telescope-accessories - astroshop.eu Blog

Posts Tagged 'telescope-accessories'

Blog Archives

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.

Tags: Telescope Accessories, B&W, carrying case
Posted in New Products | No Comments on New carrying case by B+W International in the range »

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.

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.

Tags: Binocular Mount, Celestron, 400 Jahre Teleskope für die Astronomie, Telescope Accessories
Posted in New Products | No Comments on Compact and smart: The new mount AZ-GTi from Skywatcher »

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:

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.

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.

Tags: toupTek, camera, Telescope Accessories, Mount, Astro Photography, Skywatcher, DayStar
Posted in New Products | No Comments on Photos taken of the sun in H-Alpha light with the filter QUARK and the new ToupTek camera. »

Skywatcher AZ-5: The new azimuthal mount for small optics

September 29 2017, Stefan Taube

A small all-around mount for nature observations and star gazing. It does not always have to be the biggest telescope, many times you just want to have a glance at the Moon, planets or the Milky Way. For this purpose, the new mount AZ-5 Deluxe from Skywatcher is just ideal!

This mount is able to carry optics of up to five kilogrammes, whereby the standardised prism rail connection also accepts telescopes from manufacturers other than Skywatcher. With an optionally available L-holder one can also connect binoculars or a spotting scope with a camera screw.

The AZ-5 Deluxe is equipped with a friction clutch for quick adjustment of the desired object: Simply apply slight pressure to the tube to move the optics to the right direction. Sensitive fine tuning and tracking is then accomplished via two flexible shafts. The mount and optics rest on a sturdy aluminium tripod.

The mount can also be used for nature observations. The fork arm can be adjusted in various positions, so that looking down into a valley is also possible.

Skywatcher also offers the AZ-5 Deluxe in a set with different optics. We would like to briefly introduce these sets:

The Explorer-130PS AZ-5 is a Newton telescope. Telescopes of this design offer the largest aperture for your money. They gather more light from faint star clusters and galaxies than other telescopes of the same price range.

This telescope in combination with the mount is well suited for beginners who would just like to watch, but not take any photos, and who are looking for a simple instrument for occasional observing sessions on the balcony.

The name Startravel-102 AZ-5 stands for an achromatic refractor. This optical system is slightly more expensive than the Newton, but has some advantages. The refractor provides sharper images, because it has no secondary mirror in the optical path.

Even experienced stargazers may have lots of fun with this instrument, because it is very quickly set up for use and then enables the observation of large sky fields (“Rich field”) and comets. Equipped with a 45°-Amici-Prism, it is well suited for nature observations.

The Maksutov Skymax-127 AZ-5 has been a very popular instrument for many years. With its large focal length, it brings the Moon, planets or other objects very close, even on a bright day, with sharp contours.

In combination with a motorised mount, this telescope’s optics are highly suitable for photographic purposes. Looking at it this way, the set Skymax-127 AZ-5 is an investment in the future or a supplement, if you already have an astronomical mount, but would additionally like to have a light AZ-mount and Maksutov optics.

Tags: Skywatcher, telescope, Telescope Accessories, Mount
Posted in New Products | No Comments on Skywatcher AZ-5: The new azimuthal mount for small optics »

Useful helpers: StarSense AutoAlign for Skywatcher mounts

September 22 2017, Stefan Taube

People who already have a Celestron mount know about the StarSense AutoAlign module for the automatic alignment of the mount. However, Celestron also offers this technology for Skywatcher mounts: The Celestron StarSense AutoAlign module for Skywatcher.

Why is this accessory useful?

Mounts with integrated computer control (“GoTo”) enable the search for sky objects from a database, simply by pressing a button. For this to work correctly, the computer needs some information, like date, time, observation location and alignment of the telescope right at the beginning. You can only use the GoTo control, after having completed the alignment procedure. The StarSense AutoAlign module is a convenient helper who will do most of the work involved.

For this purpose, the module is mounted to the optical tube and not to the finder scope. An integrated camera scans the night sky and runs the alignment automatically. If you are using an azimuthal mount with GPS (e.g. a Celestron CPC) the initialisation and alignment of the telescope will run fully automatically. You only need to switch the telescope on, and wait for approx. three minutes, until it is ready for star gazing!

When using an equatorial mount, you must also align the polar axis with the polar star. Also in this case, the StarSense AutoAlign module will help you: The hand controller of the module will assist you in the polar alignment, so that you don’t need a pole finder. Once the polar axis has been aligned, any further alignment will be automatically performed by the camera, just as with an azimuthal mount.

Use the possibilities of the StarSense AutoAlign for Skywatcher or Celestron for even more fun with your hobby!

Tags: Celestron, Telescope Accessories
Posted in New Products | No Comments on Useful helpers: StarSense AutoAlign for Skywatcher mounts »

iOptron: A variety of astronomical mounts

September 15 2017, Stefan Taube

Mounts from iOptron are becoming more and more popular, not only in the USA, but also in Europe. Reasons for this also include product diversity, mechanical quality and excellent equipment. Let us introduce a selection of mounts from iOptron:

The iEQ45 Pro GoTo is of particular interest for astro-photographers.

The mount can support twenty kilogrammes and is thus in the size range that is preferred by most ambitious amateur astronomers. It can also accommodate ample sized optics, but is still easy to transport. The tripod with its 50 millimetre legs ensures stability.

While stargazing, the iEQ45 Pro is quickly ready for use. Its readiness is assured by the integrated GPS, the electronically supported alignment of the mount with the polar star and the various initialisation methods for the GoTo system. The GoTo system will assist you in finding your way through the sky. The iEQ45 Pro is equipped with an eight-line remote to make sure that you won’t lose track.

If you are a novice and would like to start slightly smaller, then the CEM25P GoTo would be the right choice. This mount is available for a considerably lower price, but still is able to carry 12 kilogrammes. A 6-inch Newton telescope is a good match for this mount.

Unbelievably quiet and load-bearing AZ Pro GoTo

The only time you need an equatorial mount is when you want to take photos of faint nebulae and galaxies. In all other cases, the azimuthal mount AZ Pro GoTo is a highly interesting alternative. The AZ Pro is simply remarkable: It works almost silently, when carrying even heavy optics of up to 15 kilogrammes!

This mount does this with all imaginable comfort: Large display, GPS, automatic alignment and installed power pack. You don’t need a Powertank! Without an external power supply and due to its dice-shape design, the AZ Pro is very compact – more mobility is hardly possible!

With an azimuthal mount of this kind, you can, in addition to visual observations, also take photos of the Moon and planets, or use the Atik Infinity camera for video astronomy.

The smallest mount from iOptron is the SkyTracker Pro

Over many years, the photo mount SkyTracker Pro has found lots of friends. No further explanation required.

Photo mounts like this one enable astro-photography directly with a DSLR, i.e. without any telescope.

This is simple, possible anywhere and very well suited for taking photos of large constellations, allowing you to take photos of the Milky Way or just atmospheric landscape shots with the night sky.

The observatory mount from iOpton: CEM60 GoTo

With a load bearing capacity of 27 kilogrammes, the CEM60 GoTo is not the biggest mount at Astroshop. However, it is a very interesting solution for stationary operation on a concrete column, because it meets the requirements of many small garden observatories and is available for quite a reasonable price.

Special ports below the dual mounting saddle enable the operation of accessories for astro-photography applications. In case you do not want to constantly operate the mount stationary, the scope of delivery also includes a transport case. For mobile use, we can also supply you with the matching iOptron tripod or even an especially high-quality wooden tripod from Berlebach.

This is a selection of particularly interesting mounts from iOptron. You will find the whole product range here.

Tags: iOptron, Atik, Telescope Accessories, Mount, Berlebach
Posted in New Products | No Comments on iOptron: A variety of astronomical mounts »

Summer campaign: Celestron CGE Pro telescopes for particularly reasonable prices!

September 8 2017, Stefan Taube

Now is a good time to get prepared for the dark season: Celestron CGE Pro telescopes are now available with 20% discount!

The CGE Pro is the most powerful mount from Celestron. It is able to carry the large 14-inch Schmidt-Cassegrain optics or the RASA astrograph without any strain. However, with its sturdy tripod, this mount is still suitable for mobile use.

Choose your CGE Pro telescope:

SC 235/2350 925 CGE Pro GoTo for EUR 6,116 You save EUR 1,529
SC 235/2350 EdgeHD 925 CGE Pro GoTo for EUR 7,196 You save EUR 1,799
SC 279/2800 EdgeHD 1100 CGE Pro GoTo for EUR 7,996 You save EUR 1,999
SC 356/3910 1400 CGE Pro GoTo for EUR 10,396 You save EUR 2,599
SC 356/3910 EdgeHD 1400 CGE Pro GoTo for EUR 12,236 You save EUR 3,059
Astrograph S 279/620 RASA CGE Pro GoTo for EUR 8,876 You save EUR 2,219

You already have a large telescope? No problem, we currently also offer the CGE Pro mount without optics for a very favourable price!

This offer ends on the 30th of September 2017. Order now!

Tags: Mount, Celestron, telescope, Telescope Accessories
Posted in Sale | No Comments on Summer campaign: Celestron CGE Pro telescopes for particularly reasonable prices! »

Astronomik: new clip filters for Canon DSLR cameras

July 31 2017, Stefan Taube

Northern German company Astronomik is a specialist for astronomical filters for astrophotographers or purely visual star gazers. Clip filters are a special innovation of Astronomik. These filters have a special mounting shape, which allows them to be placed directly into a DSLR or system camera – without using any tools!

Astronomik currently offer clip filters for:

The camera mentioned last is designed with extremely high sensitivity. We offer this camera as a specially astro-modified camera. For more information please follow this link: Sony Alpha 7s Astro.

For APS-C Format EOS cameras from Canon, Astronomik have now developed a new series. A special feature of these new XT filters is the very thin carrier with a thickness of only 0.3 mm, to which the filter layer is applied. When using filters with thicker glass carriers, image faults may become visible in the corners of the photos. Stars appear slightly dash shaped. This can be particularly noticed when using short focal lengths. So if you would like to use a Canon EOS with the camera lens on a camera mount to take wide angle shots of the night sky, an XT filter might be the right investment.

XT filters are available in the usual versions, from CLS to H-alpha all the way to SII filters. For novices we especially recommend the CLS filter, which suppresses artificial light pollution.

The red transmission curve reveals: The CLS filter blocks the light from the yellow street lamps.

By the way: Removing a clip filter from the camera housing is just as easy as putting it in.

Tags: Filter, Astronomik, Telescope Accessories
Posted in New Products | No Comments on Astronomik: new clip filters for Canon DSLR cameras »

SkyGuider Pro: the large camera mount from iOptron

July 17 2017, Stefan Taube

The SkyTracker Pro from iOptron is one of the most popular camera mounts. This handy unit tracks photographic equipment of up to three kilograms in weight to follow the rotation of the sky. This allows you to take panorama shots of the night sky with long exposure times.

The new SkyGuider Pro from iOptron can even carry up to five kilograms of photographic equipment. This is easily sufficient for a small telescope, such as the Photography Scope with camera. The scope of delivery already includes a mounting plate for small telescopes.

The scope of delivery also includes a counterweight for balancing the photographic equipment. This provides stability and takes pressure off the rotation axis.

However, you can also install a second camera with up to three kilograms in weight instead of the counterweight. This way you can take photos of the same sky area, but with two different focal lengths.
Alternatively, you can use the second camera as an autoguider.

On the product page for the iOptron Mount SkyGuider Pro you will find an illustration showing the vast variety of applications for this camera mount.

In addition to the counterweight, the scope of delivery of the SkyGuider Pro includes almost everything you need. The only thing missing is a tripod and a ball head might also make sense. Both these articles can be found under the tab “Recommended Accessories” on the product page.

The SkyGuider Pro comes with a power pack which can simply be recharged via USB. There is hardly any mount for sky photography available for use with photographic equipment of up to five kilograms in weight, that is more light-weight or more compact. As with other mounts from iOptron, the SkyGuider Pro also offers a satisfying, solid mechanical design. We are convinced that this new camera mount will meet your approval!

Tags: Mount, iOptron, Telescope Accessories
Posted in New Products | No Comments on SkyGuider Pro: the large camera mount from iOptron »

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?

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.

Tags: Telescope Accessories, Focuser, Omegon
Posted in New Products | No Comments on Focusers: This is how you optimise your telescope on the accessories side »