Custom Telescope Cases from Image Alloy Cases Beginning in the mid-to-late 2000s, Celestron supplied its 8-inch SCTs without a case, which was surprising considering that Celestron’s signature scope was marketed as a portable telescope. Indeed, the C8’s impressive portability-to-aperture factor was why I bought it. After exhausting other ideas, I […]
Celestron Windguide Anemometer Review I was cold – frozen-to-my-skinny-old-man-core cold – despite that it was only 42.2° Fahrenheit (5.67° Celsius) out, warmer than many of the days I’d previously pedaled on my national bike tour. I knew it was relatively cold out, because, well, I felt it. I knew precisely […]
Cyclope Seeing Monitor Review What is “seeing” and why do we care? In 2010, I built a remote observatory in the Texas Hill Country. The main telescope is an RC Optical Systems 16-inch carbon truss. The observatory is robotic and can be controlled over the internet, which has expanded my […]
The publishers of the Astro Photography Tool recently announced the availability of APT 3.40 offering new support for Nikon cameras, as well as providing a host of new features for Canon EOS, CCDs, plus general fixes to the program. In addition to improving the program itself, the publishers have also […]
APM Telescopes recently completed initial work on the optical set of what might be the largest true Maksutov-Cassegrain telescope ever attempted, a 20-inch f/8 monster of a Mak-Cass! The mirrors are made from Astro-Sital, and the optical elements are now undergoing broadband multicoating. Optics are by Sankovitsch, in Russia, while […]
The Cosmic Watch app for iOS and Android are two apps in one: a world clock and an astronomical clock. The celestial watch is based on a beautifully designed three-dimensional model of the solar system as experienced from earth. It shows time as what it really is – our position […]
Deep Space Products’ small electronic relay switch is designed specifically for remotely turning a 10Micron mounts on and off. The switch requires a 12-volt AC/DC power supply (low-amp is fine) and a remote-controlled AC power source. A remote-controlled 12-volt DC power source (such as a RIGrunner 4005) can also be […]
Farpoint Astro has redesigned its 2-inch Cheshire Autocollimator with the goal of producing the finest Autocollimator available. The all-new model is precision crafted from sturdy machined, anodized aluminum and includes a rubber dust cap. Successful use of this device requires that the reflector telescope to be adjusted has been previously […]
Jerry Lodriguss’ book, A Beginner’s Guide to Astronomical Image Processing, will teach you how to process your long-exposure deep-sky images to produce beautiful results. Taking the image is just the first half of the job. Processing the image is the other half. Jerry’s latest book is written in HTML5 with […]
Orion Dielectric Twist-Tight Mirror Telescope Diagonals Orion has given its dielectric mirror diagonals a new twist – literally! With their twist-tight clamping mechanism, Orion Dielectric Twist-Tight Mirror Star Diagonals are a significant upgrade from typical thumbscrew-equipped diagonals. A simple clockwise twist of the knurled red-aluminum collar precisely centers any inserted […]
Optical Structures, Inc. (OSI), the parent company of both Farpoint Astro and Lumicon, executed an agreement to take possession of JMI telescopes. OSI, welcomes the long history of JMI to its family of astronomy brands – Farpoint, Lumicon, Optic Wave Labs and now JMI). The acquisition marks the beginning of […]
Rigel Systems’ tried-and-true USB-nSTEP system for computer control of stepper focus motors is now available with Wi-Fi connectivity via Android and iOS smartphones, as well as Windows PCs and Macs. Now you can fully control your focuser from your Android smartphone or iPhone remotely from 40 feet away … through […]