Issue 2 may07

ASTRONOMY

TECHNOLOGY TODAY Your Complete Guide to Astronomical Equipment

NEAF 2007 • DCS COMPUTER ATM PROJECT THE TELE VUE "is" • MEADE 16-INCH LIGHTBRIDGE

WAYNE PARKER 80'S 80'S ROCK ROCK STAR'S STAR'S POD POD IS IS AA REVOLUTION REVOLUTION IN IN HOME HOME OBSERVATORIES OBSERVATORIES

May 2007

$4.00 US

Contents Cover Story

ASTRONOMY

TECHNOLOGY TODAY

Wayne Parker stands in front of the innovative new POD. Wayne made it to the top of the Canadian and U.S. charts with the band Glass Tiger in the 80’s and started SkyShed in 2002.

POD is the company’s newest product and will begin shipping in May.

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Feedback on our First Issue

9

Alpine Astronomical Lazzorotti Optics and 10 Micron

9

Burgess Optical Developing 2-Inch Binoviewer

NEAF 2007 • DCS COMPUTER ATM PROJECT THE TELE VUE "is" • MEADE 16-INCH LIGHTBRIDGE

WAYNE PARKER 80'S 80'S ROCK ROCK STAR'S STAR'S POD POD IS IS AA REVOLUTION REVOLUTION IN IN HOME HOME OBSERVATORIES OBSERVATORIES

PAGE

Editor’s Note

Your Complete Guide to Astronomical Equipment

Industry News

May 2007

$4.00 US

Reader Profile 82 Mike Gilmer

Features

10 Astronomy Technology Today

Update on Several Items 10 Pier 42 Design and Fabrication

New Pier Manufacturer

22 Astro Custom Cases Daniel Mounsey Creates “Stellar” Works of Art

By Gary Parkerson 25 Scope Stuff Your Telescope “Connection”

By Gary Parkerson 12 Far Laboratories

33 Beta Testing SkyShed's POD First Take on the POD

By Dave Miller 37 Meade 16-Inch Lightbridge Supergiant Performance on a Main Sequence Budget

By Chris Brownewell 40 The Tele Vue "is" First Looks at the New Tele Vue Imaging System Series of CCD-Optimized Telescopes

By Jim Burnell 45 Collimation and the BLUG Has Collimation Ever Been Easier?

By Erik Wilcox 4

Astronomy TECHNOLOGY TODAY

Introduces Flash Astronomy 48 DSC Computer ATM Project Adding Orion’s Intelliscope System to the Meade Lightbridge

By Jamey Nyberg

13 Amateur Astronomy Magazine

Enters a New Era 13 Starry Night Lights

Promotes Dark Skies 52 The Rosin Hyperboloidal Astrograph Seymour Rosin’s Contributions to Wide-field Astrographic Imaging

By Mike Jones 58 NEAF 2007 Exibitors Showcase the Year’s Newest and Best Products

By Gary Parkerson

14 ScopeGuard

Automates Case Production 15 Pier-Tech and ExploraDome

Announce Agreement 15 Green Bank

Features Original "Rocket Boys"

New Products

16 Backyard Observatories

Introduces Observatory Automation System 17 Alvin Huey Publishes Observing Guide 17 Universal Astronomics Biggest Yet!

Contributing Writers Chris Brownewell built his first 10" telescope when he was 16 and has been an active amateur astronomer for over 25 years. He served 10 terms as an officer of Northwest Indiana’s Calumet Astronomical Society, and currently owns 20/20 Telescopes & Binoculars, sponsor of the EPOCH 2007 Star Party.

Jim Burnell is an avid amateur astronomer and telescope maker. He is the a coauthor of The Handbook of Astronomical Image Processing and the “Astronomical Image Processing for Windows” software package. In his day job, he is an electrical engineer, managing a group of engineers designing fiberoptic telecom and datacom products.

Mike Jones has been an optical designer and EO/IR engineer for nearly 30 years.

He is also an active amateur astronomer and ATM, having made over 55 mirrors and several telescopes. He did the optical designs for numerous systems at McDonald Observatory, Texas A&M University, George Observatory and others.

He is a sustaining member of AAVSO, and enjoys classical and blues guitar, birdwatching and photography.

18 Fishcamp Engineering Starfish Guide/Planetary Camera 18 Stellarvue Dual Fluoro Apo 20 Tele Vue Ethos Eyepiece - Another New Era Begins 20 Burgess Optical 91mm Triplet Apo

Dave Miller decided after 25 year of computer software consulting and eCommerce sales, to follow his passion for astronomy. Dave now owns Durango Skies and has the opportunity to work with observatories and astronomy equipment every day.

Jamey Nyberg is a computer network administrator and retired firefighter. He has been active in amateur astronomy since high school and has built several reflector telescopes. Jamey particularly enjoys rebuilding telescopes that have been abandoned.

Erik Wilcox works for a natural foods distributor in South San Francisco,

California, and is a long-time moderator on the popular astronomy forum, “Cloudy Nights”. He enjoys star parties and public outreach, and in addition to amateur astronomy, Erik spends his time playing in a rock band.

Subscribe Now! Special Introductory Subscription Rate $12 per year, $1 per issue Subscribe at our website or by mailing your check for $12 to: Astronomy Technology Today 3825 Gilbert Drive • Shreveport, LA 71104 Please provide your name, mailing address, email address and phone number.

21 Obsession Telescopes A New Obsession

www.astronomytechnologytoday.com Astronomy TECHNOLOGY TODAY

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ASTRONOMY

TECHNOLOGY TODAY

May 2007 Publisher Stuart Parkerson

Managing Editor Gary Parkerson

Associate Editors Rachel Alexandra Karol Birchfield

Art Director Lance Palmer

Staff Photographer Jim Osborne

Web Master James Bobbit

Contributing Writers Chris Brownewell Jim Burnell Mike Jones Dave Miller Jamey Nyberg Erik Wilcox 3825 Gilbert Drive Shreveport, Louisiana 71104 info@astronomytechnologytoday.com www.astronomytechnologytoday.com Astronomy Technology Today is published monthly by Parkerson Publishing, LLC. Bulk rate postage paid at Dallas, Texas, and additional mailing offices. ©2007 Parkerson Publishing, LLC, all rights reserved. No part of this publication or its Web site may be reproduced without written permission of Parkerson Publishing, LLC. Astronomy Technology Today assumes no responsibility for the content of the articles, advertisements, or messages reproduced therein, and makes no representation or warranty whatsoever as to the completeness, accuracy, currency, or adequacy of any facts, views, opinions, statements, and recommendations it reproduces. Reference to any product, process, publication, or service of any third party by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise does not constitute or imply the endorsement or recommendation of Astronomy Technology Today.

The publication welcomes and encourages contributions; however is not responsible for the return of manuscripts and photographs. The publication, at the sole discretion of the publisher, reserves the right to accept or reject any advertising or contributions. For more information contact the publisher at Astronomy Technology Today, 3825 Gilbert Drive, Shreveport, Louisiana 71104, or e-mail at info@astronomytechnologytoday.com.

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Astronomy TECHNOLOGY TODAY

Editor’s

Note

Gary Parkerson, Managing Editor

The Good News I began my last report with a simile comparing that Louisiana staple, Gumbo, and this magazine. Whether it was a fair or poor analogy, it did generate a lot of mail, and I’ve overheard the wife of one of our writers announce my phone call with, “It’s the gumbo man!” The law of unintended consequences has struck again.

John Dullmeyer of Eagle, Idaho, continued the “recipe” theme, writing in part: “Your April issue was much more than I expected. A dollop of trade journal, a splash of ATM Blog, a spoonful of howto guide, all topped with a garnish of astro-travelogue. For an equivalent price of that blob of foam riding on a Starbucks latte, you left me eagerly anticipating May's issue.”

Gastronomic references aside, John managed to capture the sentiment of most who have written us. Yes, the good news is that, the vast majority of you (at least of those who wrote to us directly or posted to one of the forums) reported overwhelming approval of our first effort.

Whether this reaction is explained by our managing to exceed very low expectations for our inaugural issue, or its independent quality, we’ll never know. In either case, we appreciate and are encouraged by your kind words.

In all honesty, we did not know what the general reaction would be. After endlessly evaluating, studying each and every word, line, paragraph, page, photo and color of the April issue, we had lost all ability to judge its general merit. It was therefore a tremendous relief when your

reviews started coming in.

The good news is also that you were remarkably tolerant of the bad news. And the bad news was very bad.

The Very Bad News Although we printed and mailed the April issue when we had planned during that month, many, if not most, of you did not receive it in a timely fashion, and some did not receive it at all.

John also wrote: “As interesting as I found your periodical, the primary reason I subscribed within 24 hours of receiving my first issue was your attentive correspondence in dealing with my ‘missing’ trial copy. Make sure that the staff knows that, while they were goofing off all weekend, you were out selling subscriptions (well, at least one).”

John fell into the category of those who did not receive the first April copy that was addressed to him. Indeed, somewhere between one and two percent of the thousands of copies of our April issue that were mailed either were not delivered or were delivered in such a sad state as to be unreadable. Like, John, if you expected an April issue and did not receive it, or received one that was damaged in transit, please contact us at info@astronomytechnologytoday.com and we will mail a replacement (in a protective envelope).

While some of the April magazines were late for reasons we'll never know, the primary cause of the mess was a cover that was ill designed to withstand the rigors of multiple postal sorting machines. Our previous experience with mailing similar

newsprint magazines had been local and regional only and durability had never been an issue. But, as we now know, national, bulk distribution is another story.

As a result, the magazine you are holding sports a new, tougher, more postal machine resistant (hopefully), slick cover. Some of you, who like me prefer the retro look and feel of a totally newsprint “pulp” edition, will regret the change. But, having considered all of the alternatives, including enclosure in a paper envelope or plastic jacket, we selected the most cost effective option in honor of our pledge to keep the price of the publication as low as possible. We hope you approve.

in printing enough copies to accommodate all new subscribers and in this period of subscription growth, that is very difficult to do.

As to timing, many of you will notice that this issue was mailed much later in the month than was April. We anticipated and reported this in my note in that issue.

The fact is that our coverage of events and breaking news requires that our printing schedule be somewhat flexible. So, while you will receive a separate, monthly issue for each calendar month, you will not receive all at the same time of each month. When our flexible schedule is combined with the vagaries of mail delivery, predicting the day of your receipt of each monthly issue is simply impossible.

Corrections The bad news also includes a few text errors. Our April page eight effort to credit the companies that supported that issue with their advertisements misidentified Apogee Instruments as “Apogee, Inc.”, an entirely different organization. The page three announcement listing NEAF participants misspelled B. Crist Minatures.

Similarly, in our page 12 announcement of 20/20 Telescopes and Binoculars’ Epoch 2007 we managed to misspell Chris Brownewell’s last name, and our page 15 report of Astro-Physics being featured in an edition of the Travel Channel’s “Made in America” incorrectly spelled Roland Christen’s last name. Sorry guys.

The Fine Print One of my duties here is to help proof each issue. By the time an issue is laid out in graphic form, I’ve read the articles too many times to be an effective proof reader, so in April I focused on proofing the advertisements. I read each to be sure that grammar and spelling were correct, images appropriate to the content, colors accurate, etc. What I didn’t do was read the ads for the information they were designed to share. That is until the advertised price of a very premium Apo finally sunk in. I called the advertiser to be sure the price was accurate (it was!) and added myself to the list of buyers waiting for the next shipment. From now on I will read each and every ad with the eye of a shopper as well as that of an editor. You should too. I promise you that the advertisements in this issue contain more than one offer that will make you do a double take.

Timing Not all feedback was positive. Some messages complained that the writer had subscribed a couple of weeks ago and had still not received an issue of the magazine.

Those of you who are expert in time/motion analysis will quickly realize that, with a monthly publication, the next issue may ship anywhere from the day after you subscribe to thirty days later depending on when in the monthly shipping cycle the new subscription is registered. We could begin all new subscriptions with the previous issue, but that assumes that we'll always guess correctly

You We sincerely appreciate your interest in the magazine and value your feedback.

The forum http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/ g ro u p / a s t ro n o m y t e c h n o l og y t o d a y has been established to make it easy for you to share your questions, suggestions and requests, and we hope you’ll join us there.

Cloudy Nights Telescope Reviews

Reviews Reports Articles Forums Classifieds Your Astronomical Community www.cloudynights.com

Our 20th Year!

Khan Scope Centre 16-INCH MEADE We are proud of the LIGHTBRIDGE reputation we have ORDER NOW earned as a leading Canadian dealer offering excellent customer service backed by the most competitive prices!

WE INVITE OUR U.S. FRIENDS TO EXPERIENCE THE KHAN SCOPE CENTRE DIFFERENCE! We Take Trade Ins! • We Sell Pre-Owned Equipment With Warranties! • We Ship Anywhere in the Continental U.S.! • We Carry Major Brands as Well as Unique Products!

Check out this Month’s Internet Specials Antares • Astrodon • Bob’s Knobs • Celestron Coronado • Denkmeier • JMI • Lumicon Mallincam • Nikon • Sky-Watcher • Televue Unihedron • Vixen • William Optics • And More!

www.khanscope.com 1-800-580-7160 • 416-783-4140 Astronomy TECHNOLOGY TODAY

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The Supporting

CAST 20/20 Telescopes and Binoculars/EPOCH 2007 www.2020telescopes.com page 36 Adirondack www.astrovid.com page 15, 16, 59 Agena Astro www.agenaastro.com page 29 Astro Domes www.astrodomes.com page 59 Astro Gizmos www.astrogizmos.com page 17, 43 Astro Hutech www.hutech.com page 19, 67 AstroSky www.astrosky.homestead.com page 15 AstroTrac www.astrotrac.com page 35

The Companies And Organizations That Have Made Our Magazine Possible!

We wish to thank our advertisers without whom you would not be reading this magazine. When making a decision on your next purchase, we encourage you to consider these advertisers’ commitment to you by underwriting this issue of Astronomy Technology Today.

Catseye Collimation www.catseyecollimation.com page 34

Great Red Spot Astronomy www.greatredspot.com page 50

Scope Trader www.scopetrader.com page 62

Celestron www.celestron.com page 2, 83

Green Bank Star Quest www.greenbankstarquest.org page 3

SkyShed Observatories www.skyshed.com page 13

Clement Focuser www.clementfocuser.com page 46

JMI Telescopes www.jmitelescopes.com page 11

Starizona www.starizona.com page 14

Cloudy Nights www.cloudynights.com page 7

Khan Scope Centre www.khanscope.com page 7

Starlight Instruments www.starlightinstruments.com page 14

Durango Skies www.durangoskies.com page 49

Oceanside Photo and Telescope www.optcorp.com page 26

Starry Night Lights www.starrynightlights.com page 21

Equatorial Platforms www.equatorialplatforms.com page 47 Explora-Dome www.explora-dome.us page 46 FAR Laboratories www.dynapod.com page 41

ATS Piers www.AdvancedTelescope.com page 20

Farpoint Astronomical Research www.farpointastro.com page 30

Blue Planet Optics www.blueplanetoptics.com page 84

Glatter Collimation www.collimator.com page 39

Optec www.optecinc.com page 16 Pier 42 Design & Fabrication www.pier42design.com page 31 Round Table Platforms www.roundtableplatforms.com page 34 Scope Stuff www.scopestuff.com page 50

Stellarvue www.stellarvue.com page 23 StellerCAT www.stellarcat.com page 24 Teton Telescope www.tetontelescope.com page 17 Woodland Hills Telescopes www.whtelescopes.com page 12

TO ADVERTISE EMAIL advertise@astronomytechnologytoday.com

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Astronomy TECHNOLOGY TODAY

INDUSTRYNEWS

ALPINE ASTRONOMICAL Offers Lazzorotti Optics and 10Micron As we announced last month, UnitronItalia, of Firenze, Italy, the worldwide distributor of the Lazzarotti Optics Gladius DallKirkhams, as well as 10Micron’s GOTO Equatorial mounts, planned to announce a U.S. distributor. As anticipated, it was announced at NEAF 2007 that Alpine Astronomical of Eagle, Idaho, will be expanding their product offerings to include the full lineup of 10Micron GoTo mountings and Lazzarotti Optics Super Planetary Telescopes.

Alpine’s owner, Bob Luffel, is a Mechanical Engineer with over 25 years of experience in R&D and Manufacturing, and an avid astronomer since the age of 12. “By day I’ve developed a wide range of products that incorporate optics, automation, and electro-mechanical systems. By night, astronomy and astronomy hardware have always been my personal passion. Over the years I’ve been an avid ATM and developed a number of telescopes and accessories for my own use. I’ve also owned and used too many telescopes, mountings, eyepieces and accessories to count (or to admit to my wife). My dream has been to bring fully engineered mountings to the market that meet a level of quality, functionality, and capacity which I feel have not yet been attained by existing mounts. I had originally planned to develop them myself, but when I saw and used a 10Micron mount for the first time I knew these were the mounts I had dreamed of. The engineering and execution is like nothing else.”

The Lazzarotti Optics Gladius Super Planetary Telescopes, as covered in the April New Products section, are open tubed Carbon Fiber Dall-Kirkham OTAs and a first for the amateur market. The Gladius are mechanically and optically optimized to be the ultimate high resolution tool for planetary observation and imaging. The 10Micron GM2000 is the perfect match for the Gladius tube assemblies and makes for a system that is as functional as it is visually stunning.

Alpine was started in 2001 with the primary purpose of making Baader

Planetarium’s full line of products available to North American amateurs directly and through their growing dealer network. Bob says, “For years I had been importing Baader’s products and Zeiss APQs from Germany for my personal use, and was immediately drawn to their high level of quality and innovation. As the relationship with Baader grew, it was a natural progression to start Alpine and distribute their products here. We are passionate in promoting and supporting the kind of products that we value in our own astronomy interests, and Baader makes what we think are the cream of the crop.” Over the years Baader has continually innovated and grown their lineup significantly, and Alpine has been able to contribute to the development of a number of their new products.

In 2003 Alpine added Solar Spectrum to the lineup.

Solar Spectrum has earned a reputation amongst serious solar observers for producing some of the finest narrowband H-Alpha filters in the world. Bob reports, “When coupled with Baader Planetarium’s matched Cool-ERF and Telecentric optics, the views through these filters are mind-blowing.”

“Alpine is committed to carrying and expertly supporting a range of telescopes, mountings, filters and accessories that push the envelope of quality and innovation. The addition of 10Micron and Lazzarotti Optics to our product lineup was a perfect fit. We couldn’t have found better partners or products anywhere in the world, and we are truly excited to make this equipment available here in North America.”

2007 promises to be a busy year for Alpine with more new products (and a few surprises) to come. For more information on these new and future products, keep an eye on their website at www.alpineastro.com and watch these pages.

BURGESS OPTICAL Developing 2-Inch Binoviewer Bill Burgess of Burgess Optical has announced that he is developing a 2inch format binoviewer, a prototype of which was displayed at NEAF 2007.

Burgess reports that the external design of the production model will be modified somewhat from that of the prototype that we examined.

The prototype was surprisingly light given its overall scale and exhibited excellent fit and finish. In a market that is seeing explosive growth of the binoviewer field, there are as of now surprisingly few 2-inch format options, and Burgess Optical’s potential entry will be a welcome addition. The large binoviewer achieves its performance versus weight characteristics with an all mirror design and is intended to be matched with the upcoming 30mm Paragons due out later this summer.

Look for a comprehensive report on the new binoviewer as soon as production models come available.

Burgess Optical also announced that its popular Model 24 Binoviewer will soon be available with self centering eyepiece holders.

Astronomy TECHNOLOGY TODAY

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INDUSTRYNEWS

Astronomy Technology Today Update on Several Items We know, we know, this announcement is about us, but we thought it was really important to provide an update on several items.

First, you’re probably getting this issue in June, not May. We apologize in advance and wanted to tell you why.

We wanted to include coverage of NEAF and ended up with way more material than we thought! This is a good thing, and we didn’t want to have to pare back the coverage. As you will see from the article, it took some time to finish!

We were very pleased with the first printing of the magazine and the efficiency and quality offered by our printer. We have to say everything went a lot smoother than we dared hope! However, we were disappointed in the execution of the mailing of the magazine.

We were assured that the mail process would take no more than two to ten days. Ha! For many of you it took much longer - some taking more than three weeks! We are changing our processes to get the magazine out sooner so that you will actually get each issue in the month in which it is supposed to be received. It will take us awhile to get caught up to that point, so please bear with us for a couple of months.

Also, as you can see, the May issue has a slick cover, replacing April’s newsprint. A few (more than we wanted) of our subscribers reported that the postal service sorting machines were not kind to that cover and it arrived in less than stellar condition (pun intended).

Indeed, some did not receive a magazine at all (the mailing label on the cover was torn off and the post office had no way to know who to deliver to). If this happened to you, please e-mail us at info@astronomytechnologytoday.com (include your name and address so we can double check to be sure we have your address correctly listed).

Finally, some of you have reported that you tried to take advantage of our introductory $12 annual subscription special and, for whatever reason, our Web site would not accept your credit card information. We’re working on it. Meanwhile, if that happened to you and you would like to instead subscribe by mail, you can do so by mailing your check, along with a note indicating the appropriate name, mailing address, e-mail address and any club affiliation, to Subscriptions, Astronomy Technology Today, 3825 Gilbert, Shreveport, LA 71104.

Shamelessly, we would like to point out that we will not be able to offer the magazine at this discounted rate for much longer. So, we hope that you will tell your observing friends about the magazine and encourage them to sign up while the subscription price is still incredibly low.

That’s it! Of course if you have any other comments, questions or suggestions please feel free to let us know at the “info” e-mail address listed above. Thanks!

Pier 42 Design and Fabrication New Pier Manufacturing Company Dustin Knape of Rock Hill, South Carolina, has established Pier 42 Design and Fabrication, a new pier manufacturing company that offers research quality piers for the amateur astronomy market.

Dustin has been fascinated with astronomy since a young age when he got his first Tasco telescope. Upon joining the Charlotte Amatuer Astronomers Club two years ago, he began to re-cultivate his fascination with the cosmos. By trade, Dustin is a network engineer for a national bank. As a person who is always looking at ways to improve things, Dustin has desired to manufacture and produce telescope piers that anyone can afford without sacrificing quality.

The company manufactures piers for Meade and Celestron telescopes, Mitty Evolution wedges, Paramount ME and Losmandy mounts. They also build piers to customer’s specifications. All piers are professionally fabricated using state of the art laser machines.

Each is custom built after extensive consultation with the customer and is finished in 3 to 4 weeks.

The piers come standard with an industrial black powder coat finish that is approximately 2-mm thick with 50 percent gloss finish. A 100 percent gloss finish is available as a special request item. Powder coatings pro-

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Astronomy TECHNOLOGY TODAY

duce much thicker coatings than conventional liquid coatings without running or sagging. Other benefits include the fact that there are fewer appearance differences between horizontally coating surfaces and vertically coated surfaces.

Other available colors include T-Rex White and Genie Blue, with custom colors available upon request.

Pier 42 currently offers two standard models: the SuperPier Jr. and the SuperPier.

The SuperPier Jr. offers advanced strength and stability for CCD photography with fork or wedge mounted telescopes. It is manufactured from 6-inch OD steel tubing with a .25-inch thick wall diameter and 3/8-inch top & bottom plates.

The SuperPier features 8-inch OD steel tubing with a wall thickness of 1/2-inch. The top & bottom plates are constructed with 5/8-inch steel and the pier is of such superior construction that the mounted telescope will dampen any vibrations almost immediately. The standard configuration attaches to any Meade or Mitty compatible wedge or telescope.

More information is available at www.pier42design.com.

INDUSTRYNEWS

FAR LABORATORIES Flash Astronomy Promotes Short Observing Sessions Alan Rifken has developed a new Web site, www.flashastronomy.com, to help get more people involved in astronomy.

“Flash Astronomy is not using a strobe light for imaging the stars, it is a term coined by me to describe short observing sessions,” says Alan.

“The use of equipment that is fast and easy to setup, quick to come to thermal equilibrium, and quick to pack up typifies Flash Astronomy.

In the cosmological scheme of things (time scale), a half hour observing session is really just a Flash.”

Alan gave away buttons promoting Flash Astronomy, see logo above, at NEAF as people stopped to see his unusual functioning scope made out of Legos, which was a big hit with the kids! (see photos in our NEAF coverage) On the Flash Astronomy website he has collected reasons to be a Flash Astronomer, with his apologies to Jeff Foxworthy. He also will be collecting and publishing tips and tricks for Flash Astronomers on a regular basis.

Alan’s company, FAR Laboratories, develops and markets all weather quick mounting systems and accessories for astronomy, including the Dyna Pod Mounting Systems, Dyna Cradle, Piece Pod, Post Pod and Dyna Rail. He also supplies products for the handicapped community including The Dyna Pier Angled, which is specially designed for use by those who are wheel chair bound.

“Both my mother and late mother-in-law are/were confined to wheelchairs,” said Alan. “I have a soft spot in my heart for people who are wheelchair bound. I spend lots of time and energy to come up with new and better ways to help them use telescopes.”

Feel free to email Alan with questions and suggestions about Flash Astronomy to Alan@Rifkin.com.

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INDUSTRYNEWS

AMATEUR ASTRONOMY MAGAZINE

STARRY NIGHT LIGHTS

Enters a New Era

Promotes Dark Skies

After more than thirteen years of continuous, independent operation, one of our favorite astronomy publications is greeting its second editor. Amateur Astronomy magazine, Tom and Jeannie Clark’s long running labor of love, is now the province of Charlie and Margie Warren.

While our publication is primarily about the tools of astronomy and the people who make and market them, Amateur Astronomy has always placed a unique and appropriate emphasis on the people who use those tools. Volume 54 of AA, destined to earn special affection from its core subscribers, offers poignant insight into what motivated Tom and Jeannie to maintain the magazine so consistently for more than a decade, while also sharing Charlie and Margie’s ambitious, though respectful, vision for its future. Charlie discusses in detail there his plans for the magazine, including integration with Web site enhancements. We encourage you to order your copy of Volume 54 today if you are not already a subscriber. If you are like us, you can't get enough practical astronomy coverage and the irreplaceable pages of Amateur Astronomy magazine have earned a significant place in the history of astronomy print media.

We thank Tom, Jeannie and their many contributors for 54 remarkable issues and look forward to even more from Charlie and Margie. For more information, or to subscribe, visit www.amateurastronomy.com.

For those of us who have yet to put our light pollution money “where our mouths are,” we are running out of excuses. Starry Night Lights is a new, one stop source for dark sky friendly, lighting.

Says Anthony Arrigo, its owner: “Starry Night Lights was founded with one goal, to protect our heritage of star-filled skies. This is a bit of a selfish goal (I’m an avid astronomer), but that’s the plain truth of it. I’ve been a night sky activist for about 8 years now. I’ve worked to have ordinances enacted and enforced in my hometown and even managed to get a light pollution bill introduced into the Utah Senate a few years ago.”

“After years of discussions with various home owners, builders, architects, code enforcement types, etc., it became abundantly clear that people would not install night sky friendly lights if they weren’t real easy to acquire. That was the reason for creating Starry Night Lights and has been my focus since day one. Starry Night Lights specializes in night sky friendly outdoor lights that reduce the effects of light pollution in our communities. Each and every outdoor light that I sell shines light down towards the ground only. No light is allowed to shine wastefully up into the night sky or thoughtlessly across property lines.”

Starry Night Lights offers lights for residential and commercial applications and landscape lighting conforming to strict dark sky standards. For more information, visit www.StarryNightLights.com.

Astronomy TECHNOLOGY TODAY

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INDUSTRYNEWS

Starlight Instruments, Inc. Feather Touch® Focuser Quality Focusers and Accessories for the Amateur Astronomer

2" focusers available for: Newtonians, Refractors, Schmidt-Cass Micros available for: Celestrons, Meades, Takahashi, Tele Vue Ultra-smooth coarse/fine focus knobs (10:1 Ratio) Durable hardened stainless steel and anodized aluminum construction Machined internal knife edged baffling Draw tube available with nylon tipped thumb screws (gentle on eyepieces) or locking brass compression ring Ultra-Low backlash system for accurate control Sleek aesthetic design LIMITED LIFETIME WARRANTY!

847-985-9595

www.starlightinstruments.com 14

Astronomy TECHNOLOGY TODAY

SCOPEGUARD Automates Case Production Don Holcombe, owner of ScopeGuard of Magnolia, Texas, has announced the acquisition of a Techno LC4896 CNC router. The LC4896 is a 4-foot by 8-foot Computer Numerically Controlled (hence CNC) automated router. It offers repeatability to .001 inch and resolution to .0002 inch by incorporating highly accurate servo motors and 3 axis ball screws.

Don reports, “We purchased the CNC router to increase efficiency and production. The router allows us to input a CAD drawing of a particular case, with all of the cutouts for handles, latches, locks and casters, and it completes the cutout process.

This eliminates many steps of our previous process.”

The new router allows for repeatability and accuracy otherwise impossible.

“During the short period of time we've utilized the machine, we have increased our

production rate and decreased our lead time considerably,” says Don. ScopeGuard offers existing configurations to fit most popular scopes, mounts and accessories, or can quickly produce a custom case to fit any unique application.

“ScopeGuard cases are designed with the safety of your telescope in mind. Our cases are built for telescope users, by telescope users. We have one goal -- total customer satisfaction.”

For more information visit www.scopeguard.com or call Don at 281-259-3305.

INDUSTRYNEWS

PIER-TECH AND EXPLORA-DOME Announce Agreement Vito Rotondi, President of PierTech, Inc., has announced that his company has entered an agreement with Polydome to market its Explora-Dome dome components as a complete observatory package labeled the “TeleStation4” dome roof observatory.

The combined assembly offers the same wall construction as Pier-Tech’s “Tele-Station2” roll off roof observatory, but with an Explora-Dome rotating dome roof section. This results in a ten foot by ten foot aluminum building supporting the eight foot dome.

Explora-Dome’s unique dome/roof panel assembly matches this wall format per-

Introductory Price $1 Per Issue!

Astro Sky

ASTRONOMY

TECHNOLOGY TODAY

fectly, providing a completely weatherproof structure.

The introductory price of the Tele-Station4 is $5,900 plus shipping.

Purchasers will receive a $200 discount on the price of an accompanying Pier-Tech pier system. For more information, visit www.pier-tech.com or call 630-841-6848.

Green Bank Star Quest Features Original "Rocket Boys" The Green Bank Star Quest will offer a unique opportunity to meet four of the “Rocket Boys” who were the subject of the novel October Sky that was authored by Homer Hickem and later became a highly acclaimed motion picture under the same title.

The popular event will be held July 4 – 7 at the National Radio Astronomy Observatory in Green Bank, West Virginia.

It features an impressive slate of speakers in addition to the “Rocket Boys,” including a presentation by Robert Royce of R.F. Royce - Precision Optical Components.

This year’s event provides a unique opportunity to hear first hand the story of five young boys from the coal fields of West Virginia who dreamed of building homemade rockets and went on to win the National Science Fair at the time when the science of rocketry and space flight was in its infancy. The result of their win opened doors to college educations and successful science and business careers. Participants will have a chance to learn about their rocketry experiences and what it was like to be the topic of a major motion picture.

Those who plan to stay multiple days can purchase two, three or four day passes

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and registration fees cover all visitor center events as well as a camp site, free bath house facilities, free observatory tours, a commemorative registration tag with lanyard, astrophotography classes, and CCD imaging classes. Public phone and Internet access will be provided, as there is no cell phone service, and free battery recharging stations will also be available. The observing field campsites are non-electric sites. Electricity hookups are available at the RV parking lot. One day quest passes are also available for all the events scheduled at the Visitor Center, however these do not include camping or shower facilities.

The National Radio Astronomy Observatory will offer a specialized class on and use of the 40-foot radio telescope.

Participants will receive classroom instruction on the objects they observe along with use of the radio telescope. They will work in teams of ten, some during the daytime hours, others at night, and all will collect real data that will be analyzed for research purposes. There is no charge to the participants of this program, however, only a limited number of spots are available.

For more information go to www.greenbankstarquest.org.

Telescopes & Piers

Precision Truss Dobsonian Telescopes and Piers Built by James Grigar www.astrosky.homestead.com/Astrosky.html

Astronomy TECHNOLOGY TODAY

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NEWPRODUCTS

Subscribe Now!!!

BACKYARD OBSERVATORIES Introduces New Observatory Automation System

Introductory Price $1 Per Issue!

ASTRONOMY

TECHNOLOGY TODAY

Scott Horstman of Backyard Observatories has announced that the company is now offering the m1OASYS Roll-Off Roof Observatory Automation System. This new product, which Backyard Observatories debuted at NEAF, will allow roll-off roof observatory owners to totally automate their observatories. The flexible and robust system is a must-have tool for anyone wishing to secure, monitor, and remotely control their telescope observatory.

Designed as a “do-it-yourself ” package, the m1OASYS system is easy to install and configure, as was demonstrated by the Backyard Observatory team at NEAF. The system is designed around proprietary architecture created for home security and automation, which, when

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Astronomy TECHNOLOGY TODAY

combined with observatory specific hardware and software components, makes for much more than a roof motor relay system.

“It’s a complete automation system capable of managing some amazing tasks and, yes, it can actually brew your coffee for you in the morning,” said Scott.

Add-ons and upgrades include a lighting control interface, temperature module, photoelectric sensor, smoke detector, alarm siren and UPB computer interfaces, appliance modules and dimmer switches.

For more information on the m1OASYS system please visit www.backyardobservatories.com or www.m1oasys.com.

NEWPRODUCTS

ALVIN HUEY

UNIVERSAL ASTRONOMICS

Introduces New Observing Guide Alvin Huey, well known to deep sky enthusiasts for his popular Hickson Group Observing Guide and The Abill Planetary Observing Guide, now offers a new publication, Observing the Arp Peculiar Galaxies.

The new guide extends Alvin’s unique “At the Eyepiece” coverage to Dr. Halton C. Arp’s list of 338 galaxies that define the classic Hubble Classification of Galaxies categories.

Alvin’s guides are targeted to those who enjoy large aperture telescopes and are looking for the more challenging targets that Dobsonians of 18-inch aperture and larger are capable of capturing. Alvin used 22-inch and 30-inch Dobsonians in preparing the observation notes and sketches contained in the Arp guide.

Observing the Arp Peculiar Galaxies is a large work containing 453 pages of text, graphics and charts. The first 53 pages of the guide explain classification of the Arp Galaxies and offer equipment and observing tips and techniques. The remaining pages divide the galaxies by constellation region. For example, the area of Pegasus is sub-divided into its Western, South Central and Eastern regions. Each of the regions is introduced by a page that lists the Arp Galaxies contained therein in order of their number designation and plots them on a “naked eye” chart of the region with Telrad/Rigel QuickFinder circles superimposed over each Arp. A separate page is dedicated to the majority of the listed galaxies and presents a “finder chart” for the target. This is generally a 1.5° square that is centered on the Arp Galaxy. Each of these pages also provides observing notes listing the telescope and magnification used, a negative DSS image with labels and an eyepiece rendition as sketched by Alvin.

We consider Alvin’s guides as essential to owners of larger aperture Dobsonians who wish to experience the full potential of those instruments and as great resources for all who aspire to such instruments. Observing the Arp Peculiar Galaxies is $44.95 and available at the appropriately named www.faintfuzzies.com.

Biggest Yet! Larry Patriarca, Universal Astronomics’ ebullient mastermind, has gone himself more than one better with his latest project. Among UA’s most popular and imitated products is its UniStar alt-az mounts, which heretofore were available in two basic flavors: UniStar “Light,” with a carry capacity of 10 pounds, and UniStar “Heavy,” rated to handle a 30-pound load. Larry’s newest version, which he refers to for now as the UniStar “Heaviest” (a formal name has not been assigned), ups the ante to a capacity of more than twice that of the UniStar Heavy.

That greater capacity proved to be far more than enough to handle the fully dressed Meade 12-inch SCT used to demonstrate its capabilities at NEAF 2007.

We had a chance to test the mount in “viewing while sweeping” mode and the image was rock steady and movements smooth, balanced and well matched in both axes. Alt-az fans and large scope owners, who have heretofore been relegated to ATM creations when wanting to combine both, now have a very refined commercial option to look forward to.

Larry has not set an introductory price or projected a delivery date as of this writing.

APM Refractors/Intes-Micro & STF Maksutovs

www.tetontelescope.com

Astronomy TECHNOLOGY TODAY

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NEWPRODUCTS

FISHCAMP ENGINEERING New ‘Starfish’ Guide/Planetary Camera Bob Piatek of Fishcamp Engineering, an Orcutt, California electronics engineering service specializing in custom designs for science applications, has announced that it will produce and market a new guide camera/planetary imager, styled the ‘Starfish’.

This long exposure, cooled imager is housed in a unique, anodized, 2.75inch diameter by 3.125-inch long, rugged case (about the size of a 2inch eyepiece) and utilizes a 1/2inch format, 1.3-megapixel, CMOS sensor that rivals CCD quality when comparing signal-tonoise ratio and sensitivity. The Starfish is a fully integrated system all required logic elements, including embedded CPU, frame grabber, and USB interface are encased in the compact housing.

Functions such as image statistical calculations, bias frame subtraction, and guide command timing operations are handled directly by the camera, relieving the host computer of that workload.

Data and power are provided via the USB port on the back

of the camera and a front T-threaded coupling permits direct connection to standard lens accessories. An external power connector is available for the TEC cooler for long exposure applications that require cooling the sensor for optimum performance. Broad application and driver support for several popular camera control applications is included with the Starfish and both Microsoft Windows and Mac OS X platforms are supported. A software development kit is also provided for users who desire to create specialized application software.

Fishcamp Engineering’s commercial projects have included infrared image sensor drives, stepper motor controls, video image and DSP procesors, FireWire repeaters and many other custom applications. Bob says, “As amateur astronomers ourselves, we are excited to bring our expertise to the development of this camera and to make it available to a wider market.”

To learn more about Fishcamp’s Starfish imager, visit www.fishcamp.com.

STELLARVUE Dual Fluoro Apo Among the new products to debut at NEAF 2007 was Stellarvue’s New Dual Fluoro Triplet Apo. Vic Maris’ new design is available as the 5-inch SV127 f/5.7 demonstrated at NEAF and an even faster SV135 f/5.44. The SV127 exhibits the exceptional refinement and rugged construction for which Stellarvue has become known.

When asked about the new dual fluoro design, Vic reported: “Special mounting techniques had to be developed to produce a telescope this fast with dual fluoro elements. The cell is extremely rugged and will not misalign. Telescopes in this range generally operate at f/6 to f/9. We chose to go faster. To do this while retaining perfect Apo performance and color correction required special optical and mechanical techniques, better coatings and the use of two, not one, fluoro-phosphate elements.

The result? State of the art performance!”

The unique cell architecture is temperature compensating

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Astronomy TECHNOLOGY TODAY

and it is machined to an overall accuracy of within 3 microns.

Each element is individually mounted within a separate housing and a 6 screw per element locking system insures that accurate alignment is maintained. The retracting dew shield uses a compression ring to fix its positon and the SC127’s minimum length, 21.5-inch, is well within airline carry-on limits.

The SV127 comes with Stellarvue’s exceptional CNC machined hinged rings, its F2 multi-reticle finder, and a hard-side case. It also features a Starlight Instruments 3.5-inch, fully rotating, dual speed Feather Touch focuser. Introductory price is $6,990 and delivery estimated within 4 to 6 months of order.

For more information go to www.stellarvue.com.

NEWPRODUCTS

TELE VUE New ‘Ethos’ Eyepiece - Another New Era Begins We were forewarned before attending NEAF 2007 that Tele Vue planned to announce something that would, once again, change the landscape of amateur astronomy. That is all that we knew and none of our conjecture came close to reality. Who would have guessed the introduction of an eyepiece with an amazing 100° apparent field of view?

We will of course reserve ample space for a detailed feature report of the new Tele Vue Ethos 13mm eyepiece at the earliest opportunity. For now we can only share general observations gleaned from limited opportunities to use the eyepiece on two occasions.

As noted, Tele Vue reports that the Ethos produces an immense 100° AFOV and the effect is astounding.

The observing sensation was akin to swimming inside of the field of view - there was simply so much area to take in that the experience bordered on overwhelming. For an observing eye that is accustomed to a much more modest expanse, that produced by the Ethos generated an initial reaction of sensory overload.

Our limited time with the eyepiece was at f/5 and, subject to the limitations of the target and environment, we detected no aberration, distortion or compromise of sharpness and contrast.

If 100° AFOV doesn’t sound like a significant increase over that of the 82° Naglers we’ve grown accustomed to, consider that it represents a net area increase of more than 50 percent over those already impressively immersive eyepieces. If the Nagler line was appropriately described as offering a “spacewalk” experience, what more apt superlative fits the Ethos?

Design of the Ethos is primarily credited to long time member of the Tele Vue family, Paul Dellechiaie. Tele Vue President, David Nagler, first proposed its performance parameters, consistent with general Tele Vue goals for all of its eyepieces.

That is: high contrast, comfortable eye relief, and full field sharpness, while controlling astigmatism, field curvature, lateral color, angular magnification distortion correction, and low pupil sensitivity for daytime use.

Our early impressions of Paul’s design indicate that he has achieved all goals and that is indeed no small feat.

The 13-mm version shares the versatile dual barrel, 2-inch/1.25-inch format of the Nager 12-mm Type 4 and should become available through Tele Vue dealers later this summer.

We are unable to report an introductory price at this time.

BURGESS OPTICAL 91mm Triplet Apo Among the surprises in store for those who attended NEAF 2007 (and there were many), few created more buzz than Burgess Optical’s 91-mm, f/6.6 triplet Apo. Bill Burgess's newest telescope snuck up on us there because it didn’t arrive until Sunday. Bill’s description of the scope was simply: “Zero color inside of focus, at focus, outside of focus - any object!”

We tested his claim with a variety of targets available within the NEAF venue, including some fairly bright and concentrated reflection points and could find nothing to contradict that boast. Even at magnifications that are generally held to be “stupid” (240x with the 2.5-mm Burgess Optical/TMB Planetary Eyepiece), the scope exhibited no false color at focus.

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Astronomy TECHNOLOGY TODAY

As soon as a production model is available, we’ll put it through its paces and publish a fully researched test report, but we may have to wait in line awhile when they do start to exit the production line - with a NEAF preorder special package price of less than $1K, demand is sure to meet or exceed supply for quite some time.

That introductory, pre-order package? It included: FPL-53 Triplet, 2Speed Crayford Focuser, 2-inch Diagonal Mounting Rings and Dovetail, MRF Finder, and one Burgess Optical/TMB Planetary Eyepiece.

Bill appeared to be doing a brisk business at NEAF and expects to begin delivering the new Apo as early as midsummer.

NEWPRODUCTS

OBSESSION TELESCOPES A New Obsession The buzz started in early April. Someone mentioned that Dave Kriege was overheard to say that a redesigned 18-inch Obsession would be released in May. Many reacted with, “What? Why redesign perfection?” As is often the case, the speculation was far off the mark. The “Classic” 18-inch Obsession has not been redesigned thank you very much! It is alive, well and still in production. What has happened instead is the introduction of a very different, very portable, second 18-inch Obsession option that Dave has dubbed the “Ultra-Compact” or “UC.” The accompanying photos show two of the 18-inch UC prototypes, one in its most compact, travel configuration and the other fully assembled. We watched Dave accomplish the assembly in less than 5 minutes. The truss poles “gather” as a single unit, which greatly simplifies their management and storage.

The scope is designed around what Dave calls a “virtual mirror box.”

Essentially, there is no mirror box as such. The frame that supports the mirror consists of a unique and surprisingly rigid assembly of folding side bearings and a standard Obsession open tailgate mirror mount that is reversed from its normal orientation to better accommodate the new application. The virtual mirror box, when turned 90°, nestles in the rocker box yielding the amazing small disassembled package. Dave estimates the total

weight of the 18-inch UC at 65 pounds.

The new UCs will offer the option of DSCs and Gary Meyers of StellarCAT is already configuring a drive option. The UC will also feature the same, premium optics as the Obsession Classic. A Feathertouch focuser, designed specifically for the UC, will be a “required option.”

As mentioned above, the accompanying photos are of prototypes only. These prototypes were assembled with off-the-shelf hardware and little regard for eye-pleasing finishes.

The production models will sport less obtrusive hardware and a more refined finish, but will retain the all black color scheme of the prototypes.

Our immediate reaction to the folding side bearings was that the joint would be noticeable when sliding over the Teflon glides. We put the thing through many slew cycles and this simply was not the case. The UC prototypes exhibited the same smooth, predictable, “one finger” motion that the Obsession Classics are famous for.

The new Ultra Compact Obsessions will be available in 15inch and 18-inch apertures and introductory pricing will be the same as for their Classic counterparts.

Sky Friendly Outdoor Lighting www.StarryNightLights.com

Astronomy TECHNOLOGY TODAY

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Daniel Mounsey creates “Stellar” works of art.

ASTRO CUSTOM CASES Heirloom Quality Storage Cases We first met Daniel Mounsey (pictured holding his favorite scope, a 10-inch f/5 Teleport) on CloudyNights.com were he is renowned for his eyepiece reviews. Indeed, we consider Daniel’s 2004 Planetary Eyepieces Cloudy Nights Report, and its updates, as “must reads.” It was some years later that we learned that Daniel was also the talented craftsman behind Astro Custom Cases.

Daniel started Astro Custom Cases in 1998. His father was a carpenter and taught him wood working when he was very young. Daniel worked on a variety of projects such as lamps, desks, and observing chairs long before hitting on the idea of marketing custom storage cases for astro products. “The first time I posted my work on Astromart.com I received forty orders within a week. I soon realized I had more than I could handle, so my father helped out.” Many of the initial orders Daniel received were for cases for Tahahashi’s FS102 Apo, because the scope was very popular and was not then factory equipped with a case.

When asked about his competition, Daniel responded: “Other vendors have caught on to this niche and are making cases, which was fine with me. If someone asks me for a travel case that I can’t get to quickly enough, I now have other sources to refer them to. This is a side business for me and I plan to continue it for years to come.”

Daniel’s cases typically require three to four weeks for completion, range from $150 to $1,000, and are custom designed to

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Astronomy TECHNOLOGY TODAY

By Gary Parkerson

house any astro-products from eyepiece collections to scopes.

Daniel has crafted cases for refractors as large as TMB's 10-inch Apo. Regarding his introduction to astronomy, Daniel explained: “I started observing at the age of 11. My first view of Saturn was through a Coulter 6-inch, f/7 reflector. I didn’t have a mount or a finder for it, so I leaned it against a chair to point it at the night sky. I somehow managed to find Saturn and that’s all it took to get me hooked. My only eyepiece was a 12-mm Kelner. I didn’t know any other eyepieces existed, which may sound hard to believe, considering where I stand with eyepieces now.”

“When I discovered other eyepiece options I became a bit obsessed. My current favorites are the latest Pentax XW series, Tele Vue Panoptics and Tele Vue Plossls. I particularly enjoy mid size reflector scopes no larger than 12.5-inch and prefer planetary/deep sky visual work. I generally spend at least three years with each scope to better learn its capabilities and consider myself proficient in maximizing Newtonians for planetary work.”

When not crafting his extraordinary cases, Daniel serves as a member of the professional staff of Woodland Hills Telescopes (www.telescopes.net) of Woodland Hills, California, where he is known as “Doctor D.” To learn more about Astro Custom Cases, visit www.home.earthlink.net/~ghost65.

Presentation Case

Refractor Case

Eyepiece/Filter Case Astronomy TECHNOLOGY TODAY

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With the Stealth of a Leopard, The Speed of a Cheetah, and the Power of a Lion...

Come join the ServoCAT Pride!

Increase your ability to see fainter objects, to see more detail or just to enjoy the Universe as it was meant to be enjoyed....

FEATURES:

The NEW ServoCAT Track and GOTO system.... available as a RETROFIT kit for YOUR Telescope! Install today - USE IT TONIGHT! Close to 600 shipped to date on scopes from 8" to 41.2"! Equatorials as well!

• Installable BY YOU in hours... Now includes an INSTALLATION VIDEO! • Also INSTALLATION SITES where WE install!: Arizona, NC, Texas, and California!

• Tracks EVERYWHERE, ALL THE TIME! Totally silent tracking.

• Can track Sidereal as well as Planets, Comets, Even Space satellites (DSC dependent) • Manual operation without re-aligning included! DIY kits from $599, Complete kits starting at $1299!

• Works in conjunction with either an Argo Navis or Sky Commander DSC. NO PC/LAPTOP REQUIRED! • HIGHLY accurate tracking (AutoCALibrate mode to PRECISELY track) even at 1000x, 1500 even 2300x!

• GOTO 30,000 objects OR built in GOTO from ANY Planetarium program, Planning software, or even PDA's • True Spiral SearchTM capability BUILT IN! Local Sync for arcminute accuracy, Slip Return for public sessions.

• Wired Handpad provides 6 speeds that you can set to YOUR desire! Wireless handpad available as well!

• SMOOTH tracking ... powerful SLEWING at speeds of 5, 6 even 8+ degrees/sec - YOU SET what YOU want!

• EASY TO USE - just align your scope as normal and use it! Nothing else to do!

• Software configurable limits (easy Windows program) - no "Horizon" hassles.

• AutoGUIDE capable for long term imaging using a standard CCD AG; also use with the new VIDEO cameras!

• Light weight - no HEAVY platform to carry around, no added space/height needed, resetting, or awkward angles.

• FULLY plug and play - no wiring to take care of. RELIABLE and FULLY PROTECTED!! 2 Year warranty!

• Simple Windows config program, we can even ship fully configured so NO programming needed!

• Low power consumption, runs off 12V or available 120V supplies.

• OPTIONS: include Wireless 232 to control your scope from hundreds of feet away, Powered Ground Board option for no tangle or battery hassles, CATtail Stalk for convenience in holding your DSC and handpad.

• FACTORY INSTALLED ON: Obsession, StarStructure, Plettstone, Discovery, SpaceWalk, and many others!

SCOPE RENTALS! SCOPE RENTALS! SCOPE RENTALS! Also: Desert Coyote Observatory with 12.5" and 30" ServoCAT scopes for rent in DARK SE Arizona (7th mag skies) at reasonable rates. RV available as well! Call for availability.

We also sell: Argo Navis DSC - the most powerful Digital Setting Circle available M20 image courtesy of Jerry Pinter, taken with a homemade 18" dob, Canon EOS 20dA, w/ServoCAT

StellarCAT, 1460 N Clanton Ave, Sierra Vista, AZ 85635 520.432.4433

www.StellarCAT.com

Scope Stuff Your Telescope "Connection"

By Gary Parkerson

Several years ago I owned an Orion 127-mm Mak and an SCT at the same time. It occurred to me at some point that the little Mak would be even more useful if I could use some of my collection of standard SCT threaded accessories with it. Specifically, I wanted to be able to use a JMI Crayford focuser and SCT 2-inch diagonal with the Mak. Threading the SCT diagonal onto the Mak would provide a much more rigid joint, with far greater weight capacity attachment, than the two set-screw visual back that is standard with that scope, and the Crayford would permit fine focus adjustment without the bit of mirror shift that my Mak exhibited.

What I needed was an adaptor that transitioned the male thread of the Mak to the female threads of the SCT accessories. I contacted ScopeStuff.com who I knew to be a reliable source of hard to find astro-gadgetry, but they did not then offer that specific part. I searched the Web and found nothing. Queries on Cloudy Nights and AstroMart yielded no direct sources either, but did uncover a number of other Mak owners who were looking for a similar solution. I purchased a lathe and attempted fabricating an adapter myself, but never developed

the patience or skill necessary to produce a usable product.

Eventually I asked my brother, who knows everyone in our hometown, to direct me to a machine shop that could produce the part. This was when he was still less than satisfied that my enthusiasm for astro-stuff was rational, but he did direct me to a competent machinist.

What I learned was that the machinist could indeed fabricate the part, but the price would be the same for one, twenty or fifty of the things, because the set-up and lathe time is essentially the same for any small quantity. The bottom line is that the cost would have exceeded what I paid for the little Mak. I’ll leave you to guess whether I had the part made, but today I wouldn’t have to. ScopeStuff has long since added this and many more handy devices to its already impressive inventory.

On another occasion, a friend who knew of my fascination with optics and who had been collecting surplus camera lenses from a Hollywood source for many years delivered samples of these to me to see if I could find an astronomy use for any of them. I sifted through the pile and identified a likely candidate. A single trip to ScopeStuff.com found the

combination of adaptors that would get me from the odd male thread on the camera end of the lens assembly to a 1.25-inch star diagonal, and two days later the piece was on its way back to its owner converted to a fully functioning spotting and rich-field astro scope.

So if you’re already familiar with ScopeStuff, consider this a sincere reminder that they probably have the component you need. But, if you haven’t had the pleasure of doing business with Jim Henson and his crack staff of dedicated professionals, consider this introduction my favor to you. You can save yourself a lot of steps by simply looking first for that scope component at ScopeStuff.com.

I’ve done business with them for a number of years now and the experience has been routinely enjoyable, shipments quick and sure, and products of excellent quality. Don’t let me leave you with the impression that ScopeStuff carries only adaptors and other components. Their inventory includes not only the parts you need to build a Dob, but also factory complete Dobs, refractors, diagonals, eyepieces, filters, finders, focusers, chairs, flashlights, eyepatches and more.

Astronomy TECHNOLOGY TODAY

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SkyShed

POD A Labor of Love

By Wayne Parker

Like many astronomers I was drawn to astronomy by sci-fi movies, TV programs, and books by authors like Clarke, Heinlein, Bradbury, and Asimov. Also, like many, I was drawn to music by bands like the Beatles, the Rolling Stones and other popular groups of my youth.

They say that if you want to be happy, you should make your passion your life’s work. At around the age of 14 making music and searching the heavens solidified themselves as my life passions. Actually, those two and the pursuit of girls. I was 14 after all!

Throughout my teenage years I divided my time between school, family, part time jobs, playing in local bands and setting up my little Celestron C5 scope every chance I got. I’d employed star hopping to the brightest sky objects, always pushing for that next magnitude darker object to show itself in my eyepiece.

For the most part I observed alone.

Most of my friends were not patient enough to stand around while I spent 20 minutes trying to locate a bright NGC object in the eyepiece. Especially on those frigid Canadian winter nights!

After high school I continued in a local band which gained popularity, as I and the other members of the band worked our way through college and played gigs part time. As time passed and income increased (a little) I upgraded my scope to an 8-inch SCT, then a 10-inch SCT, and added a couple of refractors and lots of gizmos and gear to help me spend less time looking for objects and more time observing them.

A couple of years after college I was still in that very same band gigging six nights a week. We were officially “discovered” and Astronomy TECHNOLOGY TODAY

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SKYSHED POD signed to a worldwide recording contract with EMI Records. We recorded our first album over 3 months in the mountains of Quebec. I decided to purchase a Tel Vue “Genesis”, so that I would always have a scope with me when traveling.

When I think back to what I looked like walking through airports, I’m amazed I ever made it through security. Imagine long hair, pulled back into a tail, dark shades, black leather coat with LOTS of zippers, the silver metal belt, black denim jeans and leather boots, WITH a tripod strapped to my back and my Genesis packed in well traveled black and chrome case. Put it this way: I think it would take me a little longer to get through airport security today than it did back then.

Our album debuted and before long we were lucky enough to have a few hit songs around the world. This meant lots of traveling and opportunities to turn people on to astronomy. I used every chance I got to set my little scope up and invite people to take a gander. Sometimes is was on the roof of a Paris hotel while on tour with Tina Turner, or next to our tour bus, behind a stadium, in the U.S. heartland, while touring with the band Journey.

I continued to enjoy that little scope on the road, and due to touring schedules and more album recording, I got a chance to gets weeks and even months to settle in for many observing sessions at home without having to travel much at all.

As usually happens when a new decade dawns, musical styles changed and my band’s time had now come and gone.

Personally I was quite happy because I now had a lot more time to do astronomy and was tired after 17 years of playing music in smoky bars and forever traveling, while back at home, my friends planted roots and raised families.

Since I had tucked away some money, I figured I’d take couple of years off to decide what I wanted to do for the next phase of my life. I kept trying to think of a way that I could spend as much time as possible involved with astronomy, but as

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Astronomy TECHNOLOGY TODAY

Left – Wayne, far left, with the band in 1987.

Below – Wayne, far right, with the band members today

We thought you may be interested in a little more information about Wayne’s Rock and Roll past! His band, originally called Tokyo, was discovered in the summer of 1984 and officially became Glass Tiger upon signing a major recording contract.

Their first album, “The Thin Red Line”, was released in 1986 setting a record for being the fastest selling debut recording in Canadian history, going gold within weeks of its release. The album received four Platinum records in Canada and went Gold in the United States. The song “Don’t Forget Me (When I’m Gone)” reached #2 on the U.S. Billboard charts followed by “Someday” which reached #5. In addition to garnering several Juno awards, Canada’s top music honor, the band also received a Grammy nomination for best new artist. you know there’s not a long list of things you can do full time in astronomy and still eat well. That is, unless you’re a professional astronomer who made the decision to become one way back in high school, a time when I was busy playing guitar, not studying math.

I really enjoyed that time off and got in more astronomy than ever before. I remember getting four great Mars observing nights in a row, one of the few times I left my scopes setup outside due to a dry hot summer. I’ll never forget getting time to spend observing one Messier cluster so

The band continued its success with other albums and has become one of the most successful Canadian groups of all time. They have recorded songs with Bryan Adams and Rod Stewart and toured with some of the most popular bands of the day.

In 2005 they released a retrospective DVD containing all of the original hit videos the band released in the 1980’s and 90’s along with 2 new videos and songs recorded especially for the DVD compilation. They continue to perform to large crowds on a regular basis and remain a fan favorite. For more information about the band go to www.glasstiger.ca. long that I perceived the “tunnel effect”, where for just a fleeting moment, I got the slightest sense of the distance and scale of the object I was observing.

The best thing that happened in that time was that I met my wife Lorelei. I was visiting a friend one day and noticed an astro magazine on the coffee table. When I asked my friend if it was his, he said that it was his roommate’s. A female roommate.

In all my years in amateur astronomy, I had never met a woman who read Sky & Telescope magazine. I HAD to meet this woman. A while later my friend was hav-

SKYSHED POD ing a barbecue and I was invited. view, but because we rarely lived in In the dark by the camp fire that one place for more than a year or night I heard a woman speaking two, and a permanent observatory who, I could tell, had the same zest was out of the question. When I did for life and thirst for knowledge imagine building an observatory, the that I did. I quickly realized this price of domes seemed out of reach was the mysterious astronomer unless you had the time and patience roommate. I was in love. It was a to build one yourself. case of love at first camp fire light.

I also noticed that all my Talk about an astronomer’s astronomer friends seemed to be dream come true! We “courted” by doing less and less observing for the attending Royal Astronomical same reasons – beautiful telescopes Society of Canada speaker’s nights taking up permanent residence in the and visiting the planetarium, the corner of the dining room, instead of local observatory, etc. I now had an the backyard where they belonged.

Wayne, right, and his wife Lorelei, stand with friend and observing partner with her own astrophotographer Paul Mortfield, at Starfest 2006.

One thing that had always been scope who was just as gung ho as I in back of my mind was an article full service lots in three rows. The lower of was. All was good. from the mid 60’s in Sky & Telescope (or the rows, across from the main tent is Eventually the rock and roll money was it Astronomy Magazine?), about a pro“manufacturer’s row.” Over the years, was running out and it was time to get a fessor who had built a “roll off” observatobesides speakers and vendors, the lower job. I fell into an IT position with a friend’s ry in Joshua Tree, California. I’d always row has been where manufacturers rent company and took to the hardware and imagined that some day I’d find the right trailers and setup up their latest products. software business like a fish to water. I place and look up that article for inspiraEach year I’d sit on the next tier up spent the 90’s working for large computer tion. looking down at the manufacturers setting companies and eventually running my It was 1996 and the Internet was still up their stuff, and say to Lorelei “We have own software distribution businesses. mostly dial-up. I decided to do some to find a way to get to manufacturer’s row.”

Lorelei and I moved to the country, two research online to see how roll offs had What I meant of course was that we had to hours away from the city, to take advantage progressed since the 60’s and if many othfind a way to be involved with astronomy of local dark skies. ers had built them. I found five websites 24/7 because that’s what we really liked But then something happened. By the with homemade roll off shed links. to do. mid 90’s I was doing less astronomy each I was surprised to see that the sheds As mentioned, I had been doing less year, as I got busier with business. There were still being constructed the same way astronomy each year which was very disapwas less time to lug my ever increasing colthey had been way back when. The same pointing. Of course, like all astronomers, lection of scopes and accessories outside – angle iron on caster design, some with I’d love to have a beautiful observatory to just in time for the clouds to roll in. winches, pulleys, motors, all kinds of use at a moments notice. That would realThe highlight of my and Lorelei’s year, things that were designed to help you get ly help. For me that was out of the queswas our annual vacation at Starfest, in Mt. that big old roof back and forth. That’s tion not as much from a financial point of Forest, Ontario. At Starfest we would try when I realized the opportunity. to cram as much observing into one week as possible. In those years few people went early to the star party, but we always tried to arrive at the beginning of the week to take advantage of Starfest’s dark, clear skies and get some time (sort of) alone together to help rekindle our partnership.

Every time Starfest ended I started counting the months, then weeks, then days until it started all over again. That’s how much we enjoyed it.

At Starfest there is a limited number of

Astronomy TECHNOLOGY TODAY

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SKYSHED POD I found that no one had taken a second look at roll off design using modern materials and then commercialized that design in a fashion that enabled the average person to build a great observatory for a couple of thousand dollars.

I teamed up with a friend whose family had been in the business of garden shed building for many years. Over four years of part time work, we developed a new kind of roll off with new design improvements.

Lorelei saw the prototype in action and said it reminded her of the SkyDome in Toronto. She thought “SkyShed” would be a good name. We agreed.

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Lastly, we looked at pier design. Since we were going to be in the business of observatory building, we were going to need piers, and we didn’t notice any sitting around in local astro shop showrooms.

Once again, we didn’t find what we were looking for in the market of basic pier design.

The piers we found were all one piece designs and people spent a whole lot of time and effort getting their footing set for polar alignment before pouring concrete.

We knew that wouldn’t work with our easy-to-build SkyShed. So we separated the top of the pier from the rest of the pier.

This meant it didn’t matter where we aligned the bottom of the pier in the wet concrete. You could turn the pier cap for polar alignment long after the concrete has cured.

We decided we would sell SkyShed in various forms to make it affordable to as many astronomers as possible. We would sell it as a CD filled with six sets of 3D and 2D construction plans and a library of information, as a kit that you assemble, and as full installation to customers within our local area.

We built a 10' X 12' prototype in my backyard that functions as well today as it did the day we finished it in 2002. The pier also has worked flawlessly.

We debuted SkyShed at Starfest in 2003. We had finally made it to manufacturer’s row! Talk about baptism under fire.

We knew that we were arriving with something that most astronomers had never seen. An attractive log cabin style, 6' X 8' garden shed, with little flower boxes that would keep the astronomer, as well their family and neighbors, happy at the same time. No more utility box style roll offs, with all those pulleys and wires.

SkyShed was an instant hit. In the following four years we’ve sold more than 3,000 sets of SkyShed plans and hundreds, if not thousands, of SkySheds are in existence and I believe we can say that in numerical terms SkyShed is easily one of most popular observatory designs ever.

Thank you SkyShed owners!! And we were just getting started.

Way back at the beginning, we also looked at dome observatory designs. We quickly realized that where a shed product would take tens of thousands of dollars to launch, a dome product would take hundreds of thousands of dollars. So we put the dome on the back burner while we developed and launched the Shed.

We used to get a kick out of people pegging our new company as a “roll off” company while we realized that with luck, in time we would be an “observatory” company with both roll off and dome designs

SKYSHED POD sive fiberglass or aluminum, the material most often used with existing designs. As I mentioned earlier, we moved to the country many years ago and for all those years I’ve driven by hundreds of “calf shelters” made of polyethylene. Inspiration struck!

I started to ask local farmers about these shelters. They seemed to last forever and looked indestructible. My questioning led me to a local polyethylene manufacturer and I brought them my sketches to see what A computer schematic of the POD XL5 they thought. When they saw my sketches and I asked if they could offered. execute my design with their materials, During 2003 my Shed building parttheir response was “absolutely!” ner, Brad, landed a large contract with a I spent the next year determining if it pool company and we parted ways. I startcould in fact be done affordably, with all ed developing the new dome product by the features I knew astronomers would myself. demand.

Once again, I didn’t see my vision of Next I enlisted a well known engineer, an observatory in the market. It was like Farhat Hanna, whose specialty was autotime had stood still since the 1800’s. motive and nautical design. I knew he Nothing of substance was affordable to the would have to learn the peculiarities of average astronomer, unless you wanted to plastics manufacturing. His designs were build it yourself. Even the plans I found subtle, yet brilliant, and I knew he was the were $400! And they still used slots copyengineer for the job. For the next year ing big professional dome designs. The Farhat and I worked together on new problem is that with small domes this credome designs, while I ran SkyShed ated a chimney effect in cold weather and Observatories and our roll offs gained in a good cross wind could create quite a popularity around the world. whirl wind inside a small dome.

One of our research strategies was to The main thing that bugged me was join as many online forums as possible and that I couldn’t see the sky, just a small slice I spent time each day reading about the of it. As an astronomer who had spent his problems astronomers had and what they life trying to get out under the stars, I needed in an observatory solution. We couldn’t get past standing in a booth with used this information to tailor a design that only a slice of sky showing. I knew I’d miss would fit the vast majority of users and we the little things like shooting stars and found that we could do it affordably. satellites passing over head.

We ended up with these demands. It I sketched out all the alternatives I could had to be well priced. It had to be both think of that created a much larger window permanent and mobile so that it could be on the sky and would mean much less left up all the time, or just used when time turning of the dome to view objects over or circumstances allowed. It had to have a long periods, meaning no need for a large viewing window and no motors, pulmotor, pulleys, wires, etc. leys or wires. It had to be “shippable” I was happy with my design sketches, (unlike our roll off). It had to be light so but I couldn’t find an alternative to expen-

that almost anyone could handle its parts.

It had to be family and neighborhood friendly.

It also had to be customizable with a design that could accommodate many different configurations for different uses, such as simple observing or serious astro photography. It had to work with many different scopes and mounts and had to have a low enough wall so that both owners of smaller and larger scopes would have a good view of the horizon.

It had to be lockable to secure equipment from theft. It had to be strong, even with no floor, so that users would not have to utilize an isolated pier and could later add a pier as funds allowed if they wanted.

Users had to be able to set it up on soil, gravel, concrete or a wooden deck.

It had to withstand extreme weather and work in extreme cold and heat. It had to be very low maintenance and ready to use right out of the box. And most important, it had to last a long time.

Another year went by while we devel-

Our piers offer superior rigidity to virtually cancel out any accidental vibration. We manufacture piers for Meade and Celestron telescopes, Mitty Evolution wedges, Paramount ME and Losmandy mounts.

We can also custom fabricate your pier on our state of the art laser machines.

www.pier42design.com Astronomy TECHNOLOGY TODAY

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SKYSHED POD oped designs based on the above parameters.

Finally, we came up with a design that ranked high in all departments.

Farhat created the first CAD drawings and when I saw the back of the new dome in white, it reminded me of the back of the Pods in the movie 2001: A Space Odyssey. In need of name, we called the new dome “P.O.D.”, for “Personal Observatory Dome”, knowing that most astronomers observed alone or with only one or two others present. We prefaced POD with SkyShed for trademark and branding purposes, and the “SkyShed POD” was born.

Our next task was to find the right mold makers and plastics manufacturers with whom to entrust our new creation. We visited many shops and factories and after six months of visits, we decided upon mold makers Royal Pattern in Cambridge, Ontario and SPI Plastics in Owen Sound, Ontario. Both companies stood head and shoulders above all others we interviewed.

Before long SPI and Royal were just as enthused and passionate about POD as we were. All of us swore that we would cut no corners or cross off any features on our way to creating the ultimate low cost, high quality, full observatory solution.

At this point we started to contact friends within the industry and swearing them to secrecy before showing them the new dome CADs. Their reaction was fantastic. They said things like “You’ll sell a million of these,” “This thing will shake up the community like never before,” and “This will change amateur astronomy as we know it!”

With the confidence of this kind of feedback, we went about raising the hundreds of thousands of dollars it would take to create and develop the rest of the project.

Another year quickly passed. We found the funding we needed without having to give everything away, with a non profit organization know as the Canadian

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Top Image: You can get 21 people in a POD (if you have that many friends!)

Bottom Image: Wayne and many of the members of the team who made POD a reality.

Futures Development Fund, who has been an excellent partner.

By 2006 I was getting tired of keeping the secret and by then so many people knew about POD that I was sure something would slip out. The only thing we were waiting for was the go ahead from our patent lawyers to show our new design to the public. As winter melted into spring, we realized that if we didn’t announce something soon, we’d lose yet another year as astronomy tended to be seasonal for the most part in the northern part of the northern hemisphere.

When Royal and SPI told us were three to four months away from producing PODs, we did it. We turned on the switch to our Web site at 7:21 am on April 21, 2006. We released a first “teaser” flash ad that let people know a new product that could fundamentally change amateur astronomy was on the horizon. We got almost 20,000 web hits in our first week.

Within two weeks the boys at Royal came to us, hat in hand, to say that they thought it would be more prudent to make POD molds one at a time, instead of all at the same time, as originally planned. This would push the launch back from late summer to early fall. Meanwhile we had been telling people we’d be testing in the summer!

They were wrong about how long it would take. Very wrong. As I write this just over year later, full production PODs are being made for the first time. Hundreds of them are being boxed and readied for shipment.

In the last year we’ve been developing international distributors and retailers, as well as contacting astronomy clubs and other groups. Beta testers have put POD through its paces and overwhelmingly they have told us that it passed with flying colors.

This May and June the astronomy community is going to see the largest deployment of observatories that has ever occurred at any one time. Since we know that when astronomers have an observatory they tend to observe WAY more, I predict that more astronomy will be done in the next few years than has ever happened before. Only when that has occurred will we feel that POD has been a complete success.

By the time you read this, PODs will be on the way to Europe, then to Oceania and Asia. Once a couple of thousand PODs are in place we will launch the SkyShed Observer Network (S.O.N.), and plug all those observatories into each other, creating a real-time network of observatories, the likes of which has also never been seen. We call it “Phase Three.” But that's another story.

In the meantime a HUGE thank you to the thousands of people who have supported us, been patient with us, and understood, while we tried our best to fulfill our mission of “More Astronomers, Doing More Astronomy, More of the Time.”

Beta Testing SkyShed's POD Setup in less than one hour!

by Dave Miller

When Wayne Parker with Skyshed announced a beta program for his new POD, I jumped at the opportunity. At Durango Skies, we do a lot of observatory installations and I was keenly interested in the functionality and ease of use of the POD. Well, it took awhile for my beta POD to arrive, but when it did, I immediately unboxed the dome and wall panels and went through the assembly process.

My first impression of SkyShed’s POD is that it is very quick and easy to setup. It took me less than two hours for the initial setup and less than 45 minutes for subsequent setups. To put things in perspective, I’ve built a couple of six-foot Home Domes and each time it took me 30 plus hours to assemble. I’ve also built several SkyShed rolloff roof observatories and each time that has taken two to three days with additional help.

To be able to assemble a POD by myself in under two hours is really amazing.

My second impression of the POD is that it is really big. I have a six-foot Home

Dome with walls and a six-foot by eightfoot SkyShed roll-off roof observatory setup in the Durango Skies showroom, but the POD almost made them look small. It is easy to see why a POD will handle most scopes. The SkyShed POD Web site has several photos of scope setups, including a 14inch SCT and a 14.5-inch Dobsonian. I tried a six-inch LXD75 refractor and found I had plenty of room to move around while using the scope.

Initial Setup As a beta tester, I received a “home video” of the POD assembly procedure a couple of weeks before my beta POD unit arrived. I watched the video once and then put it away for safe keeping. When the POD arrived, I followed my standard procedure of doing a setup without looking at the instructions, trusting the premise that, if it is designed well, it should be intuitive to put together. The POD definitely hit the mark here. I only referred to the video once to

identify which length of bolt goes in which hole. (Note that the production POD will come with an instruction manual and DVD).

To assemble a POD you will need a hammer, Allen wrench, large flat blade screwdriver and tape measure. I recommend a flat, level surface for assembly. If you put the POD together on an uneven surface, it will be harder to get the wall panels to fit together correctly. A wood deck or concrete pad is a perfect foundation for POD, but dirt or grass will work as well. After all, the POD is made of high-density polyethylene, so it will never rust or rot. For my initial POD assembly, I used a side room at the store.

The first step in assembly is to connect the five wall panels and one door panel to form the wall ring. The walls quickly lock together like LEGO brand building blocks.

There is a pin at the bottom of each wall panel that fits into the hole at the bottom of the adjacent wall panel. Wall panels are seated together by tapping one wall panel down Astronomy TECHNOLOGY TODAY

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BETA TESTING SKYSHED'S POD

Wall panel bases with male pin and female seat.

The last step is to get the dome sections in place. Two dome quarters are bolted together with four stainless steel bolts to form a half dome. The dome half that does not open is first set on the wall and secured with five roller bracket assemblies that keep the dome sections from lifting off the wall under high winds. The dome half that opens is then set into place and attached to the first half with two long bolts that go through the preformed holes.

Portability SkyShed bills its POD as an observatory that can be quickly disassembled to bring to the cabin, a star party, or your club’s dark-sky site. So my first test was to see how quickly I could break down the POD and get it ready for transport. On my first attempt, I was able to take the POD apart in less than 20 minutes. The key to speed is to carry a bag to quickly drop the bolts into.

Roller bracket assembly.

It also helps for not losing any of the 20 plus bolts and washers.

My next test was getting the POD to my dark sky site. I own a Toyota Tundra with a 5-foot by 6.5-foot bed, so I didn’t think I would have any problems. Scott Baker, another beta tester, put a POD in his short bed Chevy pickup, so I copied his method for loading the walls and dome quarters. My first attempt took about 25 minutes, but I spent a lot of that time studying what Scott had done. To see just how fast I could load the POD, I pulled everything back out of the truck and was able to reload all the panels and dome quarters in less than 10 minutes. Remember to use tie down straps and have them ready before loading. With everything in place and tied down, I had no problems cruising down the road at 65 mph.

My final test was to see if the POD could be setup by one person. I’m 5-foot,

CATSEYE™ Collimation!

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with the hammer or rubber mallet. To pull the top of the wall panels together, SkyShed provides a “wall tool.” Use the large flat blade screwdriver to pop out two plugs and then insert the wall tool, which pulls the panels together. The wall panels are then secured with two stainless steel bolts at the top and middle of the wall. After all the wall panels are in place, use the tape measure to make sure the wall ring is round. One additional tool that I found useful is an IRWIN Quick-Grip brand clamp, which provides a fast way of pulling the wall panels together without popping out plugs.

The next step is to add the dome roller wheels to the top of the walls. This step is quick and very easy; just drop a wheel into the pre-formed slot and then push the fiberglass pin through the pre-formed hole to secure the wheel. Some pins pushed easily all the way in and some needed coaxing with the hammer.

Wall panel tops held together with "QuickGrip" clamp and with Allen head bolt being installed.

www.catseyecollimation.com 34

Astronomy TECHNOLOGY TODAY

BETA TESTING SKYSHED'S POD

Assembled POD with 6-inch Refractor.

10-inches and 165 pounds and put the POD together by myself more than once, so for me the answer is yes. But it was not easy.

Assembling the wall panels was easy, but the hard part was getting the dome in place.

Following the assembly instructions, each dome half is bolted together on the ground and then lifted into place. The trick is to lift a 7.5-foot half dome made of slippery polyethylene and weighing 70 plus pounds onto a round wall that is 4-foot off the ground.

No matter how careful you are, the dome half wants to fall off the side or into the dome ring. I was able to get it into place by placing one end on the wall ring and carefully lifting the other end into place.

A second approach that I tried successfully was to build the dome in place, one quarter at a time. This is easier from a lifting perspective, but requires a lot more time and tools. Dome quarters won’t sit on the wall without falling into the dome ring, so I used an 8-foot pole to hold the first dome quarter up while placing the other half on the wall ring. I also needed a stepladder to get to the top bolt, which is 7.5-foot off the ground and several clamps to hold the dome half together to add the remaining bolts.

The bottom line here is to get help. It’ll save you a lot of hassle.

Usability I wanted to give a first hand account of using the POD for stargazing, but my location has been in a constant pattern of clouds, rain and snow since it arrived a cou-

POD disassembled for loading in truck.

ple of weeks ago. Operationally, I found that the dome half was easy to open and that I could rotate the dome without a lot of force.

Some of its best features are those dedicated to security. On the inside base flange are 1/2-inch holes for bolting the POD to a deck or staking it to the ground. With the ground stakes in place, my beta POD has not moved even though strong southwest winds knocked down several dead trees on my property while the POD has been located there. On the underside of the dome half that opens are two blocks that drop into wall notches when the dome is closed. Steel bolts are screwed from the inside, through the walls, and into these blocks and prevent the dome from rotating or coming open under high winds. And finally, the door comes with a lockable latch that prevents unwanted entry into the POD. Conclusions If you are in the market for an observatory, the POD should definitely be on your list of options. A base price of under $1,500, easy setup, and ease of portability to take it with you if you move, make for a winning combination. SkyShed has also been listening to the feedback from its beta testers, so the production POD will be even better. For additional information on SkyShed’s POD, visit the SkyShed POD Web site www.skyshedpod.com or come see us at the Durango Skies Telescope and Binocular Web site at www.durangoskies.com.

Astronomy TECHNOLOGY TODAY

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Meade 16-Inch Lightbridge Supergiant Performance on a Main Sequence Budget "Everybody who looked through this telescope at the Astronomy Day event commented very favorably on it. This one went home with a new owner that evening."

By Chris Brownewell

Meade’s Lightbridge Series of telescopes has been out for over a year now in the 8-inch, 10-inch, and 12-inch sizes. The most recent addition to it is the 16-inch Lightbridge, which began shipping in April. When the original Lightbridges were announced, I questioned whether the portability advantages of an 8-inch or 10inch truss Dobsonian were enough to offset their greater cost versus competing 8inch and 10-inch traditional Dobsonians.

Truss Dob design innovation was brought about by the desire to have a portable large telescope without the bulky long tube. I did not feel that the transport space and weight savings with an 8-inch f/6 or 10inch f/5 are really enough to justify the extra expense associated with a truss structure. Also, many wondered whether these telescopes would demonstrate significantly better quality when compared to the Meade Starfinder series Dobsonians.

When the first 10-inch and 12-inch Lightbridges were received, it became obvious that Meade had done their homework, not only in correcting the deficiencies of their earlier Dobsonian telescopes, but also in emulating the better ideas of its competitors. The only real fault I could find with these is the primary mirror collimation springs in the 12-inch are evidently the same ones used in the 8-inch and 10inch models, and they are marginally stiff enough for the additional weight of the 12inch mirror. Spending $2 at your local hardware store for stiffer springs and spending about 10 minutes putting them in easily corrects this.

When the 16-inch model was announced, I placed an order for one.

Given the experience with the smaller Lightbridges, I had some hopes that this would be a decent telescope.

The first 16-inch Lightbridge arrived

at my store in late April, and I immediately took it home to Site B, 70 miles south of Chicago. It was shipped in two boxes, one containing the tube parts of the telescope, and the other containing the unassembled base. The weight of the tube box was 90 pounds, and that of the base 68 pounds. It was shipped via UPS and both boxes arrived in good condition. The cardboard and Styrofoam packing inside was very effective, and all parts were additionally wrapped in plastic. It took me about 40 minutes to completely assemble the telescope without reading the directions. There was only one glitch, involving the altitude brake, which it turns out had a broken plastic piece. This did not interfere with operation of the brake.

The 16-inch Lightbridge is a beautiful telescope to look at. Fit, finish, and appearance of all parts set a new standard for mass produced Dobsonian telescopes. In comAstronomy TECHNOLOGY TODAY

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MEADE 16-INCH LIGHTBRIDGE

MEADE LIGHTBRIDGE TRUSS TUBE DOBSONIANS SPECIFICATIONS:

8" DELUXE

10" DELUXE

12" DELUXE

16" DELUXE

Clear Aperture Focal Length, Focal Ratio Maximum Practical Visual Power Total Net Telescope Weight

203mm (8") 1219mm f/6 (8") 500X 44 lbs.

254mm (10") 1270mm f/5 (10") 600X 65 lbs.

304.8mm (12") 1524mm f/5 (12") 600X 80 lbs.

406.4mm (16") 1829mm f/4.5 (16") 700X 128 lbs.

ALL MODELS FEATURE: Optical Design Primary, Secondary Mirrors Eyepiece Optical Tube Assembly (OTA) Materials Focuser Cooling Fan Red Dot Viewfinder AutoStar SuiteT Software

Newtonian Reflector Aluminum coated with magnesium fluoride over coat. Mounted in adjustable mirror cell. Secondary mirror aluminum coated with magnesium fluoride over coat.

Meade 26mm QX Wide Angle Eyepiece Metal open Truss Design Steel roller bearings for azimuth 2" Crayford style focuser with 1.25" adapter Battery Powered Fan Deluxe 4-reticle Red Dot ViewFinder Included with purchase of telescope.

Data provided by Meade

mon with the smaller Lightbridges, it has a roller bearing between the ground board and the rocker base with a tension-adjusting knob inside the rocker base. In conjunction with the three conventional azimuth bearings, this gives the user the ability to set the level of resistance to movement over a wide range. It works very well. The altitude brake,

Lightbridge, you will need to come up with counterweights. The truss system on the 16inch is the same as on the other Lightbridges, with 6 poles in 3 siamesed pairs. Meade’s truss attachment scheme uses captive hardware and ensures a positive identical attachment every time the telescope is assembled.

This minimizes collimation issues. While attaching the poles to the lower tube section is easy, putting on the secondary cage is a bit tricky, and probably best done with a helper.

Also, with the six-truss pole setup, properly orienting the secondary cage and focuser position is not very intuitive. Buried in the manual is an instruction to always place the lower tube section in the rocker with the seam in the metal tube towards the brace board on the rocker. Doing this will make getting the focuser in the right orientation a bit easier.

The “standard” model Lightbridges have been discontinued and Members of Green Bay’s Neville Public Museum all current production ones are the Astronomical Society check out the Meade 16-inch Lightbridge at their May 2007 meeting. “deluxe” model with a mirror cooling fan, 2-inch 26mm Series 4000QX eyepiece, which is now standard on all of the and the upgraded red dot finder with multiLightbridges, works, but not nearly as well ple reticle choices. The mirror-cooling fan in as the azimuth tension adjustment. If you the 16-inch is larger than that in the smaller will be hanging heavy eyepieces and other Lightbridges and works well. The standard accessories on the front end of your eyepiece has a 70-degree apparent field and

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Astronomy TECHNOLOGY TODAY

gives very good performance for a sub-$100 2-inch eyepiece. These are sensitive to being kept clean, and any dust on the field lens will show very obviously when you look through the eyepiece. The stock finder works decently, and is a good alternative to the more popular Telrad and QuikFinder units. On a telescope of this size, I would prefer to also have an optical finder of the 9x50 variety.

Although the Meade finder base looks identical to that used by Orion and others, it is just a little bit smaller, prohibiting a quick swap upgrade to a different finder scope.

Two features are unique to the 16-inch Lightbridge. The first is the two-speed Crayford focuser. The right side focuser knob has a smaller knob sticking out of it that has a 10 to 1 reduction in speed compared to the main knobs. It also has brass clamping rings in both the 2-inch tube and in the included 1.25-inch adapter. Tensioning and locking screws are included. This is easily the best standard equipment focuser ever on a Meade telescope, rivaling expensive aftermarket units. The second feature was not immediately obvious until I turned the telescope down to look at the cooling fan. This telescope has a 27-point flotation mirror cell!!

I had the pleasure of using the 16-inch Lightbridge for two nights under the dark skies of Site B, and for one evening of public observing at the Calumet Astronomical

MEADE 16-INCH LIGHTBRIDGE Society’s Astronomy Day event. The first night out, the telescope required some finetuning in collimation. The collimation and locking screw knobs on the 16-inch are larger and easier to turn than in the smaller Lightbridges I had worked on. I’m told that these large knobs will be standard on all future Lightbridges. The collimation bolts seemed to have a finer thread on them than I am used to, taking longer to get the collimation just right, but also permitting very fine adjustment. I like it. Visually, looking at galaxies and globular clusters, this telescope is everything you could ask for in a 16-inch telescope. The truss system works well, and no flexure was observed when moving the telescope around. Seeing conditions did not permit rigorous tests of the telescope’s resolving power, what was seen on Jupiter and Saturn held up to over 400x. The height of the eyepiece when the telescope was pointed near the zenith was uncomfortable for my 5-foot, 7-inch height; a 4-inch step was enough to ease this.

The 16-inch Lightbridge does not include a light blocking shroud to go over the truss poles. The six-truss pole design is not friendly to homemade efforts in this department. I recommend the shroud made by

The 1.5-inch thick 16-inch F/4.5 primary mirror is supported by a 27 point flotation mirror cell. The large mirror cooling fan is powered by an 8 AA battery pack that plugs into a jack on the mirror cell.

AstroZap, which has stiffening rings sewn in it to prevent the shroud from drooping into the light path. It would also benefit from a front mounted baffle opposite the focuser, made of cardboard or Kydex and held on with Velcro. A digital setting circle kit is available from JMI, and enterprising ATMs may find a way to make this telescope a Push-To using Celestron’s Sky Scout.

Before you run right out and buy one of these, there are a few potential downsides to consider. The heaviest part of the telescope is the lower tube section, which I call “the bucket”. It weighs about 60 pounds. The base of the telescope is a bit lighter, only around 45 pounds, but it is rather large and unwieldy. It must be turned sideways to get in and out of the doors of most homes, and if you do this very often, you will ding it up.

Overall, this is a very exciting telescope.

It is a tremendous improvement in both portability and quality over older 16-inch Meade Dobsonians. Its $1,999 price will certainly get the attention of many who were considering much more expensive telescopes.

Everybody who looked through this telescope at the Astronomy Day event commented very favorably on it. This one went home with a new owner that evening.

The 16-inch Lightbridge’s focuser has a fine, 10 to 1 reduction, small focus knob on the right side of the focuser. It works great. Both the main focuser tube and the 2-inch/1.25-inch adapter have eyepiece friendly brass clamp rings. The red dot finder has user selectable reticle patterns and adjustable brightness. The finder dovetail base is not compatible with other brands of finders.

The entire 16-inch Lightbridge fits nicely into the hatchback of this Scion Xa. Most users will want to take the “bucket” section out of the mount base because of it’s weight. The bucket weighs about 60 lbs, the base around 50 lbs.

Astronomy TECHNOLOGY TODAY

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First Looks at the New Tele Vue Imaging System Series of CCD-Optimized Telescopes

The Tele Vue "is" Imaging System "I have certainly had a lot of fun testing these new telescopes over the past two years…"

By Jim Burnell

I have been very fortunate over the past two years to have been able to test the new Tele Vue “is” or Imaging System series of CCD-optimized telescopes. I live about 15 minutes from Tele Vue’s facility in Chester, NY, in the town of Warwick. I maintain an observatory there, where I take advantage of every clear night to image the skies.

I cannot claim to be an unbiased reviewer of these fine, hand-built telescopes, as I am a big fan of Tele Vue, both the people and their products. If you could see the care that goes into the design and fabrication of their marvelous instruments, you would be too.

During the course of their development, I tested the initial prototypes, right up through the final production models of the TV-60is, TV-102iis, NP101is and the NP127is. As a matter of fact, the cover shot on the second edition of The Handbook of Astronomical Image Processing

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was the first-light image taken using the original prototype of the TV-60is.

Initial testing of the TV-60is was performed using a Starlight Xpress SXV-H9 CCD camera with a Homeyer filter wheel.

Later on an SBIG STL11000M CCD camera was used. This 36mm x 24mm large format camera with its huge chip and great weight (over 5 lbs with the cables and water lines connected!) is an especially severe test for any telescope. During the course of testing, the various accessories available for this family of telescopes were used, including the focal reducers, largeformat field correctors, extension tubes, the Focusmate and the Focusmate Driver, and Digital Indicator Kits used to reference focus position.

I maintain a web page where I frequently post images taken with these telescopes at: http://www.jburnell.com/ STL1stLight.html. Other images taken with these scopes are spread throughout

EDITOR’S NOTE As we mentioned in the April issue of Astronomy Technology Today and as you may have noticed in reviewing your copy, newsprint leaves much to be desired as a platform for accurate reproduction of high resolution astrophotographs. We enjoy articles that feature astrophotography equipment and how-to coverage and will include many in future issues of this publication, but are very fortunate that there are also other forums for such coverage. One of our favorites is SkyInsight.net’s AstroPhoto Insight magazine.

AstroPhoto Insight is an online magazine that features cutting edge astrophotography products and techniques. The following article was first published in the December 2006 issue of AstroPhoto Insight. While we will generally not make a habit of reprinting articles that are first published in other journals, we found it very easy to make an exception in this case. We could think of no better way to introduce those of you who are not already familiar with SkyInsight.net to its amazing resources and to insure maximum distribution of Jim Burnell’s unique experiences with Tele Vue’s astrophotography optimized “is” family of telescopes.

with an objective mounted on the front of it. This little telescope, with its wide field of view makes little CCD chips seem like big CCD chips.

Indeed, the field of view of this telescope with the SXV-H9 attached to it is a whopping 85’ x 64’! Not bad for a CCD camera with a 8.98mm x The image above shows the rig as it was set up for testing the 6.71mm chip.

NP127is. Two of the is-series scopes are visible here, the This configuraTV-60is (used here as a guidescope) and the NP127is. tion yielded pinmy website: http://www.jburnell.com. point stars out to the corners of the chip, The following paragraphs will describe and a virtually unvignetted field. While I these imaging systems and my impressions routinely shoot flats for all my images, of their use and performance. with this scope this is primarily to get rid of dust shadows on my CCD window, not The TV-60is for any vignetting problems. This performThe TV-60is was the first telescope in ance is the case for all of the telescopes in the “is” series. It is a 60mm f/6 APO dou- the “is” series. For imaging with this scope, blet with a focal length of 360mm. It is the use of the included field flattener is based on the optics of the popular TV-60 highly recommended, and while it is not visual telescope, but there the similarity strictly necessary for very small CCD stops. The TV-60is has a massive 2-inch chips, it is needed for larger chips. The TVfocuser, capable of holding the largest 60is performs well for images up to APS CCD cameras. As a matter of fact, your size (22mm x 15mm) after which first impression of it is that it is a focuser vignetting and field aberrations become

FAR

more of an issue. But after all, the objective is 60mm, while the diagonal measure of an APS-size chip is 26.6mm. I have successfully used the STL11000M CCD camera with its 43.2mm diagonal, cropping out the outer 1/3 of the field. I have also used the Tele Vue 0.8x focal reducer designed for the Pronto with this telescope and the SXV-H9. Although this configuration is not specifically recommended by Tele Vue, I have enjoyed quite acceptable results using it.

For those who might wonder “how deep can you reasonably go with a CCD camera and a 60mm telescope,” I would direct them to the image on my website at http://www.jburnell.com/Markarians_ Chain.html, where galaxies down to 19th magnitude can be seen in a stack of exposures totaling 96 minutes. A version of this image is shown on the following page (Image 1).

The NP101is The next scope developed in Tele Vue’s “is” series was the NP101is. This exquisite 101mm refractor is a 4-element NaglerPetzval design using flourite-substitute glasses, having a focal ratio of f/5.4. Its 540mm focal length gives even a small CCD chip a field of view capable of capturing some of the skies showpiece objects, while providing pinpoint stars corner-tocorner for even the largest available CCD chips.

This telescope was designed specifical-

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Tele Vue “is” Imaging System ly to handle the large-format CCD chips of the SBIG STL11000M (36mm x 24.7mm) and Apogee U9000 (36.9mm x 36.9mm) CCD cameras. As such it provides pinpoint stars across its nearly unvignetted flat field. The massive focuser with its solid 2.4” clear aperture drawtube, 1/4” thick drawtube walls and multiple focus locking screws can support a massive load of CCD camera, filter wheel and cables without flexing.

This is supremely important for these large-format cameras, which are sensitive to even the slightest tilt in the focal plane. A set of jack screws is provided in the focuser to allow the user to remove any tilt present in his system, a really nice feature not found in other scopes.

When using a CCD camera with an integral autoguider CCD, the user often needs to rotate the camera in order to place a Image 1 suitable guide star on the guider chip. When doing this it is really handy not to have to refocus the scope when the camera is rotated. The larger “is”-series scopes provide the ability to rotate the camera without losing focus or introducing tilt via a tapered insert ring and four lock screws. I routinely rotate my camera to aid in composing my images without the need to refocus. This feature is definitely a real time-saver.

The NP design is composed of four elements, a front doublet and a rear doublet. In the “is” version of this scope the rear elements have been enlarged to minimize vignetting for the largest CCD chips.

For cameras with CCD chips larger than the APS format, a “Large Field Corrector” is offered, which removes the last vestiges of field aberrations for those CCD cameras having chips large enough to require it.

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For cameras with APS-size and smaller CCD chips, Tele Vue offers a matched 0.8x focal reducer for use with the NP101is and NP127is. This handy accessory reduces the focal ratio of the NP101is to f/4.3, yielding a 430mm focal length. For my SXVH9 CCD camera, this increases the field of view from 57.2' x 42.7' to 71.8' x 53.6'.

With this reducer the NP101is provides nice, tight star images right out to the edge

of the field, with only the barest hint of vignetting.

In my early testing of this scope I was fortunate enough to be able to borrow an SBIG STL11000M CCD camera (which I enjoyed using so much, that I later purchased one). This camera, with one of the largest CCD chips available to the amateur astronomer, places quite a demand on any scope with which it is used. It is fairly heavy, as would be expected, which combined with the large CCD chip, makes it a good test for focuser flexure. I am happy to report that the beefy focuser on this telescope is more than up to the task of carrying this camera with all its cables and hoses. (I used the water-assist option during the hot summer months.)

While we are on the subject of the focuser, let me bring up the Focusmate and

Focusmate Driver. These products were introduced during the development of the “is” series of scopes, but they are also compatible with most older Tele Vue telescope models. The Focusmate is standard equipment with the “is”-series scopes, as it is a fundamental component of an imaging system. This 6:1 ratio reducer makes focusing a snap. The f/5.4 focal ratio of the NP101is can be a real bear to focus, as can any fast system. This reducer gives you much finer control of the focuser movement. The addition of the optional Focusmate Driver allows you to focus the telescope remotely. Since I started using this electric focuser, I am loathe to ever return to manually focusing a CCD camera again.

This focuser setup is quite strong, having no problem lifting a 5lb camera, even with the telescope pointed at the zenith.

Another handy option is the digital focus readout, a linear micrometer attached to the focuser to measure the focus position with an accuracy down to 1/10,000 of an inch. I found this to be quite useful for recording the focus position of my RGB filters and my hydrogen-alpha filter. With the software interface, available for download from the Tele Vue website, I saved these focus positions and was able to return to the correct position after changing filters using the STL11000 internal filter wheel. Like the Focusmate and the Focusmate Driver, this accessory is available for each of the telescopes in the “is”-series.

The NP127is After the NP101is, Al set his sights on the NP127. This five-inch refractor has been Tele Vue’s flagship product for the

Tele Vue “is” Imaging System

Image 2 past 5 years. The visual version of this scope, while no slouch for imaging, by any means, was enhanced in the same manner as the NP101 to improve its performance for large CCDs. Like its little brother, the rear elements of this Nagler-Petzval design

were also enlarged to minimize vignetting for these larger chips, and were married to the new focuser design. The resulting scope is a large-chip astrophotographer’s dream. As of the date of this writing, Tele Vue has discontinued the original visual

NP127 in favor of the NP127is imaging system.

The NP127is is slightly “faster” than the NP101is, with a focal ratio of f/5.2, giving the 127mm scope a focal length of 660mm. With my STL11000M this results in a field of view of 187.5' x 125'.

This field of view is large enough to accommodate the entire M31 galaxy, (Image 2), as can be seen at http://www.jburnell.com/STL11000/M3 1Color.jpg. I have a buddy with a Schmidt camera who shoots fields like this.

As far as performance, the NP127is is easily the sharpest telescope I have ever used, and I have used quite a number of them. If you examine the star images in the corners of the image shown at http://www.jburnell.com/STL11000/M8 M20HaRGBG2V_halfsize.jpg, you can see just how well the scope performs with the STL11000M and the Large Field Corrector. The star images are tight, and free of the faint blue halos seen in images taken with scopes that do not offer the same level of color correction.

The TV-102iis This scope may have a funny name, but that is due to its lineage, being a direct descendant of the TV-102i, a four-inch APO doublet designed for use with the Tele Vue Bino Vue. This scope is the latest in the “is” series and was developed to accommodate the need for additional backfocus required with some imaging trains. With its focal ratio of f/8.6 and longer focal length of 880mm it is the longest focal length telescope in the Tele Vue lineup. Being a member of the “is”-series, it shares the whole “is” system of accessories, including the T-ring and STL-series camera mounts, non-vignetting spacers and other adaptors.

With these various accessories, you can mount just about any CCD camera or digital SLR to an “is”-series scope. The TV102iis comes standard with the Focusmate, and is compatible with the Focusmate Driver as well.

How does it perform? My first image with it was a two hour plus hydrogenalpha stack of the California Nebula (it was nearly full moon, and I couldn’t wait) using my newly-acquired STL11000. I used its Astronomy TECHNOLOGY TODAY

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Tele Vue “is” Imaging System optional dedicated reducer/flattener for the 102iis optics to give a 704mm flat field at f/6.9. You can see the image at http://www.jburnell.com/STL11000/NGC 1499Ha_small.jpg. I was pleasantly surprised by this (Image 3), my first attempt at this object. The stars in the corners are tight and round, as can be seen in this cropped section of the lower right-hand corner of the image, and the vignetting is nearly non-existent. While the color correction of this scope doesn’t quite match that of the Nagler-Petzval scopes, it is quite good and should delight the more budget-conscious astro-imager.

Image 3 This enlargement of a portion of this TV102iis image shows nice tight stars, right into the corner.

Conclusion I have certainly had a lot of fun testing these new telescopes over the past two years, and feel really grateful for having had the opportunity to do so. Their excellent performance and utility are the result of a lot of testing with the largest available CCD cameras and feedback into the design process, with several iterations being made with many of the more crucial parts in order to continuously improve them.

The system of accessories make this more than a collection of telescopes, but rather a system of matched components, optimized to provide the greatest utility to the astrophotographer.

Oh yeah, and I did put an eyepiece in each one, and the views were awesome!

AstroPhoto Insight AstroPhoto Insight, published by Sky Insight (www.skyinsight.com), is a bi-monthly digital magazine dedicated to exploring and sharing the latest innovations and techniques in the field of cutting-edge amateur astrophotography.

AstroPhoto Insight publishes articles by well-known experts; such as Jim Burnell and Adam Block. However, all readers are encouraged to submit articles, and some, like Neil Fleming and Craig Stark, are sure to become household names as well.

A typical issue will contain hardware reviews, software reviews, how-tos, and any number of reader submitted articles. Emphasis is always on the practical side of astrophotography with plenty of information to help the enthusiast get the most out of their astrophotography experience.

AstroPhoto Insight, while offering enough material to keep even the most hard-core astrophotographer interested, still offers a variety of practical and “basic” information to be of great value to the beginner as well. A recent survey of readers confirmed its broad appeal across all levels of astrophotographers.

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AstroPhoto Insight was created out of a desire by publisher Al Degutis to learn about astrophotography. Having a keen interest in the hobby, Degutis purchased several “must have” books on astrophotography. However, he quickly realized that this was a rapidly evolving field that needed a venue for information-sharing that was timelier than the traditional “how-to” book. So he started AstroPhoto Insight as a quarterly newsletter. Soon though, at the behest of his readers, Degutis changed its publication to the current bi-monthly schedule to keep more up-to-date with the constant changes in the field.

Before AstroPhoto Insight, Degutis had developed a search tool for Astronomy-based Yahoo groups. What was originally intended as a personal “Google” for Degutis, his Sky Insight Search Tool (www.skyinsight.com/search) now has over 2 million messages indexed for almost 100 astronomy and astrophotography groups and has became a popular search tool for many of those groups. The Sky Insight Search Tool was featured in the Astronomy Online column by Stuart Goldman in the March 2005 issue of Sky & Telescope.

Collimation and the BLUG Has collimation ever been easier?

By Erik Wilcox

Collimation! Just saying the word out loud sends shivers down the spines of many newbie and experienced amateur astronomers alike. I’ve heard a lot of people list collimation as one of the reasons they bought a refractor instead of a reflector (truth be told, refractors aren’t always collimated perfectly from the factory either, but that’s for a different article).

I’ve always been a die-hard Newtonian Reflector fan. I’ve owned numerous refractors, and a couple of SNT’s (which also require frequent collimation), but I always come back to reflectors as my main scope of choice. Large aperture, no chromatic aberration, and ease of use are some of the reasons. However, with fast f/ratio reflectors, collimation becomes very critical to achieving good images through the eyepiece. At f/8, you might not notice if the optics aren’t perfectly aligned, but at f/4, it becomes pretty obvious that something isn’t right.

For years, my collimation tool consisted of a focuser cap with a tiny hole in the middle (the kind that comes with many scopes). Honestly, I think this simple tool works pretty well - assuming, of course, that the secondary mirror is

aligned, and the f/ratio is forgiving enough (f/6 and slower). When I finally started getting into faster scopes, I tried out a couple of the laser collimating tools that were starting to get popular at the time. Frankly, I wasn’t impressed. They didn’t fit very well in many focusers, and the tools themselves often seemed to be out of collimation. So, even at f/4.5, I stuck with my simple collimation cap and a Cheshire eyepiece. Images seemed fine to me, and all was well. But I still wondered whether any improvement in alignment could be seen by using a well made laser collimating tool.

So, when I was asked to do a review on the Howie Glatter collimation laser tool and the new “BLUG” (barlowed laser plug) for ATT, I jumped at the opportunity.

The tools arrived from Howie in a well packed box, full of styrofoam “peanuts”. After opening the box and seeing the gear, I was convinced that they could have been shipped without a box these things are really solid!

The collimation tool is just beautiful - perfect machining and a nice finish that looks like finely brushed aluminum.

Unlike the laser tools I’d tried years ago,

this one fit snug and secure in my Moonlite CR-1 Crayford focuser. It also came with accessories - a screw on attachment that converts the collimator to a “self-Barlowed” collimator (not required when the collimator is used with the BLUG), as well as a couple of stick-on donuts for marking the center of the primary mirror. Several pages of instructions were also included - they’re well written and easy to understand.

Everything was packaged in nice, sturdy plastic snap-together bolt cases.

And then there’s The BLUG! It’s also put together very well and has a built-in Barlow lens (hence the name).

Although it comes with some “shims” and an additional O-ring for odd sized drawtubes, it wasn’t needed in my case it fit the drawtube on my scope perfectly.

I was very interested in the BLUG, as it’s something totally unique - unlike anything I’ve ever seen. It fits on the inside of the scope - you simply install it in the drawtube inside the OTA. To be honest, when I first learned about the installation procedure, it made me a bit nervous, as I’ve had my share of “accidents” involving mirrors. But, as I mentioned - it fit perfectly. The O-ring does a nice job of Astronomy TECHNOLOGY TODAY

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COLLIMATION AND THE BLUG holding it securely in the drawtube, and I was never worried that it would fall out.

Of course, care should still be taken to make sure it fits tightly, is installed all the way, etc. But the $100,000 question: How well do these tools work? I decided to find out by first collimating my scope with the tools I’d used for years - the Cheshire eyepiece and collimation cap.

After the usual “turn the adjustment knobs a bit, look through the eyepiece, repeat, repeat, repeat” routine, I got everything aligned to what I considered “pretty darn close.”

In went the new gear. While my collimation was pretty close, it definitely wasn’t “perfect”- at least, not according to the Howie Glatter tools. The laser dot was slightly, but noticeably off-center, and the BLUG verified this.

Collimating with the BLUG installed was really easy. Instead of having to get up and look through the eyepiece after each small adjustment, I just lifted the shroud up a bit, and I could see

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Astronomy TECHNOLOGY TODAY

the circular laser image against the bright white background of the BLUG. This allows the user to collimate from the back of a truss tube scope, where the adjustment knobs are located. Even with a solid tube scope, the BLUG can be turned around in the drawtube and collimated from the front of the OTA, without having to peer through the focuser, etc. A quick adjustment and everything was centered perfectly. Still suspicious, I then installed the Cheshire, and afterwards, the collimation cap, to see what they said about the alignment. To my surprise, both of my simple tools said the optics were aligned as well. But they had said that before I made adjustments with the Glatter tools - what was going on?

After purposely misaligning the optics and going through the process again a few times, I realized what was going on. The chesire and collimation cap were just not as accurate as the Glatter tools. Determining whether the optics were aligned depended a lot on my

eye placement. If I looked into the collimation cap with my eye not perfectly centered, it could show the optics as “aligned”, even though the Glatter tools would reveal that they weren’t quite there. And despite my best efforts, I couldn’t consistently get the Cheshire and cap exactly right - they almost always produced results that were slightly “off.”

The laser didn’t rely on eye placement or my human error.

Another thing became obvious as

COLLIMATION AND THE BLUG

Blug installed in focuser

Laser tool in focuser

Reflection of Barlowed Laser on Blug

well - any little thing in the optical chain can lead to a misalignment. With the Glatter tools, I noticed that there was some “play” that I hadn’t seen before. I soon discovered that two of the focuser mounting bolts had become a bit loose over time, leading to this small amount of slop. I didn’t see this with the Cheshire and cap, but it was obvious with the Glatter tools as I racked the focuser in and out.

After getting everything aligned, I rolled the scope outside to get some view-

ing in. Of course, rolling the scope across the rough pavement of my parking lot knocked the scope out of collimation, but that was okay - I wanted to see how easy the tools were to use in the dark. I quickly found that they were just as easy to use at night as they were in my living room with the lights on. I also noticed that even without the BLUG, collimation was very easy with the Glatter tool. But the BLUG just made it so much more convenient!

Overall, I was impressed with the Glatter tools, to say the least. The BLUG

is truly unique in design, and works exactly as advertised. And the laser tool is a real work of art - something that even the most discriminating “gearhead” would be proud to have in their equipment arsenal. At about the price of a nice eyepiece, these tools are well worth the investment. After all, all the expensive eyepieces in the world won’t give optimum views if the optics on the scope are out of alignment. I think I’ll have to make some room in my eyepiece case for some new collimation tools!

Astronomy TECHNOLOGY TODAY

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DSC Computer ATM Project ADDING ORION'S INTELLISCOPE SYSTEM TO THE MEADE LIGHTBRIDGE

By Jamey Nyberg

Soon after receiving the new Meade Lightbridge 12 Deluxe, I began looking for digital setting circle (pointing computer) options. My requirements for the installation were simple: The DSC assembly must look and function like it was made for the scope, and must not interfere with the Lightbridge’s “toolless” knockdown and setup. The whole point to the Lightbridge telescope is its portability and ease of set-up. It is also a pretty telescope and I did not want to spoil its looks. Of course, appearance was secondary to functionality.

I considered a number of DSC/Computer options, but decided early in those comparisons that Orion’s Intelliscope system offered all of the characteristics I was looking for.

I obtained the Intelliscope components from the Science Education Center, a local shop that is an Orion dealer. It had received an Orion Intelliscope equipped Dob that was badly damaged in shipping. The object locator had a scratched lens on the LCD display, the brass bushing for the azimuth encoder was lost and the “Y” connector circuit board was broken into pieces. But, I plunked down $100 bucks for the remains of the system and sought to rebuild it. I have added DSCs to a

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couple of equatorial mounts, so the process was not totally new to me.

Installation Steps Because the Lightbridge had a steel roller bearing assembly right where the azimuth encoder would logically be installed, installation challenges included switching the azimuth bearing to Teflon.

I disassembled the base and removed the roller bearing and replaced it with furniture glides attached to the ground board (Image 1). I also had to create a new flanged bushing since that part of the azimuth encoder was lost, but I did not have to machine any parts. I just assembled a new part from nylon bushings. A 1.25-inch long tubular bushing of 1/4inch internal diameter and 3/8-inch outside diameter forms the heart of the axle.

Over that I slipped a 3/8-inch internal diameter and 1/2-inch outside diameter bushing that was one-inch long. For the flange that separates the encoder disk from the encoder’s circuit board, I used a nylon washer 1/8-inch thick by 1/2-inch internal diameter and one-inch outside diameter. With the original brass bushing, the flange that the new washer simulates presses down on the disc, keeping it from turning. In my installation, a ring of double sided foam tape prevents the

disc from slipping (Image 8).

The azimuth encoder disc is visible in center of the ground board in the accompanying photos.

The azimuth encoder circuit board was attached to the bottom of the azimuth bearing board and rides the nylon bushing. It gets no closer to the encoder disk than is allowed by the nylon washer/spacer pictured. The two black objects on the circuit board are Hall Effect transistors that turn magnetic lines on the encoder wheel into electronic waves that the hand computer can use to interpret the movements of the telescope (Image 10). Not seen in the photos is a phone cord jack on the opposite side of the circuit board that goes thru the rotating azimuth bearing board. An anchor screw, #4 x 5/8-inch, was installed in the slot. A half inch nylon bushing was used to keep the circuit board and azimuth board co-centered on the pivot point while the screw was driven.

The red ABS altitude encoder arm was shaped and is shown in the accompanying photos (Image 5). It will be black when it is finished.

The altitude encoder is installed on the eyepiece side of the altitude bearings.

First, I added a 2.5-inch x 1/4-inch stud to the center of the aluminum bearing.

FEATURES THAT SOLD ME ON THE INTELLISCOPE SYSTEM (1) Every control on the face of the computer has its own back light.

(2) All back lights are brightness controlled over five settings. This is a real help in maintaining dark adaptation.

(3) It offers a very large database of astronomical objects (over 14,000) and 100 user objects can be added.

(4) It uses a full numeric keypad with shortcut keys to all catalogs. Over 12,000 of the objects can be entered with just their catalog name. To get the directions to ANY Messier, IC or NGC object requires no more than five key strokes. Leading zeros in the catalog name are not required.

I have tested this function using gloved hands and the big buttons with generous space between them make it easy.

(5) The new style magnetic encoders are capable of a respectable 9216 counts per revolution. In the future, this magnetic type of encoder should be capable of any needed resolution. Think how many 1s and 0s can fit on one track of an old floppy disk!

(6) It is remarkably easy to use, and, like all good DSCs, you can ignore it when you don't need it and then turn to it to find those dim, fuzzy objects.

(7) It met the above criteria of full integration. It does look like it was made for the telescope.

(8) The assembly poses very little interference with telescope's easy setup and teardown.

(9) the Intelliscope computer is supported by a growing number of planetarium (sky chart) programs.

The bushing that would normally penetrate the outside altitude board on the rocker box on an Orion Dob is used to reach into the dish shape of the aluminum side bearing. This gets the encoder electronics away from that very conductive wheel. I added some insulation to ensure no contacts on the circuit board ever touch the wheel. In the accompanying photos, the stud is shown with a nut in contact with the aluminum wheel (Image 6). Final assembly had two washers stacked under the nut.

The hand bolt knob is used to positively capture the bushing and encoder disc (Image 7). This forces the disc to follow the scope while the circuit board is held stationary by the altitude encoder arm (red ABS in photos).

Finishing Touches At the point that I was very close to finishing installation of the Intelliscope components, the Science Education Center called to report that Orion had

come thru with a new connector board.

That is the Y circuit board that splits the coiled cord into the two encoder boards.

I had already bought the connectors and laid out the art work that would become the circuit traces on the new circuit board. But, I didn't mind at all skipping the etching, drilling soldering and creating a mount for the little board. With the new replacement board, all I needed to do was route another rectangular hole in the base. YES! The connector board has an easy wiring pattern and can be built on a “perf-board� in about an hour.

Fortunately for me, I did not have to finish the homemade little board. Pictured is the commercial version.

The altitude arm fit inside the encoder board so the arm provided the insulation I needed to protect the circuit contacts there. My Lightbridge was born without an altitude brake. I decided I could add one more speed nut knob and use the altitude arm plastic as a brake shoe. It almost touched the aluminum

Astronomy TECHNOLOGY TODAY

49

DSC COMPUTER ATM PROJECT edge on the altitude bearing anyway. A threaded knob easily made the arm contact the aluminum to increase altitude friction.

Cabling turned out to be almost too easy. Because the Intellicsope base is smaller than the Orion’s and the altitude encoder and connection to the hand paddle would now be on the same side, there was plenty of cable and I had to roll a skein into both cables to take up slack.

I thought I would be weeks into the project before completing it. Instead, I was nearly done in only a few hours. It’s funny how things just seem to go together sometimes.

Finished!

Some cautions: (1) On the azimuth encoder make sure there is ample clearance between the sensor transistors and the magnetic ring.

I added a 1/16-inch nylon washer to the 1/8-inch one that was already there. This prevented contact between the transistors and encoder ring. So, final spacing for the azimuth encoder bushing is 3/16inch of nylon washers.

On a similar note, the stud on the aluminum altitude wheel now has two washers under it to step the encoder out an extra 1/8-inch. The ABS plastic altitude arm is 1/8-inch thick and I had originally planned it to be on the “away” side of the encoder. It is now the closest part near the wheel (between the encoder and the altitude wheel) and it was dragging on the wheel without those extra washers. So, final spacing for the altitude encoder bushing on the stud is two 1/16inch thick washers and a common 1/4inch x 20 thread nut.

Note: The altitude arm is held in place on each end by an “industrial” fastener material both sides of which, unlike Velcro, are the same -- an array of tiny plastic strands standing like pillars with a ball on the end of each pillar. This fastener system is very strong and, also unlike hook and loop Velcro, there is no

50

Astronomy TECHNOLOGY TODAY

accidental attaching. When you want it to hook to the opposite piece, you have to press it together firmly.

(2) Back to cautions: When you are constructing and painting while you are installing, it is easy to get dust and/or paint on the electrical contacts.

Cleanliness is next to, uh...impossible. Go back and clean all electrical contact surfaces exposed to dust. This is most important for the inside of the telephone connections.

To make the square and rectangular holes required for the installation, I started with a round 1/2-inch diameter hole then square it off with a square section rattail file. The file has fairly course teeth.

The largest section of the file I used was 1/2-inch square tapering to 1/4-inch square on its end. The two rectangular holes were the hardest part of the install taking 15 to 20 minutes each. Fitting and re-fitting the telephone jacks into these holes is how I got dust into them. [See the hand control port pictured in one of the accompanying photos. It's located in the upper right corner of the front panel of the rocker box (Image 3).]

Conclusion I enjoyed the project, but of course, by the time I finished it, the skies were cloudy and the new equipment curse guaranteed to keep it that way for a couple of weeks.

Fortunately, the hand controller has diagnostic programs built into it for testing the encoders so I was at least able to be sure they are working correctly. The manual, reprinted from the Orion Web site, gives generous information about ranges of readings that are acceptable from working encoders.

One future modification I would like to make to this installation is to put the roller bearing back into the azimuth axis.

I plan to do this by cutting the center out of the top and bottom bearing races.

These are just 12.5-inch diameter steel sheet metal plates. I will leave a sufficient

flange inside the bearing to screw these plates to top and bottom ground board with flat head screws so the screws won’t interfere with the bearing rollers or the other race plate. The rollers are trapped in a plastic cage that looks like a wagon wheel. The spokes of the wagon wheel will have to go and that will just leave the rim with the rollers in it. Finally, a circle of pegs will stick up from the bottom board and encircle the bearing so the roller cage will have to stay on the metal races. Essentially, I will replace the 1/2-inch bushing that was the center of the bearing with the circle of pegs that will form a bushing on the outside of the bearing.

This design and installation worked for me and my new Lightbridge. I hope you enjoyed reading about it.

Now, all we have to do is encourage Orion to make their kit more readily available to all.

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DSC COMPUTER ATM PROJECT

4

3

2

1

1

Ground board with new flange bushing, encoder disk and furniture glides installed.

2

Another view of the completed assembly with hand control.

3

Inside view of components installed in the rocker box.

4

The Meade Lightbridge 12 Deluxe after completion of the Orion Intelliscope installation.

5

The red ABS altitude encoder arm was shaped to match the profile of the Lightbridge base. It will be black when finished.

6

Installing the altitude encoder on the stud added to the center of the altitude bearing.

7

Installed stud, hand knob and altitude encoder without the ABS altitude encoder arm.

8

Close up of flange bushing and encoder disc.

9

Finished altitude encoder arm with hand knob used to capture the bushing and encoder disc.

5

6

7

10 Locating the circuit board.

8

9

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Astronomy TECHNOLOGY TODAY

51

The Rosin Hyperboloidal Astrograph Seymour Rosin’s contributions to wide-field astographic imaging

By Mike Jones

Wide-field CCD astrographic imaging requires a flat format with high resolution and spectral coverage equal to CCD quantum efficiency range. Distortion across this astrographic format is ideally zero for forming mosaics of larger objects, but modern image processing tools can compensate for this distortion if it is held within reasonable limits. Seymour Rosin published his seminal concepts and first designs for such a widefield broadband high-resolution low-distortion photographic system in 19611. Rosin was a prolific and innovative optical designer for companies including J.W. Fecker, ScanOptic, Inc., and Kollsman Instrument Corporation. Rosin studied J.G. Baker’s

wide field camera in ATM-32 and realized that the function of Baker’s full-aperture aspheric corrector plate could be replaced by a hyperboloidal rather than spherical primary mirror. Rosin corresponded with Baker, who agreed that the concept was good. Rosin’s first design had requirements to form blur circles at or below 0.1 arcsecond and 100 lp/mm, or 10 microns, over the F-C spectral band and 1 degree circular field of view. An 80" aperture f/10 astrographic system satisfied these requirements.

His published design prescription, the first of its kind, is given in Table 1, with all linear units in inches.

This design was keyed into ZEMAX-

TABLE 1 – Original S. Rosin design for hyperboloidal astrograph (JOSA, 1961) Entrance Pupil Diameter: 80.00 • EFL: 825.00 • Focal Ratio: f/10.3 Wavelengths (µm): 0.48613, 0.58756, 0.65629 • Field Angles: 0.00, 0.35°, 0.50°

Surface 1 STO 3 4 5 6 IMG

52

Comment Cent. Obstruct.

Primary Element 1 Element 2 Large format

Radius Infinite -2000 -472.39 -126.71 -129.88 456.14 Infinite

Thickness 805.00 -800.00 -1.50 -0.10 -2.00 -163.00

Astronomy TECHNOLOGY TODAY

Glass

Conic Const

Mirror LaF3

-2.490084 0 0 0 0

BaLK1

Diameter 20 80.00 20 20 20 20 14.2

EE optical design code3 by the author.

Current raytracing speeds in 2007 are literally millions of times faster than primitive mainframe computers such as the IBM 650 used in Rosin’s time in the late 1950’s and early 1960’s, thus this system can easily and quickly be analyzed in much greater fidelity than shown in Rosin’s 1961 JOSA paper.

Rosin’s first glass, Schott LaF3, is listed as obsolete in the Schott catalog but is still available for use in analyzing this design.

However, Rosin’s second glass choice, BaLK1 (526601) is no longer listed in the Schott catalog, but an equivalent and also obsolete glass, BaCL1 (526601), is listed in the Hoya catalog, and was substituted for BaLK1 for analysis of this design. Using these glasses, the ZEMAX EFL was 824.936" and the BFL at best focus was -162.977", both agreeing well with Rosin’s rounded values. The following figures show the optical layout plot and performance Rosin achieved in his seminal and revolutionary 1961 system.

It was interesting to discover that the 20" corrector lens diameters specified by Rosin in his paper were not large enough to fully illuminate the specified 1° field of view, which dictated 30" diameter elements. This

Figure 1 – System layout for Rosin’s original 80” f/10.3 hyperboloidal astrographic camera

Figure 2 – Spot diagrams, compared to Airy diffraction disks and 0.3 arcsecond squares

Figure 3 – Modulation Transfer Function to 100 cy/mm and Encircled Energy plots.

vignetting, shown in Figure 1, reduced the illumination at the edge of the 0.5° semifield to about 0.62, though this vignetting was not mentioned in Rosin’s paper.

Rosin’s requirements for this system were to form blur circles at or below 0.1 arcsecond and 100 lp/mm, or 10 microns, over the F-C spectral band and 1° circular field of view. The spot diagrams in Figure 2 show that though individual monochromatic spots could be independently focused to achieve this, the lateral color in the composite polychromatic spots prevented the system from actually satisfying his requirements.

At the system EFL of 824.936", the squares subtend 0.3 arcseconds, three times Rosin’s design goal. Vignetting produced by the undersized corrector elements is also evident in the off-axis spots. Modulation transfer function (MTF) and encircled energy plots for this system are shown in Figure 3.

Diffraction-limited performance curves are labeled “DL”. Modulation is good except for the extreme field edge (the lowest curves).

The encircled energy plot shows the image blurs to be fairly uniform at the 80% encircled energy (EE) point. As seen here, MTF analysis is typically more sensitive to blur circle energy distribution than EE analysis.

The polychromatic lateral color out in the field is the principle culprit for reducing the image contrast and encircled energy. It is not known if the optical design codes Rosin was using were able to include lateral color in the optimization merit function, and he would likely have corrected this aberration had he been aware of its magnitude.

Though by this analysis Rosin’s published design failed to meet his very stringent requirements, it was still sufficiently sharp for use with film emulsions of the day, and far sharper than atmospheric turbulence over the 80" aperture would typically allow.

The field for this system is quite flat, less than 0.001" at red and green light and curving forward only about 0.001" in blue light.

Distortion is well corrected at about +0.03% at the edge of the field, amounting to an outward linear image displacement of about 0.0022" or 55.9 µm. Rosin’s skill in lens design was apparent, limited only by the Astronomy TECHNOLOGY TODAY

53

ROSIN HYPERBOLOIDAL ASTROGRAPH TABLE 2 – Paul Lind 8" f/3.6 astrograph in December 2006 Sky & Telescope Entrance Pupil Diameter: 8.00 • EFL: 29.07 • Focal Ratio: f/3.6 Wavelengths (µm): 0.48613, 0.58756, 0.65629 Image Heights: 0.00, 1.125 (side), 1.59 (corner)

Surface 1 STO 3 4 5 6 7 IMG

Comment Cent. Obstruct.

Primary Offset = -0.21 Element 1 Element 2 2.25" film

Radius Infinite -72.000 Infinite 8.00 4.70 6.50 -24.00 Infinite

Thickness 28.00 -26.00 4.60 0.15 0.17 0.45 3.88 –

state of the art in optical design codes of his era.

The author attempted to optimize Rosin’s original design and found that little improvement could actually be made without changing corrector glass types. The primary radius was frozen but its conic constant and spacing to the corrector were varied. All four corrector radii, the airspace between elements, and the BFL were allowed to vary as well. Constraints on airspace center and edge thickness were imposed to prevent intersection of the inner corrector surfaces. With these limitations the ZEMAX merit function could only drop from 0.0001727 to 0.000169. Correction of lateral color would require changes in glasses, which would also help to extend the spectral coverage.

Rosin-Lind Astrograph Rosin hyperboloidal astrographs offer outstanding performance at smaller apertures, and are particularly well suited for film and broadband electronic imaging, and for construction by advanced amateurs. An excellent film-based example was published

by Paul Lind in 19964, who designed and built his 8" f/3.6 Rosin-Lind hyperboloidal astrograph with a very wide field coverage on 2.25" x 2.25" 120 format roll film. He gives the system prescription as well as examples of photography. Lind’s astrograph prescription is outlined in Table 2 (in inches).

The layout diagram for Lind’s system is shown in Figure 4. Lind did not specify a

54

Astronomy TECHNOLOGY TODAY

Glass

Conic Const

Mirror Mirror F4

-1.811716

BK7

0 0 0 0

Diameter 4.00 8.00 Minor=4.0 3.65 3.60 3.65 3.65 2.25 x 2.25

distance from mirror vertex to his diagonal mirror in his article, and it was necessary to experiment with this distance to trade light loss from over-illuminating the specified 4" minor axis diagonal against intrusion of the corrector elements into the incoming light

along the rear edge of the film format. The 3.88" distance from the correctors to focus was critical to performance and not altered.

A final distance of 26" from primary to diagonal was used in this article, giving a spacing of 4.603" from diagonal to the first corrector element. Field illumination is fairly uniform in the central 2" square, then drops to about 93% at the sides of the film and to 68% at the corners.

Lind’s through-focus spot diagrams and field curvature/distortion plots are shown in Figure 5 on previous page for points at the center, edge and corner of the 2.25"x2.25" square format. The field has about 200 microns of forward curvature, as seen in the spots with colored circles, which show the best focus following the focal surface.

Distortion at the extreme corner is about +1.54%.

Figure 4 – Layout plot for Lind 8" f/3.6 Astrograph, December 2006 Sky & Telescope

Figure 5 – Lind astrograph through-focus spot diagrams, field curvature and distortion plots

ROSIN HYPERBOLOIDAL ASTROGRAPH Lind and the author recently collaborated on a larger 12.5" f/4 design, which is currently in fabrication by Lind. The prescription and predicted performance for this system will be published at a later date, along with CCD imaging results.

With proper choice of glass types, Rosin-based systems exhibit excellent broadband achromatic to apochromatic performance that well matches the quantum efficiency curves of most electronic imaging arrays, typically 0.38-0.95 microns. This eliminates the need to refocus when using color filter wheels. The shape factors for the corrector lenses produces widely dispersed ghost reflections at the focal plane, thus broadband antireflection coatings can be used simply to increase optical transmission, not to suppress ghosting. Maintaining sharp performance over a wide temperature range is highly dependent on tube dimensional stability, thus low-expansion carbon-fiber tubes are recommended. At focal ratios of interest, in the f/3.5 to f/5 range, Rosin systems are highly sensitive to alignment, again supporting the use of high-stiffness carbon fiber technology and modular, fastenerless assembly techniques where possible.

The author has designed a range of Rosin astrographs suitable for construction by advanced ATM’s with a capability to properly make lenses as well as the required hyperboloidal primary mirrors. Only preferred, frequently poured glasses from Schott and Ohara are used in these designs. Ohara S-FPL53 is an affordable and readily available low-dispersion fluorite glass, and is used in all these designs to achieve good correction over the 0.38-0.95 mm spectral band.

The low price and good availability of S-FPL53 is a side benefit due to its high-volume use by Canon in their L-series lenses5, which improved the production capability and volume and reduced its cost. The author obtained quotes on fine-annealed S-FPL53 blanks from Ohara6 for this article. In single quantities, 55mm x 10mm blanks were quoted at $132.10 each, and 100mm x 20mm blanks were quoted at $618.70.

The correction bandwidth for all

TABLE 3 – 8" f/4 Rosin-Jones astrograph design, 1.0" circular format Entrance Pupil Diameter: 8.0 • EFL: 36.00 • Focal Ratio: f/4.0 Wavelengths (µm): 0.380, 0.436, 0.486, 0.587, 0.656, 0.950 Format: 1" circular • Field of View: 1.59° circular • Image Heights: 0.00, 0.35, 0.50

Surface 1 STO 3 4 5 6 7 IMG

Comment Cent. Obstruct.

Primary Offset = -0.20 Element 1 Element 2 1" Circle

Radius Infinite -72.90 Infinite 3.559 2.890 20.550 -10.089 Infinite

Thickness 29.60 -26.690 4.640 0.350 0.168 0.281 3.841 –

Glass

Conic Const

Mirror Mirror N-LaF21

-1.771048

S-FPL53

0 0 0 0

Diameter Obs = 3.00 8.00 Minor=3.0 2.20 2.00 2.20 2.20 1.00

TABLE 4 – 10" f/4 Rosin-Jones astrograph, 1.0" circular format Entrance Pupil Diameter: 10.0 • EFL: 40.00" • Focal Ratio: f/4.0 Wavelengths (µm): 0.380, 0.436, 0.486, 0.587, 0.656, 0.950 Format: 1" circular • Field of View: 1.43° circular • Image Heights: 0.00, 0.35, 0.50

Surface 1 STO 3 4 5 6 7 IMG

Comment Cent. Obstruct.

Primary Offset = -0.22 Element 1 Element 2 1.0" Circle

Radius Infinite -90.125 Infinite 3.642 2.933 26.466 -10.273 Infinite

Thickness 36.00 -33.88 5.80 0.425 0.182 0.340 3.987 –

designs is 0.38-0.95µm, and all linear dimensions are in inches. Numerous other glass combinations and format sizes are possible; the author intends these published prescriptions to serve either as designs that can be directly made, or for starting solutions for further optimization to suit individual needs.

CCD formats vary considerably, and

Glass

Conic Const

Mirror Mirror N-LaF21

-1.611281

S-FPL53

0 0 0 0

Diameter Obs = 3.50 10.00 Minor=3.5 2.30 2.05 2.30 2.30 1.00

choosing common formats for the designs in this article proved challenging. Formats for smaller CCD arrays can be as small as 0.5" to 0.75" in diameter and have the least central pupil obstruction. Intermediate arrays such as the Kodak KAF-1001E (1024x1024, 24 µm pixels, 24.6mm x 24.6mm format) and KAF-1301E (1280x1024, 16 µm pixels, 20.5mm x

Figure 6 - 10" f/4 Rosin-Jones astrograph, 1.0" circular format Astronomy TECHNOLOGY TODAY

55

ROSIN HYPERBOLOIDAL ASTROGRAPH SPECIFIC ROSIN ASTROGRAPH DESIGNS

Figure 7 - Spot diagrams and MTF plots for 10" f/4, 1.0" circular format 16.4mm format) used by Santa Barbara Instrument7 cameras require a circular format nearly 1.4" in diameter. Still larger format CCD cameras such as the Apogee Instruments8 Alta U9000 camera with its 3056x3056 array of 12 µm pixels and 36.7mm x 36.7mm format require a circular format 2.043" in diameter and largest central obscuration. Best image sampling is roughly when the pixel size matches the first Airy dark ring diameter. Pixel sizes range from 24 µm down to as little as 7.4 µm or

less. Achieving this degree of optical correction over the full field format and 0.380.95mm spectral band is a true design challenge. Achieving and maintaining optical alignment and tracking to this accuracy are equally challenging, as is obtaining single pixel blur circles due to atmospheric turbulence. Thus, a 1.0" circular format was selected for the 8" and 10" instruments, the 1.4" circular format for the 10", 12.5", and 16" instruments, and the 2.00" circular format for the 20" astrograph.

TABLE 5 – 10" f/4 Rosin-Jones astrograph design, 1.4" circular format Entrance Pupil Diameter: 10.0 • EFL: 40.00 • Focal Ratio: f/4.0 Wavelengths (µm): 0.380, 0.436, 0.486, 0.587, 0.656, 0.950 Format: 1.4" circular • Field of View: 2.00° circular • Image Heights: 0.00, 0.50, 0.70

Surface 1 STO 3 4 5 6 7 IMG

Comment Cent. Obstruct.

Primary Offset = -0.25 Element 1 Element 2 1.4" Circle

Radius Infinite -91.48 Infinite 4.445 3.612 22.757 -12.731 Infinite

Thickness 36.00 -33.73 5.70 0.420 0.250 0.362 4.688 –

Glass

Conic Const

Mirror Mirror N-LaF21

-1.749503

S-FPL53

0 0 0 0

Diameter Obs = 4.00 10.00 Minor=4.0 2.70 2.40 2.70 2.70 1.40

TABLE 6 – 12.5" f/4 Rosin-Jones astrograph design, 1.4" circular format Entrance Pupil Diameter: 12.5 • EFL: 50.00 • Focal Ratio: f/4.0 Wavelengths (µm): 0.380, 0.436, 0.486, 0.587, 0.656, 0.950 Format: 1.4" circular • Field of View: 1.60° circular • Image Heights: 0.00, 0.50, 0.70

Surface 1 STO 3 4 5 6 7 IMG

56

Comment Cent. Obstruct.

Primary Offset = -0.32 Element 1 Element 2 1.4" Circle

Radius Infinite -114.80 Infinite 5.924 4.809 27.719 -17.192 Infinite

Thickness 44.50 -42.00 7.125 0.523 0.219 0.384 6.289 –

Astronomy TECHNOLOGY TODAY

Glass

Conic Const

Mirror Mirror N-LaF21

-1.823363

S-FPL53

0 0 0 0

Diameter 4.70 12.50 Minor=4.7 3.375 3.000 3.375 3.375 1.40

8" f/4 Design, 1.0" Circular Format This first 8" f/4 design (Table 3 on previous page) is the most compact design. The 3" minor axis diagonal gives zero field vignetting and only 14% obscuration. Blur circles anywhere over the field and spectral range are within a 7.4 µm pixel square, MTF values are within about 0.1 below diffraction limited out to 100 cy/mm (5 µm pixels). Distortion is positive and low, about +0.3% at the edge of the field. This would be an ideal astrograph for small to medium format CCD cameras.

The next two designs have a 10" aperture to maximize practicality, weight, cost and light gathering power for amateur use.

The first design is for a 1.0" circular format with smaller corrector elements and obscuration, and the next has a 1.4" format for larger CCD cameras.

10" f/4 Design, 1.0" Circular Format The system layout plot for the 10" f/4 system is shown in Figure 6 on the previous page. The corrector doublet has been positioned to avoid pupil vignetting at the extreme field angles (Table 4 on previous page).

The system spots and MTF plots are shown in Figure 7. All spot diagrams are within a 7.4 µm square pixel. The MTF values out to 100 cy/mm are within 0.1 of diffraction limited over the 1" circular format and 0.38-0.95 µm CCD spectral band.

10" f/4 Design, 1.4" Circular Format This second 10" f/4 design (Table 5) has a larger 1.4" diameter format suitable for intermediate CCD arrays up to 1.0" square. The design achieves 80% encircled energy within a 10 µm circle anyhere over the 1.4" diameter format, and MTF values to within about 0.2 below diffraction limit out to 100 cycles/mm. Distortion is about +0.38% at the edge of the field.

ROSIN HYPERBOLOIDAL ASTROGRAPH 12.5" f/4 Design, 1.4" Circular Format The next design (Table 6 on previous page) is scaled up from the previous 10" f/4 1.4" format design to 12.5" aperture, then reoptimized to improve performance. Again, 80% EE spots are about 10 µm diameter, MTF values are a maximum of about 0.2 below diffraction limited at 100 cycles/mm, and distortion is only about 0.22%.

16" f/4 Design, 1.4" Circular Format This 16" f/4 design (Table 7) is even slightly sharper than the 10" and 12.5" designs, as the FOV format is not being scaled up with the rest of the values and the angular FOV is coming down with scale.

80% EE images are a maximum of about 9 µm in diameter, and MTF values are less than 0.2 below diffraction limit at 100 cycles/mm. Distortion is only about 0.22% at the field edge.

The last design in this article has a 2.0" circular format for the largest CCD camera formats in the $10,000 range or less. Building a Rosin astrograph of this magnitude warrants the optical performance and format to support the largest CCD camera possible.

20" f/4 Design, 2.0" Circular Format This design (Table 8) represents about the largest astrograph that can be achieved with only two corrector elements, if blur circles are to be more or less matched to CCD pixel sizes, unless a smaller camera format is used or the spectral band is reduced.

Performance is still good, however. 80% EE values are at about 11 µm blur circles, and

TABLE 7 – 16" f/4 Rosin-Jones astrograph design, 1.4" circular format Entrance Pupil Diameter: 16.0 • EFL: 64.00 • Focal Ratio: f/4.0 Wavelengths (µm): 0.380, 0.436, 0.486, 0.587, 0.656, 0.950 Format: 1.4" circular • Field of View: 1.25° circular • Image Heights: 0.00, 0.50, 0.70

Surface 1 STO 3 4 5 6 7 IMG

Comment Cent. Obstruct.

Primary Offset = -0.37 Element 1 Element 2 1.4" Circle

Radius Infinite -144.14 Infinite 5.844 4.700 41.105 -16.684 Infinite

Thickness 57.50 -54.27 9.25 0.675 0.252 0.443 6.424 –

Glass

Conic Const

Mirror Mirror N-LaF21

-1.615398

S-FPL53

0 0 0 0

Diameter 5.30 16.00 Minor=5.3 3.70 3.10 3.70 3.70 1.4

TABLE 8 – 20" f/4 Rosin-Jones astrograph design, 2.0" circular format Entrance Pupil Diameter: 20.0 • EFL: 80.00 • Focal Ratio: f/4.0 Wavelengths (µm): 0.380, 0.436, 0.486, 0.587, 0.656, 0.950 Format: 2.0" circular • Field of View: 1.43° circular • Image Heights: 0.00, 0.71, 1.00

Surface 1 STO 3 4 5 6 7 IMG

Comment Cent. Obstruct.

Primary Offset = -0.46 Element 1 Element 2 2" Circle

Radius Infinite -180.05 Infinite 7.259 5.869 55.272 -20.560 Infinite

Thickness 71.50 -67.65 11.60 0.827 0.374 0.658 8.020 –

MTF values have fallen to about 0.3 below diffraction limit at 100 cy/mm. Distortion is still low at about 0.28%.

Conclusion The purpose of this article has been to introduce the Rosin astrograph and its inventor and historical background to a wider readership, and to offer some astrographic optical designs that are either directly ready to fabricate and use, or that can be used as

REFERENCES 1. Rosin, S., “Optical Systems for Large Telescopes”, Journal of the Optical Society of America, Volume 53, No. 3, March, 1961, pp. 331-335.

2. Baker, J.G., Amateur Telescope Making – Book 3, Scientific American, New York, 1953, p. 8.

3. ZEMAX Development Corporation, 3001 112th Avenue NE, Suite 202, Bellevue, WA 98004-8017, (425) 822-1295, http://www.zemax.com.

4. Lind, P., “An 8-Inch Hyperbolic Astrograph”, Sky & Telescope, Sky Publishing Corporation, December, 1996, pp. 83-86.

5. Private communication with Seiglinde Wallis, Sales, Ohara Corporation.

Glass

Conic Const

Mirror Mirror N-LaF21

-1.612489

S-FPL53

0 0 0 0

Diameter 7.00 20.00 Minor=7.0 4.60 4.05 4.60 4.60 2.00

starting solutions for ATM optical designers to freely modify to their individual needs.

The author has also transferred the design files for these astrographs to their equivalents in OSLO-EDU9 format. For convenience to interested readers, the author has uploaded all design files in both ZEMAX and OSLO-EDU formats to the Astronomy Technology Today Yahoo Tech Group file folder, where they can readily be downloaded after joining the Tech Group.

6. Ohara Corporation, 23141 Arroyo Vista, Suite 200, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688, phone (949) 858-5700. The current Ohara point of contact is Janet Cole, sales.

7. Santa Barbara Instrument Group, 147-A Castilian Drive, Santa Barbara, CA 93117, http://www.sbig.com/index.htm.

8. Apogee Instruments, 1020 Sundown Way, Suite 150, Roseville, CA 95661, http://www.ccd.com.

9. OSLO-EDUTM is available for free download from Lambda Research Corporation, 25 Porter Road, Littleton Massachusetts, website: http://www.lambdares.com/downloads/index.phtml.

Astronomy TECHNOLOGY TODAY

57

NEAF 2007

By Gary Parkerson

Most issues of this magazine will contain coverage of a major astronomy event, usually a star party. Our goal is to provide a meaningful, vicarious experience, subject to the limitations of space and our reporting abilities. The truth is, each of the events we cover warrant your actual attendance, and none more so that the Northeast Astronomy Forum (NEAF) and Northeast Astro-Imaging Conference (NEAIC).

Indeed, we plan in February or March of 2008 to post a reminder of why we should all make the pilgrimage within the next few years, if not to each and every annual event. That article will repeat my and your lists of why we’re glad we attended NEAF/NEAIC 2007. My list will evolve as I continue to digest what I learned there, and I hope that you'll share yours in the coming months, but for now mine includes: The People If you were a car enthusiast and could attend your dream auto show, who would be there? Carroll Shelby, Enzo Ferrari, Henry Ford, Ferruccio Lamborghini,

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Astronomy TECHNOLOGY TODAY

Soichiro Honda, Harley Earl, Gottlieb Daimler, or Karl Benz? Or would it be Jackie Stewart, Emerson Fittipaldi, Mario Andretti, A.J. Foyt, or Bobby Unser?

Well, for those of us whose principal preoccupation is astro stuff, we meet the equivalent and more at each edition of NEAF. In 20 years I could be telling my grandchild (who has just then discovered an interest in astronomy and is asking about Celestron’s newest lens-and-mirror-less, fully digital, “photoscope” that popped into her mind’s eye as a result of seamless subliminal insertion during a “best of ” segment “broadcast” on “Unicom’s” “Rush Limbaugh Comedy Channel” - okay, I’m not much of a visionary), “Suzy, did I ever tell you about the time I met all of those famous telescope makers? Yes, I believe it was 2009…no…it was 2007…or was it 2008…no, it was 2008. Anyway, they were still making what they called ‘refractors’ and ‘reflectors’ in those days, using coated glass to magnify images…no really…some of it was special glass too…magical stuff…can’t remember

what it was called…something about preventing tooth decay…anyway…”

Just imagine the memories you’d have and could share. Tele Vue’s Al Nagler, Astro Physics’ Roland Christen, Baader Planetarium’s Thomas Baader, APM’s Marcus Ludes, Denkmeier Optical’s Russ Lederman and Bill Denkmeier, JMI’s Jim Burr, Mathis Instruments’ Thomas Mathis, Peterson Engineering’s Pete Peterson, Astro Hutech’s Ted Ishikawa, Software Bisque’s Tom Bisque, OPT’s Craig Weatherwax, Takahashi’s designer par excellence Iwao “Rocky” Henmi, legendary observer Stephen O’Meara, Cloudy Nights’ prolific reviewer Tom Trusock, Howie Glatter of collimator fame, Kendrick Astro’s Jim Kendrick, Stellarvue’s Vic Maris, Telescopes Normand Fullam, William Optics’ William Yang, Burgess Optical’s Bill Burgess, Astronomy’s Phil Harrington, Cervaolo Optical Systems’ Peter Cervaolo, SkyShed’s Wayne Parker, Sky & Telescope’s Sue French, Takahashi America’s Art Ciampi, TEC’s Yuri Petrunin, astrophotographer Jim Burnell, and too many more to list here, all under

one roof, at the same time, and you were there.

“Yes, little Suzy, I met them all at NEAF in 2007…or was it 2008?”

New Stuff I was already aware of some of the new products that were formally announced at NEAF, but there were far more that I had no idea were in the works. All in all, I don't know of any other forum or venue that presents more new astro products in one place and at one time. (If you know of another, please let me know - I wouldn't want to miss it!)

Those who attended NEAF 2007 got early glimpses of (in no particular order): Tele Vue’s Ethos; Burgess Optical’s 91mm Triplet Apo and mirror based 2inch binoviewer; Takahashi's New “Q”; The Astrovid StellaCam3 CCD Video Camera: Stellarvue’s M7E alt-az mount, dual fluoro Apo and SV102ED; AstroTrac’s AstroTrac TT320; Ceravolo Optical’s convertible 300-mm astro-

graph; Universal Astronomics’ largest yet UniStar version; 10-Micron’s massive GM4000 observatory grade German Equatorial Mount; SkyShed’s production model of the POD; The CapeNewise Modified Newtonian Catadioptric; Losmandy’s “V” Series Dovetail Plates and accessories; Backyard Observatories’ m1OASYS automation system; Astronomy Technology Today’s inaugural April issue; and much more!

And So Much Stuff!

Although the data was still being compiled as I completed this column, it appears that attendance was near record this year. There is no question however that there were many more exhibitors in 2007 than in any preceding year. I counted more than 100 by the time the doors opened on Saturday. NEAF, for two days of each year, serves simply as the largest one stop brick and mortar astronomy store. Exhibitors don’t just bring products for show, they bring products to sell.

Great Deals!

While many who have regularly attended NEAF throughout its history are more likely to first associate it with Tele Vue’s now traditional “NEAF specials,” other NEAF exhibitors offer discounts of as much as 40 percent (and more!) off already amazing values - and that is not on discontinued surplus items, but on genuine, current, new-in-the-box products for which there is steadily high demand.

Temptation was so great that some NEAF veterans readied themselves with a foolproof plan. They left their credit cards and check books at home, brought just as much cash as they were willing to budget for the event, and thus insured enviable fiscal discipline. Of course, many of these same methodical strategists were later seen pleading loans from friends or returning on Saturday with fresh ATM (the Automated Teller Machine kind) withdrawals. There were just too

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NEAF 2007

Pictured Left: My viewpoint from the wrong end of the Tele Vue ‘NEAF Special’ line.

Pictured Right: I’m treated to an interview by News In Space host, Casey Dee. Visit www.astroshorts.com for its coverage of NEAF.

Pictured Left: Alan Traino answers questions and directs traffic.

Pictured Right: Adirondack Video Astronomy’s extensive display.

Pictured Left: Adirondack’s StellaCam3 Demonstration.

Pictured Right: Anthony Davoli of ADM readies his exhibit.

Pictured Left: Alpine Astronomical featured Baader, 10Micron and Lazzorotti Optics.

Pictured Right: Assembling the Lazzorotti Optics Gladius Super Planetary Telescope.

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NEAF 2007 many deals and madness generally follows, rather than precedes, method. I even heard that one monthly magazine offered annual subscriptions for the shamefully low price of $10. Madness indeed!

A Well Run Army I've a bit of experience with managing volunteers. Our publisher does as well. For benefit of those who’ve never thought about it, we assure you that volunteer events offer unique “challenges” to put it politely. Your work force is motivated and generally far over-qualified for their assignments, but that often makes it difficult to keep them focused on the many mundane tasks such an event presents. Most astronomy events I attend are very well run, but the Rockland Astronomy Club and their sponsor Sky & Telescope have it down to a science. From the viewpoint of both exhibitor and attendee, NEAF is simply seamless.

One of the secrets of NEAF’s recent record of success is its energetic, enthusiastic head honcho, Alan Traino. We especially want to thank Alan for all of his help and advice on the ins and outs of the event!

The Exhibitors We attempted to visit every NEAF 2007 exhibitor, but simply were not able to do so, despite our best efforts. The result is that we are able to provide far more information for some than for others and are sure to have missed some entirely. We hope you enjoy our view of their exhibits!

Adirondack Video Astronomy www.astrovid.com We visited with John Cordiale and Jim Barot at the Adirondack exhibit. John explained that this was Adirondack’s 11th NEAF and second year to be involved in the NEAIC. “NEAF is always a highlight of the year for us. There is no better place than NEAF to view equipment and chat with various company owners, vendors, and fellow amateur astronomers. It’s one giant astronomical toy store.”

Atik Instruments co-owners Rui Ripa and Pedro Mota attended NEAF

and NEAIC with Adirondack this year.

They demonstrated and discussed their ATIK CCD camera line. The low cost ATIK 16IC color and monochrome cameras (from $645) sparked great interest and sales. Said Jim, “The ATIK 16IC’s work very well as imaging cameras and telescope auto-guiders. This was the first time that Rui and Pedro visited the United States and told us they had a very enjoyable time. They left with a very fine impression of our country and its people and promised to come back next year.”

Adirondack also invited Thomas Maroney of the Lumenera Corporation to participate in the event. Canadian based Lumenera is the manufacturer of the world renowned Lunar, Solar and Planetary SKYnyx cameras. Thomas presented a large collection of impressive SKYnyx images from astronomers around the globe. The images were presented as a slide show and Thomas used them to demonstrate a camera’s specific capabilities when a customer had questions about a SKYnyx model. “Thomas was a great asset with the ever increasing popularity of SKYnyx cameras. We appreciated having him there,” mentioned John.

Also participating was Heiko Wilkens of LuCam Recorder Professional. Heiko traveled from Germany and discussed the software he designed for control of the SKYnyx cameras. Heiko promises further improvements to LuCam Professional with additional cameras being added in the future.

The SKYnyx cameras were featured in a talk by Greg Piepo who uses the SKYnyx 2-2 monochrome camera to produce world class solar images. Greg has been published in numerous magazines and journals and his presentation included impressive 3D images and animations of a dynamic sun.

Adirondack also demonstrated the new Peltier Cooled Astrovid StellaCam3 and a 450 foot range wireless camera controller. John and Jim displayed stunning video of the Eagle, Swan, Lagoon and Triffid Nebulae shot through an Astronomik H-alpha filter with the StellaCam3. Narrowband H-alpha deep sky imaging of the quality demonstrated is virtually unattainable with other video

cameras. The StellaCam3 video rivaled images produced by conventional CCD cameras and provoked oohs, aahs and sales.

“We want to send our sincerest thanks to the Rockland Astronomy Club for all of the incredibly hard work that goes into setting up NEAF and NEAIC. They really do make it better and better every year. Everything has always gone very smoothly for us. We also want to personally thank Jim Burnell for all of his help. We look forward to seeing everyone at NEAF again in 2008!” concluded John.

ADM Accessories www.astro.premcom.com/ADM/ Anthony Davoli, of Buffalo, New York, presented his Mini Dovetail Bars, Losmandy-type Saddle Plates, ring sets and other superbly crafted accessories.

Anthony’s product line includes unique Losmandy D-Series Style Dovetails for the Meade RCX Telescopes and a very handy saddle adapter that converts the popular Vixen style dovetail to a Losmandy Style saddle. These are premium accessories of the finest fit, finish and function.

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NEAF 2007 Adorama www.adorama.com Michael Peoples of Adorama did a smart thing. Rather than attempt to bring a meaningful representation of Adorama’s extensive inventory of astronomy products, he elected to instead exhibit reams of product literature. I found this approach to be effective, stocked up on a number of pamphlets and have been enjoying them since.

Alpine Astronomical www.alpineastro.com 10Micron www.10micron.com Lazzorotti Optics www.lazzorati-optics.com

Our Industry News section covers Alpine Astronomical’s announcement of its selection as the U.S. distributor of the Lazzorotti Optics Gladius telescopes and 10Micron GoTo Mounts. We have long known Alpine as the U.S. source of Baader Planetarium products and owner Bob Luffel’s addition of the Lazzorotti

and 10Micron lines continues his tradition of offering truly unique and high quality astronomical equipment. We first saw the Gladius/10Micron combination at WSP 2007, and in a forum that was crowded with the truly unusual and cutting-edge, the combination was still breathtaking.

In addition to the Lazzorotti and 10 Micron teams, Bob was joined at NEAF 2007 by Baader Planetarium’s Thomas Baader.

Planewave Instruments www.planewaveinstruments.com Adjoining Alpine Astronomical and sharing the 10Micron platforms was Planewave Instruments.

Richard Hedrick and Joseph Haverman formed Planewave Instruments last year and have already produced and delivered a number of their remarkable CDK telescopes. The CDK design combines an ellipsoidal primary mirror, spherical secondary mirror and a lens group to create an image plane large enough to cover today’s large CCD sensors with a coma and off-axis astigmatism free, flat field. It produces pinpoint star images across its entire 42-mm image plane. The CDK20 displayed at NEAF is surprisingly affordable for a research grade instrument of this capability.

Richard and Joe are former Celestron engineers whose enthusiasm for their new venture was obvious to the many NEAF attendees who were drawn to their CDK20. They plan to offer the CDK packaged with 10Micron’s GM4000. The 140-pound CDK20 is well within the 300-pound capacity of

the GM4000, even when carrying customary imaging accessories.

Amateur Astronomy Magazine www.amateurastronomy.com As we reported in our Industry News section, Charlie Warren has assumed the duties of Editor of Amateur Astronomy magazine. Their exhibit displayed a complete collection of all 54 issues that comprise its history and Charlie stayed very busy registering subscribers to its new era.

APM Telescopes www.apm-telescopes.de Teton Telescopes www.tetontelescope.com For NEAF 2007, APM’s Marcus Ludes joined APM refractor U.S. dealer, Teton Telescopes, in a combined exhibit.

Teton owner Mark Rieck brought an impressive collection of Intes-Micro and STF sourced Mak-Cassegrain and MakNewtonians to compliment APM’s premium TMB designed Apos and other accessories.

Mark also demonstrated a 105-mm, f/6.2 A&M masterpiece that can be ordered equipped to Teton Telescope specs with a variety of focusers including Feather Touch 2-inch or 3.5-inch units.

With their true carbon-graphite fiber tubes, these SD triplet Apos are well positioned to compete for the title of “the optimum travel scope.”

Apogee Instruments www.ccd.com While Apogee Instruments exhibited their full, extensive line of imaging

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NEAF 2007

Pictured Left: Assembling the Planewave CDK20 and 10Micron GM4000.

Pictured Right: APM’s Marcus Ludes explains the finer points of one of his Apos.

Pictured Left: The AstroTrac drew more than its share of visitors during NEAF. Pictured Right: One Astro Gazer fully assembled and another stored neatly in the custom soft cases that are included with each new unit.

Pictured Left: The Ishikawas setting up Astro Hutech's display.

Pictured Right: Stephen O'Meara answers questions while visiting Astro Hutech's exhibit.

Pictured Left: Astro-Physics display was simple, but effective.

Pictured Right: Astronomy exhibited its extensive list of publications.

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NEAF 2007

Pictured Left: Cliff Birchfield represented ATT.

Pictured Right: Astrotech Engineering’s A&M Display.

Pictured Left: The Backyard Observatories Crew prepares to install a dome.

Pictured Right: The Backyard Observatory display is complete and ready for customers.

Pictured Left: Jeff and Greta of Camera Concepts unpack their massive inventory.

Pictured Right: Camera Concept’s maze of products.

Pictured Left: Peter Wise of Cape Instruments.

Pictured Right: Celestron’s exhibit before the crowds.

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NEAF 2007 products, including their breakthrough Alta U16M and U9000 cameras, it was their new, affordable Ascent Series Cameras that captured the most attention at NEAF 2007. The Ascent line is designed to fill the significant gap that currently exists between the limited capability of low cost cameras and full featured, maximum performance options like Apogee Instruments’ Alta line. If the brisk business Apogee did in Ascent orders is any indication, it has achieved the perfect combination of value and function.

AstroTrac www.astrotrac.com Kendrick Astro Instruments www.kendrickastro.com We reported the introduction of the AstroTrac TT320 in our April issue, but we did not have the opportunity to see it operate in person until its debut at NEAF. Kendrick Astro was instrumental in introducing the AstroTrac to North American markets and participated in its NEAF 2007 exhibit. AstroTrac’s U.K. based creator, Richard Taylor, joined Jim Kendrick of Kendrick Astro in demonstrating the TT320’s many tracking applications.

The AstroTrac folds to a very compact and light-weight package for storage or transport and presents a surprisingly artful and refined appearance for a device of such basic and utilitarian function.

When I first heard about the TT320 I envisioned a contrived assembly of aluminum flats and off-the-shelf bolts and bearings. The distinctive AstroTrac instead demonstrates that form needn’t take a backseat to function In case you missed our New Product report on the AstroTrac in April, it is exactly what its name suggests: a lightweight and portable camera or telescope platform for accurate tracking of astronomical objects. AstroTrac’s Web site provides a flash animation illustration of the TT320 in action and is well worth the visit.

Astro Gizmos www.astrogizmos.com Jeff Goldstein’s Astro Gizmos features a variety of unique and useful prod-

ucts, although it is perhaps best known for the durable telescope covers that it markets through Camera Concepts, another NEAF exhibitor. Visitors to Astro Gizmos’ 2007 NEAF exhibit were, however, drawn primarily to its Astro Gazer portable observatory.

We first met the Goldsteins at this year’s Winter Star Party and have now had a chance to see the Astro Gazer assembled/disassembled more than once.

Thanks to its well thought out design, assembly/disassembly is quick and easy and dome rotation smooth and relatively effortless. I had a chance to see one of the Astro Gazers before and after some rather severe thunderstorms and on each occasion it proved weather tight and remarkably stable. If your observing needs include portable and functional protection for you and your expensive equipment, you should give the Astro Gazer your full attention.

Astro Hutech www.astrohutech.com Ted Ishikawa and Astro Hutech displayed the latest Borg introductions, as well as Hutech’s growing line of Modified Spectrum DSLRs. Recent Borg innovations are simply too numerous to cover fully here and will be featured in an upcoming issue. Similarly, recent and upcoming additions to the DSLR models available with Hutech's filter modification to enhance spectrum sensitivity are so numerous as to warrant a feature article within the next few issues of this magazine as well.

For those who are not already familiar with the unique modular design philosophy of Borg telescopes, it is useful to note that Borg telescopes can be custom assembled and configured by the owner for optimum performance of a variety of uses. They can be set up as super fast astrographs or more modest focal ratio visual instruments and the modular design makes them supremely portable.

Standard digital cameras incorporate

IR-cutoff filters that cut drastically into the red end of the visible spectrum, rejecting energy that is critical to capturing maximum detail of many astrophotography targets. Hutech modified spectrum DSLRs incorporate filters that are optimized to deliver this critical light to the camera sensor and are producing astro images of stunning detail.

Astro-Physics www.astro-physics.com Despite the demands on their time, Marjorie and Roland Christen were kind enough to answer questions. When asked what they enjoyed most about NEAF, she said, “It was a great pleasure to talk to many long-time customers and other attendees. Roland and I always enjoy putting names and voices to faces. Over the years, we’ve come to know many customers over the phone and through the online user’s groups. It was great fun to unveil two new refractors to such an enthusiastic group of astronomers.”

Astro-Physics re-introduced the 130 f/6.3 StarFire Triplet Apochromat Refractor in a new configuration that can be easily disassembled into 3 pieces in order to fit into an airline transportable case. It also features an Astro-Physics focuser with 2.7-inch ID drawtube, Feather Touch Micro 9:1 dual focusing knobs and rotating focusing collar. We asked about its nameplate and Marjorie explained, “This is the scope to take on your dream trip to the southern skies or the next eclipse. Although this refractor was referred to as a Traveler at NEAF, we decided that it would cause far too much confusion to have both a 105 and 130 version of the Traveler. Over the years, people have referred to the original 105f/6 version as the ‘Traveler.’ There is one and only one Traveler. Unless we think of another nifty name, this new 130f/6 will retain its StarFire heritage.

We plan to ship this scope at the end of 2007 or early 2008.”

The 130f/6.3 StarFire was mounted on AP’s new Mach1GTO mount and Eagle 6 pier. “2006 NEAF participants may remember that we showed our prototype Mach1GTO at that time. We are now shipping our second production run of these mounts. This year, we also introAstronomy TECHNOLOGY TODAY

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NEAF 2007 duced the new Control Box Adapter for piers and tripods (great for the Mach1GTO as well as all of the 400GTO and 600EGTO mounts presently in the field) and 6-inch pier trays,” said Marjorie.

“We were also pleased to announce that the 140 f/7.5 StarFire EDF introduced last year at NEAF is now well into production with delivery of the first scopes planned for this summer. This year, we showed the 140 sporting our substantial 4-inch focuser, though it can also be ordered with the 2.7-inch focuser. Both versions will include the Feather Touch Micro 9:1 dual focusing knobs. Roland designed this scope with approximately the same focal length our original 155 f/7 StarFire, so that it can be used with all of the same specialized astrophotography/imaging accessories that were designed for the 155, including the 4-inch Field Flattener, 2.7-inch Field Flattener and the new dedicated CCD Telecompressor. We are confident that astro-imagers, as well as visual observers, will find this scope a real joy to use.”

AP products were not only on display in its exhibit. Marjorie noted, “In addition to the 1200GTO and 900GTO mounts displayed at our booth, we were pleased to see that other vendors were using our mounts to demonstrate their products. Greg Terrance of FingerLakes Instruments was using a 900GTO to demonstrate a portable imaging system incorporating his fine CCD cameras.

Bob Denny demonstrated his powerful ACP Observatory Control Software with a 1200GTO mount and a 12-inch RC Optical tube assembly.”

offers a number of “one-of-a-kind” solutions to vexing scope problems, but the Scope-tote appeared to get the most attention at NEAF. These handy devices make handling a scope much easier.

Astronomy Magazine www.astronomy.com We've grown accustomed to thinking of Astronomy Magazine as a premier astro science magazine, but were reminded by its exhibit that it is but one part of a large body of publications devoted to that science.

Astrotech Engineering www.astrotechengineering.com This Italian producer of A&M branded telescopes is best known for its premium and exotic Apos using carbon tubes and CNC aluminum plus TMB and Astreya designed and sourced optics to create instruments of apertures ranging from 80-mm to 102-mm. Astrotech Engineering also produces Ritchey Chretien, Mak Cassegrain, Schmidt Cameras and Dobsonians with the same focus on state of the art components, production methods and optics.

Astronomy-Shoppe www.astronomy-shoppe.com Tony Costanzo bills his AstronomyShoppe as “the unusual telescope store” and the name is no exaggeration. Tony

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Astronomy Technology Today www.astronomytechnologytoday.com Yes, we too were NEAF exhibitors, and presented our inaugural April issue there. Some of you may not already know that Stuart, our publisher, and I are brothers. Our partnership divides content oversight to me, while Stuart manages all business aspects of the magazine (what a deal I have!).

Our stepfather, Cliff Birchfield, is an enthusiastic supporter of our publication and managed our display at NEAF. Despite his close resemblance to that “jolly ole elf,” Cliff proved a tenacious barker. He is a rare veteran of WWII, Korea and Vietman, as well as a beloved member of our family, and we were very proud to have him represent us at NEAF. Astronomy To Go www.astronomytogo.com Bob Summerfield, known affectionately as “Crazy Bob” to those in the industry, bills Astronomy To Go as a traveling museum shop and the description is apt. Astronomy To Go is a notfor-profit organization that is dedicated to public education and astronomy outreach. ATG specializes in providing education materials to teachers. Its traveling store inventory is wonderfully eclectic and fun.

Aurora Astro Products www.auroraastro.com We announced Jim Bielega’s opening of his new Everett, Washington, store in our April issue. Jim is well known as the author of the Off the Beaten Messier Path Telrad Finder Charts and brings the same dedication and attention to detail to his brick and mortar and on-line stores.

B. Crist Miniatures bcrist@epix.net

Barry Crist creates miniature telescopes of such extraordinary detail, that they have to be seen in person to be fully appreciated. I am confident that I could enlarge a photo of one of Barry’s miniatures, display it next to a photo of the real thing, and most would have to compare the two images very carefully to tell which was which. Barry combines old world craftsmanship, and artist’s eye and a love of classic astronomy equipment to create these unusual display pieces.

Backyard Observatories www.backyardobservatories.com NEAF 2007 will be remembered for a lot of things, not the least of which was the new observatory products that were presented there. Backyard Observatories’ exhibit included a very effective display of the new m1OASYS roll-off roof observatory automation system mentioned in our Industry News section. We had the opportunity to watch Scott and Diane Horstman, together with their expert crew members, assemble the Backyard Observatories display shed and Sirius domes on Friday and the well planned designs went together in record time. These guys clearly know what they’re doing!

Judging from pace of visitors to their exhibit and new orders taken at NEAF 2007 for installation of their products, demand has never been better for “back-

NEAF 2007

Pictured Left: Celestron’s staff demonstrates its most popular scopes.

Pictured Right: Cloudy Nights' Tom Trusock visits with Tele Vue President, David Nagler, during a rare quiet moment at the Tele Vue exhibit.

Pictured Left: Bill and Russ of Denkmeier demonstrate their wares.

Pictured Right: Dream Telescopes display being assembled.

Pictured Left: The Johanneck’s assemble on of their ExploraDomes.

Pictured Right: Alan Rifkin and FAR Labs.

Pictured Left: Among FAR Labs’ more unusual displays was this fully functional LEGO refractor.

Pictured Right: As the instructions for its mount disclose, some assembly is required for use of that accessory.

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NEAF 2007 yard observatories.”

During our visit, I commented to Scott that they appeared to focus as much of their energies on the traditional rotating dome observatories as their popular shed designs. “We are also the U.S. distributor for Sirius Observatory domes as well as, our rolloff roof observatories,” Scott explained.

“With the growing interest in astrophotography, many astronomers are looking for a permanent set up for their imaging gear. Sirius Observatories domes are fully automatable and provide extra protection from wind and dew issues.”

As with most NEAF exhibitors, I asked Diane about their impressions of the event. “Each year, the Northeast Astronomy Forum gets better and better!

With the work of NEAF Chairman, Alan Traino, and all the Rockland Astronomy Club members, it’s just amazing to watch it all come together,” she answered. “As a vendor, we only see what happens on Friday through Sunday on the weekend of the forum, but certainly appreciate all the work it takes all year long that makes this show a success.

NEAF gives us an opportunity to meet with our customers and show our products in person.”

Big Bang Astronomy Shop www.bigbangastro.com This Raleigh, North Carolina, retailer bills itself as “North Carolina’s Premier Licensed Telescope Dealer” and displayed a variety of products from AstroZap, Celestron, Coronado, JMI, Meade and Orion. Many visitors to Big Bang Astronomy’s exhibit were interested in their exclusive, patented Telescope Quick Connects that greatly simplify and speed accurate and safe attachment of SCT accessories by eliminating the need to “thread” accessories to these telescopes’ rear cells.

Caelum Observatory www.caelumobservatory.com Adam Block has dedicated Caelum (pronounced “kye’lum”) Observatory to astronomy public outreach. It is also the source for his award winning Making Every Pixel Count tutorials which are an invaluable resource to those wanting to

hone their Photoshop, CCDStack and general image processing skills.

Camera Concepts & Telescope Solutions www.cameraconcepts.com Cape Instruments Ltd www.newise.co.uk One of the many pleasant side effects of attending so many major astronomy events is that we have ample opportunity to get to better know many of the vendors who regularly serve those events. Among our favorites are Jeff and Greta Norwood of Camera Concepts. As we reported in our April WSP coverage, Jeff and Greta are the marathon champions of the astro event circuit, attending as many as 24 events each year while carry enough inventory to earn the slogan: “The Astronomical Super Store That Comes To You!” Once again, no one displayed more stuff than Jeff and Greta at NEAF 2007.

Camera Concepts revealed at NEAF that it is now the U.S. representative for Cape Instruments’ new line of compact “Modified Newtonian Catadioptric” telescopes. Cape Instruments director, Peter Wise, joined Camera Concepts at NEAF and personally demonstrated his unique designs.

The carbon fiber tube, 200-mm aperture model encloses a 1,200-mm focal length in a 620-mm long tube and weighs less than 15 pounds - with a mere 25% central obstruction and a reported wavefront error of better than 1/8th wave! The 300-mm version has a focal length of 1,500 mm, tube length of only 850 mm, weighs less than 35 pounds and boasts of central obstruction of only 21%. The design is available in standard apertures of 200 mm and 300 mm, with versions as large as 1,000 mm by special order.

CCDWare www.ccdware.com CCDWare demonstrated its family of software products designed to maximize CCD astrophotography sessions.

Its growing family of products includes: CCDNavigator, an astrophotography session management tool; PEMPro, its mount tracking performance optimiza-

tion tool; CCDInspector that allows astrophotographers to use the accuracy of the CCD to tune the optical performance of their imaging system; CCDAutoPilot, which automates image data acquisition; and CCDStack, its easy to use processing tool.

Celestron www.celestron.com While Celestron demonstrated a number of its popular telescope systems, including its new Omni XLT series and the unique IS70 digital spotting scope, it was the award winning Celestron SkyScout that most visitors wanted to see. The continued and growing popularity of the SkyScout has been amazing to watch and we hope that its potential for bringing new converts to the amateur astronomy ranks is fully realized.

The Celestron exhibit stayed so crowded that we had a difficult time managing to capture the full equipment display in our photos.

Cercis Astro www.cercisastro.com Cercis Astro products were reported in our April WSP coverage. The format of NEAF allowed them to better demonstrate the capabilities of their DSLR astrophotography controls including the popular DslrStar controller.

Ceravolo Optical Systems www.ceravolo.com

Peter Ceravolo presented and demonstrated his new convertible astrograph. The unique design incorporates quick-change corrector sets to convert the 300-mm instrument from wide-field, f/4.9 mode to its high-resolution f/9 mode. The carbon fiber tube and custom Astronomy TECHNOLOGY TODAY

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NEAF 2007 four mounting surface, with CNC machined cradle, combine to produce a compact package that weighs only 50 pounds.

Cloudy Nights www.cloudynights.com Although I’ve known Cloudy Nights’ Tom Trusock for years through e-mail and on-line exchanges, I had not had the pleasure of meeting him in person until NEAF 2007. While CN was not among the NEAF ‘Exhibitors,’ Tom was there to cover the event for CN as he does each and every year. His extensive ‘phototour’ of NEAF is one of the most popular CN Reports and should not be missed.

For those who are unfamiliar with Cloudy Nights, or who have not had a chance to enjoy its rich content in recent years, please know that it is the de facto on-line astronomical community and the prefect gathering place for astro equipment junkies. Tom, Allister St. Claire, its editor, Astronomics, its sponsor, and the many volunteers who monitor its active forums and provide its voluminous content, have earned our sincere appreciation for providing what for many is the ideal on-line home.

DC-3 Dreams www.dc3.com DC-3 Dreams systems safely and easily facilitate remote telescope/observatory access and its owners’ enthusiasm for its potential is represented in its motto, “Share Your Skies!”

We had the pleasure of visiting extensively with Stephanie Denny of DC-3 Dreams and discussing her impressions of and participation in NEAF and NEAIC 2007. “It’s clear to us that the interest in astronomy is growing among people from all walks of life," Stephanie reported. “We were glad to see so many children at NEAF who are interested in building telescopes, and who want to understand more about astronomy in general.”

“There was much discussion at the conference about robotic observatories.

We already knew that the educational community has taken a real interest in the idea of remote observing,” continued Stephanie. “Now it’s possible for students

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to each have their own chance to develop an observation plan, schedule a session, collect and analyze data, and report results. But we learned at the conferences that the interest in remote observing is not just limited to the educational community. By eliminating the physical limitations of latitude and longitude, the observable universe for an individual astronomer is greatly expanded.

Teamwork is also becoming more common, giving rise to the need for more shared remote observatories.”

“This is all good news to us at DC-3 Dreams”, said Bob Denny, DC-3’s software developer. “We developed the first off-the-shelf robotic/remote observatory package in 2001, and we’ve greatly expanded its capability since then, to include a browser-based interface that’s easy for anyone to use.” He concluded, “Tools like this will help give astronomy mainstream recognition, especially as we approach the International Year of Astronomy 2009.”

Denkmeier Optical www.deepskybinoviewer.com Denkmeier principals, Bill Denkmeier and Russ Lederman, displayed their full line of binoviewers and accessories. While they are best known for breakthrough binoviewer packages that combine value with superior quality, their innovative Power x Switch Diagonals appeared to garner as much attention as their binoviewers this year. Power x Switch Diagonals are available in configurations to accommodate single eyepiece viewing or binoviewing with refractors or SCTs and up to 6 power combinations without changing eyepieces.

DayStar Filters www.daystarfilters.com DayStar introduced its new Quantum Series filters this year at NEAF. The new filters replace its existing ATM and University series. The Quantum filters utilize a heated housing that operates at 12VDC (a 100V-240V power supply with international adapters is included) and features a live LCD readout of wavelength output and red/blue buttons for precise tuning of wavelength output. The Quantum filters are available in a stan-

dard edition (denoted “SE”) and a professional edition (“PE”) and are priced from $2,850.

Diffraction Limited - Cyanogen www.cyanogen.com Diffraction Limited demonstrated its most popular astronomy software, including its MaxIm DL comprehensive imaging, autoguiding, telescope control, processing and scripting program. The MaxDSLR extends the benefits of its comprehensive imaging controls to DSLR users. Also offered are MaxPoint mount modeling software and MaxDome II domed observatory controls. Diffraction Limited’s exhibit reinforced why it remains on the cutting edge of CCD imaging control and system automation.

Dream Telescopes and Accessories www.dreamscopes.com Dream Telescopes advances the proposition that properly designed and fabricated composites offer substantial strength to weight characteristics and thermal advantages over traditional telescope construction materials. Its products range from OTA subcomponents such as truss tubes, solid tubes and complete OTA structures to turnkey astrographs. Dream Telescopes’ exhibit managed to effectively display the benefits of its composite components and finished structures.

Explora-Dome www.explora-dome.us As we mentioned earlier in this article, NEAF 2007 served as a showplace for some of the most significant recent developments in personal observatory options. Explora-Dome’s Dan Johanneck, together with some help from family and friends, assembled two popular configurations of their new domes: a 10-foot square, four wall design with optional roof transition panels and an 8-foot round wall version.

We watched Dan and his team quickly assemble the two dome packages Friday afternoon and the process convinced me that this is something I could

NEAF 2007

Pictured Left: This was the typical scene at Howie Glatter’s exhibit.

He is generally one of the busiest vendors at every event we attend.

Pictured Right: Jeff of Great Red Spot Astronomy takes a break during a rare quiet moment.

Pictured Left: Gary Hand, as always, had a steady stream of customers.

Pictured Right: High Points unique exhibit cover provided a cozy corner for browsing.

Pictured Left: David Ho of HoTech displays his Astro Aimer Gen. II and other unique laser products.

Pictured Right: Meade's 20"RCXMAX Mount anchor its exhibit.

Pictured Left: We caught Al and Ron on Friday while the MoonLite exhibit was still being assembled it was later too crowded with visitors for a decent view of the craftsmanship of its displays.

Pictured Right: Jay Goldsberry of ObservaTech answers questions about his HardBerm and SoftBerm observing shields.

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NEAF 2007

Pictured Left: Pentax Sports Optics.

Pictured Right: Peterson Engineering’s Binocular Mounts.

Pictured Left: Bryan Greer of ProtoStar answers questions about his BlackLite tubes.

Pictured Right: Skies Unlimited another dealer that did a brisk business during NEAF

Pictured Left: Sky Publishing’s many titles were exhibited.

Pictured Right: SkyShed's Wayne Parker and I enjoy watching a pro assemble SkyShed's POD.

Pictured Left: Alain Roy explains the POD design and construction advantages.

Pictured Right: Springfield Telescope Makers.

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accomplish fairly easily (with a little help of course). The best news about Dan’s weather tight, permanent observatory dome systems? The basic dome unit is priced from a very affordable $650 and accessories for completion of its various installation configurations are similarly reasonably priced. For example, the optional drive track, gear and motor package is available at only $598.

The Explora-Dome is commonly installed on a customer constructed 10foot by 10-foot frame using traditional wood/stud wall building techniques, or can be purchased as part of a complete package that includes all components necessary to install a fully functioning dome observatory less flooring. As we noted in the Industry News section of this issue, the Explora-Dome dome system is also available as a component of a Pier-Tech Tele-Station4 package.

FAR Laboratories www.farlaboratories.com FAR Labs’ resident Renaissance man, Alan Rifkin, specializes in design, fabrication and marketing of truly unusual, but very useful products. One of my favorites is FAR Labs’ Eclipse Red Illuminated Keyboard. This red light, backlit keyboard is perfect for those of us who never mastered keying without looking and use computers in dark observatories and observing sites.

FAR Labs is best know for its mounting systems and accessories, offering systems that accommodate the needs of wheelchair bound observers as well as those who require the most portable, backpackable systems.

Alan’s most recent cause is ‘Flash Astronomy,’ a concept that we more fully explain in the Industry News section of this issue. Alan is also an active member of the Springfield Telescope Makers.

Finger Lakes Instrumentation www.fli-cam.com Finger Lakes demonstrated its affordable MicroLine imagers as well as its premium, state-of-the-art, ProLine series. Finger Lakes markets the ProLine instruments as offering “the highest QE

imaging systems available - period.”

Their ProLine imagers offer exceptional build quality with all key chassis components fully CNC machined even the fan cover. Dual sealed chambers enclose and protect the camera electronics and sensor in separate enclosures. It has adjustable download speeds to 12 megapixels per second with 60°C to 70°C cooling performance and internal memory all combined with their legendary customer support.

Rob Gendler Astro Photography www.robgendlerastropics.com We never tire of Rob’s exceptional astro photos, but seeing them on seemingly “life size” (actually closer to 32inch by 40-inch) detail is an experience we will not soon forget. We also continued to enjoy Rob’s A Year in the Life of the Universe chronological presentation of celestial showpieces. Rob’s prints are available from a number of purveyors of the finest of nature’s art.

Glatter Collimators www.collimator.com In this issue of ATT, Erik Wilcox provides his impressions of Howie Glatter’s new BLUG (Barlowed Collimation Plug) and his extraordinarily precise laser collimator. Howie brought his 18-inch Obsession Dob to demonstrate his lasers and BLUG in action.

Great Red Spot Astronomy www.greatredspot.com Great Red Spot Astronomy is well known for its “Red Spot” LED shake flashlights and did a brisk business in those accessories, but its principal, Jeff Hineline, reports that its NEAF specials on Vixen Optics demo items also kept him hopping. Great Red Spot carries Zhumell Dobs as well as Vixen Optics’ full line of premium instruments and his pricing on both was very buyer friendly.

GWS Astroproducts www.planisphere2.com GWS Astroproducts demonstrated

its unique Planisphere 2 “Super Planisphere.” This product is available as a complete kit and incorporates 20 star maps on ten discs. Samuel Lee, its creator, promises that budding astronomers will learn more in an hour with Planisphere 2 than they could ever hope to with a standard planisphere.

Hands On Optics www.handsonoptics.com Hands On Optics is a full service astronomy dealer offering new equipment from Antares, Celestron, GTO, Lumicon, Meade, Pentax, StellarVue, Takahashi, and Vernonscope. Gary Hand, it’s owner, is known as one of the most innovative astronomy dealers and can be trusted to have a large and interesting collection of used equipment available at bargain prices at any given moment.

High Point Scientific www.highpointscientific.com In a forum that included some of the largest astronomy dealers in the country, it’s hard to stand out. But, High Point Scientific managed that trick with a display cover that provided browsers a feeling of entering a separate and cozy store, a large, attentive staff, and too much interesting stuff to ignore. It didn’t hurt that High Point also offered some irresistible deals.

This was my first opportunity to meet the folks at High Point Scientific and the experience was thoroughly delightful.

HoTech Corporation www.hotechusa.com HoTech Corporation’s David Ho designs and produces innovative laser products for military and industrial applications, but David’s interest in astronomy has motivated him to direct his experience and resources to astronomy applications as well. His patented Astro Aimer Generation II is just one example.

David’s Astro Aimer combines a 5-mW, high power green laser, a three

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NEAF 2007 brightness mode red LED lamp and a three LED high efficiency white flashlight, all in one surprisingly functional and refined package. Its controls are simple and intuitive and it is powered by three inexpensive to replace, common AAA batteries. Its precision machined housing features a standard threaded 1/4"-20 hole for a tripod or ball mount and its 1-inch diameter is perfect for mounting in most 6x30 finder scope mounts. The thing is just too cool not to own.

And speaking of “cool,” David demonstrated a prototype of a new laser collimator. As does the Astro Aimer II, David’s collimator incorporates a number of unique and innovative features - too many to describe here.

We hope to bring you an extensive New Product announcement featuring it very soon.

Infinitees Printed Sportswear www.intini-tees.com There's nothing more comfortable than a t-shirt. Combine them with some amazing astronomy graphics and NEAF special pricing and you've got one of the busiest booths at NEAF.

Imaginova www.imaginova.com Starry Night www.starrynight.com Orion Telescopes and Binoculars www.telescope.com Imaginova’s exhibit combined displays of its Starry Night and Orion product lines. Pedro Braganca, Linda Fung, and Seth Meyers represented Starry Night and Ariel Ellis demonstrated the Orion products.

Said Pedro Braganca, “It is our fourth consecutive year at NEAF and the first that Orion was strongly represented. We always enjoy meeting our users and listening to what they want in our next product releases. This year we showcased Version 6 of Starry Night along with Starry Night BlueStar.”

Indeed, Starry Night’s BlueStar Adapter, which combines Bluetooth and USB connectivity, generated the most questions. Once visitors realized that they no longer need worry about entanglement in wires connecting their laptops to computerized telescopes, BlueStar was an easy sell.

It’s a catchy name, but what is it?

Well, it stands for “Image Processing For Astro-Photography.”

Warren Keller explained, “IP4AP is an online resource for learning the art and science of astro-imaging. We teach image processing in Adobe Photoshop and MSB Astroart and will be documenting Maxim DL next. Using highly scripted and edited voice over and text boxes for accent, I produce 5-12 minute tutorial movies in Flash and WMV for streaming download over the Internet.

They are very easy to follow and are the missing link for many trying to climb the steep learning curve of AP. Though there are some wonderful texts available today, we fill a gap for many struggling newbies and intermediates, making it easier to translate the dense information to the keyboard and mouse. We’ve done 21 videos on Photoshop Basics and 10 on Photoshop Intermediate with many more to follow. We feel all imagers wishing to turn their good ‘data’ into really artful photographs will eventually need the fine control of PS to become fine imagers. We also have an Astroart 3 series and a 4 series being added to presently.”

We are already working on an article

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IP4AP www.ip4ap.com

written by a “newbie” astrophotographer that includes an in depth report on IP4AP’s tutorials. Look for it soon.

JMI - Jim's Mobile, Inc. www.jmitelescopes.com Do a Web search for the terms “innovation” and “prolific” and my guess is that JMI will be somewhere near the top of the resulting list. While JMI did not enter a separate exhibit at NEAF 2007, its products were in evidence throughout the building and its president, Jim Burr, was in attendance and visited with exhibitors and attendees alike.

Jim has already alerted us to some significant new JMI products which we will begin revealing in our June issue.

Mathis Instruments www.mathis-instruments.com Carina Software www.carinasoft.com I've been a happy user of one of Thomas Mathis’ finely crafted mount drive systems for many years now and it was a pleasure to finally meet the craftsman in person. Mathis Instruments MI500, MI-750 and MI-1000 mounts boast load capacities of 180 pounds to 480 pounds, enviable precision and state-of-the-art automation. There’s something about Tom’s mounts that simply instills confidence.

Carina Software's latest version of its full-featured planetarium program, Voyager 4, produces breathtaking realism and is capable of accurately reproducing astronomical data over a million-year timespan. It includes Carina’s SkyPilot telescope control interface capable of driving most computer controllable telescopes, including both Celestron and Meade.

Meade Instruments Corporation www.meade.com Coronado www.coronadofilters.com NEAF 2007 was worth the trip if only to attend the Friday edition of

NEAF 2007

MoonLite Telescope Accessories www.focuser.com If NEAF offered a prize for “most professional display,” Al and Ron of MoonLite focuser fame would have gotten my vote. The all wood display cases showed the same fine joinery and finish that we’ve come to associate with showpiece Dob mirror boxes. Against those

backdrops, MoonLite’s trademark rainbow of anodized finish color was dramatic indeed.

We were reminded by their display that MoonLite also offers truss Dob components fashioned with the same care, skill and accuracy of their popular focusers.

ObservaTech www.observatech.com We first met Jay Goldsberry of ObservaTech at the Winter Star Party and inadvertently omitted him from our coverage of the vendors who attended that event. Sorry Jay! Baltimore, Maryland, based ObervaTech designs cost effective, portable, modular solutions for elimination of stray light during precious observing time.

ObservaTech’s HardBerm model is

comprised of rigid wall panels and is durable enough to leave up all year while light enough for quick assembly/disassembly. The SoftBerm model is extremely lightweight and portable.

OPT - Oceanside Photo and Telescope www.optcorp.com Two of OPT’s stars graced our April cover: OPT entrepreneur excellent, Craig Weatherwax, and GM/Camera Boss, Eric Blackhurst. Craig managed OPT’s NEAF exhibit this year and (as I promised to report) proved to be much slimmer in person than the extreme camera angle of the April ATT cover photo made him appear. Really.

OPT’s display was my second chance to get a feel for OPT’s remarkably capable Pentax Apos and first look at

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Meade’s “How to Assemble a 20"RCXMAX Mount” road show once again. I won't claim that Meade's crew of experienced professionals made it look easy, but they do come close to that ideal.

Once assembled, the thing tends to dominate even that large room, but it is the equally impressive design features that an up-close examination reveals. I’ve seen it on a number of occasions now, but still manage to discover some new and impressive detail each and every time.

I visited at length with Meade V.P. (for Brand Community and Consumer Solutions) Scott Roberts and first learned at NEAF that Scott is also the Executive Director of Meade’s 4M Community. In yet another lesson on missing the obvious, I asked what “4M” stood for. The polite, professional response was delivered without the least hint of rolled eyes or stifled “Duh!” The well known Meade “Star” emblem is comprised of four M’s arranged to form an eight-pointed star. Now I know. For what it’s worth, I’ve been a member of the 4M community for some time now and have come to rely on its resources. I particularly enjoy the Meade Radio lectures and interviews and highly recommend them.

Scott reported that much of the visitor excitement at Meade’s exhibit was directed at its new mySKY point and shoot “Personal Guide for Sky Exploration” and the 16-inch version of its very popular LightBridge truss Dob series.

The affordable Coronado solar instruments are increasing popular and were well represented among the equipment assembled for the 2007 NEAF Solar Star Party. Unfortunately, clouds were also abundant.

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NEAF 2007 some new Losmandy accessories that we will cover fully in our June issue. Despite OPT’s status as one of the world’s largest astronomy products dealers, each member of its staff has proven not only surprisingly experienced, knowledgable and professional, but also as friendly, caring and personable as its owner.

Pentax Sports Optics www.pentaxsportsoptics.com Until OPT’s reintroduction of Pentax Apo refractors to the U.S. market, its dedicated astronomy products were limited to its highly regarded eyepieces and porro prism binoculars. That observation should not be read as belittling Pentax’s contribution to this industry.

Pentax’s astronomical eyepieces are not just highly regarded; its XW and XO lines are considered by many to be among the finest eyepieces available regardless of price.

Pentax’s NEAF display included these eyepieces as well as its full range of binoculars and spotting scopes.

Peterson Engineering www.petersonengineering.com SCT users are familiar with the terms “EyeOpener,” “Get-A-Grip,” “Buck’s Gears,” and more. These are Pete Peterson products that SCT owners have long relied on to improve their telescopes. Pete now offers his new EZ Binoc Super Mount Kit that is fully capable of handling the Garrett Optical 28x110 HD-WP Signature Series binoculars he designed the mount to handle.

ProtoStar www.fpi-protostar.com Bryan Greer and Steve Keene of ProtoStar displayed a range of components for amateur telescope makers (ATMs), and amateur telescope upgraders (ATUs?). Of course, there were several samples of secondary spiders and holders. One was small enough to fit in the palm of your hand, while the largest was a jumbo-sized 4-vane model for a 32-inch telescope. New for this year is a line of Cassegrain secondary mounts,

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with the largest one holding up to a 5inch diameter secondary mirror.

The most attention-getting product on display was the newest version of the BlackLite tubes which are collapsible, and several stood towering over the

exhibit. The tube-within-a-tube design permits even monstrous focal length telescopes to shrink to almost half their length for easier transporting and storing. It also allows for binoviewers to be used “straight-thru” without the compensating lens usually required by Newtonians. The tube length can be easily shortened to allow for the several inches of back-focus binoviewers require.

The transformation requires no tools, as you simply loosen two knobs near the middle of the tube which actuate internal clamping shoes. Bryan stated no recollimation is required between setups, as the clamping mechanism was highly accurate and repeatable, and his demonstration of the process bore this out.

Quantum Scientific Imaging www.qsimaging.com

We had the pleasure of visiting at length with QSI Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Kevin Nelson. It was QSI’s first participation in NEAF and NEAIC and judging from the attention their QSI 500 Series CCD cameras cap-

tured, we’re confident they’ll return next year.

The compact, medium format, thermo-electrically cooled CCD camera line is available in five different configurations and priced from an affordable $1,995. An internal filter wheel accepts up to five 1.25-inch, interchangeable filters and adds only 1/2-inch to the camera dimensions and backfocus. Options include water assisted cooling and a complete range of mounting accessories to fit any telescope or lens application.

The internal color filter wheel version measures a mere 4.45 by 4.45 by 2.5 inches and weighs only 40 ounces.

Questar Corporation www.questarcorporation.com There is simply no denying that there is something about the classic Questar that defies description. I have the pleasure of using a Classic 7 on a regular basis and know it to be as rugged and durable as it is beautiful and accurate. Recent additions to the Questar line include a new Lightweight version of the Classic 7 as well as Coronado Solar Max 40 and 60 options.

Rivers Camera & Telescope www.riverscamera.com This Dover, New Hampshire, four generation institution is another excellent, full service, multi-line astro-products dealer and one of the oldest continuingly operating astro-businesses around. Rivers exhibited products by Celestron, Coronado, Meade, Tele Vue and Vixen Optics.

SBIG - Santa Barbara Instrument Group www.sbig.com The pace of technological advancement in the field of CCD astrophotography has, in recent years, simply been astounding and companies that compete in that arena regularly introduce remarkable enhancements to and refinements of their product lines. Therefore, while it was significant, it wasn’t really big news that SBIG had introduced second gener-

NEAF 2007

Pictured Left: StellarVue SV127 f5.7 Dual Flouro Apo on its massive M7E alt-az mount.

Pictured Right: Vic assembling StellarVue's new M7E "Isostatic" Mount on a gorgeous TSL5 Pier Tripod.

Pictured Left: Art Ciampi explains the attributes of Takahashi's new "Q." Pictured Right: Telescopes Normand Fullum (right)

Pictured Left: Vernonscope's exhibit included some amazing vintage pieces.

Pictured Right: The Vixen Optics exhibit was extensive and busy.

Pictured Left: Farah Payan and Daniel Mounsey building the Woodland Hills exhibit.

Pictured Right: Many companies donated items for the Kids Raffle.

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NEAF 2007 ation adaptive optics systems or that these could be easily configured for control by a remote guide head that captures guide star energy before it is attenuated by filters. What was big news? SBIG had placed its premier STL series cameras on sale - a big sale - and that certainly caused a lot of buzz.

Skies Unlimited www.skiesunlimited.net Friendly and knowledgeable - the Skies Unlimited guys combined huge inventory and some great discounts to stay very busy during the entire two day event.

Sky & Telescope Magazine www.skyandtelescope.com It had been quite some time since I’d seen a display of Sky & Telescope’s contributions to astronomy science literature.

The extensive list of titles exhibited by S&T served as more than ample reminder of its status in our industry and why we remain steadfast fans. But, we love “astro-rags.” Go figure.

SkyShed www.skyshed.com As we mentioned earlier, but for very few unusual announcements at NEAF 2007, it could very easily have been known as the year of the personal observatory. SkyShed presented its truly unique POD personal dome observatory.

We had a chance to help assemble and use a Beta version of the POD containing a Celestron CGE1400 and a couple of observers and it performed beautifully.

The production versions incorporate many refinements that Beta testing indicated.

SkyShed’s POD exhibit was manned by owner Wayne Parker and Alain Roy of Royal Pattern Industries, Ltd., the Ontario mold maker that has worked closely with SkyShed to create its POD. Alain’s dedication to and enthusiasm for the project was obvious and he explained many properties of the POD design that weren’t readily obvious to visitors. For example, one characteristic of the plastic

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from which the POD panels are formed is that very little sticks to it, making it self-cleaning to a great extent.

and it’s a great place to go when you’re looking for the perfect “what to give the astronomer who has everything” gift.

SLOOH www.slooh.com What is it? It's a fantastic idea, that’s what it is! Stop me if you’ve already heard this story. Some years ago when I was just learning to navigate the Internet, I discovered a link to a live video camera aimed at a particularly scenic portion of the Grand Canyon. As I sat behind a desk in downtown Dallas trying to unravel yet another foolish human mess, I could escape in an instant to that peaceful scene in a mouse click. I know, it was only an image on a CRT, but the fact that it was “live”, in real time, made all the difference. There was something inexplicably reassuring about the digital connection.

Well, thanks to services like SLOOH, my vicarious Internet travels are no longer limited to terrestrial scenes. For about the cost of your monthly cable TV bill, you can instead get a year of travel through a mountain top telescope in the Canary Islands.

Software Bisque www.bisque.com You are already familiar with them: TheSky6, CCDSoft (camera control), TPoint (telescope pointing analysis), Orchestrate (scripting and automation), AutomaDome (dome control), Precision PEC (periodic error correction), and more.

The more now includes Software Bisque’s newest wonder, Seeker. SB bills it as, “An immersive 3D Solar System experience,” and that it is. I’ve been wondering when I’d have to replace my aging desk top PC to something optimized for graphics, and now that I’ve seen a demonstration of Seeker, the answer is “very soon!”

Seeker appears to have every prospect of becoming one of those crossover products that is as attractive to the general public as to those of us who live and breathe anything and everything astronomical. I’d try and describe its addictively immersive, flawless realism, but it’s easier if you just take a test drive yourself - and start saving for that new Mac Pro computer.

Smart Astronomy www.smartastronomy.com Let’s face it. There are a lot of great astro-gear dealers out there. Most got into the business because they love astronomy and the equipment we use to enjoy it. We are fortunate because concern for customer satisfaction can be assumed from the vast majority of retailers who serve this industry, and Smart Astronomy is no exception.

But, for me, there’s something that sets them apart. I’ve relied on them for years as my go-to source for any and every 12v gadget I could ever need. Do they have 12v electric blankets? Of course.

With its own power supply? That too.

As well as coffee makers, coffee mugs, coolers, warmers, hair dryers, heaters, fans, and more. Well, if a guy had all that, he’d need a lot of 12v power supplies to go with them and, yes, they have those too.

They call it their “12Volt Universe”

Solarscope www.solarscope.com It's inexpensive, it's safe, it's neat, it works. Okay, it's very inexpensive…

Seriously, the Solarscope is the perfect astronomy accessory to take on a leisurely outdoor event such as a picnic and do some quick solar viewing. I know I want one!

Solar Scope, Isle of Mann www.sciencecenter.net/solarscope Solar Scope presented its premium 50-mm Hydrogen Alpha filters, as well as its dedicated Hydrogen Alpha 50-mm telescope. Adapters are available to mount the 50-mm filter on scopes from Astro-Physics, Borg, Takahashi and Tele Vue. We only wish the sun had also made an appearance during the show.

NEAF 2007 Springer www.springer.com

Our booth neighbors at NEAF were Dr. Harry (J.J.) Blom and Christopher Coughlin of Springer. Dr. Blom is Springer’s Executive Editor for Physics and Astronomy and Mr. Coughlin its Assistant Editor for Astronomy and Astrophysics. Springer is the world's second-largest specialist publisher in the Science/Technology/Medicine sector.

Dr. Blom reported, “We enjoyed attending NEAF for the third time in a row and book sales keep going up. The NEAF visitors really know their telescopes well, so the titles telling the reader how to best use the equipment are most popular. In addition, the more technical books on spectroscopy and photometry were sold out after the first day. Then there is a nice team of authors presenting their skills in a new book on how to make sketches of the Sun, lunar craters and planets (Handy et al.). Two of them, Sol Robbins and Erika Rix, sent many fans to our book stand, making NEAF 2007 a wonderful meet-and-greet for us. Last but not least -- we were happy enough to be located next to the publishers of this promising new magazine!”

Being neighbors of the popular Springer exhibit was a great advantage to us as we benefited from the large traffic that its remarkable collection of publica-

tions drew, and Harry and Christopher were delightful company during rare lulls in visitor traffic.

Starlight Xpress www.starlight-xpress.co.uk Having seen some amazing photographs produced by the modestly priced Starlight Xpress SXVF-H9C when combined with a Starizona HyperStar equipped SCT, I had resolved before attending NEAF that I would try to learn more about Starlight Xpress imaging equipment. What I learned, among other things, is that it will soon offer versions of their uniquely housed cameras with very large format, 35-mm frame size Kodak sensors. I also learned that it offers an active optics, guide camera unit for its SX camera lines.

So, what I thought of as a company that produces a very compact and effective one-shot color camera using Sony's 2/3-inch ExView sensor, turned out to be a whole lot more.

Springfield Telescope Makers www.stellafane.com Look for a special announcement regarding the Springfield Telescope Makers in our June issue. Meanwhile, we not only got an up-close look at some remarkable vintage and ATM telescopes, we also learned more about its ongoing Stellafane expansion project. Stellafane 2007 will afford those who attend an additional night of viewing, with its Thursday, 3 p.m. opening.

Stellarvue www.stellarvue.com Like many NEAF exhibitors, Vic Maris had new equipment to display.

First and foremost was Stellarvue’s new Dual Flouro Apo. I had more than ample opportunity to handle the SV127f/5.7 and, like all of Vic’s finely crafted instruments, it has a robust, solid feel. If our views of the limited targets available in the assembly center were any indication, it will be a remarkable performer.

As impressed as I was with the

SV127 Dual Flouro, I was equally pleased to see Vic’s new M7E “Isostatic” Mount. It’s massive, stable, smooth and everything the name implies. When matched to Vic’s TSL5 Pier Tripod, it’s simply beautiful.

Stellarvue also introduced the SV102ED. This f/6.95 ED doublet equipped scope was offered at an introductory price of only $1,095.

Takahashi www.takahashiamerica.com We had the pleasure of meeting Takahashi America’s Art Ciampi as well as Takahashi’s extraordinary optical designer, Rocky Henmi (Rocky’s first name, Iwao means “hard rock,” hence the nickname.)

Although Takahashi displayed some amazing equipment, most attention was directed to its new “Q.” Designated the FSQ-106NU, it is a 106-mm, f/5, 530mm fl, quadruplet, flat-field astrograph that should provide stunning wide-field visual experiences. With reducer it achieves a super fast f/3.6. Its 4-inch focuser is a wonder unto itself and features a 10 to 1 microfocuser, camera angle adjustment and a lift capacity of 11 pounds.

Telescopes Normand Fullum www.telescopesnormandfullum.com Imagine you’re attending a convention of structural engineers and stumble across Robin Williams in the crowd. The contrast of flight of fancy, whimsical, stream of consciousness chatter, against a background of serious, methodical, fact based reasoning, would be surreal. Well, that’s pretty much the effect of Normand Fullum’s creations amid a hall full of function oriented, high technology, where the only acknowledgments of appearance are normally limited to refinements of anodizing and paint schemes.

Normand’s creations are stunning blends of delightfully whimsical form and serious function. That doodad that you thought was a mere ornament may Astronomy TECHNOLOGY TODAY

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NEAF 2007 instead cover a critical ventilation port.

The extraordinary wood tubes are deceptively light and durable. Outer surfaces are protected with multiple layers of high-tech, high-gloss finishes, and the interiors are protected with a rubberized, flat black coating.

Tele Vue Optics www.televue.com The traditional Tele Vue NEAF specials compelled the traditional Tele Vue NEAF special lines and Tele Vue’s industry standard telescopes, eyepieces and accessories commanded the attention they always earn at major astronomy events. Oh, and Tele Vue introduced a new eyepiece. Please see our New Products section for details.

Actually, Al Nagler made another announcement at NEAF 2007 and we will cover it in full in our June issue.

Universal Astronomics www.universalastronomics.com We featured Larry Patriarca’s new mammoth alt-az mount in our New Products section. Larry and family presented Universal Astronomics’ full line of mounts, tripods and accessories as well and the display was extensive, given the large range of mounting options Larry offers.

Vernonscope www.vernonscope.com We again had the pleasure of meeting Vernonscopes president, Don Yeier.

Although Vernonscope is perhaps best

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known for its Brandon Oculars, it is also the holder of an extraordinary collection of vintage and historically significant astronomical equipment, much of which was on display.

Vixen Optics www.vixenoptics.com As we announce in our April issue, Brian Deis’ Vixen Optics is now the North American distributor of the Vixen lines of astronomical products. Vixen Optics displayed the entire Vixen line at NEAF and, due in part to the sheer number of instruments it contained and in part to the distinctive Vixen White color scheme shared by all of its telescopes, the exhibit was unusually eye-catching.

Vixen’s SkyPod, alt-az go-to mount got a lot of attention, but it was the combination of Vixen’s VC200L OTA and Sphinx SXD mount that stole the show.

Mike Fowler of Vixen Optics describes the VC200L as the “perfect telescope”. He explained, “The field is corrected both behind the secondary mirror and just before the focuser. This yields a flat field for astro-imaging, but also less chromatic aberration than even the finest APO refractors. While designed for the most critical of astro-imagers, the view through this telescope is quite amazing too, hence my ‘Perfect Telescope’ moniker.”

As we also reported in our April issue New Product announcement, the Sphinx SXD boasts a load capacity of 50 pounds and Vixen Star Book navigation.

William Optics www.williamoptics.com William Optics principals William and David Yang demonstrated its increasing popular line of astronomical products and its large exhibit stayed busy throughout the show. Also displayed was a prototype of one of WO’s upcoming Ferrari ZenithStar line.

Willman Bell Publishing www.willbell.com I can think of no aspect of amateur or professional astronomy that has not been thoroughly covered by a Willman

Bell publication and my personal library contains more than a reasonable share its essential texts. Advanced ATMs will be pleased to learn that its recent publications include Norman Remer’s Making a Refractor Telescope and James Daley's treatise, The Schupmann Telescope.

Woodland Hills Telescopes www.telescopes.net NEAF 2007 saw Woodland Hills, California’s, Woodland Hills Telescopes’ first exhibit there. Owner Farah Payan and Daniel “Dr. D” Mounsey staffed its displays. You learned a bit about Daniel’s custom equipment cases in an earlier article of this issue of ATT. We were treated to a lengthy visit with Farah. When asked what products visitors were most interested in, she explained, “The Canon Stabilized Binoculars were high on the list as well as, of course, Tele Vue eyepieces.

They are always popular. ScopeStuff ’s laser brackets were also a hit. This was my first year at NEAF, but I’ve been attending RTMC for many years.

What surprised me here were the many young families and children. I think it is a great indication of the success of the organizers’ efforts to promote the hobby to younger generation.”

It turns out that Woodland Hills already enjoyed a strong East Coast customer base. Farah said, “Meeting our east cost customers was really most exciting. To be able to put the faces with the voices of loyal, local customers was a real treat.” Farah promises that Woodland Hills will be among the NEAF exhibitors in 2008.

Yankee Robotics www.yankeerobotics.com The Yankee Robotics team displayed their popular Trifid camera line. Of these, the Trifid Nugget autoguider appeared to receive the most attention.

Yankee Robotics promises to enlarge the Trifid line later this year with a new, cooled, yet inexpensive CCD camera dubbed the “Trifid F/X.”

10 Micron Astro Trac Adirondack Public Observatory Adirondack Video Astronomy ADM Accessories Alpine Astronomical Amateur Astronomy Magazine APM Telescopes Apogee Instruments Aruna Hill Science Center Astro Gizmos Astro Hutech Astro Physics Astronomy Magazine Astronomy Shoppe Astronomy Technology Today Astronomy To Go Astrotech Engineering Aurora Astro Products B. Crist Miniatures Backyard Observatories Caelum Observatory Camera Concepts Celestron Cercis Astro Cervalo Optical Systems Clear Vue Optics Coronado

Dark Star Enterprises Denkmeier Optical Diffraction Limited-Cyanogen Dream Scope Explora-dome Far Labs Finger Lakes Instruments Gendler Astro Photos Great Red Spot Astronomy GWS Astroproducts Hands On Optics High Point Scienitific Hotech Imaginova-Starrynight Infinitees Printed Sportswear IP4AP.com JMI Telescopes Kendricks Astro Instruments Mathis Meade Instruments Mercury Support Systems MoonLite Telescope Accessories New York Skies Observatech Oceanside Photo and Telescope Orion Telescopes Pentax Sport Optics Peterson Engineering

Planewave Instruments Quantum Scientific Imaging River's Telescopes SBIG Skies Unlimited Sky and Telescope Magazine SkyShed Slooh.com Smart Astronomy Software Bisque Solar Scope Solar Scope Isle of Mann Southeastern Camera & Telescope Springfield Telescope Makers Starlight Xpress Stellarvue Takahashi TeleVue Teton Telescopes Universal Astronomics USGoldCoins.com Vernonscope Vixen Optics Williams Optics Willmann Bell Publishing Woodland Hills Telescopes Yankee Robotics

16th Annual Northeast Astronomy Forum and Telescope Show www.rocklandastronomy.com

Reader

Profile MIKE GILMER

I grew up in Florida and settled in Louisiana after getting married. It’s there that I was bitten by the astronomy bug. My wife Tina gave me a gift of 15x70mm binoculars one Christmas and that opened the way for two obsessions - astronomy and gear addiction. Little did she know what she was starting! In the two and half years since then, I have been through several large binoculars and too many telescopes before settling down with my current Orion 100mm f/6 achromat. Thanks to the Internet, I’m able to network with many other amateur astronomers and have even discovered, to my surprise, that there were other backyard stargazers right here in my small hometown.

When I began searching for other local astronomy enthusiasts, I found that Houma, Louisiana, (indeed all of Terrebonne Parish) lacked any organized astronomy presence. Unlike New Orleans and Baton Rouge, which have both private and university-sponsored astronomy clubs, amateurs in the Houma area had to make

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Astronomy TECHNOLOGY TODAY

the long commute to one of these neighboring clubs to enjoy the benefits of associating with other astronomers. Finding anything astronomy-related in this area, whether it was gear or talking shop over a cup of coffee with another observer, seemed impossible.

So, I started a Yahoo discussion group (Bayou Region Stargazers Network) so local astronomers in the Terrebonne/Lafourche area could meet and keep in touch. I expected two or three signups from people I have already been in contact with via e-mail or telephone, but to my surprise we have sixteen members thus far. It is my hope that this group will form the nucleus of a formal astronomy club here in Houma (for more info go to www.glassthrower.com). Our group includes newcomers and seasoned veterans, visual observers and imagers, casual hobbyists and hardcore gear-heads. The response to BRSN has encouraged me to plan local outreach events with the help of some other BRSN members who have done previous work with the public.

The organizing bug hasn’t stopped there. We are attempting to organize an annual stargazing event to be held at a dark site here in Terrebonne Parish. Many of us are not able to travel to major annual star parties, but would like to enjoy the experience, so we are trying to locate a suitable dark site and hope to lure other astronomers from surrounding areas. BRSN sponsors a Clear Sky Clock for Houma and I have put together a local weather Web page which shows meteorological data of interest to sky watchers. Also, after trying unsuccessfully to negotiate with my local city officials regarding a nuisance street light near my backyard; I’ve started an online petition drive to persuade Louisiana lawmakers to consider dark sky legislation.

Currently, my main observing instrument is an Orion 100mm ST f/6 achromat which sits on a Vixen Super Polaris mount with custom hardwood legs made by AstroWood engineering. I am not bothered by the obligatory false color that comes with achromats, since the bulk of my observing is geared towards faint deep sky objects. For those occasions when I do throw glass at the planets or the moon, I use a William Optics VR-1 filter which does a good job of taming the CA and allowing me to get a crisp image. I invest the bulk of my astro-gear budget into quality, vintage eyepieces. I find the older eyepieces are a great bargain - they can be found on the used market for prices that are competitive with brand-new eyepieces of lesser quality. I am particularly fond of eyepieces with a “cool bias” like the Edmund RKE and volcano-top Orthoscopics.

I also enjoy binocular observing with my 8x42mm bird glasses and 15x70mm night glass. During the day I can watch songbirds at the feeders in our garden, and on any clear night I am setup outside on the patio observing the night sky The large fish seen in the photo background was painted by my wife, Tina, who sells her work on the Internet and in galleries. This particular piece was a spur of the moment idea and was done with a mix of old craft and house paints. The canvas is the side of our workshop/garage. The painting is about 10-feet long and 4-feet high and can be easily seen from the street, where passersby (especially children) often stop and admire it. It’s entitled “Sealed with a Fish”, but I just know it as the big whimsical fish that watches over my observing spot.

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