magnilux - Astronomy Technology Today

NEWPRODUCTS
ORION TELESCOPES & BINOCULARS
(Continued from page 27)
with 8-bit output and RGB 24-bit color resolution.
The view transmitted by the
StarShoot Video Eyepiece is comparable to
what you would see using a 5-mm eyepiece.
The Orion StarShoot Video Eyepiece is
powered by the included AC-to-DC
adapter, which has a long 70-inch cable for
convenient use with your telescope. It is
priced at $59.95.
Orion 10-inch f/3.9
Newtonian Astrograph Reflector
The Orion 10-inch f/3.9 Newtonian
Astrograph Reflector is Orion’s largest reflector
optimized for astro-imaging, offering
10-inch parabolic primary optics with a very
fast f/3.9 focal ratio for exceptional widefield,
deep-space imaging performance.
Even faint galaxies and nebulas exhibit stunning
detail with limited exposure time when
photographed through this large-aperture
astrograph with a CCD imager or DSLR
camera.
Both the 10-inch (254-mm) primary
and secondary mirror feature enhanced
reflectivity (94%) aluminization for bright,
contrast-rich images. The 82-mm minor
axis secondary mirror provides excellent fullfield
illumination with modern CCD
imagers and DSLR cameras, with less than
8-percent light drop-off at the edge of APS-
C sized sensors. The adjustable 4-vane secondary
mirror holder features very thin, 1-
mm thick spider vanes to minimize diffraction
effects in images. A center mark on the
primary mirror and three easy-grip collimation
knobs make optical alignment easy and
precise.
Extended tube length of 7.5-inches in
front of the focuser blocks intrusion of offaxis
light, ensuring optimum image contrast.
The sturdy 2-inch dual-speed (11:1),
low-profile Crayford focuser permits ultrafine
focus and has 38-mm of drawtube travel
and a helpful drawtube lock knob. A steel
reinforcing plate bolted inside the 38.6-inch
long tube directly under the focuser helps
eliminate flexure between it and tube, even
with heavy imaging gear attached.
As with any fast Newtonian, an optional
coma corrector is recommended to
achieve flat-field imaging performance.
Standard accessories include two cast-aluminum
tube rings, a 9x50 finder scope, 2-
inch and 1.25-inch extension adapters, and
a 12-volt DC fan for accelerated primary
mirror cool-down.
Not only should this affordable astrograph
excel as an astro-imaging instrument,
but the 10-inch f/3.9 Newtonian can also be
used as a formidable visual telescope. Its
large 10-inch aperture and fast focal ratio
will provide wondrous views of deep-space
28 Astronomy TECHNOLOGY TODAY