5-31 issue 22.qxd:1 - Astronomy Technology Today

NEWPRODUCTS
VIXEN OPTICS
Introduces a Trio of New Products
Dual-Speed Focuser
A new dual-speed focuser is now
available as a standard feature on
the Vixen ED81S, ED103S, ED115S,
NA140SSf, as well as on the all
new AX103, described below. The dualspeed focuser can also be installed on the
Vixen VMC200L, VC200L and the
R200SS.
With the installation of the new
Vixen Dual-Speed Focuser (by simply
removing one of the focusing knobs), the
rack-and-pinion focusing equipment on
your existing Vixen Telescope is upgraded to provide finer focus adjustments.
The new Vixen Dual-Speed Focuser has
a 7:1 micro focus ratio and is priced at
$249US.
Dual-Speed
Focuser
AX103S Quad Refractor
AX103S Quad Refractor
Vixen’s all new AX103S f/8.0 refractor features a three-element objective
lens, incorporating a central ED lens.
This reduces chromatic aberration
and yields high-contrast images. The
rear field-corrector lens helps to deliver
sharp images to the edges of the field of
view. “Precision Multi-Coating,” applied
to the lenses, assures high light transmission and the new built-in dual-speed
focuser (described above) enables coarse
and fine focus adjustments. The all
new Vixen AX103S is manufactured
in Japan and measures 103 mm by
825 mm (4 inches by 32.4 inches). The
introductory price is $2999US.
flexible handles to minimize vibrations and
keep your view sharp – very useful in
searching and tracking celestial objects.
The mount head is easily removed to
allow for a switch to a heavier tripod. In
addition, this is a great mount for terrestrial viewing. The mount’s gear drives make it
a simple matter to precisely track any moving target, from a planet to a ship on the
horizon, by turning the easy-to-reach elevation and/or azimuth control handles. The
“World-Standard” dovetail attachment system used on the Porta II mount was developed by Vixen and allows the New Porta II
mount to accept a variety of dovetailmounted optical tubes and binoculars.
Introductory pricing is $319US.
Porta II Mount
Vixen Optics’ new Porta II is a solid
alt-azimuth mount with a 20-pound payload capacity that features slow-motion
Porta II Mount
Our new WeatherSentry Weather Monitor is fully configurable at order, and answers the need for observatory weather safety. ASCOM compliant interface integrates seamlessly with ACP and ACP Web interfaces, and implements one-line file interface for non-ASCOM software integration. The base unit comes
with Rain Sensor, Skylight Sensor, USB controller, cable and power adapter and is upgradable for your
needs including Sky Temperature Sensor option, Ambient Temperature, Humidity and Dew Point option,
and Wind Speed Sensor option. Configure WeatherSentry to your needs. Spend the rest on optics!
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Astronomy TECHNOLOGY TODAY
For more information on these new
products from Vixen Optics, please visit
www.vixenoptics.com.
NEWPRODUCTS
APOGEE INSTRUMENTS
New High-Cooled Series D09F Camera Housing
Apogee Instruments has announced an
optional deeper, cooler housing, designated
the D09F, that provides cooling to as low as
75C below ambient – without liquid circulation.
The new housing supports a wide
variety of sensors, including
large-area arrays like
the Kodak KAF16803, as well as e2v
back-illuminated
devices such as the
2048 x 2048 CCD4240 (with quantum efficiency above 90 percent from
500 to 660 nm), the Fairchild CCD
3041, and Hamamatsu and e2v spectroscopic format back-illuminated devices
such as the S10140-1109 (2048 x 512).
Like all Apogee cameras, the D09F
uses a professional-grade shutter (the Melles
Griot 63 mm) with support electronics
designed to extend shutter lifetime.
Windows are fused silica, and CCDs are
baffled to virtually eliminate stray light from
entering the inner chamber. Plus, an
optional near-infrared pre-flash solves residual bulk imaging of some CCDs.
Cameras built in the D09F
housing support binning up
to 8 horizontal by the height
of the CCD, as well as subarray readout, programmable fan speeds, external triggering, and TDI readout. All
Apogee cameras carry a two year
warranty and a lifetime guarantee
against condensation in the inner chamber.
For more information, including access
to a very detailed, 28-page downloadable
product
brochure,
please
visit
www.ccd.com.
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Call or Write for Our MallinCam/POD
Package Discounts!
985-863-2165 • www.WaningMoonII.com
26
Astronomy TECHNOLOGY TODAY
NEWPRODUCTS
DEEPSKY CORPORATION
Launches Deepsky Imaging for Video CCD Capture and Processing
Deepsky Imaging is a new low-cost,
easy-to-use image enhancement and
video CCD capture software for the
Windows platform. With this
software, users can capture images from
any video CCD camera outputting
composite video or S-Video, such as
the StellaCam, MallinCam, and various
webcams. In addition, the new software
provides many tools to enhance existing
astronomical images and utilizes the
excellent pre-processing engine from
the popular freeware application,
Deepsky Stacker. By incorporating
this stacking engine, Deepsky Imaging
simplifies the capture and pre-processing necessary to getting great final
images.
One particularly nice feature of
Deepsky Imaging is the ability to capture
raw video and convert it to a TIFF
image on the fly without the user having to manually perform this step.
Deepsky Imaging also allows a series of
images to be taken automatically at a desired
time interval.
Additional features of the new software
include a live video preview window; video
processing that lets the user adjust brightness,
contrast, and more; easy focusing using full
screen preview; manual “test” captures; automatic capture via sequencing; unique naming
of captured images; set interval between captures; end a sequence after taking “X” number
of captures; and session history lets user capture additional images later.
The software works with any Microsoft
Direct Show capture devices and supports
NTSC and PAL devices. Other features
include color separation and merge tools; processing portions of an image (Region);
TWAIN scanning support; full drag and drop;
advanced screen capturing modes; sophisticated previewing and printing; and easy to use
pan and magnify tools. Plus it offers automatic integration using Deepsky Stacker to align
and stack automatically.
Deepsky Imaging supports more than 30
image formats, including GIF, JPG, FITS 8,
16, and 32 bits with header (read only), TIF,
and BMP. Plus, more than 100 image processing and effects are available, including
unsharp mask, video deinterlacing, removal
of hot pixels, median binary filters, high-pass
filter, background subtraction, brightness,
contrast, intensity adjustments, spatial filters,
and artistic enhancement features.
The software also features unique and
powerful annotation support, a thumbnail
image browser, undo capability, and a history
bar that tracks changes. With this software,
users can easily convert images from one format to another, adjust color depth of images,
and create simple animations.
Deepsky Imaging is available in a 30-day
trial version that contains 100 percent of the
software’s features (i.e., no cripple ware). The
fully licensed software is priced at $39.99US
via download, or a CD ROM containing
the Deepsky Imaging software plus other
bonus programs can be purchased for
$49.99US. For more information, visit
www.deepskysoftware.net.
Astronomy TECHNOLOGY TODAY
27
NEWPRODUCTS
SCOPESTUFF
Offers Wireless Go-To Connection for LX200, Celestron and ServoCat
Cut the cord! Now you can control
your go-to telescope from your computer, wirelessly! ScopeStuff ’s Bluetooth
wireless adapter is easy to install and creates a reliable link between your PC and
go-to telescope.
No batteries are required for the
wireless adapter; it derives power from
your scope’s external power source of 11
to 18-volts DC and draws less than
100ma. The wireless adapter requires no
additional drivers or PC software, and
each adapter has a unique PIN number
to eliminate chance of interference with
and from others on the field.
Installation is simple: just plug the
new adapter into your scope’s power and
RS232 jacks, and plug your scope power
supply into the adapter. ScopeStuff preconfigures the adapter for your scope
type, so installation at the scope is a snap.
The power and data cables are 20 inches
long, permitting the adapter to be mounted on a tripod leg, pier, scope base, etc.
with supplied Velcro and cable clips.
The good old RS232 connectors on
laptop computers are a thing of the past,
but most new computers have internal
Bluetooth wireless interfaces or are
inexpensive and easy to upgrade to
Bluetooth capability. ScopeStuff ’s wireless
kits are based on Class 1 (up to 100
meter) Bluetooth, with an external rotatable antenna for long range and reliable
28
Astronomy TECHNOLOGY TODAY
operation, and conform
to all specifications for
Bluetooth RS232 serial
devices.
Configuring Bluetooth
on your computer is fairly
easy. If your computer
doesn’t have Bluetooth
built in, inexpensive USB
adapters are widely
available to add
Bluetooth capability
to your computer.
Your astronomy software must support
COM ports greater
than COM4, but
that is now common
on most packages.
Windows Bluetooth
RS232 port assignments are normally
from COM5 to COM15.
If your installation currently uses an
RS232 cable to connect to your scope,
ScopeStuff ’s cable replacement version is
plug-and-play and will have your wireless
connection up and running in minutes!
Cable replacement adds a computer-end
Bluetooth dongle that connects to the D9
RS232 connector on your computer,
instead of a long cable to the scope. The
computer-end dongle is pre-configured
to automatically connect to the scope-
end adapter.
ScopeStuff ’s
Wireless
Go-To
Connection can be configured for
Meade’s LX 200 ACF, GPS and Classic
telescopes, as well as for Celestron Go-To
telescopes and those equipped with
ServoCat systems. The unit weighs just
6 ounces and measures 4.4 inch by
2.4 inch by 1.3 inch. The wireless scopeend kits are priced at $99US and the
wireless cable replacement kits at
$169US. For more information, visit
www.scopestuff.com.
NEWPRODUCTS
KNIGHTWARE
Releases SQM Reader Pro
Knightware has announced the release
of SQM Reader Pro, a Windows-based software program that allows users to read
Unihedron’s SQM-LE either remotely or
locally via Ethernet connection. The software
works with Windows Vista (32 bit), XP and
2000. SQM Reader Pro joins SQM Reader
and Deep-Sky Planner in Knightware’s product line-up.
SQM Reader Pro adds graphing, extended data storage, and transmission capabilities
to the basic feature set of SQM Reader, making it perfect for use in local or remote observatories by imagers and visual observers alike.
Star party organizers can connect the meter
to a wireless router on the observing field and
allow wireless connection to computers within range. Any user can then receive readings
from the meter wirelessly. Users conducting
dark sky studies will also find time-averaging
and expanded data storage features
essential.
Key Features: (1) Displays darkness readings in magnitude per square
arcsecond (MPSAS) and theoretical
Naked Eye Limiting Magnitude
(NELM). (2) On-demand or automatic continuous reading. (3) Continuous
reading can be suspended during astronomical twilight and/or sun up at your
meter (not necessarily at your computer). (4) Time-averaging of MPSAS and
NELM are available. (5) Displays minimum, maximum, mean and standard
deviation per sampling period for MPSAS
and NELM. (6) Graph one of MPSAS,
NELM, or a simple moving average of either
value in real-time. (7) Stores reading data in
comma separated value (CSV) text file. (8)
Stores latest graphed data as a JPEG file. (9)
Stores latest reading values as a JPEG file.
(10) Sends selected file(s) to a program,
script, batch file or remote FTP server.
Knightware is located in central North
Carolina and specializes in creating software
for astronomers. Its flagship product, DeepSky Planner, Observation Planning and Logging
Software for Astronomers, has been in publication since 1994 and is in use worldwide.
SQM Reader Pro is available by
digital delivery ($25US) or on CD
($32.95US) directly from Knightware at
h t t p : / / w w w. k n i g h t w a r e . b i z / s q m /
readerpro.htm
Astronomy TECHNOLOGY TODAY
29
NEWPRODUCTS
APM TELESCOPES
Introduces 2.5-inch Field Flattener for Apos
On many fast refractors matched
with larger CCD cameras, normal field
flatteners reach the limit for field correction and illumination very quickly.
Although many modern apochromatic
refractors now feature large focusers to
accommodate ever larger CCD sensors
without vignetting, there have been relatively few options for universal field flatteners of clear aperture larger than 2
inches. After months of testing and
development, APM has addressed this
state of affairs with the introduction of
its new 2.5-inch, zero-power field flattener for f/5 to f/9 refractors.
Specifications and features include
an open aperture of 62 mm to allow use
of large-chip CCD cameras with fast f/5
refractors. The distance between the flattener and CCD sensor is 91.5 mm to
accommodate use of imaging accessories
such as filter wheels and
off-axis guiders. It flattens the image field
without further reduction of image scale and
features a M68 male
thread and M63
female thread at the
telescope side, and a
M69 female thread at
the camera side.
Of course, the new
APM 2.5-inch Field
Flattener requires a focuser that
is large enough to accommodate it.
APM offers ready-to-use adapters for
large focusers by Baader and Starlight
Instruments, and is working on more. It
also offers custom made adapters to
match the user’s unique specifications.
APM’s new 2.5-inch Field Flattener
The Largest Telescope & Binocular Dealer
in the New York Metropolitan Area
Fast Delivery
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Products
is ready for
market and available
from stock. Introductory pricing is
$370US. For more information, visit
www.apmamerica.com, or www.apm-telescopes.com.
CCTS
CAMERA CONCEPTS & TELESCOPE SOLUTIONS
www.cameraconcepts.com
At CCTS, the owners, Jeff and Greta, take a hands-on approach to
customer service. Call them direct at 631-335-1279
YOU NAME IT…WE HAVE IT!
• Televue 17mm, 13mm and 8mm Ethos in
Stock and ready to ship! Free Shipping!
• Complete line of Orion products Buy direct
from us at reduced shipping charges!
• Dew-not heaters
• Baader Solar Filters
• Feathertouch Focusers in stock!
• DIGITAL CAMERA ADAPTERS
• DESERT STORM COVERS ARE BACK!
• Celestron BIG Binos at a small price tag!
• CCTS Twist Pack Eyepiece Cases
ADM Accessories
Antares
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AstroGizmos
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Blue Storm Productions
Bob's Knobs
Bushnell
Canon
Celestron
Coronado
DayStar Filters
Delkin Devices
Denkmeier
Diffraction Limited (Maxim DL)
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Farpoint Astro Products
Howie Glatter
iOptron
Jim's Mobile (JMI)
Kendrick
Leica
LightWedge
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Lumenera
Lumicon
We travel coast to coast to over 20 star parties and events a year - check out our website for the schedule.
We’ll see you there! Or Visit us at 10 South Ocean Ave Patchogue, NY 11772 • 631-475-1118
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Astronomy TECHNOLOGY TODAY
Manfrotto
Meade
Nikon
Optec
Orion
Pelican
Pentax
Peterson Engineering
Rigel Systems
SBIG
Sirius Technologies
Sky & Telescope
Sky Engineering
Software Bisque
Solarscope
StarGPS
Starlight Instruments
Starry Night (Imaginova)
Takahashi
Tamrac
Televue
Telrad
Thousand Oaks Optical
Unihedron
Vector
William Optics
NEED WE
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A CCTS Exclusive!
NEWPRODUCTS
OPTEC
Offers 3-Inch Corrector for Meade 16-Inch SCTs
Optec’s newest 3-inch design is the
first in its much anticipated series of
3-inch telecompressors. Dubbed the Next
Generation Corrector (NGC 316), the
new accessory was designed specifically for
the classic Meade 16-inch Schmidt
Cassegrain Telescopes (SCT). Its custom
designed, well corrected optics compensate
for the inherent aberrations of the original
large SCT design, converting its typically
f/10 focal ratio to a highly corrected f/7.5
optical system and bringing it very close to
the performance of Meade’s remarkable
new 16-inch ACF telescopes.
Optec’s new four-element corrector
provides plenty of back focus for filter
wheels, off-axis guiders, or deep chip cameras, and can fully illuminate CCD cameras having chips up to 35 mm in diagonal
and beyond.
Introductory pricing for the new
Optec NGC 316 is $1,250US. For
more
information,
please
visit
www.optecinc.com.
ORION TELESCOPES & BINOCULARS
Two New Ritchey-Chretien Astrograph Telescopes
Orion has thrown its hat into the affordable Ritchey-Chretien market with its 6- and
8-inch Ritchey-Chretien Astrograph telescopes. Orion has designed the 6-inch scope
to be ideal for use with small-format CCD
cameras, as well as DSLR cameras, and
the 8-inch excels with both small
CCD-chip cameras as well as
large-format CCD and DSLR
cameras for deep-sky and solar
system astrophotography. The
telescopes offer a wide, fully
illuminated flat field which produces pinpoint
star clarity all the way to the edge of the camera’s sensor.
Each model features a machined, dualspeed (10:1) Crayford-style focuser with an
engraved millimeter scale on the drawtube.
One 2-inch and two 1-inch extension rings
are included for adjusting the focus position
for various cameras and the
focus travel readily accommodates accessories including
multiple filter wheels, as
well as off-axis guiders.
Both telescopes feature
secondary mirrors that are precisely center-marked to facilitate collimation. The 6-inch model offers a
19-inch enameled steel optical
tube weighing only 12.3 lbs.
and features a Vixen-style
dovetail mounting bar
underneath, for trouble-free
setup on medium-sized
equatorial mounts such as Orion’s Sirius EQ-
G. The 8-inch model’s 21-inch enameled steel
optical tube weighs 15.8 lbs. and also features
a Vixen-style dovetail mounting bar underneath, for trouble-free setup on medium or
large-sized equatorial mounts such as Orion’s
Atlas EQ-G. The inside of both optical tubes
is fortified with eight computer-positioned
light baffles, and the primary mirror
baffle tube and secondary mirror
light shield are also highly baffled to ensure maximum
image contrast.
The
Orion
6-inch
Ritchey-Chretien Astrograph is
offered at $779.95US and the 8-inch
Ritchey-Chretien
Astrograph
is
$1,195.95US. For more information go to
www.oriontelescopes.com.
Astronomy TECHNOLOGY TODAY
31
NEWPRODUCTS
ORION TELESCOPES & BINOCULARS
More New Products for Spring-Summer 2009
Orion SteadyPix Deluxe
Camera Mount
Orion’s new SteadyPix Deluxe has been
improved to fit all 1.25-inch eyepieces and most
2-inch eyepieces (up to 61mm in diameter). It
also features a sturdier all-metal design for
increased rigidity and performance. So if you’ve
got the desire to dabble in astro-imaging, the
SteadyPix Deluxe Camera Mount is a great way
to get started!
The SteadyPix Deluxe securely couples any
digital camera or DSLR to a telescope eyepiece,
at just the right distance to achieve precise focus
and centering for afocal photography. The rubber-lined eyepiece clamp helps prevent any marring or damage to your optics. This versatile
mount offers three dimensions of adjustment
(horizontal, vertical, and depth) to accommodate any camera size or lens position. You can
even rotate the camera away from the eyepiece
for visual access, without having to remove the
SteadyPix mount.
The new SteadyPix Deluxe weighs just 10
ounces and is priced at $44.95US.
Orion LRGB Filter Sets
Orions new Luminance (w/IR cutoff),
Red, Green, and Blue (LRGB) filters will help
you take your astro-imaging to the next level.
The filter set is now available in either 1.25-inch
or 2-inch versions for a variety of imaging systems, including larger format CCDs. They are
designed for creating high-quality composite
color astrophotos with monochrome imaging
cameras. Combining separate images taken
32
Astronomy TECHNOLOGY TODAY
through these four filters with a monochrome
CCD provides a higher-resolution final image
with better color rendition than an image from a
comparably sized color CCD. Orion’s LRGB
sets feature dichroic glass filters designed for
maximum light transmission. The color filters
have an IR blocking coating, and all filters are
parfocal to eliminate the need for refocusing
between exposure sets. The anodized aluminum
filter cells thread into Orion’s 1.25-inch or 2-inch
multiple-filter wheels for convenient filter selection. A foam-lined filter case is included. Price:
$205.95US (1.25-inch) and $349.95 (2-inch).
MegaView Ultra-Wide
Field (82°) Eyepieces
Orion’s MegaView eyepieces represent a
high-quality, yet affordable solution for pristine
82-degree apparent field-of-views. Each eyepiece
in the MegaView line features fully multi-coated
optics to deliver crisp, clear images. The 1.25inch 4-mm, 7-mm and 16-mm eyepieces provide eye relief of 12mm, while the 2-inch 28-
mm eyepiece yields a generous relief of 18 mm.
The excellent performance of these deluxe widefield eyepieces is punctuated by their high-quality design and attractive appearance: gloss-black
machined aluminum construction, with rubber
knurled grip rings.
All MegaView Eyepieces are threaded for
use with Orion filters and feature smooth twistup rubber eyeguards for viewing comfort. The
4.mm, 7-mm and 16-mm MegaViews weigh
7.2, 7.4 and 8.2 ounces respectively, and all three
feature eye relief of 12mm. The 2-inch 28-mm
MegaView weighs 2 pounds, 1.4 ounces and
offers eye relief of 18mm. Prices range from
$197.95 to $397.95US.
New Scope Cloaks
Orion offers new Scope Cloaks that fit
mounted reflectors up to 10 inches and refractors up to 120 mm (4.7 inches) and up to f/8.3
(Model 15206) and 12-inch to 16-inch
Dobsonians (Model 15207).
Orion's Scope Cloak is made of a high-tech
tear-resistant and water-resistant material that
keeps your optics free of dew. The highly reflective exterior surface also rejects
solar radiation,
keeping your telescope cool when
left in sunlight
and reduces “cooldown time” after
nightfall. The
Scope
Cloak
Telescope Cover
prevents
dust
form contaminating telescope optical
surfaces,
reducing the need
to perform delicate and tedious cleaning procedures and a handy locking drawstring provides a
snug fit once installed on your telescope. A
handy nylon carry pouch is included. Price
$109.95US (Model 15206) and $119.95
(Model 15207).
NEWPRODUCTS
Orion 20-mm Illuminated
Centering Eyepiece
The new Orion Illuminated Centering
Eyepiece (ICE) offers a relatively long 20-mm
focal length and a wide 70-degree apparent fieldof-view, making it easier to locate desirable targets for alignment or guiding. This virtually
eliminates the need for swapping out high-power
illuminated reticles with lower power eyepieces,
in order to accurately center objects.
The ICE is fully multi-coated (all air-toglass surfaces) with anti-reflection coatings for
bright, crisp views. It features a generous 16-mm
eye relief and the barrel is threaded for Orion
1.25-inch filters. The illuminator switch doubles
as a “dimmer,” allowing you to adjust cross-hair
brightness to the desired level.
The illuminator is powered by two LR44
batteries (included) and weighs just 8 ounces.
Price: $99.95US.
Self-Contained Solitaire
AutoGuider
Orion’s new StarShoot Solitaire
AutoGuider is a complete autoguiding system.
Autoguiding is vital for obtaining clear and crisp
long-exposure astrophotos with pinpoint star
resolution and laptop computers have long been
a required component for autoguider control,
but can be a real inconvenience in the field.
Orion’s innovative new stand-alone autoguiding
camera provides a streamlined solution – a laptop or PC is no longer required for autoguider
control. The StarShoot Solitaire AutoGuider
includes a control box and all the necessary
cabling to begin autoguiding right out of the
box. The control interface is intuitive and usercentric, allowing anyone to masterfully operate
the autoguider right away. Simply connect the
Solitaire to the control box and mount, plug into
a power source, and start autoguiding!
The StarShoot Solitaire is ideal for DSLR
users who don't necessarily need a computer to
control their imaging system, providing the convenience of automated guiding without the
added cost of the computer hardware tradition-
ally associated with autoguiding, not
to mention the added demand on in-field energy supplies needed to power that computer system. This convenient alternative also significantly lessens the chance for computer crashes or
other imaging system malfunctions. Plus, the
Solitaire AutoGuider makes it far easier for
beginners to enjoy astrophotography. The builtin logic behind the control pad allows users to
guide with pushbutton ease via its control pad.
Its sensor is powered by a 1/3-inch format
Aptina MT9V032 CMOS chip, with a 752x480
pixel layout and 6 micron x 6 micron pixel size
for high sensitivity and accurate autoguiding. As
such, the Solitaire can be used with smaller, less
expensive guide scopes. The autoguider camera
also features a machined aluminum design with
a black anodized finish, and weighs just 3.8
ounces. Its red LCD screen displays real-time
guide star location on the chip, star focus quality, and a tracking graph during guiding, and features backlit buttons and adjustable brightness.
The StarShoot Solitaire AutoGuider automatically calibrates itself and detects guide stars,
adjusting the exposure accordingly. It works with
all equatorial mounts equipped with ST-4 compatible autoguide ports, including Orion’s
SkyView Pro GoTo, Sirius EQ-G, and Atlas EQG mounts. The total package includes the autoguider camera, control box, 6-mm parfocal eyepiece for easy guide star acquisition and focus, 7foot camera cable (to control box), 7-foot autoguide cable (to mount), 10-foot power cable,
and hard, foam-lined carrying case. The standalone autoguider is price at $599.95US.
StarShoot Pro V2.0 Deep-Space
Imaging Camera
Orion’s enhanced StarShoot Pro V2.0 offers
affordable cooled, multi-megapixel color imaging. Its Sony 6.1-megapixel color CCD chip
boasts a 3032 x 2016 pixel array in a 25.10-mm
by 17.64-mm format. The StarShoot Pro’s
square 7.8 micron pixel size provides an excellent
balance between high resolution and sensitivity.
With some cameras in cooler weather conditions, condensation can form on the surface of
the optical window due to the temperature of the
optical window being affected by the cooled
CCD. Orion’s enhanced design prevents this by
increasing distance between the CCD chip and
the optical window. You get detail-rich shots
with enough resolution to make large format
color prints.
The StarShoot Pro V2.0 is thermoelectrically cooled to dramatically reduce thermal
noise and a small fan on the back enhances
cooling efficiency even more. The Pro V2.0
allows the thermoelectric cooling to be shut off
manually via software control to better eliminate dewing in extreme outdoor conditions.
The new software control also enables fan speed
regulation. The StarShoot Pro’s 16-bit dynamic
range gives it a leg-up on most DSLR cameras,
which offer 10- to 14-bit A/D conversion.
Made in Canada, the
StarShoot Pro V2.0
also features 2x2
binning and
high-speed
USB
2.0
connectivity
for speedy
image downloading. Maxim
DL Essentials software is
included for total control of
focusing, image capture, and image processing.
Power is supplied via a single 12-volt DC cigarette lighter plug on a 10 foot cable and all of
this comes neatly packed in a custom hard carrying case.
Introductory price for the new Orion
StarShoot Pro V2.0 is $1,399.95US.
For more information on these new products from Orion Telescopes & Binoculars, visit
www.oriontelescopes.com.
Astronomy TECHNOLOGY TODAY
33
NEWPRODUCTS
CATSEYE COLLIMATION
Next Generation Infinity XLK Autocollimator
With the addition of a second “offset” viewing pupil, the new Catseye
INFINITY XLK autocollimator provides
an additional perspective of the multiple
“ghost” images revealing new
visual cues that facilitate
improved resolution of
axial alignment errors.
The development of
this innovative new tool
represents a major leap in
the technology of the autocollimator and is the direct
result of out-of-the-box
thinking and analysis by
Ghassan “Jason” Khadder shared
on the popular online astronomy forum,
CloudyNights.com. Indeed, the “K”
appendix to this new member of the XL
line is in tribute to Jason’s extraordinary
insight and assistance in facilitating the
34
Astronomy TECHNOLOGY TODAY
conversion of his theories to reality in the
form of the new XLK.
The new XLK offers all of the features of the classic Catseye XL model,
plus a second eyepiece pupil that
produces additional visual
feedback regarding the relative positions of the focuser
and primary axis. The view
provided by the second offset pupil is capable of revealing any incremental residual
alignment errors that may
remain despite indication
through the conventional central
pupil that all is in alignment.
The new Catseye Infinity XLK autocollimator is priced at $129US. For more
information, including access to a downloadable high-resolution pamphlet
detailing the design theory and operation
of the XLK, please visit www.catseyecollimation.com.
NEWPRODUCTS
DENKMEIER OPTICAL
Introduces New Systems for Lunt 60-mm Solar Scopes
For the better part of a full Solar
Cycle, Denkmeier Optical has been
coming up with innovative solutions that
allow Ha solar telescopes to reach focus
with its Denk Binoviewers and the end
results produced the beautifully detailed
views that can only be enjoyed by both
eyes. Using both eyes helps the observer
better appreciate the amazing Sun, and
also improves the versatility of the solar
telescope systems made by various companies.
Denkmeier Optical has now introduced a Denk Binoviewer system that
will operate with the Lunt Solar Systems
LS60 solar telescopes at three magnification ranges. Denkmeier’s Power x Switch
Binoviewer System for the LS60 will
operate at a very useful solar viewing
range of 1.2X, 1.7X and 2.3X with an
investment in but a single pair of eye-
pieces.
The Power x
Switching Binoviewer
System that Denkmeier
Optical has designed to
operate with The Lunt
Solar Systems LS60 is
available in both the Denk
Standard Version at $749US
and Denkmeier Optical’s best
Premium Denk II Version at
$1295US. For more information, please
visit www.denkmeier.com.
QHYCCD
Introduces QHY8 Pro 6.0 MP One-Shot Color CCD
QHYDDC,
Inc.
broke new ground
with the remarkable
value of its QHY8 6.0
MP One-Shot Color
CCD with APS sized sensor. Its new QHY8 Pro version improves on the standard
QHY8 design by enhancing its
thermal cooling capacity and
including an autoguider port to facilitate
using the camera as a guider. But the
biggest news for the growing ranks of
HyperStar users is that the casing of the
QHY8 has been revamped into a very
HyperStar-friendly profile that in turn
reduces the overall obstruction when
used for HyperStar imaging.
The 3032 by 2016 active pixel sensor is populated with 7.8um by 7.8um
square pixels in an effective sensor area
that measures 28.4 mm diagonally.
Readout noise is measured at 812e @ 600 Kpixel/s, with QE
of 60 percent at green (peak)
and 50 percent at blue and
H-alpha. The sensor features microlensing on the
chip, progressive scan, ABG
of -110dB, 16 bit ADC with
CDS and preamp, a USB2.0 highspeed interface, and T-thread mounting.
Dimensions are very compact 2.5 inches
diameter by 4.25 inch length.
The QHY8 Pro ships with drivers
for Maxim DL, and is compatible with
AstroArt, CCDSoft and Nebulosity. For
more information on HyperStar applications of the new QHY8 Pro, please visit
www.starizona.com.
Astronomy TECHNOLOGY TODAY
35
NEWPRODUCTS
TELE VUE OPTICS
Ethos Line Grows to Five
At NEAF 2009, Tele Vue
Optics demonstrated its newest 100degree apparent-field-of-view (AFOV)
eyepiece: the 10-mm Ethos. Limited
quantities of this latest addition to the
Ethos line are available through Tele Vue
dealers now.
The 10-mm Ethos delivers: 100°
AFOV (50 percent larger in area than the
field delivered by Tele Vue’s 82° Naglers),
comfortable eye-relief, compatibility
with Tele Vue DIOPTRX eyesight
astigmatism correctors, the highest levels
of distortion correction, plus highcontrast and on-axis sharpness for
planetary viewing.
The new 10-mm Ethos is the “do-itall” eyepiece, perfect for all scopes (especially 8-inch SCTs) that can utilize this
focal length. And, “filling the hole”
between the existing13-mm and 8-mm
Ethos eyepieces makes it the
ideal centerpiece for a 17mm/10-mm/6-mm Ethos set.
An important benefit of
the combination of ultra-large
AFOV and shorter focal
length is that, for a given field
in the sky, higher magnification results in a darker sky
background – fainter stars
become visible and more
detail is seen on all deep-sky
objects. The new Ethos provides another big magnification/contrast jump, yielding
dramatic views simply not previously possible in any telescope. With the smaller exit
pupil, eyesight limitations are
also reduced.
In addition to matching all the
key performance criteria of
its 13-mm sibling, the new
10-mm Ethos’ lighter
weight and smaller diameter makes it more suitable
for use with a binocular
viewer.
The 10-mm Ethos’
effective field stop diameter is 17.7 mm and eye
relief measures a very comfortable 15 mm. It shares
the same 2-inch/1.25-inch
barrel design of the 13-mm
Ethos and the maximum
diameter of the blackanodized housing is 61 mm.
The new eyepiece weighs
17.7 ounces.
For more information, visit
www.televue.com.
Astronomy observatories for the amateur and professional astronomer,
Designed and Manufactured in Australia and exported around the globe since 1986
We ship to anywhere in the world
2.3m Home Model
3.5m School Model
6.7 University Model
Features: Motorised or Manual rotation and shutter operation. Dome only options all models.
Computerised (ASCOM compatible). Stainless Steel fittings. Completely waterproof.
www.siriusobservatories.com
36
Astronomy TECHNOLOGY TODAY
New 5m College Model now available
info@siriusobservatories.com
NEWPRODUCTS
SKYHOUND
Introduces SkyTools 3 and SkyTools 3 Pro Edition
SkyTools 3, Skyhound’s latest version of its
popular observing software, provides a comprehensive suite of tools for planning, charting
and logging observation, while the SkyTools 3
Pro Edition adds unique and
powerful tools for imaging
and an unprecedented database of
stars to 20th magnitude for the
entire sky.
SkyTools 3 incorporates an
innovative visual detection model
that draws on scientific models of
sky brightness, atmospheric conditions, and detection contrast to predict the difficulty of detecting a specific object, categorizing potential objects
from “obvious” to “very challenging” based
upon telescope and observing conditions. It
also features a double-star pair split model that
predicts which pairs can be split visually, factoring atmosphere, optics, separation and
magnitude difference. Double-star pairs are
categorized in terms of “splittability” for a
given instrument, from “obvious” to “very
challenging split.”
The program also boasts science-based
realistic sky simulation that is not only pretty,
including beautiful vistas of the Milky Way,
but that also depicts objects accurately. The
new sky-brightness, atmospheric, and visual
detection models do a remarkable job of
selecting potential objects based upon what
you can expect to see through the eyepiece,
helping the user select challenging objects. A
context viewer allows the user to drag the eyepiece field of view anywhere on the chart to
see a simulation of that area – and if a telescope is connected via the Real Time add-on,
the telescope will follow!
Other features include a nightly observing list generator, observing synopses that are
auto-generated for any object, beautifully simulated planets and the current SOHO solar
image (see today’s sunspots!), improved object
requestor, largest vetted double-star database,
more accurate stellar, galaxy and nebula
databases, data sync between computers, more
log export options, Great Red
Spot events, integrated supplemental database editor, effortless download of minor planet data, and
much more.
The Pro Edition features a much
larger stellar database (to 20th
magnitude), and adds a unique
imaging session planner that helps
the imager determine optimum
imaging targets for given night,
time, equipment, etc. with exposure calculator, imaging context viewer, GPS location
tool, more powerful database searches, as well
as the Real Time tool.
The standard version of SkyTools 3 is
priced at $99.95US, and addition of the Real
Time add-on bundle to the SkyTools 3 standard brings the total package to $124.90US.
SkyTools 3 Pro Edition, which includes the Real
Time add-on, is priced at $179.95US.
For more information, please visit
www.skyhound.com.
FOSTER SYSTEMS
New AMC-101 WeatherSentry Weather Monitor
After more than a year of development
and testing, Foster Systems has introduced
its new WeatherSentry Weather Monitor.
Being fully configurable at order, the new
monitor answers the need for basic observatory weather safety. Its ASCOM compliant
interface integrates seamlessly with ACP
and ACP Web interfaces, and a “weather
unsafe” alert is available to other
compliant software. The new weather monitor also implements a one-line file interface
for non-ASCOM software integration.
The base unit comes with a rain sensor,
skylight sensor, USB controller, cable, and a
power adapter. Users can add a sky temper-
ature sensor option to measure thickness of
cloud cover and moisture in the upper air
mass, and an ambient temperature, humidity, and dew-point option to sense dewing
conditions. There is even a wind speed sensor option to complete the user’s observatory weather station.
Foster Systems serves astronomers and
observatories worldwide, providing comprehensive remote observatory master control and integration solutions. For more
information on the new WeatherSentry
Weather Monitor, as well as all other
Foster Systems products, please visit
www.fostersystems.com.
Astronomy TECHNOLOGY TODAY
37