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FCD-100-Apos from Explore Scientific now at a special price!

February 7 2024, Stefan Taube

The apochromatic telescopes in the Professional Line series from Explore Scientific use an objective consisting of three lenses with a central element made of the special FCD-100 glass: the colour purity of these objectives sets standards in this price class!

You can now obtain the following three models at a special price:

All telescopes are equipped with the high-quality 2.5-inch Hexafoc focuser. It offers a 1:10 reduction for precise focussing in astrophotography.

The offer is limited in time. Take advantage of it now!

Explore Scientific 16-inch Dobsonian at a special price!

January 29 2024, Stefan Taube

You can currently get the largest model in the Ultra Light Dobsonian series from Explore Scientific at a special price!

It is the Dobsonian telescope N 406/1826 Ultra Light Generation II 

Explore Scientific offers lightweight aluminium Dobsonians that are optimized for transport and a rapid set-up:

  • The secondary mirror holder can be operated without tools and is with stable adjustment
  • The primary mirror can be adjusted from the front during observation and sits in a modern cell with radial roller bearings and a 9-point system
  • Large altitude wheels allow jitter-free movement even at higher magnifications
  • Cover and altitude wheels fit into the rocker box, the mirror box is equipped with a lid for transport, so you only have to transport two aluminium boxes and a bundle of rods
  • Extremely rigid construction!
  • Dew-resistant thanks to all-aluminium construction: No more negative influence from humidity thanks to the exclusive use of aluminium and other metals
  • Two radial main mirror fans for rapid ambient temperature adjustment

You can find more information about the large 16-inch model here in the shop.

The offer is valid until 28th February 2024 and only while stocks last! Take advantage of it now!

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 .

Origin: the Smart Telescope from Celestron

January 25 2024, Stefan Taube

The renowned telescope manufacturer Celestron now also offers a Smart Telescope. This is a telescope with a built-in camera and a user-friendly smartphone app:

Celestron Smart Telescope S 152/335 RASA Origin

Compared to other smart telescopes, Origin has special features that you can expect from one of the most innovative manufacturers:

  • At 152 millimeters in diameter, the optics are larger than those of other telescopes of this type. As a result, the resolution is significantly higher, which has a very positive effect on globular clusters, the Moon and planets for example.
  • The optics consist of the patented RASA design. This technology from Celestron allows a particularly fast focal ratio of f/2.2 – in the same exposure time Origin delivers a significantly brighter image than other automated Smart Telescopes. In addition, the closed optics prevent dust, dirt or moisture from accumulsting on the mirror.
  • Origin is equipped with fans for the optics and electronics, a built-in heater for dew protection and a filter drawer.

As Celestron is a manufacturer by and for astronomers, Origin also allows you to use filters and edit the raw images yourself without using the integrated image editing software.

 

Origin is supplied with a mount based on the proven NexStar Evolution design. The single-arm mount is very stable, yet compact. It is equipped with an integrated rechargeable battery that powers the mount, the camera and – if desired – even your smartphone.

With Origin, Celestron is revolutionizing electronically assisted Astronomy, also known as EAA. EAA can not be compared to observing through a Dobsonian or to “classic” astrophotography, yet it offers another approach to Astronomy that is particularly interesting for beginners and city dwellers.

With a new particularly innovative product like Origin, it is not always easy to meet the high demand in a timely manner. Therefore our recommendation: Pre-order your Origin NOW here in our shop. We will deliver it as quickly as possible.

New Sphinx mount from Vixen: SX2WL WiFi

January 25 2024, Stefan Taube

With the SX2WL model, the Japanese manufacturer Vixen is launching a new mount in the Sphinx series.

The SX2WL is the first Sphinx mount to be equipped with a Wireless Unit. It generates a local WLAN so that the mount can be controlled via a smartphone, using the free STAR BOOK Wireless App. This App offers all the functionalities of the previous STARBOOK TEN with manual controls simply via your smartphone. This significantly reduces the power consumption of the mount!

The SX2WL is ideal for mobile astrophotography: It can carry up to 12 kilograms, but weights only 7 kilograms. Due to the design of the Sphinx mounts  the motors act as counterweights and only a light additional counterweight is required.

Like all Sphinx mounts, the SX2WL also impresses with its high quality standards Made In Japan!

You can find more information and the current price here in the shop.

SWAROVSKI AX VISIO 10×32 – FIRST SMART BINOCULARS

January 8 2024, Stefan Rieger

Swarovski AX Visio 10x32

BEYOND SEEING – Swarovski Optik wants to usher in nothing less than a new era of wildlife observation with the launch of the AX VISIO.
The first smart binoculars that allow you to observe nature, identify what you see and share your discoveries.

Swarovski AX Visio 10x32

The AX VISIO combines classic observation with the digital world. The integrated apps allow you to identify over 9000 animal species. Birds, mammals, butterflies and dragonflies are stored in the database – not just on the basis of the picture that was taken on your smartphone. Moreover, the identification result is displayed directly in the visualization. You can also mark landmarks, pass on the binoculars and your companion will be guided to these points by arrows. The integrated compass helps with navigation. Up to 5 mobile devices can be connected to the AX VISIO. This means that your companions can also watch what you are seeing live on their smartphone or tablet. It’s the ideal function for nature hikes.

Swarovski AX Visio 10x32

The optics are based on proven Swarovision technology and show you our nature in brilliant colors with outstanding brightness and sharpness. The 10x magnification allows you to recognize numerous details.

You can already pre-order these top-notch binoculars exclusively in our shop. Delivery will start at the beginning of February.

ZEISS cashback campaign: Up to €450 back on your new binoculars

December 4 2023, Stefan Rieger

ZEISS CashbackHave you been thinking of buying a new pair of ZEISS binoculars for some time, or would you like to offer one as a Christmas present? ZEISS and us will make the decision a little easier for you.

ZEISS will refund you up to €450 after your purchase, depending on the model:

Here you can find more information about the campaign, eligible countries (sorry, the offer does not apply to sales to the UK) and here you can register your binoculars!

Take advantage of this promotion between 01.12.2023 and 29.02.2024 and get your money back from ZEISS!

Infographic: Astro highlights in winter 2023/24

December 1 2023, Marcus Schenk

The Winter of 2023 gives us some exciting astronomical events that should not be missed. Among these is the Geminid meteor shower that is best to behold under a dark sky, good visibility of a dwarf planet, or interesting interactions between the delicate crescent Moon and the planets. Even  cold weather cannot stop us from taking a look at the night sky. One thing we know for sure: It will be fantastic!

This infographic shows you astronomical events for the upcoming months of December, January and February.

You will find accompanying texts below the graphic. Enjoy the observations!

 

Events in December 2023:

December 9: Moon meets Venus
On December 9 there will be a meeting between the Moon and the bright Venus. This encounter takes place in the early morning hours before sunrise. Both celestial bodies are visible on a horizontal plane. The Moon appears as a thin crescent disk, illuminated only by 14%.

December 14: Geminids
A beautiful astronomical event this month is the Geminid meteor shower. It is a meteor stream that can be seen in the night sky every December. The Geminids are named after the constellation Gemini, from which they appear to come. This year the peak of the meteor shower is expected to be reached in the night of December 13-14, so right in the middle of the month.

December 17: Moon meets Saturn
The thin, but growing Moon meets the planet Saturn on the night of December 17. Compared to its opposition in August 2023, its apparent diameter is much smaller, measuring only 16 arcseconds. Nevertheless, observing it through a telescope is always an impressive experience, especially for beginners. The ringed planet is hard to be missed in its splendor, even though being outside of its best observation period.

December 21: Vesta in opposition
Dwarf planets lead an inconspicious “life”, as they usually stand in the shadow of their larger and more radiant siblings, the planets. Nevertheless, they belong to the extended family of the Solar System. Their observation may not be as spectacular, but on December 21 there is an interesting exception: The dwarf planet Vesta is in opposition and reaches a brightness of 6.4 mag. You can easily find Vesta with binoculars in the Orion region. It is important to use a star chart for this beautiful astronomical event, so that you don’t mistake Vesta for a star.

December 22: Moon meets Jupiter
Tonight the Moon approaches the planet Jupiter and passes by at a distance of only 2.5 degrees. Throughout the night both celestial bodies move away from each other. Therefore, we recommend starting the observation at the beginning of dawn.

 

Events in January 2024:

January 3: Quadrantids
Not only August offers meteor streams, also January has impressive astronomical events to see. The “Quadrantids” are a meteor shower that appears to come from the constellation of Bootes. In the night of January 3 it reaches its maximum and theoretically you can see up to 120 meteors per hour. However, this is a theoretical value that is significantly smaller in practice. Nevertheless, this astro event is a wonderful experience.

January 5: Moon meets Spica
In January the Winter constellations dominate the sky and shine brightly above our heads. The star Spica reminds us more of Spring, but that is still a while away. Therefore, we have to wait a few more hours, because Spica and the crescent Moon only appear in the middle of the second half of the night above the horizon.

January 9: Moon meets Venus and Mercury
Clear sky and a visible horizon? Then take advantage of the dawn for a quick observation or a mood photo. In the Southeast the two inner planets Mercury and Venus are united with the thin crescent Moon. With or even without any equipment, every stargazer should take advantage of this opportunity.

January 14: Moon meets Saturn
A 3.5-day-old crescent Moon and a clear horizon – always a beautiful sight. But what do we discover nearby? Saturn. The ringed planet is about 3 degrees westward and shines with a brightness comparable to the brightest stars in the sky. How about an observation session of the world of Deep-Sky objects after the Moon has set? The weekend is definitely a good time for that.

January 18: Moon meets Jupiter
The path called the Ecliptic takes the Moon past the planet Jupiter, the brightest celestial body in the current sky, surpassed only by the Moon. Both objects are currently located in Aries. The constellation is rather inconspicious, as it consists of only four rather faint stars.

January 20: Moon meets Pleiades
A few days after the Half-Moon, the Moon meets the Pleiades – the famous Seven Sisters. They have always played an important role in antiquity and in mythology. It is the most prominent open star cluster that we can perceive with the naked eye. It consists of several hundred up to 1000 stars and is located at a distance of about 400 light-years. On photos the Pleiades are surrounded by blueish reflection nebulae, which give them a particularly aesthetic appearance.

January 27: Moon meets Regulus
On January 27 the Moon meets the star Regulus in the constellation of Leo. Regulus is a star with a fast self-rotation of over 300 km/s, which is why it has a flattened shape. Furthermore, it is a multiple system consisting of four components. Due to its position in the Ecliptic, it repeatedly happens that it is occulted by the Moon.

Events in February 2024:

February 1: Moon meets Spica
On the first day of February the Moon meets the star Spica. The star is one of the 20 brightest ones in the entire night sky and shines about 2000 times brighter than our Sun. Unlike our home star, Spica is relatively young – with an age of only 10 million years. Well, that just shows that age is relative.

February 7: Moon meets Venus
Shortly before sunrise we can observe an impressively beautiful constellation that almost takes place in the daytime sky. Early in the morning the Moon and the bright Venus meet. Our neighboring planet is now retreating from the morning sky after having faithfully accompanied us every morning for months. In the coming months it will be in conjunction with the Sun and will not re-appear before the evening sky in September.

February 15: Moon meets Jupiter
In the evening hours Jupiter and the Moon shine above our heads. As they are the brightest objects in the sky, the event immediately catches our attention. Both disappear below the Western horizon around midnight.

February 16: Moon meets Pleiades
On February 16 the Moon joins the Pleiades and crosses the Golden Gate of the Ecliptic on its further path. The Golden Gate is not an object, but an asterism in the sky.

SEGA: The Planetarium for your home

December 1 2023, Stefan Taube

The special gift idea: Bring the stars into your Christmas home for you and your loved ones. The home planetariums from SEGA are the best choice here!

SEGA offers three models:

All variants have useful features, such as a timer and switchable shooting stars.

You can upgrade any SEGA home planetarium with additional high-quality slides. This means you can always new exciting patterns with Astronomy and other topics.

You can find all SEGA planetariums here in the shop. Additional slides are available under the brand names SEGA Toys, Astrial and Redmark.

Black Weekend Sale: prices slashed on over 200 products. This weekend only!

November 24 2023, Anita Maier

Are you looking for a good bargain for Christmas? Then take advantage of our Black Weekend sales. Among these special offers there is something for every astronomer and every budget. Prices apply from Friday 24th until Monday 27th November 2023.

 

Top Deals of Black Weekend!

 

Binoculars:

Omegon Binocular Hunter 10×42

Save 70 Euros now!

 

Omegon wide-field binoculars for star field observing 2.1×42

Save 40 Euros now!

 

 

Omegon Nightstar 20+40×100 Doublet binoculars with interchangeable eyepieces

Save 300 Euros now!

 

Telescopes:

 

Omegon Telescope N 150/750 EQ-3

Save 70 Euros now!

 

Meade Telescope AC 90/900 Polaris EQ

Save 200 Euros now!

 

Skywatcher

Skywatcher Telescope N 200/1000 Explorer 200P EQ5

Save 150 Euros now!

The sale is for a limited time only and while supplies last, for each article!

Seize the opportunity to save and order your Christmas presents this weekend!