to you. Other models will follow in coming days. The  Dobson T300 telescope has a wire-mesh tube, which means it’s easy to transport and can be set up without tools in just a few minutes. The entire system weighs just 15.9 kg, and the heaviest part weighs only 9.6 kg.

Unlike what you can see in the picture, the telescope does not come with a finder or an eyepiece. It does, however, come with a scattered light protector. It also comes with a high-quality 2” Crayford eyepiece holder with support.

The Dobson telescopes by Taurus are developed and made in Poland. We are pleased to be able to offer these telescopes to you now!

 

  1. Vixen AP 81/625 SD81S apochromatic refractor

Vixen SD81S

For those who prefer to take photographs, instead of exploring the night sky with their eyes alone, should make use of an apochromatic lens. The Japanese manufacture, Vixen, is offering three new models that have different lens diameters: SD81S, SD103S and SD115S.

The recently designed lens element with FPL-53 glass reduces chromatic aberrations to such an extent that they are barely detectable, ensuring an extremely clear and sharp picture! These three APOs are ideal for photography with DSLR cameras with full-format sensors.

 

  1. DayStar ST 60/930 SolarScout Carbon H-Alpha chromosphere solar telescope

DayStar SolarScout 60

The American company, DayStar, specialises in instruments for observing the sun. With the SolarScout 60, DayStar is adding another solar telescope to its SolarScout series. The telescope has an integrated QUARK H-Alpha filter.

When you buy this telescope, you are getting a finely tuned system that comprises optics, etalon filter and helical focusing with which you can enjoy observing and photographing the sun in H-Alpha light without risk!

Thanks to the light carbon tube, you can place SolarScout telescopes on a small mount. The integrated solar finder will help you to effortlessly and safely align the optics with the sun.

 

  1. Atik Horizon mono camera

Atik Horizon

This is the first camera by Atik with a CMOS sensor – the future of sensor technology. In this case, it is a 16-megapixel Panasonic MN34230. The small pixel size of 3.8 µm means high resolution and makes the camera interesting for short focal length apochromatic lenses and photo lenses. The integrated cooling system brings the camera down to 40° C below the ambient temperature. With the quiet electronics and the USB 3.0 port, the Atik Horizon is ideal for shots of weak nebulae with long exposure times.

Like the Atik Infinity, the Atik Horizon is also ideal for live stacking. This significant trend ensures more fun doing astrophotography and publicity work at observatories.

You will, of course, receive both an Atik Horizon and a colour camera. This colour variant saves you from having to use colour filters.

 

  1. iOptron CEM120 GoTo mount

iOptron CEM120

We have had good experience with the mounts by iOptron in recent years. They are long-established in the USA, and are now becoming more popular across the pond. iOptron is now putting a mount on the market that features a load capacity of over 50 kg for observatories: The CEM120 GoTo mount.

The design is reminiscent of the tried and tested CEM60 GoTo that has a load-bearing capacity of half that. The polar wedge of both mounts is supported in the centre of gravity, thereby achieving a high level of stability with low weight.

For those who are planning a garden observatory or a new acquisition for a club observatory, the CEM120 GoTo should be seriously considered. Speak to us, and we’ll be happy to advise you!

Explore Scientific Eyepiece Sale!

December 14 2017, Stefan Taube

We have four specially priced Explore Scientific eyepieces on offer!

100-degree-eyepiece

The 100° Spacewalk Eyepiece from Explore Scientific

First, there are three eyepieces from the 68°-Series:

This wide-angle eyepiece features a crisp view with a 68 degree field of view and is filled with inert gas to prevent internal fogging, dust entering the chamber and the development of glas fungus!  The high quality multi-layered tempered glass is, as a result, well protected and long-lasting.

In addition, we are also offering a special treat!  The Explore Scientific 100° Eyepiece with Inert Gas Filling 25mm 2″ at a price of 498 Euro.You save 251 Euros! 

With an enormous field of view and large magnification, the eyepiece will make you feel like you are floating among the stars.

The offer is valid until 31 December 2017 and while supplies last.  Get yours now!

New: Pro camera by ZWO and more accessories for astrophotographers

December 8 2017, Stefan Taube

We would like to present to you a small selection of items that we included in the range recently:

  1. ZWO camera ASI 1600 MM Pro Mono

The ASI 1600 series is the favourite model range by ZWOptical. The ASI 1600 cameras have a relatively large sensor and a small pixel size. There are, therefore, models without cooling that are used mainly by planet photographers and DeepSky cameras that can be used by anyone. We offer the cooled models in a set with special filters and a filter wheel.

The spearhead of this model range is the new ASI 1600 MM Pro Mono. It is ideal for astrophotographers who want to capture faint nebulae with exposures lasting for hours. The incorporated 256 MB of buffer memory provides loss-free transfer even with USB 2.0.

ZWO-ASI-1600-Pro

  1. Orion camera StarShoot AutoGuider Pro Set

If you want to take exposures of several minutes, you should think about tracking control. With this procedure called autoguiding, the mount must run in a controlled fashion because the camera mount must always be exactly oriented towards the desired area of the sky for the shot to be successful. A separate camera is mostly used with its own optics for autoguiding. The camera continually follows a star and gives control impulses to the mount if the star moves.

Thanks to sensitive camera sensors with a high resolution, these autoguiders can be made to be compact. A very well-made example is the new set from the camera StarShoot AutoGuider Pro Mono and the Ultra-Mini Guidescope by Orion.

Orion-StarShoot-AutoGuide

  1. Baader MPCC V-1 Mark III Newton coma corrector set 2”

Newton telescopes are very popular with amateur astronomers because they cost relatively little money and can gather a large amount of light. As with any optical design, Newton telescopes suffer from image aberrations. On the edge of the field of view, the stars are exploded forming a “comet”. What are referred to as coma aberrations are particularly noticeable in astrophotography. The manufacturer Baader-Planetarium offers an excellent coma corrector that is also included in the set with the matching adapters: Baader MPCC V-1 Mark III Newton coma corrector The special feature of this coma corrector is that it does not increase the focal length of the optics. There is as much light as without the corrector, so that the exposure time does not have to be increased.

aader-MPCC-Komakorrektor

  1. Oklop padded bag for the Newton 150/750

About the Newton telescope: We now offer padded carrying bags by Oklop. They are made so a specific telescope fits perfectly and can be transported securely without taking up a lot of space.

We offer, for example, bags for the Newton telescope 150/750, Newton telescope 150/1000 or the Celestron telescope SC 1100. Other bags by Oklop can be found here.

Oklop-Tasche-Newton

Improved version of the CL Companion by Swarovski Optik

December 1 2017, Stefan Rieger

Swarovski Optik has revised the CL Companion. The ergonomics in particular have been improved.

The eyepiece cup has been enlarged and, therefore, fits better on the eye. This means that the eye is automatically guided to the image. Handling was improved further by moving the connecting bridge upwards towards the eyepiece. This means that the hand can hold the binoculars better. The focus button is easier to reach. The dioptre compensation has now been integrated into the central wheel. This reduces the risk of unintentional adjustment. The weight has also been reduced further. Compared to its predecessor, the 10×30 has been made 15 grams lighter.

The revised CL now uses the FieldPro carry strap connector. The risk of the carry strap getting twisted has now been considerably reduced. The CL companion now comes in anthracite or green and as a 8×30 or 10×30 version.

Swarovski has recognised the trend towards customisation and now offers a series of binoculars with three different bags and carry straps. The classic dark green bag with black carry strap bears the wording “WILD NATURE”.

For those who want something a little more modern, chose the binoculars in connection with the “URBAN JUNGLE” accessory pack, a light green bag with a grey carry strap.

The “NORTHERN LIGHTS” set has been designed for the tradition conscious. You will receive a grey felt bag with black leather appliqués and a grey felt carry strap.

All versions can be delivered from mid-November. The best thing to do is order your favourite combination now!

New from Omegon: RC Telescopes for Better Astrophotos

November 10 2017, Marcus Schenk

Are you an astrophotographer? Are you looking for an instrument for taking perfect astrophotos? In this case, you most likely may have reached the end of your search. Because there is something for you: the new Omegon RC telescopes.

The Dream Telescope for Any Astro-photographer

Almost all professional observatories use RC telescopes. Coincidence? Probably not. They produce a coma-free field of view by means of two hyperbolic mirrors. When it pans the field of view through an area full of stars, these remain sharp and round, right to the edge of the field of view. Another advantage: the large usable field of view. It is considerably bigger than any other system, like e.g. Cassegrain or Dall-Kirkham. This provides you as an astro-photographer with a higher level of freedom! Take photos even without a corrector with an APS-C sensor.

The reason for enthusiasm: These images were taken by our colleague Carlos with Omegon RC telescopes:

Advantages of the Omegon RC telescopes:

  • Hyperbolic mirrors: extremely sharp images, large field of view without correctors
  • Mirrors made of quartz (8″ and bigger): for stable focus and sharp image, no refocusing required
  • Available as full tube up to 6″-10″ or as truss tube from 12″-16″ aperture
  • High reflection: 92-94% dielectric mirror coating for bright, high-contrast observations and astro-photography
  • Quick cooling-off time due to the open design
  • High capacity electric fan (8″ and higher): minimizes tube seeing and accelerates optical cooling
  • With 2″ or 3″ eyepiece holder, depending on model

The new Omegon telescopes are the right choice for any amateur astronomer: Choose from six different instruments with apertures ranging from 6″ to 16″.

Die RC-Volltuben gibt es in den größen 6", 8" und 10"

Die RC-Truss-Teleskope für eine stationäre Sternwarte sind in den Größen 12", 14" und 16" erhältlich.

The full tubes of the RC telescopes are available with 6″, 8″ or 10″. With a Vixen style and 3″ Losmandy rail to match your mount. At the top, the tube offers ample space for other accessories, like a guiding system.

The RC truss telescopes with sizes of 12″, 14″ and 16″ are perfectly suitable for a stationary observatory.

Until recently, RC telescopes were very expensive for amateur astronomers. Now let your dream come true: a reasonably priced “professional telescope” for your own mobile or stationary observatory.

Interested? Click here to find the professional telescope for your own observatory. Or ask for a personal consultation on the phone.

By the way: If you are thinking about an own observatory with an RC telescope – why not have a look at our observatory domes. You are planning on a big scale? On request, we will organize the complete construction and accompany your project right to handing over the key.

New carrying case by B+W International in the range

November 3 2017, Stefan Rieger

Known by photographers for many years and now available from us: the outdoor cases by B&W. These very high-quality cases were developed for use in extreme conditions.

B&W Outdoor Case Type 6000

These cases made from polypropylene come in various sizes and colours. If they are often outside at night, we recommend the light-coloured cases because they are easier to see, and you won’t trip over them. As a customer, you can choose whether you prefer an empty case, one with cube foam or one with variable partitions. If your equipment changes, and you want to divide up the case differently, you can always buy additional content later, at any time.

The smaller models are suitable for accessories such as eyepieces and filters (Type 500, 1000), the medium-sized models for astrophotography equipment (Type 3000, 4000, 5000, 6000) and the largest models for mounts (especially for the case series Type 5500).

B&W Outdoor Case Type 6700

The cases comply with the IP67 standard and are water and dust-proof. They can be stacked and have a pressure equalisation valve. Thanks to the eyelets, you can secure your expensive equipment from theft with a padlock. For many models, there is a shoulder strap or a rucksack carrying system as an accessory.

B&W Outdoor Case Type 5000

The stability and permeability of these cases have been subjected to various tests and the outdoor cases have been certified in accordance with the specifications of STANAG 4280, DEF STAN 81-41 and ATA 300.

In the video, you can see how strictly TÜV Rhineland tested these cases.

New: Improvement to the Orion-Dobsons and the Skywatcher EQ-5, new QHY camera and apos by William Optics!

October 27 2017, Stefan Taube

We would like to present to you a small selection of items that we included in the range recently:

1.Orion Dobson telescope N 254/1200 SkyQuest XT10 PLUSOrion XT10 PLUS

Dobson telescopes with 10-inch aperture by Orion are, of course, nothing new. Orion now offers its 10-inch in an improved PLUS version.

New features:

  • Friction brake for the height axis. This enables the use of heavy eyepieces.
  • Filters for observing the sun in safety.
  • Crayford focuser with reduction for fine focusing.
  • 2″ wide-angle eyepiece and Barlow lens
  • Eyepiece tray

With the XT10 PLUS you will receive an easy-to-use telescope with small improvements for even better performance and more fun during your observation sessions!

There is also an 8-inch Dobson by Orion in this improved version: XT8 PLUS.

 

2. Skywatcher mount AZ-EQ-5-GT SynScan GoTo

The AZ-EQ-5 mount by Skywatcher is actually not new. You will receive this mount immediately with a classic tripod as you known it with other mounts. Until now, Skywatcher delivered the mount with a column where the tripod legs didn’t fit right under the mount. This tripod was very compact for carrying, but not as sturdy as the classic tripod.

The AZ-EQ-5 mount is a real all-purpose mount that can take up to 15 kg: It is very light to carry and can be operated in either equatorial or azimuthal position, so for either astrophotography or for simple observation.

The mount is, thanks to the toothed belt drive, relatively light and fitted with the latest version of the SynScan computer control system.

 

3. William Optics apochromatic refractor AP 61/360 ZenithStar 61

Are there any astrophotographers who don’t dream of an apo by William Optics? With the ZenithStar series you will receive a lens telescope in William-Optics quality at a fair price!

The small optics with an aperture ratio of f/5.9 weigh less than 1.5 kg and can be combined with a photo mount. You will receive a light, compact system for travel with which you will achieve amazing wide-angle shots of nebula regions of the Milky way – all that’s missing is the suitable flattener and a DSLR camera.

 

4. ALccd-QHY camera 9c Colour

Alccd-QHY-9c

We are constantly extending our range of cameras by ALccd-QHY. We have recently added the the 9c Colour camera. It has a Kodak KAF-8300 sensor: 8.9 megapixels with a 22.5 mm diagonal and 5.4 µm pixels.

The most important information;

  • The chip is fitted with microlenses.
  • The active cooling with a larger fan cools down the camera to 50 °C under the ambient temperature.
  • The 32 MB SDRAM buffer ensures a quiet transfer of the images.

This camera meets the high requirements of advanced astrophotographers.

Compact and smart: The new mount AZ-GTi from Skywatcher

October 20 2017, Stefan Taube

Astronomy with a smartphone:

It all began with telescopes of the series Nexstar Evolution: Celestron equipped this series with WIFI, so that they can be controlled via mobile units by using the SkyPortal app.

The graphic user interface offers many possibilities and can be intuitively controlled. The omission of a hand controller is another benefit of controlling the system via an app. This way one needs only a limited amount of equipment.

Now available: The new AZ-GTi from Skywatcher:

The mount AZ-GTi GoTo WiFi from Skywatcher is completely new. It carries telescopes with a weight of up to 5 kilogrammes, which can be directed to almost 10,000 sky objects via a smartphone using the SynScan app.

AZ-GTi

With this GoTo control even beginners will easily find their way around the sky. The mount not only swings the telescope to the desired object, but also keeps on tracking, keeping the object in the eyepiece, despite the earth’s rotation.

The mount AZ-GTi is an azimuthal mount, which, in contrast to an equatorial mounting does not permit astrophotography with longer exposure times. However, azimuthal mounts are smaller, lighter and ready more quickly for use than equatorial mounts.

Skywatcher AZ-GTi telescopes:

Skywatcher currently offers the AZ-GTi in three sets. The most inexpensive set is the Explorer-130PS AZ-GTi. Here you can obtain the mount with a Newton telescope and an aperture of 130 millimetres. The combination is not only more reasonable in price, but also has the biggest mirror optics and thus the highest light gathering capacity.

The combination with the 127mm Maksutov is also very interesting: SkyMax-127 AZ-GTi GoTo WiFi. Despite its high focal length, the Maksutov still has a short tube and, as a closed system, is almost indestructible.

An app for the mobile unit offers more possibilities than a hand controller, and the smartphone is always close at hand. Controlling the system via smartphone makes sense especially for small mounts.

Photos taken of the sun in H-Alpha light with the filter QUARK and the new ToupTek camera.

October 13 2017, Stefan Taube

Our Spanish Colleague Carlos Malagon has a clear view of our day star almost every day. He sent us this image of the sun he had taken with the new camera EP3CMOS02300KMC from ToupTek:

H-Alpha-Sonne

The image shows the chromosphere of the sun: This is a part of the sun’s atmosphere above the photosphere, appearing in light with a wavelength of 656 nanometres. This wavelength is also referred to as H-Alpha. It represents a certain excitement condition of the hydrogen atoms in the sun’s atmosphere. At the edge of the sun you see a very nice protuberance.

Besides the camera from ToupTek Carlos Malagon used the H-Alpha filter QUARK from DayStar and the Omegon Pro Apo 80/500 on the mount SkyWatcher Star Adventurer.

This small mount is ideal for travelling. It carries a camera with small optics and tracks it parallel to the rotation of the sky. The Star Adventurer can be screwed on any photo tripod. For this purpose, Carlos Malagon used the Omegon aluminium tripod Titania 500. The photo below shows the complete equipment.

Carlos_Ausrüstung

By the way: Since the sun filter QUARK can simply be inserted into the eyepiece holder between camera and telescope, it can also be quickly removed. The easy to handle equipment can then be simply used to take photos of the night sky.

New telescopes from Omegon: On the right track with Advanced X and ProDob Dobson

October 6 2017, Stefan Taube

The new Omegon telescopes are impressive instruments for any visual stargazer. With the Advanced X and ProDob Dobsonian telescopes, gazing at planets, nebulae and galaxies becomes a lot of fun. Just as with other equipment? No. Because these telescopes are in many ways a lot better than other Dobson telescopes.

Both new series are equipped with a particularly good mirror with up to 94% reflection for bright images. And with a fan which allows you to start observing even earlier.

The Dobson telescopes from Omegon consist of only two parts. Even if you have a stressful day and little time, these telescopes will provide you with many pleasant stargazing hours. Because set up only takes a few minutes, you can start stargazing almost instantaneously. And all this for a lower price than comparable models on an equatorial mount.

Omegon now offers two new Dobson series – in excellent workmanship.

Omegon Dobson telescope Advanced X

A fast telescope for easy observation of planets, star clusters, nebulae and galaxies. Excellent workmanship, consisting of only two parts and very easy to operate. Suitable for any Astro beginner, because no axes need to be aligned. A simple principle: Set up and watch.

  • Teflon pads in height and azimuth axis
  • Primary mirror with 94% mirror coating
  • Primary mirror fan
  • 2” Crayford focuser
  • 8×50 finderOmegon Dobson Teleskop Advanced X

Omegon Dobson telescope ProDob

To make sure that you always stay on track when observing!

Omegon Pro Dobson telescopes for successful stargazing nights.

The new friction system makes the exact alignment and tracking of sky objects an even simpler task. The axes run in needle bearings in azimuth and ball bearings in the height axis, instead of Teflon pads.

This allows even lighter navigation of the telescope and extremely soft following of your movements. Keep celestial objects in your field of view, even with high magnification. An unbeatable advantage! For this purpose the range of high-quality accessories includes: e.g. the Omegon SWA 32mm eyepiece. It is of a much better quality than many other eyepieces, which are normally part of the scope of delivery of other telescopes. Our customers’ reviews: “Super!”, “Simply high-class.” or “[…] just perfect and good”.

 

  • Friction system: ultra-soft and precise movement
  • Needle bearings: soft and exact movement in azimuth – even with just one finger
  • Primary mirror with 94% mirror coating
  • Primary mirror fan: quicker cooling, ready faster for stargazing
  • Red dot finder Deluxe, premium eyepiece 2” SWA 32mmOmegon Dobson Teleskop ProDob

No matter whether you’re a beginner or an advanced stargazer: With an Omegon Dobson under the dark sky, you will experience everything the universe has to offer. If you are looking for a telescope for visual observations you should buy a Omegon Advanced X or ProDob telescope.