The University of Texas at Austin’s McDonald Observatory is celebrating its 80th anniversary this year. As part of the celebration a new exhibit highlighting the observatory’s history will opened this summer at its Frank N. Bash Visitors Center. The McDonald Observatory is well known as being one of the most […]
In a recent post on the Sky and Telescope website, Dave Tosteson provides a tribute to Barbara Wilson, who passed away on the evening of September 24, 2019, after battling cancer for several months. As Tosteson writes, “Barbara was very well known in the amateur astronomy community as a dedicated […]
With the iOptron GEM45, the company applies innovative ideas to a time-tested design for iOptron’s next generation German equatorial mount. From its sleek CNC body to its state-of-the-art technological features, the iOptron GEM45 is a top-quality mount in both form and function. Utilizing experiences gained during development of its CEM […]
ASTRO CNC is a new maker of custom Dobsonian telescope components including altitude bearings, mirror boxes, secondary cages, and more that are precision cut using CNC milling. They work with various materials including plywood, wood, plastic, and aluminum. Their products are designed to be easily assembled by the end user, […]
Scopestuff’s new GSO 2″ Crayford Focuser can, in the words of Scopestuff’s Jim Henson, “transform your scope into a dream machine!” Cheaply built focusers can be the weakest link in your telescope drive train. Sticky grease, rough racks, shims and springs for crude adjustment, and bad feel can make for […]
Stellarvue’s Dark Sky Star Party (DSSP) is held annually in Likely, California during the new moon week. The next event will be held on July 16 – 19, 2020. In its 11th year, the star party is limited to 50 Stellarvue owners and provides the opportunity for attendees to camp […]
The Apache-Sitgreaves Research Center carries a special type of astronomical Observing Goggles which incorporate light pollution filters similar to the filters used in telescopes. These filters are especially effective in urban areas because they block most city light pollution in the sky. The goggles feature 2-inch filters and are great […]
StoneAgeTech is now offering a custom Planet Dial that functions much like a Sundial to help to show if a planet is observable in the night sky for the observer’s location. It also shows in which star constellation the planet can be found based on the length of a shadow […]
Omegon MiniTrack NS LX2 Mount is a simple mount offering big opportunities for wide-angle astrophotography on the go. Its simply simple with no batteries offering an ultra-lightweight, ultra-small thus an ultra-portable mount. The team at Highpoint Scientific agree and offer these thoughts on the mount: If you are a traveling […]
From wildlife to the night sky, the William Optics RedCat 51 is a 51 mm refractor from William Optics that is the perfect companion for the traveling photographer and astronomer. Every time we look at a William Optics product, we marvel at the beauty of the engineering and the esthetic […]
Lunt Solar Systems now offers the Lunt Blocking Filter Heating Module for their solar telescope etalon systems which eliminate certain wavelengths of light to produce an image that’s safe to view. Blocking filters functionally incorporate additional filters which are required for the safety and performance of the solar package. Lunt […]
The Nagler family has been an institution for the astronomy community since 1979 providing world class optics through their Tele Vue brand. The Nagler family has announced it is donating the prototype Apollo 11 eyepiece serial number 1 to be auctioned in support of the family of Tom Trusock, who passed […]