pages 5-31 January 09.e$S:1 - Astronomy Technology Today

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INDUSTRYNEWSBAREKET OBSERVATORY, ISRAELControl a Professional Telescope Half a World from Your DesktopThe Bareket Observatory ofIsrael was originally established toprovide an educational resource forIsraeli schools, but has always beenopen to anyone who shares an interestin the night sky and wishes tolearn about the universe in a scientificsetting.Bareket is the largest suchresource in Israel and has longcooperated with a number of internationalastronomical and educationalorganizations. It recentlytook another step toward internationalcooperation by making its principal telescopeavailable for remote use via theInternet. This later development will be ofparticular interest to U.S. astronomers,educators and students, because it providesnight views in real time during daylighthours in the U.S.Indeed, Bareket offers a number ofstate-of-the-art on-line interactive activitiesthat are designed to compliment remoteuse of its telescope. Ongoing, establishedprograms include data collection andanalysis using the Bareket Radio Telescope,spectroscopy, a Mars Rover simulation andastro-robotics instruction, supernovasearches, asteroid monitoring, meteordetection, and sprite follow ups.The observatory’s main telescope is acustom built 15-inch f/2.8 astrographequipped with a temperature compensatingfocuser, SBIG ST8XE CCD camera, a 10-position filter wheel with Schuller andAstroDon photometric and narrow-bandfilters, including spectra grating for spectrometricmeasurements, all on aParamount ME mount.The telescope, mount, focuser, camera,filter wheel system is fully Internet controllableby students and teachers and the controlis very straight forward and requires nothird-party software – all that is needed is astandard web browser, such as InternetExplorer. The facility also makes itsCelestron C14, modified to operate atf/8.7, available for remote imaging as well.The online system provides the teacheror student full control over the observatory,including auto focus, exposure times, binning,external auto guiding, target selection,and so forth. The observatoryfeatures an online high-sensitivityvideo fisheye camera and BoltwoodCloud Sensor II so that users can“see” the telescope as it works and toprovide better remote “sense” ofcurrent weather conditions. Thefacility has already been used byteachers and students from throughoutthe world, including many fromthe U.S., and welcomes all who areinterested in its resources andprograms.For more information, please visitwww.bareket-astro.com.VIC MENARD ANDCATSEYE COLLIMATIONNew Perspectives on NewtonianCollimation, Fifth EditionThere are few names more closely associatedwith the art of collimation than thoseof Vic Menard and Catseye Collimation.Their resources have now been paired for thepublication and distribution of the longawaitedfifth edition of Menard’s classicNewtonian collimation reference manual.This comprehensive text represents thefirst major rewrite in more than 10 years,with 80 pages, 16 chapters and 30 new illustrationsand images that are sure to makeoptimum collimation within reach of eventhe least experienced novice.The fifth edition of New Perspectives onNewtonian Collimation refines and distillsnew insights gained from more than fiveyears of online discussions into how to mosteffectively communicate sound techniquesfor aligning the optical elements ofNewtonians. The new illustrations andimages are the result of more than fivemonths of collaboration between VicMenard, Jim Fly and Jason Khadder andcombine with the clear narratives of theupdated text to finally remove all vestigesmystery that may still surround the art of collimation.New Perspectives on NewtonianCollimation, Fifth Edition, is priced at$15.50US. For more information, pleasevisit www.catseyecollimation.com.Telescope Accessories & HardwareFEATURING ITEMS FROM:TeleGizmos Covers - Astrozap Dew ShieldsDew-Not Dew Heaters - Peterson EngineeringAntares - Telrad - Rigel Systems - Sky SpotStarbound Chairs - Smart AstronomyDavid Chandler - Lightwedge - BaaderScopeStuff Piggyback & Balance KitsRings, Rails, Dovetails, Cables, ATM,Eyepieces, Filters, Diagonals, AdaptersGreen Lasers - And MUCH more!www.scopestuff.com 512-259-9778Astronomy TECHNOLOGY TODAY 11

INDUSTRYNEWSJMIRedesigns DRO Hand UnitOnly $399.00Only$2099.00NexStar 114SLT SkyScout New CGEM Series 800Pre-Order Now!Only $649.00Only$849.0080mm ED APOOptical TubeVMC110 GOTO System“Demo”Only $399.95Star Shoot Deep-SpaceImager IIOnly $199.00Only $465.99ETX-90PE UHTCAstroTubeOnly $249.00Mini PortaMount with70mm AcromatOnly $2,095.00Sky 90 APO Refractor OTA &Mounting RingsOnly $129.00Only $799.00MySKY Plus80mm ED with PortaMountOnly$2,895.00ST-2000XCM CCD ColorImaging Camera SystemJMI has redesigned its Digital Readout (DRO)Hand Unit to optimize functionality with itsnew Event Horizon Focusers (EV), as well aswith its long-standingline of NextGeneration Focusers(NGF) and all otherJMI MOTOFOCUSequipped focusers.The new DROHand Unit features ared LED four-digitnumeric digital positiondisplay and twodirectional focusingbuttons, plus a variablespeed control.The DRO Hand Unitalso features a dimmercontrol and a control for zeroing the display.Shown is the JMI DRO Hand Unit and its popularEV-2cM focuser.One end of the included cable attaches tothe hand unit and the other to the encoderassembly of the controlled focuser for ultra-precisefocus control. The DRO Hand Unit is connectedto the motor and encoder assemblies ofthe JMI EV-2cM focuser using a standard flatphone cable and connectors.The new DRO Hand Unit provides a ready,stand-alone means of repeating focus to a precisionthat visual and analog methods simply cannotmatch. The new JMI DRO Hand Unit ispriced at $148US.For more information, please visitwww.jmitelescopes.com.6mm EthosPre-Order Now!8mm & 13mm EthosNow In Stock!17mm EthosPre-Order Now!12 Astronomy TECHNOLOGY TODAY

INDUSTRYNEWSMALLINCAMMaking Final Touches on New VideoFinderMallinCam is putting the final toucheson what promises to be a whole newconcept in finding our way around thenight sky. The new MallinCamVideoFinder combines a highly sensitivevideo camera and a newly developedlens system to produce a live-image,wide-field “finder” view that is easilyaligned with the optical axis of any telescopeor wherever else a super-sensitivefinder is needed.The unique lens system is fullyadjustable from 5 to 50 mm at f/1.4 withmanual iris, manual zoom function andmanual focus. Plus, when the camera’s electroniczoom is activated, an effective focallength of 100 mm is possible.The camera is equipped with a 1/3-inch EXview HAD Sony black and whiteCCD sensor with spectacular sensitivity.When coupled with the MallinCam HighGain Circuit, the camera is capable ofachieving a sensitivity of 0.008 Lux in normalvideo mode and up to 0.0001 Lux inextended shutter mode of up to 2 secondsintegration, making it possible to actuallysee many deep-sky objects live.The MallinCam VideoFinder will befully controllable via RS-232 and will bedelivered complete with all cables neededand ready to install on most telescopes.MallinCam anticipates a release datefor the MallinCam VideoFinder of Early2009. For more information go towww.mallincam.tripod.com.14 Astronomy TECHNOLOGY TODAY

INDUSTRYNEWSASTRODONAdds ASCOM Driver to TAKometer Camera RotatorDEEP SKY PRINTINGAstro-Photo Printing ServicesAstrodon recently added anASCOM driver to its popularTAKometer Camera Rotator. TheTAKometer is designed to provideremote camera rotation forTakahashi refractors that feature 4-inch focusing tubes as currently usedon the FSQ106, FSQ-ED,TOA130F and TOA150F.The motor plate clamps to the4-inch focusing tube and a large gearclamps to the Camera AngleAdjustor (CCA). A timing belt connectsthe two and is driven by TechnicalInnovations’ ROBO-FOCUS system witheasy-to-use Astrodon software. This systemcan also be adapted with special connectorsto attach to other telescopes, such as SCTs.Seasoned astrophotographers havelong used remotely controlled rotators forcameras mounted on large telescopes tobetter frame targets, such as elongatedgalaxies, galaxy clusters or extended emissionnebulae. Also, a slight rotation mayhelpful in bringing a guide star onto theguide detector. Rotation is, of course, thekey for this.Now that growing numbers ofastrophotographers control their imagingsystems remotely, even when only in thebackyard 50 feet away, having a remotelycontrolled rotator becomes important,especially on cold winter nights. TheTAKometer was specifically designed toprovide this capability for users ofTakahashi’s popular Apo refractors. Theaddition of an ASCOM driver now makesthis valuable tool compatible with manypopular telescope control programs.The TAKometer clamps onto theCAA and focusing tube and adds only 1/2inch backfocus (critical for the FSQ106). Itis easily installed at home, can be operatedelectronically at the telescope, and offers 18steps per degree of rotation. It includes atiming belt and pulley gear with tensioner,ROBO FOCUS motor and relay box.It comes with Astrodon TAKometer ControlSoftware and an ASCOM driver and issupported by CCDAutoPilot, CCDCommander, and can be used withAstrodon MonsterMOAG.For more information, please visitwww.astrodon.com.We are pleased to announce a newresource that combines years of professionalphoto finishing experience with specializationin astrophotographs to provide a uniquelyeffective photo-printing service to astrophotographers.Deep Sky Printing is a division ofPrintmakers, Inc., a professional photo finishinglab that works directly with astrophotographersto offer specialized services that bestcapture the essence of their images.Each image is personally analyzedon state-of-the-art Kodak DP2 productionsoftware and printed on Kodak metallicpaper. Metallic paper retains the full blacknessof night, while displaying the remarkableshimmer of stars. You may upload imagesthrough Deep Sky Printing’s EFTP at anyhour of the day.Deep Sky Printing offers metallicenlargements ranging in size from 7x10 to24x100. The surface of its standard metallicpaper is glossy and the metallic flecks glimmerin the light, providing a uniquely beautifulpresentation of astro images. Deep SkyPrinting also offers high-resolution scans fromnegatives, transparencies or photographs (upto 11x14), mounting, pro-edging and GicleeCanvases, as well as processing of any filmthat is C41 process, including any color andBW negative film that is labeled for C41processing.For more information please visitwww.deepskyprinting.com.Now OfferingHyperTuning Services!HYPERTUNE• Mounting HyperTune Service• HyperTune Kits• HyperTune DVD’s for:Celestron ASGT, CGEMeade LXD55, LXD75Orion Atlas, Siriuswww.telescopestabilitysystems.comMOUNTS & ACCESSORIES• StableMax Tripod• MountMate Adaptor System• V and D Series Dovetails and Saddles• Atlas and Sirius HD CW shaftsCheck Out LXD55.COMand LXD75.COMAstronomy TECHNOLOGY TODAY 15

INDUSTRYNEWSSubscribe Now!!!ASTRONOMYTECHNOLOGY TODAYSKY & TELESCOPES&T Editors announce Hot Products for 2009Like other astro-tech enthusiasts, we anxiouslyawait each annual announcement of theSky & Telescope Editors’ Choice Hot Productslist and that for 2009 did not disappoint. Wewish to commend S&T on the excellence of itschoices and to extend a special congratulationto each of the following companies (whose supporthas helped make the publication of ATTpossible) for the selection of their products.Orion Telescopes & Binoculars has threeentries this year: the StarShoot Pro Deep SpaceColor CCD high-resolution, 6.1-megapixel,one-shot color, cooled camera, the Premium190-mm f/5.3 Mak-Newt Astrograph, and itsultra-compact and lightweight StarShootAutoGuider. (www.oriontelescopes.com)Adirondack Astronomy’s new and innovativeFireballCam also captured notice. Thiswide-field, fully enclosed and weatherproofed,heated and cooled video system isoptimized to record fireballs, meteors, andsuch exotic events as “Sprites,” “Elves,” and“Blue Jets.” (www.astrvid.com)Deep Sky Instruments’ (DSI) RC10TrueRC also garnered mention. The 10-inchf/7.3 DSI10 features optics by StarInstruments, maker of RC optics for over 30years and is available as the RC10C whichadds a corrector to remove off-axis, wide-fieldastigmatism and to flatten the field of curvature.The RC10 is featured in ATT 07/08.(www.deepskyinstruments.com)ChronosMount’s harmonic-drive basedmounts are truly unique. Imagine equatorialmounts rated for loads from 125 to 1000pounds without counterweights, clutches,or meridian flip! Read more aboutChronosMount in ATT 11/07.(www.chronosmount.com)The versatile new David H. Levy CometHunter from Explore Scientific features a 152-mm f/4.8 Mak-Newt design and state-of-theartconstruction and components, with carbon-fibertube, 10:1 2-speed Crayford, 8x50correct-image, and illuminated-reticle finder.(www.exporescientific.com)S&T has, for the second year, designatedTele Vue’s Ethos Eyepieces as a Hot Product,with 2009 adding new focal lengths of 6, 8and 17 mm. See ATT 04/08 for feature coverageof the 8-mm Ethos. (www.televue.com)ScopeStuff’s Negative Profile EyepieceAdapter earned its Hot Product standing bydoing something very simple very well. Theadapter allows 1.25-inch eyepieces to be insettoward the objective, yielding 0.75 inch ofadditional in-focus, and we’ve all needed thatfrom time to time. (www.scopestuff.com)DOBSERVATORYThe Home Model is the perfect design of form, functionand, of course, pricing with every feature you’llneed for the ultimate in observing! The Home Modelis available in sizes from 7'6" x 7'6" to 15'6" x 15'6".Our newest offering, the Dobservatory is specificallydesigned for the low pivot point of DOBs allowingyou to view near the horizon. The Dobservatory isavailable in sizes from 7'6" x 7'6" to 15'6" x 15'6".HOME MODELFrom Maine to California, Montana to Texas, BYO builds the highest quality roll-off roof observatories onthe market today. We are now beginning our 6th year of providing turn key observatory solutionsthroughout the U.S. and have gained experience second to none.

S&T recognizes the QSI 500 series’newest innovation, the QSI 500wsg, thatintroduces a built-in off-axis guide port thatpositions the pick-off prism in front of theintegrated filter wheel, where filters cannotdiminish guide star intensity and the shuttercannot block it. The QSI532ws is featured inATT 02/08. (www.qsimaging.com)Lunt Solar Systems was recognized for itsnew LS35THa. This dedicated Hydrogenalphatelescope is simply the most compact,portable 35-mm etalon system currently available!With a bandpass of

NEWPRODUCTSDAYSTAR FILTERSRevamps SolaREDi into 60-mm Aperture WonderWhen DayStar Filters’ new SolaREDidedicated Ha solar scope was introducedin this column of the April 2008 issue ofATT, it was in the form of an entry-levelpriced, multi-function, ready-to-use solartelescope featuring 35-mm aperture aswell as a front mounted 35-mm blockingfilter. That original version also featured a1.25-inch focuser. So much has changedbetween that earliest version and the currently“revamped” offering that it nowqualifies as an altogether new product.The current SolaREDi sports a greatlyincreased clear aperture of fully 60 mmto bring the solar image to focus at the 35-mm blocking filter! Yes, it’s still a multifunction,ready-to-use dedicated hydrogenalpha solar telescope, but that and ashared name are all that compare to itsoriginal namesake.Subscribe Now!!!Print and OnlineIssues NowAvailable!ASTRONOMYTECHNOLOGY TODAYwww.astronomytechnologytoday.comThe new design yieldsa focal length of 1375 mmin a very compactassembly. It is designed tooperate effectively from awide temperature rangeof 50 to 90 degreesFahrenheit and features awavelength shift range of approximately2.5 Angstroms.The versatile optical tube assemblywill reach focus using most 1.25-inch and2-inch eyepieces, as well as a variety ofimaging cameras, including ToUcam,Lumernera, SBIG, SLR, DSLR, afocal,CCTV Video, together with 2x to 5xBarlow lenses combined with any theselisted products. The SolaREDi has beenperformance engineered for flexibility andrigorously tested for ease of operation,function, reliability and adaptability witha full range of cameras.The current version of the SolaREDialso features a dual-speed, 2-inchMoonlite Focuser (beautifully anodized inred), and ships with a 12-mm eyepiece,solar finder and combination dovetail and1/4-20 threaded mounting foot.Pricing starts at $1795US for theSolaREDi Alpha 0.7 Angstrom Hepta.For more information, please visitwww.daystarfilters.com.Astronomy TECHNOLOGY TODAY 19

INDUSTRYNEWSWILLIAM OPTICSMore New Products for 2009William Optics has introduced severalnew products for 2009. Included is the WO2-inch Dura-Bright Dialectric Diagonal, anew premium diagonal that differs fromWilliam Optics’ standard 2-inch carbon fiber diagonalin two very importantaspects. First, the Dura-Bright diagonal features ahigh-precision mirror with asurface accuracy of 1/10wave flatness and a thicknessof 15 mm; that’s 50 percentgreater than the 10-mmthickness of most standard 2-inch diagonalsand a significant increase in stability of thesubstrate.Second, the Dura-Bright diagonal’s 2-inch brass clamping ring features two thumbscrews positioned 120 degrees apart – not justone – for maximum security, a configurationthat causes the brass ring to clamp the insertedeyepiece, adapter, or other accessory atthree evenly spaced pressure points that completelysurround the inserted accessory.Like the WO standard dielectric diagonal,the Dura-Bright boasts ultra-high reflectivitymirror coatings that yield 99 percentreflectivity, is threaded for filters (48-mm),and features real carbon-fiber side plates. Plus,the new 2-inch Dura-Bright diagonal is producedwith the same meticulous craftsmanshipyou’ve come toassociate with allWilliam Optics products.Introductorypricing for the new 2-inch Dura-BrightDialectric Diagonal is$168US.We first reportedon William Optics’ new carbon fiber tubeFLT-98 in the September 2008 issue of ATTand it has since announce the introduction ofa new aluminum-tube FLT-98. What wewrote in September about the FLT-98’s STMcoated, air-spaced triplet objective still holdstrue: “[It] is simply among the finest WilliamOptics has ever produced – extremely sharp,with the optimum color correction that isideal for astrophotography.”While the carbon-fiberversion sported WilliamOptics’ new 2.5-inchLinearPower focuser, thenewest aluminum-tube versionfeatures an extra-smooth3.5-inch, 10:1 dual-speedrotatable Crayford with twinlocking screws. The patenteddesign of the focuser featuresstainless-steel reinforcement inserts and optimallyplaced ball bearings to better supportthe extreme loads of imaging accessories. Thefocus tube evenincludes a precisiongraduated scale forcamera focus andalignment assistance.The AluminumTube FLT-98 offers 98mm of aperture, anf/6.3 focal ratio and afocal length of 618mm. The tube length is 503 mm (19.08 in.)fully retracted, 600 mm (23.6 in.) fullyextended and the tube weighs 4.6 kg (10.2 lb).The tube and included mounting ringsare precision CNC-machined and finished ina truly beautiful whitepowder coating. Theoptical tube isequipped with slidingdew-shield and thepackage even includesa custom aluminumcase for safe storageand transport of thetelescope. A dedicated field flattener is alsoavailable. This new aluminum-tube FLT-98comprehensive package is currently priced at$1998US.Also new for 2009 is William Optics’FLT 110 Triplet Apo Light, a telescope whichis sure to be everything you always wanted ina refractor. The FLT 110 Light matches a topqualityFlouro-Star 110-mm f/7 triplet airspaced,SMT objective with WO’s extrasmooth2.5-inch LinearPower, 360° rotatablefocuser. It weighs in at only 5.3 kg (11.6 lb)and is 652 mm (25.6 in) fully retracted.The tube, retractable lens cell and included115-mm heavy-duty mounting rings areprecision CNC machined, and the packageeven includes a custom aluminum carry andstorage case. The newFLT 110 Triplet ApoLight is currentlypriced at $2398US,which price includesfree shipping withinthe U.S.We previewedWilliam Optics’ newmulti-purposeZenithStar 70ED Apo in the September 2008issue of ATT and it is now available for shipmentand currently priced at $380US, withfree ground shipping within the U.S. The versatileZS70ED is ideal for travel astrophotography,piggybacking, or for use as a spottingscope.It offers 70 mm of aperture, an f/6.1 focalratio, and a focal length of 430 mm. It is anair-spaced doublet with SMC coatings andfeatures a retractable lens shade. Included is a2-inch Crayford, dual-speed, 360° rotatablefocuser. The tube length is 308 mm (12.13 in)fully retracted, 370 mm (14.57 in) fullyextended and 2.3 kg (5.07 lb). The backpackdimensions are 31.8x44.5x16 cm(12.5x17.5x6.2 in) and it weighs 1.84 kg(4.05 lb).For more information go towww.williamoptics.com.20 Astronomy TECHNOLOGY TODAY