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Archive for June 2017

Good things always return: The ETX-125 telescope from Meade

June 29 2017, Stefan Taube

It is available again, the ETX-125 from Meade. Easy to transport, versatile in use and computer controlled – this made the ETX-125 a classic in the past!

ETX125

The advantages of the Meade ETX-125:

  • Compact Maksutov optics: Longer focal length despite the short tube. Ideal for watching the moon and planets, but also for observing nature in the daytime. The robust Maksutov is stable in adjustment and, due to the closed tube, has a well protected mirror.
  • With its opening of 127 millimetres, it is the biggest optics of the ETX series and also suitable for watching objects beyond our solar system: The Orion nebula, the big star cluster M13 in the Hercules constellation, and many other objects.
  • The optical tube is fixed in a bracket mount. It reliably carries the optical system, its motors in both axes align it with the desired observation object and track the telescope in line with any rotation of the sky. The integrated battery compartment provides the required electric current for the motors during outdoor use. However, the ETX-125 can also be powered via an optionally available power supply unit.
  • The tube is actually fixed in the fork, but the fork can be removed from the tripod for easier transportation. The steel pipe tripod carries the telescope without any negative wobbling. Another special feature: The tripod comes with an integrated equatorial wedge. This makes the azimuthal bracket mounting an equatorial GoTo mount, as is needed for astro photography.

And all this for a fair price!

The Meade ETX-125 is a GoTo telescope. This means that it is equipped with computer control, which makes it possible for beginners to find and identify objects in the sky.

The telescope is controlled via the new AudioStar-Handbox:

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With AudioStar, you can choose from 30,000 celestial objects. However, the control also suggests objects for watching. A special feature of AudioStar is the audio output. It provides interesting information about the chosen object – however, only in English.

The compact, robust and computer controlled Meade ETX-125 also convinces in its new design!

 

Impressions of Astroshop’s ScopeDome Construction in Koszalin, Poland

June 26 2017, Joshua Taboga

Astroshop was in Polen, to construct a ScopeDome observatory for the city of Koszalin.  The city observatory was the result of a citizen initiative.

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The 5.5 meter ScopeDome observatory houses a 16 inch GSO RC on a EQ 8.

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After finishing construction, the second phase started to install the primary instruments, as well as other equipment.

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The Observatory is regularly visited and provides astronomy enthusiasts a welcome and well-known point of contact in Koszalin and the broader region.

Work on the dome and continued use has been well documented on the organisation’s Facebook page.

Focusers: This is how you optimise your telescope on the accessories side

June 19 2017, Marcus Schenk

A focuser is most likely the component, that is used most frequently and intensively on a telescope. How often do you plug in eyepieces, adapters and cameras? Yes, a focuser has to cope with quite a lot. But is it of sufficient quality? Many telescopes are designed for a very reasonable price – this can then be noticed on the focuser. Optimising the focuser has a tremendous effect at this point.

Having a good look at your current focuser quickly reveals whether you can achieve even better results with your telescope.

An interesting question: What is the purpose of a high-quality, accurately moving focuser? What should it be able to do?

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Five arguments for a good focuser

A focuser should

… be free of play.
You probably know this? You turn the focuser wheel, but the mechanical system rotates without any effect. And all of a sudden, it starts to move. On the one hand this is annoying, on the other hand it gives you the feeling of working with low-quality material.

…be free of any shifting.
You turn the focuser wheel, but Jupiter performs a rain dance and is jumping about in the eyepiece. Even worse in a camera. The object may even jump out of the field of view. Diagnosis: Shifting. This should be remedied as quickly as possible by using a good focuser.

…not bend when a camera is connected.
Unstable focusers sometimes lead to fatal results for your astro photographs. If the focuser tube bends, a photo may be sharp in one corner, but blurred in the other. Now, who wants such a result after an otherwise successful photo session. Further down, you find a list with a load capacity that specifies the maximum camera load, which should help to avoid such problems.

…have an accurate, fine focus adjustment.
Anyone enthusiastic about astro photography knows: Focusing the camera on an object in the sky is a challenge. This is much easier with a smooth running focuser or a 1:10 dual reduction. This allows you to adjust the focus in the range of tenths of a millimetre. This all to find the exact sharpness.

…not slip when using heavy accessories.
A heavy eyepiece may have a weight of up to 1 kg, camera equipment may even be heavier. In this case, it is an advantage to have a focuser that does not slip under a heavy weight.

Our product range includes some Omegon focusers, with which you can easily optimise your telescope and enhance its performance. For even more fun when star gazing. Especially the Omegon products of the series V-Power, Omegon Pro and the Omegon Hybrid Caryford Dual Speed are dedicated for these five wishes and fulfil them with high precision. The mentioned Omegon Hybrid Caryford Dual Speed has even been designed with a very low construction height. On very fast Newton systems, with e.g. f/5, one can reduce the vignetting and enhance the illumination.

You surely want to know whether the focuser matches your telescope. How high is the backfocus? What are the adapter measurements? How high is the load capacity of the focuser? This new list provides all information at a glance. You can immediately see, which focuser would suit you best.

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CGX-L: The Large Version of the New Celestron Mount

June 12 2017, Stefan Taube

At the beginning of February, we introduced the latest development from Celestron: Celestron CGX. The CGX now has a big sister. The brand-new  CGX-L mount is able to carry 34 kilogrammes and thus almost 10 kilogrammes more than the CGX.

The large 14 inch optics can thus also be used with the new technology of the CGX-mounts:

CGX-L-1400

The generously sized 144 millimetre worm gears are an important factor in increasing the load bearing capacity. They enable smooth running, even when carrying heavy telescopes. Apart from this, the dovetail clamps were extended to 270 millimetres, so that large telescopes are also securely held in place.

The illustration shows the mount head with the large worm gear and the toothed belt drive:

CGX-L-Antrieb

Another positive aspect: Additional AUX ports and the autoguider connection on the DEC-axis ensure a better cable management.

If you intend to use large optics with photo equipment, you need a heavy counter weight. With 31.5 millimetres in diameter, the counterweight shaft has been adequately dimensioned for carrying heavy loads.

Despite the increased load bearing capacity, the CGX-L is still portable. And not only the mount is able to carry higher loads: Celestron delivers the CGX-L with a steel tripod which has been considerably reinforced compared to the CGX. The tripod legs have a diameter of 70 millimetres!

The CGX-L is a universally usable mount, with hardly any limits: You may use it stationary in your garden observatory or transport it to telescope meetings or to your favourite observation location.

We offer the mounts CGX and CGX-L individually. With the dual saddle plate, you can combine these mounts with almost any optics system. But you can also decide on a complete telescope system consisting of mount and Schmidt-Cassegrain optics. You will find these product series under the two links CGX- telescopes and CGX-L telescopes.

No matter whether you decide for the CGX or directly for the larger sister CGX-L, you will receive a modern mount, which will set the standard for the next few years.

Infographic: Highlights in the Summer Night Sky 2017 – June to August

June 12 2017, Joshua Taboga

The astronomical calendar for the next three months: our newest infographic “Astronomy Highlights in Summer Summer 2017” shows you everything at a glance that you can expect to see in the night sky from June to August.

 

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June
3 June – Venus at Its Greatest Western Elongation

For those early birds, as special treat: Venus.  The second brightest object in the night sky, after the Moon, will reach its greatest western elongation from the Sun at 46°.  With a telescope, you should even be able to recognize it as a partially illuminated disk.

5 June – Shadow Games on Jupiter
Jupiter stood in opposition to the Sun in April. Yet, even now, the planet is easy to see and will reach 40″ disk diameter.  From early evening, there will be quite the shadow game on Jupiter, as its two large moons Europa and Io transcend the gas giant.  No matter what, it will be a fantastic opportunity for photos.

5 June – Comet C/2015 V2 Johnson
This comet has recently become a real highlight among amateur astronomers. C/2015 V2 Johnson was discovered 3 November 2015 and can be found at the moment in the constellation Boötes close to the star Arcturus.  With a magnitude of just under 7 mag and a circumpolar position, it is quite a showcase, remaining visible the entire night.  Pull out your telescope and look for the comet.  It’s well worth it!

Current coordinations can be found at the following website: https://theskylive.com/c2015v2-info

9 June – Smaller Moon

An especially small Moon will be visible tonight.  Our satellite will have a distance of 405,000 km from Earth.  If you want to remember the difference in the Moon’s size, right now is the time to capture an image!

10 June – Lunar Meeting with Saturn

Quite a sight tonight between the Moon and Saturn.  During the evening, turn yourself to the southeast as the Moon rises.  Just above it, to the right, the shining, yellow Saturn.  The two will appear approximately 9° apart.

15 June – Saturn in Opposition

On the 15th of June, Saturn, the lord of a thousand rings, will stand in opposition to the Sun.  Visible the entire night throughout June, our second largest planet will rise just as dusk approaches.  The planet’s rings will be open at a maximum of 26°, allowing us to see considerable detail.  Unfortunately, the planet’s position will also be pretty low, resulting in a possible disturbance to observation.  Nevertheless, Saturn is a fascinating object!

20 June – Lunar Meeting with Venus

This morning will be especially nice, as long as the weather plays along!  At dawn, you will be able to look to East to see a pencil-thin crescent Moon at only 4° above the morning star.

27 June – Lunar Meeting with Regulus

Something always enjoyable – a small but waxing crescent Moon just above the horizon.  Even more beautiful still is when the Moon makes a stop at a bright star.  Today the Moon pays a visit to the feet of the constellation Leo and Regulus.

July
1 July – Lunar Meeting with Jupiter

Tonight, the Moon will slowly push past Jupiter, pay a distant visit at 5°.  While we enjoy the Summer evening, a sporadic glance to the southwest is well worth it!

4 July – The Golden Handle 5PM – 10 PM CET

The Golden Handle on the Moon… sounds like a myth, yet is something you can really discover – a ring of light, which appears just barely on an unilluminated area of the Moon’s surface.  It always appears, when the waxing Moon is illuminated at 83%.  At the Mare Imbrium, the bay Sinus Iridum plays a part.  This bay is surrounded by the chain of mountains from the Jura range.  While the valley remains in darkness, the Sun shines on the mountain peaks and the Golden Handle shows itself on the Moon.

10 July – Pluto in Opposition

Eleven years ago, our friend Pluto was still a planet.  Then it received the biggest demotion yet.  Now Pluto is considered a dwarf planet and the mnemonic device to remember the solar system is now: “My very enthusiastic mother just served us noodles”.  Nevertheless, Pluto is quite a nice planet to observe, when not difficult to find.  A star map and a big telescope are a must to observe the 14.2 mag planet.

14 July – Occultation of  X Aqr

The Moon does not stand still in the sky, of course, so the occasional occultation occurs (say that five times fast).  The star disappears from one second to another, even though you already see it coming, it is always a surprising phenomenon.  On the 14th of July, the Moon will pass through Aquarius and occult X Aqr at around 1:43 AM CET.  Of greatest interest will certainly be seeing the star reappear on the unilluminated side of the Moon at 2:56 AM CET.

20 July – Lunar Meeting with Venus and Aldebaran

A constellation of many celestial objects is quite a sight for observers.  On the 20th of July, it will be worth it to play the early bird and get out of bed a 4 or 5 AM, to have a look to the East.  Over the horizon, the waxing Moon along with Venus and the star Aldebaran will form a beautiful triangle.

25 July – Lunar Meeting with Merkur und Regulus

Yet another great lunar sight, best suited for those with a great view of the horizon, as a young crescent Moon meets with the star Regulus at 9 PM CET, while the planet Mercury sits only one degree away.

August
2 August – Lunar Meeting with Saturn

In June, Saturn stood at opposition to the Sun.  Now it is easy to find in the evening sky.  The Moon joins Saturn on the second of the month.

7 August – Partial Lunar Eclipse

The only partial lunar eclipse will reach only a coverage of 25%.  In addition, it will only be visible in central Europe during its last phase.  The Moon will push into the shadow of the Earth at around 7:23 PM CET.  Only at around 8:45 CET, will the Moon appear in central Europe, as dusk has not yet really set in, really allowing Europeans to only experience the exit of the Moon from the Earth’s shadow.

11 August – Perseiden

Every year, we are happy to witness the most beautiful meteor show of the year in the Perseids.  In the morning hours of the 11th of August, the meteor show will reach its maximum.  Around 100 falling stars will appear per hour, coming down with an unbelievable speed of 216,000 km/h.  The Moon, sitting high in the sky during the whole night, may cause a bit of a disturbance.  We have Comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle to thank for the meteor shower, as we move through its orbit around the sun, in which it left parts of itself.  So every year, as the Earth crosses this orbit in August, where the comet crosses, the Perseids shoot through our night sky.

16 August – Lunar Meeting with Aldebaran

Around 2 AM CET, the Moon will rise over the horizon.  Just above it, you will see the main star of the constellation Taurus – Aldebaran.

21 August – USA: Total Solar Eclipse 

The Great American Eclipse!  Saddle up cowboys, because on the 21st of August, the USA will experience a solar eclipse with the zone of totality spanning 115 km wide from the Pacific coast through the USA, all the way to the Atlantic Ocean.  Totality will last 2 minutes and 40 seconds.

30 August –  Lunar Meeting with Saturn

The Moon and Saturn will stand in the southern night sky at only 3° apart.

If you would like to share our infographic on your blog, you can use the following code to embed it on your website:

Wir wünschen Ihnen viel Freude an der Himmelsbeobachtung!

Impressions from Construction of a ScopeDome Observatory in Adendorf, Germany

June 7 2017, Joshua Taboga

Astroshop was in Adendorf, Lower Saxony, to construct a 3 meter ScopeDome observatory under some special conditions.

Follow the process below of the observatory’s construction.  The images speak for themselves.

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The observatory found a new home atop a private residence with a considerably steep roof.

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The observatory will house an SC Optic Telescope with a 10″ diameter.

 

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The special feature of this observatory is the use of two towers stacked on top each other, allowing the observatory to reach a height tall enough to clear the roof.

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