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Back in stock: the StarAid Revolution autoguider

June 26 2023, Stefan Taube

StarAid Revolution standalone autoguider

Now back in stock: the latest ‘C’ version of the StarAid Revolution autoguiding camera

The new ‘C’ version no longer needs a splitter as power supply and data transfer both take place using a USB-C port.

What does the StarAid Revolution camera offer?

StarAid enables you to use your mount’s guided automatic tracking without the need for an additional laptop or PC. This means you can take long exposures of fainter celestial objects! This is known as autoguiding.

With the StarAid Revolution, this is unbelievably easy – autoguiding starts automatically as soon as the camera is connected to a power supply. Point the telescope anywhere in the night sky and the StarAid will find multiple stars which can be used for autoguiding.

Use the StarAid app and built-in WiFi for further interesting possibilities:

Very simple mount orientation
Mount initialisation using plate solving
Special object guiding for comets: Take long exposures of these fleeting objects!

StarAid Revolution works best with a guidescope with a short focal length between 100 and 150 millimetres, such as the UltraGuide MKII 32mm.

You can find additional information about the StarAid Revolution camera here in our shop.

Tags: Autoguiding, StarAid, camera, Astrophotography
Posted in New Products »

New Homestar planetarium from SEGA: the Matataki Blue

May 30 2023, Stefan Taube

SEGA, the Japanese manufacturer, is expanding its Homestar series of planetariums with a new model. The Matataki planetarium simulates the twinkling of stars and has an integrated loudspeaker that produces atmospheric natural sounds. Choose the sound of the sea, river, or mountain as your soundscape.

As with all Homestar planetariums, you can change the Matataki’s projection disc and choose a new theme from a wide range. It comes supplied with two discs so you can enjoy your new planetarium experience immediately.

The planetarium also features a timer, so it can be used to lull children young and old to sleep.

The Matataki planetarium has a built-in battery that is recharged using a USB cable. This battery means that the planetarium can be used independent of any power supply.

More information, prices, and ordering options can be found here in the shop.

Tags: Planetarium, Sega
Posted in New Products »

Redshift 9 Premium: the latest version of the popular planetarium software

April 19 2023, Stefan Taube

Redshift 9 Premium astronomy software delivers a true-to-life representation of the night sky on your computer.

Of course, the software offers much more besides: simulations of the movement of celestial bodies, 3D models, flights to celestial bodies and many other amazing possibilities! For example, you can observe the night sky from the perspective of an imaginary observatory on Phobos, the Martian moon. The integrated encyclopaedia and 29 interactive guides offer a didactic approach to astronomy.

With Redshift 9 Premium and an Internet connection, you always have the latest data to hand: newly discovered comets, huge star catalogues (e.g. Gaia DR3) or the trajectories of satellites and other spacecraft.

Redshift 9 Premium offers an observation planner and even an ASCOM-standard telescope control for real-world observations. The software can be switched to red light mode for outdoor use.

Redshift 9 Premium is a comprehensive software program with many possibilities, which can be used for learning about astronomy or simply having fun!

Note: Software is for Windows 10 und 11. A DVD drive is needed for installation.

Tags: RedShift, media, USM, Software
Posted in New Products »

New Baader UHC Filter

March 28 2023, Stefan Taube

UHC filters are very useful aids in the fight against light pollution and natural sky brightness. They suppress artificial light but are transparent to wavelengths emitted by nebulous celestial objects. The effect of this for the observer and astrophotographer is considerably greater contrast.

The new Baader UHC-L filter is an all-purpose anti-light-pollution filter which also blocks LED lamp emissions in the blue part of the spectrum. Both passbands allow all of the light emitted by well-known nebulae through (the H-alpha and H-beta spectral lines of excited hydrogen as well as the OIII spectral lines of oxygen).

You can find all available filter sizes and formats here in our shop.

The Baader UHC-L filter offers all of the advantages of the CMOS-optimised Baader filter:

Adapted for typical CMOS camera sensors
Reflex Blocker™ coating
Blackened edges
Every filter is individually polished and coated for optical precision
Life Coat™ coating for high durability

Tags: Baader, UHC, Filter
Posted in New Products »

New Omegon apochromats with Hoya special glass

March 27 2023, Marcus Schenk

Four new telescopes which turn astronomy into something exceptional. Available in four different apertures of 85mm, 96mm, 106mm and 140mm and fitted with Hoya special glass, the images produced by the new Omegon triplet apochromats are amongst the best in class.

Our new Omegon apochromats offer many advantages. Here is an overview of the top four:

Special glass built into the lens Thanks to large technological advances, Hoya has successfully optimised the production of the FCD100. This optical glass has extremely low dispersion, equivalent to that of the well-known FPL-53 glass. As a result, you get high-contrast images with excellent colour purity, even at high magnifications.

Adjustable mount: Thanks to high mount stability, alignment stays set, even with regular transportation. But you can also be prepared for all eventualities as professional readjustment is not a problem for this mount. Our workshop service provides professional support at all times. Get the best out of your telescope even years down the line.

Large, sturdy drawtube with transmission gearing: The Crayford hybrid technology and rack ensure heavy accessories are securely held whilst settings can be very smoothly and precisely set using the ball-bearing mounted inner tube.

Mounting rails for accessories: One thing is clear, the new apochromats are creations for astrophotographers or fans of fantastic planetary observations. But astronomers who are on a photographic journey, often require more accessories, such as a guiding scope or a guiding camera. Simply and quickly attach your preferred equipment using the pre-installed Vixen-style mounting rails.

The Omegon apochromats are available in four versions:

Pro APO AP 85/510 apochromatic refracting telescope FCD-100 triplet ED

Pro APO AP 96/575 apochromatic refracting telescope FCD-100 triplet ED

Pro APO AP 106/700 apochromatic refracting telescope FCD-100 triplet ED

Pro APO AP 140/910 apochromatic refracting telescope FCD-100 triplet ED

Thinking about buying an apochromat? A smaller, more transportable device or a more powerful beast with an 140mm aperture? Then let the Omegon apochromats with Hoya glass convince you with their excellent image quality.

Tags: Omegon, telescope, apochromats
Posted in New Products »

Video (with English subtitles): the Vaonis Vespera telescope – smart photos of nebulae and galaxies

March 20 2023, Marcus Schenk

Do you want to take pictures of objects from outer space, but with absolutely no effort?

Welcome to the world of a new generation of telescopes. In this video we introduce you to the Vaonis Vespera. With this device, you can take beautiful photos of the universe – really easily with your smartphone, an app and without much technical knowledge. We explain what smart telescopes are, the Vespera’s advantages and how you would use it in practice to observe the night sky.

Besides the telescope, the Singularity app is the central control unit and offers a simple and intuitive way to operate the telescope and take photos. In the video, you can follow a step-by-step demonstration of how to activate the telescope and take photos of an object of your choice.

Watch the video and get a first impression!

Products used in the video:

Omegon APO 94mm

Vaonis Vespera

Vespera backpack

Tags: smart telescope, Vespera, telescope, Vaonis
Posted in New Products|Video, New Products|Video »

10×42 EclipSmart solar binoculars by Celestron

February 27 2023, Stefan Taube

In order to safely observe the Sun, you need certified special filters, which provide enough protection from its intensive radiation, including the high proportion of UV radiation. Such filters are available for various optical instruments and are placed in front of the lens.

In the 10×42 EclipSmart, the manufacturer, Celestron, has created binoculars with this filter already pre-installed.

The benefits are clear and easy to see:

The ergonomic binoculars are always close at hand and can be kept in your car, for example. They also fit easily in your luggage when travelling to see the next solar eclipse.
Solar observers can routinely follow developments in sunspots.
The 10×42 binoculars’ optics are powerful enough to be used for this purpose. Mounted on a tripod, the binoculars can reveal their full strengths.
The inbuilt filter cannot accidentally fall off and is protected against damage. This is not only important for solar observers, but also for outreach work carried out by observatories.

The 10×42 EclipSmart binoculars are exclusively designed for solar observations. This is why they are listed in the shop as a solar telescope.

Tags: Celestron, telescope, binoculars, solar observation
Posted in New Products »

New: A monocular for nature lovers and explorers!

February 21 2023, Marcus Schenk

For everyone who likes to explore far away places when out walking, or to discover a bird or a deer. Omegon’s new monocular is the ideal companion for observations you never counted on making.

Thanks to its compact design, the Omegon monocular fits in your jacket pocket. This means you can use it whenever the opportunity presents itself.

The Omegon monocular is available in four versions:

8×32 and 10×32 in black
8×32 ED and 10×32 ED with special glass for exceptionally high-contrast observations

What is special about this monocular?

All of these monoculars stand out from the crowd due to the following properties.

Powerful optics: The optics give you a clear, crisp image and, with an 8-degree visual field (at 8x magnification), provide a larger visual angle than many comparable monoculars. As a result, it convinces with impressive clarity, even at the edges. Tempering on glass surfaces comes as standard.

Robust for outdoor use: no plastic, full metal design. This feels good in your hand but also makes the monocular sturdy and durable. The nitrogen filling prevents internal misting on the lenses and guarantees fun observations in all weathers.

Easily accessible focusing: A large focusing ring at the front provides comfortable focusing. Usable even when wearing gloves.

These are only some of the many advantages of the new Omegon monocular. Astonishing that, despite the high quality, it has a low price tag. Are you interested in observing using compact instruments? You can find out more about the 8×32, 10×32, 8x32ED or 10x32ED on the product pages.

Tags: Binocular, monocular, Omegon
Posted in New Products »

New: CQ350 Skywatcher mount with high load capacity!

February 9 2023, Stefan Taube

In the CQ350, Skywatcher has created a heavy mount, which is still suitable for mobile astronomy. Thanks to its load capacity, it sits between the smaller EQ6-R and the larger EQ8-R.

The CQ350 is equally well suited for astrophotography in your own garden as it is for observatories; and thus represents an excellent compromise between mobile and stationary use.

Summary of key features:

Load capacity up to 35 kilograms
State-of-the-art computer controls (GoTo) with SynScan V.5 hand control box
Integrated database containing 42,900 objects
Toothed belt drive for smooth operation without gear backlash
Dual dovetail clamp to accommodate all popular telescopes

This quietly operated mount is moved using belt drives with stepper motors in both axes (Encoder resolution: 55,193,600 counts/rev, 0.023 arcseconds). Its quiet operation and high slewing speed makes this mount even appeal to observatories with public guided tours.

The mount comes with counterweights and a tripod. However, the mount can also be purchased without a tripod if you want to use it in a fixed position in an observatory. You can find both versions here in our shop.

Tags: Skywatcher, Mount
Posted in New Products »

New binoculars from ZEISS: SFL series

December 15 2022, Stefan Taube

True lightweights among high-performance binoculars: ZEISS SFL

Ideal for observing birds and other animals!
Very lightweight and compact for nature walks!
Very high quality ZEISS lenses for lifelike colours and fine details!

With the ZEISS SFL binoculars (SmartFocus Lightweight) special moments can be easily experienced. The binoculars are optimised so that they are as lightweight and compact as possible.

The new ultra-high definition (UHD) concept provides lifelike colour reproduction and ultra high detail. Thanks to its SmartFocus design, the focusing wheel is perfectly positioned and enables fast precision focusing – even when wearing gloves.

The optimised ergonomics and a large exit pupil provide a relaxed, undisturbed view.

The binoculars are available in the following versions: