Mar15 by Astronomy Technology Today

ASTRONOMY

TECHNOLOGY TODAY Your Complete Guide to Astronomical Equipment DESIGNING THE OPTIMUM 6-INCH F/8 ATM NEWTONIAN • THE LUNT 100-MM 45° ED-APO BINOCULARS INTERSTELLARUM DEEP SKY ATLAS FIELD EDITION HOOKED ON: A LOW-TECH HAND CONTROLLER HOLDER SOLUTION

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This 4.3° F.o.V. image of the North American and Pelican Nebulae was imaged by Gordon Haynes using the Tele Vue-NP127fli & FLI Proline

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Contents

New Products

Cover Story: Pages 27-31

Our cover features the Astro-Package configuration of Sky-Watcher’s Star Adventurer mount, a versatile tracking solution to wide-field astrophotography, as well as for visual observing with compact telescopes such as the pictured MakCassegrain. ATT managing editor Gary Parkerson reports in this issue his experience with the Star Adventurer, much of which leveraged its time-lapse capabilities. The background night-scape image of the Milky Way was captured by frequent ATT contributor, Richard Wright, using his personal Star Adventurer. It is a single 30-second exposure.

In This Issue

12 Editor’s Note Waxing, Waning and Swan Songs By Gary Parkerson 27 Sky-Watcher Star Adventurer Astro Package Accurate, Capable, Versatile By Gary Parkerson

ASTRONOMY

14 ATIK CAMERAS Releases Updates to CCD Field Calculator App for iOS

Sky-Watcher Star Adventurer Astro Package

Accurate, Capable, Versatile

14 MALLINCAM New All Sky Camera Volume 9 • Issue 2 March-April 2015 $6.00 US

57 The Lunt 100-mm 45° ED-APO Binoculars An Eye for An Eye By Mark Zaslove 56 Astro Tips, Tricks & Novel Solutions Hooked On – A Low-Tech Solution By David Lloyd-Jones

16 AVALON INSTRUMENTS Introduces FOCS Focuser for Celestron SCTs and a Low-Latitude Kit for the M-Zero Mount

33 The New Baader Solar Filters (BSF) The Sun Has Never Looked Better! By André Van der Elst 43 Designing the Optimum 6-inch F/8 ATM Newtonian The Definitive Newtonian By Ed Turco 49 Interstellarum Deep Sky Atlas Field Edition A New Kid on the Star-Atlas Block By Dragan Nikin

17 MEADE INSTRUMENTS Series 5000 Mega Wide Angle Eyepieces

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Contributing Writers André Van der Elst is a former chairman of InfoCosmos, a Belgian amateur astronomer association. His “Astro-Tests” have been published in several French and Belgian astronomy magazines, critically testing hundreds of telescopes, eyepieces and other accessories. He has written two books: Astro-Tests and Astro-Guide (published by Vuibert , France ). When he is not testing, you can find him biking all around the green corners of Brussels , Belgium where he lives.

Contents New Products

19 IOPTRON Introduces New Tri-Pier

David Loyd-Jones became interested in astronomy in the golden age of ATM. He progressed from home-built 6-inch and 8-inch Newtonians to commercial 10-inch and 12-inch SCTs. He has now happily downsized to 5-inch and 8-inch Newtonians for fun visual and astrographic use. All along, he has enjoyed participating in the ever-increasing involvement of technology in amateur astronomy.

Dragan Nikin, a police officer by day, is an amateur astronomer living in Chicago . A true deep sky hound, he observes in far western Illinois with Toto, his 25-inch f/5 Obsession. Dragan also produces the popular Hooded Observing Vest as well as co-creating www.deepskyforum.com, the Internet’s only deepsky devoted forum.

Gary Parkerson discovered early in his amateur-astronomy career that he was as fascinated by the tools of astronomy as by the amazing celestial objects they reveal – perhaps more so. When not writing about astro-tech, he covers industrial technology for a variety of online resources.

Ed Turco holds a B.A. (1967) and an M.A. (1972) from Brown University . He was a very active meteor observer and served as Regional Director for the American Meteor Society (AMS). In 1990, he produced a computer database study of AMS meteor radiants for Donald Meisel of the AMS and Cornell. He was also an active variable star observer for over a decade for the AAVSO. He has been an ATM since 1958 to the present and has ground and polished over 200 mirrors as well as over 20 refractor objectives. One of these earned a first award at the Stellafane in 1977. The following year, he produced the world’s first Lurie Aplantic Reflector and introduced it to Stellafane, earning a first award for his work. Ed has taught many amateur astronomers to grind and polish their mirrors, and complete their telescopes.

Mark Zaslove is a two-time Emmy Award winner and recipient of the coveted Humanitas Prize.Mark is a born-again astro noobie, who once had an Optical Craftsman scope as a kid, and is now recapturing his youthful enthusiasm(with a digital twist) and having a lovely time doing it.

21 LOSMONDY New AZ8 Alt-Az Mount/Tripod and DVR 108/66 Three-Ring Guide-Scope Setup

22 STARIZONA New MicroTouch Shuttle Offers An Ultra Compact Controller for Starizona’s MicroTouch Autofocuser for Feather Touch Focusers

22 STARLIGHT INSTRUMENTS Introduces the TRUE 3.0 Focuser

23 CELESTRON Expands SkyMaster Series of Binoculars with SkyMaster Pro

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The Supporting

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ASTRONOMY

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Volume 9 • Issue 2 March-April 2015 Publisher Stuart Parkerson

Managing Editor Gary Parkerson

Editor’s Note

Gary Parkerson, Managing Editor

Associate Editors Austin Grant

WAXING, WANING AND SWAN SONGS

Sean Melehan

In this issue, Mark Zaslove reports on Lunt Engineering’s 100-mm 45-degree ED-Apo binoculars. His is the finest description I’ve read of a binocular experience: “...that stereopsis, almost threedimensional immersion in the ether – that not only lets one see, but almost lets one feel the very texture of space.” Small wonder Mark makes his living as a screenwriter. Dragan Nikin reports on a most unique star atlas and reminds us why print atlases, like print magazines, are still relevant in the digital age. André Van der Elst extols the merits of Baader Planetarium’s new solar filters. Baader has introduced three mounting configurations of its acclaimed AstroSolar film, to ensure coverage of the fullest range of instruments and solar-viewing and imaging applications. And I report my impressions of the astro-package configuration of SkyWatcher’s jewel-of-a-Star Adventurer mount and strove to do it justice, despite recent challenges. I enjoy each article published in every issue of this magazine or, I suppose, they wouldn’t be in this magazine. But one in each issue inevitably strikes a particularly poignant chord. This time, that article was Ed Turco’s coverage of the ATM Newt he considers his “definitive Newtonian reflector.” Given his 56 years of glass-pushing experience, Ed’s assumptions reminded me of the old Steve Martin routine, You Can

Chad E. Patterson

Art Director Lance Palmer

Staff Photographer Craig Falbaum

Web Master Richard Harris

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Be a Millionaire and Never Pay Taxes. “You say, Steve, how can I be a millionaire and never pay taxes. First, get a million dollars. Now...” Ed assumes we can all figure out, easily enough, how to grind, figure and polish a high-precision primary mirror – even an optical window – and that’s an increasingly optimistic assumption. The status quo is never that for long. What waxes eventually wanes, and enthusiasm for ATM projects of the glass-pushing kind is surely waning, at least for now. 56 years. Malcolm Gladwell, author of Outliers, contends it takes 10,000 hours of practice to achieve mastery. That’s five years of eight-hour workdays. How many hours of mirror grinding did Ed amass in those 56 years? Enough to take his mastery of that art for granted. Says Ed, “It is assumed, even among experienced ATMs, that making an optical window is a very hard chore. That’s not the case.” I trust Ed’s conclusion, because he wrote it, and because I know it to be tempered by 56 years of mirror-grinding wisdom. Still, it was stated from a vantage too few of us will ever know. When Ed’s draft was forwarded to me, the sender described it as a fitting swan song, because … well, 56 years. I trust Ed has more telescopes yet to design and build, but if his “definitive Newtonian” was his last, he chose well. I type this note with a left hand that no longer keeps up with my right. I’ve

been a touch typist since high school but now struggle to key these words. All those years of typing and keyboarding experience lay somewhere between mind and fingers – experience that once allowed the words I envisioned to stream as if preternaturally behind the cursor. The experience, the knowledge, is still there. My mind still sends the appropriate signals and assumes the usual will follow. I trust I’ve years of articles yet to write, but what waxes must eventually wane, and for now, the link to my left hand waned earlier than I expected. Age has also brought interesting vision anomalies, but as with all such challenges, there is good news. Although I no longer see through a telescope what I once saw, my mind thoughtfully recorded previous years of celestial views, stacking current, diminished views of Jupiter, Saturn, the Moon, and more, under its storehouse of crisp celestial detail. Our minds are capable of remarkable feats, of filtering noise from signal and of filling in remarkably-wide blanks when required. I have read some whose hearing was partially restored by cochlear implants describe being able to hear and enjoy music with which they became familiar when their hearing was undiminished, but being unable to enjoy new music, despite their implants. Now I understand. The astro-products industry lost a valued friend earlier this year. Jeff Goldstein, owner of AstroGizmos and a cherished veteran of the astro-event circuit, passed away on January 25. Jeff was an astute student of life and more, achieving myriad specialized computer certifications, a registered-nurse certification, and a Juris Doctor degree, in addition to his astro-market accomplishments. He is survived by his wife, Jean, his two sons, Charles and Craig, and his mother Gladys. We’ll miss him. This, the March-April issue of ATT, is the issue we traditionally distribute at NEAIC and NEAF, long the highlight events of my astronomy year. I will not make it to them this year, but hope to see you at NEAIC/NEAF 2016. What wanes must eventually wax. Meanwhile, clear skies!

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ATIK CAMERAS Releases Updates to CCD Field Calculator App for iOS Atik Cameras has released a new version of its complimentary CCD Field Calculator app for iOS. The CCD Field Calculator is the perfect tool for planning an imaging session with an Atik Camera. It allows users to pair any Atik Camera with a large variety of telescope models in order to calculate the field of view for any selected deep-sky object. This latest update links the app to a new and improved database in order to make all Messier and NGC objects available to the calculator, along with full transit times for each object. These are based on the user’s location and can be filtered by their current visibility for convenience and ease of use. The list of telescopes in this release has also been extended to cover all major telescope models, along with the newly

released Atik 414EX and Atik 4120EX cameras. Users also have the ability to specify the use of a focal reducer to ensure an accurate field of view is always presented. The app is not only of interest to current users of Atik Cameras in order to help plan their imaging sessions. It also acts as a handy tool to allow prospective buyers of Atik Cameras to see the field of view that would be available to them if they were to pair an Atik Camera with their existing setup. The app is native to both iPhone and iPad to maximize compatibility across various iOS platforms. The Atik CCD Field Calculator is completely free of charge and is available to download from the iTunes App Store. For more information please visit website at www.atik-cameras.com.

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main dome is multicoated and is UV protected against yellowing. It features a fiveway adjustable waterproof key to navigate through the menu, allowing adjustments of the video camera. Extended exposure can be set to fully automatic from Day to Night, including extended exposure. Using the latest plastic CCD sensor from Sony, the Super HAD II 1/3-inch size sensor has zero amp glow, and the camera is fully equipped with a “no hot pixel” removal software built-in, offering excellent image clarity day or night. The camera’s specifications and fea-

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AVALON INSTRUMENTS Introduces FOCS Focuser for Celestron SCTs and a Low-Latitude Kit for the M-Zero Mount

Image 2 - Closeup of FOCS installation of a C8.

Image 3 - The main components of the FOCS focus system. Image 1 - Avalon’s new FOCS focus system is shown installed on a Celestron C8.

FOCS Focus System Avalon Instruments’ new FOCS system for Celestron SchmidtCassegrain telescopes (Image 1) is designed to be easy to assemble. It employs a belt-drive system that results

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in no play or slop, while still allowing for manual focus adjustment without removal of the system. It’s main components are shown in Image 3. Avalon’s new FOCS controller uses a stepper motor for high-resolution positioning. It can be controlled directly by the StarGo via the AUX1 port or by the new X-MD control

system that allows for stand-alone functionality thanks to an integrated battery. Avalon’s X-MD is its newest stepper-motor controller (Image 4). It is easily programmable by the end user to accomplish a variety of critical functions, is extremely compact and features a simple array of buttons for fast, intuitive control of all motor functions. The X-MD control system is also versatile. It can be used for control of a filter wheel, camera rotator or time-lapse dolly, in addition to focusers. The FOCS focuser kit is easy to connect. Simply attach it to the door of the AUX1 StarGo using the supplied cable. The PC control software allows adjustment of motor speed, acceleration, torque and position. Go-to, sync, preset, homing and proximity control is provided with regard to motor position. The FOCSz features an ASCOM driver inserted into the StarGo drivers, allowing the system to be controlled by third-party software, such as Maxim, TheSkyX, FocusMax, Sequence Generator Pro, BackyardEOS, etc. Low-Latitude Kit for Avalon’s M-Zero Mount

NEWPRODUCTS In response to demand, Avalon as configured a kit that allows its M-Zero Mount to achieve alignment at latitudes to 15 degrees, as shown in Image 5. The kit consists of the four stainless-steel extension bars and the longer altitude-adjustment bar detailed in Image 6. It installs in as little as five minutes. For more information on both new Avalon products, please visit their website at www.avalon-instruments.com.

Image 4 - Avalonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new X-MD Motor Control features a simple array of intuitive buttons.

Image 6 - Closeup of the installed M-Zero low-latitude kit indicating its five structural components.

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MEADE INSTRUMENTS Series 5000 Mega Wide Angle Eyepieces Meade Instruments’ Series 5000 Mega Wide Angle Eyepieces are the company’s newest eyepiece offering, moving it into the 100-degree apparent field of view market. The Mega Wide Angle Series 5000 Eyepieces use between seven and nine optical elements with fully multi-coated lenses featuring blackened edges and fold-up rubber eyecups. The eyepieces are parfocal and are currently available in the following focal lengths: 5-mm (1.25-inch/$199US); 10-mm (1.25inch/$199US), 15-mm (2-inch/$249US); and 21-mm (2-inch/$249US). Pictured is Meade’s new 10-mm 100° AFOV MWA eyepiece. To learn more please visit their website at www.meade.co

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iOPTRON Introduces New Tri-Pier iOptron has introduced the new TriPier, which combines the strength and stability of a pier with the leveling flexibility of a tripod. Featuring an aluminum pier and leg tops with stainless-steel leg extensions, it carries a max payload of 220 pounds (100 kilograms). The Tri-Pier weighs 25.6 pounds (11.6 kilograms) and the pier diameter is 5.7 inch (144 mm). It offers an adjustable height of 31.3 inches to 43 inches (795

to 1095 mm). The Tri-Pier fits these iOptron mounts: CEM60, iEQ45 Pro, iEQ30 Pro, MiniTower Pro, and MiniTower II. It also fits a number of other mount brands using an option adapter plate, which is sold separately. iOptronâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new Tri-Pier is retail priced at $598US and should start shipping worldwide in April. To learn more please visit their website at www.ioptron.com.

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LOSMONDY New AZ8 Alt-Az Mount/Tripod and DVR 108/66 Three-Ring Guide-Scope Setup Losmondyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new AZ8 alt-az mount and tripod offers a heavy-duty, dual-head alt-azimuth mount, which is machined from black anodized aluminum and stainless steel with stainless steel hardware. The heavy-duty tripod is adjustable from 29 inches to 46 inches and can be utilized with available 6-inch stackable risers. The dual-saddle mount head accepts two Dseries or V-series dovetails and has

a total weight capacity of 70 pounds (31.75 kilograms) with up to 35 pounds (15.9 kilograms) of equipment mountable on either side. Specifications include: 360 degree slow-motion control and variable slip clutch on both axes; 3.5inch diameter laserengraved setting circles; bubble level; 1.25-inch diameter aluminum shafts; and twin saddle plates. The head weight and tripod weight are 13 pounds (5.9 kilograms) each. The Losmandy AZ8 is priced at $800US. An optional Digital Setting Circle Kit is available for $395US and the 6-inch stackable risers are available for $100US each.

Losmondy has also released a new DVR 108/66 Three-Ring Guide-Scope Setup which prevents movement of a camera/guider while guiding. It works with both D- and V-series plates offering two rings to hold the autoguider scope and one ring to stabilize the camera/guider. More information on both new products is available at www.losmandy.com.

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NEWPRODUCTS

STARIZONA New MicroTouch Shuttle Offers An Ultra Compact Controller for Starizona’s MicroTouch Autofocuser for Feather Touch Focusers The MicroTouch Shuttle is a new compact controller option for Starizona’s popular MicroTouch autofocuser for Feather Touch Focusers. The standard control box is still available, but the Shuttle was designed to be a smaller unit for those who often use the autofocuser for visual use as well as imaging. It is easily hand held for manual use and features a built-in rechargeable battery. The Shuttle control box is smaller at 2.8 inches by 2.7 inches by 1.75 inches (compared to the standard box at 6.25 inches by 3.8 inches by 1.25 inches). To shrink the size, the Shuttle

eliminates the LCD display of the standard box, which is rarely used during computer control of the autofocuser when software is reading the position of the focuser. The Shuttle easily fits in your hand for manual focusing while viewing through an eyepiece. LEDs indicate the power status and when the focus motor is moving. The Shuttle also has a built-in rechargeable battery to eliminate the power cord, which is especially useful for hand-held use. The Shuttle easily runs all night on a single charge. The included AC

charger also allows for power from an external source. The price for the complete MicroTouch autofocuser system, including stepper motor, is $499 with either the new Shuttle or with the standard control box. The Shuttle hand box is available separately for $299 for users who already own a stepper motor purchased with the original-style hand box. The MicroTouch is available to fit all Feather Touch focusers, including SCT MicroFocusers, as well as Takahashi FSQ refractors, Skywatcher refractors, and TEC refractor large focusers. To learn more, visit www.starizona.com.

than 3 inches to accommodate more fully the light path that converges to 3 inches at the attached viewing accessory. This new Feather Touch features dual-speed knobs (10:1 reduction), an internal braking system and an integral TFPE-coupled collar. An end-cap upgrade is available that includes a 2.0-inch diameter compression ring adapter. The Feather Touch TRUE 3.0 is available configured specifically for

Dobs/Newtonians with a drawtube of 1.5 inches of travel (Model FTF3215B-A) at a base price of $750US, or for refractors with a drawtube of 3.5 inches of travel (Model FTF3235B-A) at a base price of $790US. The later model comes standard on Explore Scientific’s ES152 telescopes. Both versions feature Starlight Instruments’ vaunted rack-and-pinion drive mechanism for lifting capacities of from 15 to 17 pounds (6.8 to 7.7 kilograms). For more information, please visit www.starlightinstruments.com.

STARLIGHT INSTRUMENTS Introduces the TRUE 3.0 Focuser Starlight Instruments has named its newest Feather Touch the TRUE 3.0, because that’s what it offers, a full 3.0 inches of focus-tube interior diameter. It is of the same design and style that amateurs and pros alike have come to love, but oversized with M86X1 threads on the visual side to accept 3.0-inch eyepieces, diagonals and other viewing accessories. The opening of the draw tube on the visual side of the focuser is actually larger

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CELESTRON Expands SkyMaster Series of Binoculars with SkyMaster Pro Celestron has expanded its SkyMaster series of binoculars by introducing the new SkyMaster Pro. Offered in 15x70 and 20x80 models, the SkyMaster Pro comes complete with a detachable rail for attaching a red dot finderscope, fully multi-coated lenses, and threads that accept optional eyepiece filters to enhance views of the Moon and other celestial objects. The binoculars are compatible with 1.25-inch eyepiece filters and are waterproof and nitrogen purged for use in all weather conditions. Every air-to-glass surface is multi-coated with Celestronâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s proprietary XLT coating technology. These coatings, coupled with BaK-4 prisms, increase light transmission through the optical path and offer crisp, high-contrast images with outstanding resolution. The binoculars include both standard and winged rubber eyecups. The built in tripod adapter not only allows the binoculars to be attached to a tripod for added stability during longer viewing sessions, but also allows a red-dot finder to

be attached utilizing the removable rail. When properly aligned with the binocular, the red-dot finder will allow objects to be brought into view quickly. A polycarbonate and aluminum housing makes the SkyMaster Pro durable and lightweight. The housingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s protective rubber armor is extremely rugged and can stand up to tough use. The 15x70 version is priced at $199.95US and the 20x80 binocular is priced at $249.95US. To learn more visit www.celestron.com.

Astronomy TECHNOLOGY TODAY

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represents years of design and research in a colour CCD camera that is capable of live constant refresh with a maximum download of one second per frame. The new Constant R efresh System (CR S) is a first in a CCD camera, in which the CR S soft ware downloads a live image for fullframe review on your computer monitor. The camera acts as a video system, displaying a non- stop new image at every exposure.

MallinCam announces the return of the original MallinCam PRO – now with additional features. This new camera is called the MallinCam J r PRO. It comes complete with 25’ Video/Power cable, 120 VAC to 12 VDC regulated power supply, the highly acclaimed 1.25" Deluxe adapter found on all other MallinCams, an RCA to BNC adapter, choice of a Pixel Wireless Exposure controller, complete with batteries, or a PC-only version with RS232 cable! The Jr PRO can be purchased with either the standard 1/2- inch- size Sony ceramic CCD sensor (Cer-Dip) or the optional EXview HAD sensor for an additional $100.00. Either type of CCD sensor is available in colour or B&W.

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The MallinCam Micro Camer a features: OSD: Allows you to fully control the camera menu. 17 seconds exposure. Sony EXview HAD II CCD sensor or Sony Super HAD II CCD sensor in a 1/3” format 960H WDR sensor technology. Stacking Mode is standard for up to 85 seconds frame average on the fly. 32-Bit DSP Micro Processor. Now includes RS 485 ready rear socket camera control. High Resolution: Up to 700 lines resolution in B&W mode and 650 in colour even in low light conditions. 3D-DNR: Variable Digital Noise Reduction shows less "ghost" phenomena on moving objects with less noise. Produces critical image with less noise under lowlight conditions. In- camera image averaging up to 85 seconds when set to five- frame stacking (NTSC). WDR: Combines two fields (high shutter speed exposures taken in bright light and low shutter speed exposures) into

one composite image to help see the dark and bright parts of an image. This feature can extend shutter speeds above 17 seconds without saturation. A unique MallinCam system. HLI: Electronic coronagraph blocks bright light and leaves dimmer area lit. Day and Night: Provides clear images in low light conditions. Allows B&W mode and colour mode automatically or can be set in either mode manually. AGC circuit automatically adjusts the incoming signal to proper level. Improves performance in low light conditions by increasing sensitivity. Extra gain has been made possible only in the MallinCam MICRO video CCD camera; not found in competitors’ cameras. ATW: Auto-adjust the white balance or adjust manually. BLC: Ability to balance faint object with bright object. Full GAMMA selection of 0.3, 0.45, 0.6 and 1.0 range. Mirror Function allows image orientation to suit any telescope. Sharpness Control. 5.0 ounces! (141 grams) And more!

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SKY-WATCHER Star Adventurer Astro Package Accurate, Capable, Versatile

By Gary Parkerson

Since we were first introduced to the SkyWatcher Star Adventurer at NEAF 2014, ATT has received more requests for coverage of it – and offers to contribute that coverage – than for any other recent product. That’s saying a lot. I’d made an early request for a sample, so had an opportunity to test one personally. I’ll break from tradition and start with the conclusion: Big thumbs-up! I recommend the Sky-Watcher Star Adventurer. It is surprisingly refined for a first version – elegant, functional and eminently versatile. Plus, affordable. The Star Adventurer Astro Package includes a Latitude Base (equatorial wedge) and a Declination Bracket. This basic package is currently priced at $339US. The kit I tested also included a matching Counterweight Kit ($30US) and Ball Head Adapter ($15US). Total cost: $384US. Not bad for such a versatile bit of gear. What wasn’t provided was a tripod. I mounted the one I tested on a Manfrotto 3021BN, which proved a perfect match. What Attracted Me To the Star Adventurer From May through December of 2014, I pedaled a bicycle from 25 to 50 miles each clear day. Training. I had visions of a cross-country ride, during which I’d stop here and there to share views of the Sun, Moon and brighter night-sky jewels. Such was my vanity. Of course, pulling that off would have required more than pedaling 50-plus miles per day – it would have required a highly-portable mount-

ing solution for the 60-mm solar scope, 80mm refractor, the Canon 60Da and the few camera lenses I planned to carry. Thus my interest in the Star Adventurer. I’ve used mounts for wide-field astrophotography that were even more portable, including the Vixen Polarie and iOptron SkyTracker. Both are excellent, and I also recommend them without reservation. At roughly 10 pounds, including the declination assembly, equatorial wedge and counterweight kit, the Star Adventurer is significantly heavier than those ultra-portable solutions. At 16 inches from the top of the declination head to the end of the counterweight shaft, 10.5 inches from the rear of the mount to the front of the declination head, and 3.75 inches at its widest point, the Star Adventurer is also significantly larger when assembled, although it breaks down into a compact package. In trade, it offers a couple of aspects I thought would be particularly useful on that bicycle adventure. First, it’s configured like a conventional German equatorial mount. Indeed, it is a conventional GEQ, just smaller and more modular than most. I like to explain to those who are experiencing their first telescope views that equatorial mounts are just big clocks with the RA axis aligned parallel to Earth’s polar axis. I can do that with a Polarie or SkyTracker, but the longer physical RA assembly of the Star Adventurer provides a more obvious visual representation of the RA axis. Even when sharing views of the Sun, my standard narrative includes: “You can’t see it in daylight, but the star

Image 1 - The Star Adventurer is a surprisingly refined mount for a first version – elegant, functional and eminently versatile.

Polaris is right about there. Earth’s pole is aligned to a point very close to Polaris, so the main axis of this mount is also pointed to that point.” Some guests even pretend interest in such things, when what they’re probably thinking is, “Let me see the Sun, already!” Second, the Declination Bracket has an internal worm/wheel assembly driven by a slow-motion knob for tweaking Dec alignment. I rarely achieve close polar alignment when setting a mount up in daylight to view the Sun. The slow-motion control of the Star Adventurer made it easy to correct for the inAstronomy TECHNOLOGY TODAY

SKY-WATCHER STAR ADVENTURER ASTRO PACKAGE

Image 4 - The Star Adventurer declination assembly disassembled.

Image 2 - Green arrows indicate the RA and Dec clutch-adjustment rings.

Image 3 - The Star Adventurer equatorial wedge.

evitable drift, however slight â&#x20AC;&#x201C; much easier and more accurate than the course movements of a standard camera ball head. Of course, when I could see Polaris, I used the Star Adventurerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s included polar-alignment scope to get alignment very close, then a standard drift-alignment routine to get it even closer. The included equatorial wedge made fine tuning altitude and azimuth alignment quite easy. Key Features of the Star Adventurer Both axes sport clutches controlled by large, lobed rings (Image 2). I locked them down for imaging. For visual work, I tensioned them just enough to allow the RA drive and Dec knob to move whatever the payload, while still allowing me to hand slew the scope from target to target. Both clutches were smooth. Achieving suitable tension was never a problem. The equatorial wedge is topped by a standard Vixen-style saddle that accepts the short

Astronomy TECHNOLOGY TODAY

SKY-WATCHER STAR ADVENTURER ASTRO PACKAGE

Image 5 - Removing a press-in cap reveals the front of the built-in polaralignment scope.

Image 6 - Removing a coned-shaped cover from the rear of the scope exposes the eye end of the polar-alignment scope.

Image 7 - The kit includes a red-LED reticle illuminator, which presses into the front opening of the built-in polaralignment scope

dovetail on the bottom of the mount (Image 3). A large thumb knob adjusts altitude via a worm section, and a lever locks altitude down once set. Twin thumb screws push on a post in the wedge base for fine adjustment of azimuth, and two cap screws lock the azimuth assembly down. A built-in bubble level aids in set up. The wedge attaches to any tripod that has a 3/8-16 mounting screw and accommodates an altitude range of zero-to-75 degrees. The declination assembly (Image 4) is simply a specialized dovetail rail that attaches to the RA axis of the mount via another Vixenstyle saddle, which accepts any compatible dovetail rail. The Dec drive head attaches to one end of the Dec dovetail with two stainlesssteel cap screws. The counterweight bar screws into the other end. The Dec dovetail has a slot milled along enough of its length for clear viewing through the mount’s built-in polar scope. The Dec dovetail also has two 3/8-16 mounting screws near each end for mounting ball heads, making the assembly capable of carrying two cameras. Removing a press-in cap revealed the front

of the polar-alignment scope centered in the RA axis (Image 5). Removing a cone-shaped cover from the rear of the mount exposed the eye end of the polar-alignment scope (Image 6). The engraved reticle focused sharply. There’s even a free, third-party Polaris Finder mobile application to assist with polar alignment. The kit I received included a red-LED reticle illuminator that featured adjustable brightness (Image 7). It worked well. The mount can be powered internally by four AA batteries accessed by removing the

snap-on cover from the top of the mount (Image 8), or by a 5-volt DC mini-USB port located on the bottom left side of the mount (Image 9). I did not record how long a set of four AAs lasted, but it was a long time. The left side of the mount also hosts an auto-guider port (which I did not use), a function switch for setting the mount to southern-hemisphere and northern-hemisphere modes, as well as to its time-lapse mode. There is a “snap” port for camera-shutter control and left and right buttons for motorized slewing of the RA axis at ap-

Astronomy TECHNOLOGY TODAY

SKY-WATCHER STAR ADVENTURER ASTRO PACKAGE

Image 8 - Four internal AA batteries are accessed by removing the snap-on cover from the top of the mount.

Image 9 - The left side of the mount features a mini-USB power port, and autoguider port, a “snap” port for camerashutter control, a switch for setting the mount to southern-hemisphere versus northern-hemisphere mode or for timelapse mode, and left and right buttons.

Image 10 - A mode dial is located on Star Adventurer’s right side.

Astronomy TECHNOLOGY TODAY

Image 11 - The top of the Star Adventurer includes handy charts that summarize the mode-dial versus function-switch settings.

proximately 12 times the celestial-tracking speed. The mount’s mode dial is located on its right side (Image 10). Settings include OFF, celestial tracking indicated by a star symbol, solar tracking indicated by a stylized solar symbol, and lunar tracking, indicated by a crescent Moon. There is also a 48-hour tracking rate indicted by a “0.5X” symbol. Those four tracking rates enable full 360-degree tracking, as distinguished from the “2X,” “6X” and “12X” settings that pan to and fro across a 60-degree span. When the mode dial is set to celestial tracking and the function switch is set to “time lapse,” the snap port controls camera-shutter interval at 50 seconds. When the dial is set to celestrial and the switch to north or south, the shutter interval is 100 seconds. The time-lapse versus north or south switch settings also set shutter intervals at 7.0 versus 14 seconds for the solar-tracking rate, 10 versus 20 seconds for the lunar tracking rate, 15 versus 30 seconds for the 48-hour tracking rate, 3.0 versus 6.0 seconds for the 2X (60-degree) rate, 2.0 versus 4.0 seconds for the 6X rate, and 1.0 versus 2.0 seconds for the 12X rate. That’s a lot to remember, so the top of the mount includes handy charts that summarize it all (Image 11).

Image 12 - The included ball-head adapter allows replacement of the declination assembly with a standard camera ball-head mount.

The kit I received also included a ball-head adapter (Image 12), a short section of dovetail rail topped with a 3/8-16 mount screw for replacing the declination assembly with a standard camera ball-head mount. For panning time-lapse sequences along the horizon, I replaced the 3/8-16 screw of the ball-head adapter with a 1/4-20 camera-mount screw so I could attach a DSLR directly to the RA axis. Although the equatorial wedge tops out at an altitude of 75 degrees, I cheated by extending the northern tripod leg until the RA axis pointed directly at zenith (Image 13). I loaded the extended leg with a sandbag weight to keep the mount from tipping over. I could have as easily put a ball-head between the camera and adapter, but preferred eliminating that source of flexure when panning time-lapses along the horizon. This arrangement gave me the option of panning horizon time lapses of either 60 degrees or a full 360 degrees. Very cool! Using the Star Adventurer My first actual use of the Star Adventurer for was carrying a Coronado SolarMax 60 for sharing views of the Sun at a local festival (Image 14). The setup proved admirably sta-

SKY-WATCHER STAR ADVENTURER ASTRO PACKAGE

Image 13 - Although the equatorial wedge tops out at an altitude of 75 degrees, the northern tripod leg can be extended until the RA axis pointed directly at zenith for panning of time lapses along the horizon (Image 13). Weight the northern leg to keep the mount from tipping over.

Image 15 - This ultra-wide field image of the Milky Way, a single 30-second exposure, was captured by Richard Wright using his Star Adventurer.

Image 16 -The collection of components that comprise the Star Adventurer Astro Package (plus counterweight kit).

Image 14 - Star Adventurer shown carrying a Coronado SolarMax 60 for visual observing.

ble, even at higher magnifications. I also used the mount for visual observing with an 80mm refractor of modest focal length. Both applications were delightfully intuitive. I set the tension of the clutches just so and hand-

slewed the mount to whatever was my desired target, then let go and let it track while I enjoyed the views. Repeat, enjoy, repeat, enjoy – I could spend whole nights (and days) enjoying views provided by those simple observing setups. ATT reports of imaging accessories – and the Star Adventurer is very much an imaging accessory – normally include some of the better images captured with that accessory. Unfortunately, I shot time lapses before symptoms of a recent health issue included vision anomalies that made wide-field imaging too tedious to enjoy, and these print pages are a poor place for displaying time lapses. Never fear, I had lots of fun exploring the time-lapse capabilities of the little mount! It’s worth the price of admission for that functionality alone.

Fortunately, frequent ATT contributor, Richard Wright, had also ordered one of the mounts, which says a lot for the Star Adventurer. Richard works for Software Bisque and has one of each of its incredibly-capable mounts, but even the smallest of Bisque’s mounts is overkill for the ultra-wide field imaging for which the Star Adventurer was designed (not that Richard doesn’t use them for that on occasion). Richard sent along a couple of the earliest images he captured using the Star Advanturer, one of which is shown here (Image 15). Richard’s accompanying note included: “What can I say about it? For one thing, you need a sturdy tripod. I had a lightweight tripod and heavy-duty tripod, and the lightweight just can’t do it. My heavy-duty tripod is really big and not very portable, so I ended up buying an in-between tripod that is still portable enough, but beefy enough to keep the head still after I did the polar alignment. The image is only 30 seconds of data, but it was captured on the Star Adventurer, and it does make a difference, even at only 30 seconds.” Back to the Conclusion Someday soon, I hope to have access to a daily blog in which I can post time lapses, videos and such, and to which I’ll also post any static wide-field images I manage to capture with the Star Adventurer as improving circumstances allow. I’ve only begun to test its capabilities. Meanwhile, I consider the collection of components I received from SkyWatcher USA (Image 16) a lot of kit for $384US. Its graceful lines make for an elegant little contraption and, not to belabor its affordability, I’m impressed with its fit and finish given its price point. Although I did not test it to the limits of its claimed 11-pound payload capacity, I’m satisfied it is capable of every bit of that, subject, of course, to the capabilities of the tripod that carries it. Something in the class of the Manfrotto 3021BN I used should also serve you well. Set it up properly, and it’s the perfect companion for minimalist visual observing, wide-field astrophotography and time-lapse capture. Astronomy TECHNOLOGY TODAY

The New Baader Solar Filters (BSF) By André Van der Elst

Image 1 - An example of the ASTF version of the Baader Solar Filter. Note the unique adjustable mounting system. The slight wrinkles in the AstroSolar film are indicative of proper, strain-free installation.

Most amateur astronomers are already familiar with the patented AstroSolar film sheets introduced 15 years ago by the German company, Baader Planetarium. Despite its low price, this unique filter material retains the true optical quality of the telescope optics amazingly well. For the most part, this is not the case with many of the available Mylar-based films or thick, red darkroom films, nor most affordable single-side metalized float-glass filters. Baader’s AstroSolar film

Image 2 - A BSF-ASBF cell is shown mounted on a findercope. The frame cutoff accommodates the finder’s proximity to the tube of its parent scope.

is metalized on both sides and offers a secure solution to observing and imaging the Sun in white light at very high magnification. Also, unlike Mylar films or glass filters, AstroSolar renders the true white colour of the Sun. Additional filters placed near the focus position may then isolate any part of the visible spectrum for closer investigation. Amateurs have made a variety of DIY

cells to affix these filters onto their telescopes. However, they often stretch the AstroSolar film like a drum-head to make it smooth like a piece of glass. This may look nice, but it destroys the image quality. Any AstroSolar sheet must be mounted entirely stress free – slight ripples are a sign of proper installation, not of a shoddy job. Some AstroSolar mounting cells Astronomy TECHNOLOGY TODAY

THE NEW BAADER SOLAR FILTERS (BSF)

Image 3 - The author is shown using 15X60 binoculars fitted with twin BSF-ASBF 60 filter cells. The frame cutoffs allow ample clearance for even the narrowest interpupillary settings.

made by amateurs may look a little crude and are not very well secured to the telescope, thus at risk of being blown away by gusts of wind. You can imagine the consequences. Finally, some DIY cells look ugly on some superbly crafted telescopes. OK, it’s only esthetics, but why not make all accessories good looking? The new BSF AstroSolar filters address all of these issues. There are three categories to choose from: (1) The ASTF (AstroSolar Telescope Filter), an example of which is shown in Image 1, for high resolution views or pictures with high-end amateur telescopes up to 280-mm aperture. (2) The ASSF (AstroSolar Spotter Filter) intended for applications where highest magnification is not the prime goal, such as spotting scopes, economy amateur telescopes and tele-photo camera lenses up to 6-inch aperture. (3) The ASBF (AstroSolar Binocular Filter) is the same design as the ASSF.

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THE NEW BAADER SOLAR FILTERS (BSF) These filters have one tangent side of the frame cut off to make the filter usable on any binocular, even when the bridge is nearly closed. This style is also more beneficial for camera lenses, because the camera and lens can be put down on a table without stress onto the filter cell. ASBF cells come for use with binoculars and camera-lenses from 50-mm to 100-mm front lens diameter. Image 2 shows an BSF-ASBF cell mounted on a finderscope. All BSF filters are shipped as a kit with the film mounted behind a white, IR-rejecting aluminium frame – the film is suspended without stress within the aluminium frame. All additional hardware is included for mounting three adjustable centering bolts, made to have each BSF fit onto a wide variety of outer or even inner tube diameters. A new safety feature is noteworthy: The design incorporates three additional safety straps, each of which mounts onto the top end of a centering bolt and has a Velcro-style patch sewn onto its end. The counterpart then connects onto the telescope dew cap or outer tube with removable self-adhesive pads. On my 15X60 rubber-armored binoculars (Image 3), the centering bolts alone give such a good fit, I felt I didn’t need the adhesive pads. But this shows how serious Baader is about

Image 4 - The BSF-ASTF version is shown with the mounting fingers gripping the outside of a dewshield. They can also be arranged to grip the inside of the shield for a cleaner appearance.

your safety. Educators will really like the added level of security provided by the safety straps. All parts ship securely packed in a cardboard box with very stiff double-card-

board inlay for a good protection of the mounted film. While the ASSF and ASBF filters share the same design for fastening the Astrosolar film, the ASTF filter is quite dif-

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THE NEW BAADER SOLAR FILTERS (BSF) ferent and more complex. Both the ASSF and ASBF categories have the AstroSolar film mounted onto an injection-molded black ring which is fastened onto the powder-coated white aluminum front frame. This is a straightforward solution, and Baader claims that the black plastic will not stress the film within the common temperature range. This black plastic material is fiberglass-filled ABS, a material that provides maximum stiffness and an age-proof filter frame that will not break over time. The ASTF filter range instead features a unique, free-floating carrier ring of white color to fasten the AstroSolar film in the cell. The thermal expansion coefficient of both ring and film is the same. In such a huge thickness, this special material becomes brittle and must be protected from all sides to not get pinched or bent. The other parts of the cell design are made of the same materials as the ASSF/ASBF filter cells. Since the white ring has no

Astronomy TECHNOLOGY TODAY

connection to the rest of the cell, there is no stress induced onto the film, allowing high-resolution observation or imaging of finest Solar details. In all cases, the backside of the BSF filters feature the black, fiber-filled ABS for eliminating reflections and stray light. No tools are necessary to prepare the filter for use. Just thread the three injection-molded centering bolts onto the aluminium frame through three slotted cutouts. In fact, wherever necessary, the aluminium frame has two rows of three cutouts each, arranged on two different concentric circles (see Image 1). You can choose the circumference that best fits your tube diameter. These bolts look like three fingers pointing away from the frame (Image 4). This fastening system keeps the frame snugly in place while centering the filter cell in front of the tube opening. The bolts come in three different diameters, depending on the filter category. Each bolt features injection-molded rubber grip faces, Gecco-shaped to slide easily onto any telescope tube but to come off hard. This solution allows the BSF filters fit onto a wide range of tube diameters. Depending on tube design, you can choose to mount them to touch the outside or the inside of your tube. Non-rotating aluminium sliding fasteners hold the centering bolts in place. This non-rotation feature enables the notool fastening action. These metal sliders have a machined indicator to point to-

wards the adjustment index scale printed onto the top side of the aluminum frame. Additional Phillips screws fit into the sliding fasteners, so that the centering bolts can be firmly fastened with a screw driver, if necessary â&#x20AC;&#x201C; for instance, when the bolts are mounted to contact the inside front ring of a Newtonian telescope. The index scale beside each adjustment slot allows fast and repeatable adjustment of the filter cell onto different telescope tubes with the above mentioned indicator. Black sliding washers securely cover the full length of the adjustment slots in the aluminum frame blocking sunlight from passing trough the filter cell beside the filter area. Where applicable, black rubber plugs close the three slots not in use for the same reason. The filters come with complete, clear instructions and warnings, although the pictures on the box are self-explanatory enough â&#x20AC;&#x201C; at least, I managed to assemble everything by just looking at the box illustrations (except for the safety straps). It takes only a few minutes to install the rubber centering bolts and a few more to adjust them to the tube diameter. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a matter of choice, but I prefer the clean look with the centering bolts inside the dewshields of my refractors. Of course, on a catadioptric that is often used without a dew cap, the centering bolts must touch at the outside the OTA. I can keep it short about the optical quality of the AstrSolar ASTF-filter: As

THE NEW BAADER SOLAR FILTERS (BSF) noted, it easily beats my older Mylar or float-glass filters, and I have tested dozens of them. In fact, AstroSolar mounted into the ASTF cell comes close in sharpness and contrast to the 1/10-wave opticalglass filters made by Lichtenknecker Optics that I use on my Zeiss 100- and 150-mm APQs. You can find solar filters of similar quality made by Questar. There are, however, three obvious differences: At the aperture of a small Questar, the price of the glass filter is about five times that of the new AstroSolar option, the color of our star is orange in the Questar option, not white, and its weight is much higher. An ASTF filter will cause no balance issues on a Dobsonian. The only device that betters all of them is a Herschel wedge or prism. I am talking about the version with a ceramic heat cage that is a completely safe device compared to older models that reject the heat and light outside at the back. Contrast and sharpness is phenomenal, seeing permitting (try it with a binoviewer) and the color of the Sun is maybe even more natural than with the AstroSolar sheet: a soft creamy white. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s other advantage is that if you own several refractors, one Herschel wedge fits all. But Herschel wedges can only be used on refractors. For more on the Cool-Ceramic Herschel wedge, see my article in the January-February 2014 issue of ATT. The BSF AstroSolar filters can be

combined with a Baader Solar Continuum filter at the eyepiece to increase the contrast even more, but then the Sun becomes entirely greenish, because just a small pass-band at 540 nm is entering the camera. But for refractors which are not so perfect in color correction, this monochromatic light offers a huge benefit: It erases any color aberration induced by an achromatic lens or by the residual color of SC-optical systems.

As with the Herschel wedge, the best results are obtained with a binoviewer. The power of your brain allows you to literally see through the turbulence of the Sun. All three categories of BSF AstroSolar filters are available in a great variety of diameters. You can find more information on the website www.astrosolar.com. In the U.S., check Alpine Astro at alpineastro.com for prices and availability.

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The Lunt 100-mm 45° ED-APO “Bigazz” Binoculars By Mark Zaslove

Binocular love starts early. Often a pair of low-powered wide-field hiking models are our first magnified view of the heavens. There’s something about a pair of binocs – that stereopsis, almost three-dimensional immersion in the ether – that not only lets one see, but almost lets one feel the very texture of space. Telescopes are amazing, but a good set of binoculars are out-ofbody. Which brings us to the Lunt 100-mm 45O ED-APO Binoculars (or L100s, as they shall be henceforth referred to). These are not the playthings of your younger years. These are industrial-strength, notfor-the-weak, better-have-a-mount binoculars. (Image 1) They look and feel, with their light-gray magnesium body and hefty construction, like something more likely to be found in an armory than at a dark site. (Image 2) Two helical focusers, the ability to use the 1.25-inch eyepieces of your choice (those 20-mm Panoptics…baby, be still my beating heart), an easy-carry handle – good thing, as they weigh more than a smidge – which can double to mount a finder scope or Telrad on, and voila: massive sky goodness. Technical stuff: the L100s weigh 14.52 pounds. They have a focal length of 550 mm. They are ED-APO, with excellent broadband multicoatings, an ED (FK-

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Image 1 - Lunt Engineering’s L100s exude industrial-strength build quality.

61) glass primary, a Lanthanum coated element, and BAK4 prisms. (Image 3 and 4) The maximum field of view (FOV) is 2.8 degrees, and the clear aperture on the eyepiece side is 23 mm. And they are placed at a great bang-for-buck price point. No selling a child to get a pair (unless you really want to. Send me an email… I have great contacts in the…er, never mind). But, the proof is in the pudding, they say. Why they say that, I don’t know. What does pudding have to do with anything anyhow? Still, after a nice bit of Blancmange, the proof was to take these puppies

out under the stars and see what’s what. Now, I’m just Joe Shmoe when it comes to observing. If something looks good, I’ll know, and if something looks bad, I’ll know that, too. But I’m not one to sit for seven straight hours picking up the faintest festoons on Jupiter, and splitting tougher and tougher double stars until my optic nerve shrivels right out. So, as with any piece of gear: see if you can try before you buy. Visual observing is a caseby-case, eye-by-eye thing. Some people are more sensitive to chromatic aberration than others. Younger eyes usually trump older eyes, even if the older brain is wilier

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Image 2 - The L100s feature two helical focusers, providing ability to use the 1.25-inch eyepieces of the user’s choice.

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THE LUNT 100-MM 45° ED-APO “BIGAZZ” BINOCULARS

Image 3 - The L100s accommodate an interpupillary range of 54 mm to 75 mm.

and knows more about what they are seeing. So, take what I say with the caveat that your eye mileage may vary. Still, I think the

general tone is accurate: MY GOD, IT’S FULL OF STARS! That was my response when I set up the

L100’s and first pointed them at the Pleiades. Serious star cluster beauty. Stolen diamonds on black velvet. A whole universe in an eyepiece. We’re talkin’ excellent field-of-view coupled with tight stars, high contrast and nice resolving power (with them 20-mm Panoptics I was talking about). Of course, once started, I couldn’t stop. I went from cluster to cluster: M35, M41, M44, the Double Cluster in Perseus. These binoculars had made me star cluster crazy! I finally tore myself away and looked at M42. Sigh. Like Goldilocks, it wasn’t too wide-field, it wasn’t too tight, it was juuuuust right. Now, looking at the Great Orion Nebula through a telescope/set of binoculars isn’t like imaging it. It’s a whole different set of sensibilities and esthetics. The Trapezium, no sweat. E and F? I didn’t kick in the higher powers, so…even if possible, I didn’t look. A tinge of greenish color in the overall fuzziness of the nebula, which stretched out across the field. Check. It seemed to float in view like an aged

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THE LUNT 100-MM 45° ED-APO “BIGAZZ” BINOCULARS

Image 4 - The twin 100-mm ED apo objective lenses have a focal length of 550 mm and excellent broadband multicoatings.

Modena balsamic vinegar on the finest cold-pressed virgin olive oil. Mesmerizing and totally worth the look. About then, the Moon came up and it was time to see what I could see. First off, in that FOV with those eyepieces, it hung like a Christmas tree ornament. It was the last quarter moon, perfect to see nice shadows, lights and darks around the terminator, but the bright edge was still a good test for chromatic aberration. To my eye, I saw just the thinnest sliver of purple on the brightest edge section of the moon, and

nowhere else. Nothing that bothered me, but, to my eye, it was there. Would I kick these binocs out of bed because of that? No way! But on the brightest of bright objects, I did see it. So, there. I love these L100s. If my doctor didn’t warn me that it would be bad for my back, I’d hold them to my chest while I slept. I’m not giving up any telescopes for them, because I image, but while I’m imaging, I want a pair to gaze around the cosmos with, sweeping through the Milky Way like a traveler across a spangled desert, finding

oases of nebula and the occasional galaxy in my trek. We have two arms, two legs and two eyes. Why is it that when we look up at the stars we amateur astronomers usually only use one of those eyes? We’re tossing away a perfectly good eye. What’s with that? We’re not Cyclops, we’re like Bicyclops. We need to use that extra eye. Just say “yes” to binoculars! And say “yes” to Lunt’s 100mm 45O ED-APO Binoculars. They are totally worth the price of bigazz binocular admission.

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Designing the Optimum 6-inch f/8 ATM Newtonian The Definitive Newtonian Reflector

By Ed Turco

Editor’s Note: An addendum available in the online version of this article shares the history that caused the author to recognize the degree to which vignetting at the edge of an eyepiece is not detectable by the vast majority of observers. The online version also includes detailed references indicated by the bracketed numbers included in this print version of his report. Amateur astronomers and telescope makers have long debated various telescope designs. Mountains of hard copy and electronic articles are available on the relative merits of refracting and reflecting telescopes – more recently, apochromatic refractors versus Newtonian reflectors. This debate sometimes becomes rancorous (Newtonian telescopes as “Apo killers” comes to mind.). I attempt here to stick with science and invite you to use the references available as an addendum to the online version of this article to check my conclusions. In my opinion, the best measure of relative optical performance of telescopes of similar aperture is the quality of the stellar diffraction images they produce. All else derives from this. Image 1 displays a classic stellar profile, or Airy disk, a bright central dot surrounded by increasingly-dim concentric rings of light. A careful reader might ask, “What about

the planets and the Moon?” Any extended object, including the Moon, is composed of myriad diffraction images – whole bushel baskets of them. The finer each of the many points of the image they comprise, the clearer that overall picture is going to be. Any defect that causes degradation of a basic point source – a star – is going to also do bad things to an extended image, thousands of times over. Without getting into the mathematics of Image 1, it is the result of the wave nature of light: The diameter of the image is due solely to the aperture of the given telescope. Even when a star is a nearby red-giant, it isn’t resolvable beyond a point by any telescope in the amateur range, and most, if not all, professional instruments. This may change with the huge aperture telescopes envisioned by their planners. A most interesting rule states that the diameter of the diffraction image and its associated rings gets smaller as aperture increases. My comparison to “bushel baskets” of diffraction rings shows that there are even more in those baskets when these diffraction images get smaller – more of them to make up images of the Moon or planets. Think of it this way: These minute points represent the grain in the image of Jupiter, analogous to the grain of photographic film or the pixels

Image 1 - A classic Airy disk in which the central spot contains 84 percent of the light, while the remaining 16 percent goes into rings of decreasing intensity.

of modern digital cameras. The more pixels, the better! As I describe my ATM 6-inch f/8 Newtonian, shown in Image 2, I discuss the diffraction image of a star not only in terms of the its diameter but also in the rings surrounding the central image. This central image ideally contains 84 percent of the light, while the other 16 percent goes into rings of decreasing intensity. It is worth noting that this first ring contains by far, most of that remaining 16 percent. It is the goal of ATMs to make teleAstronomy TECHNOLOGY TODAY

DESIGNING THE OPTIMUM 6-INCH F/8 ATM NEWTONIAN scopes that produce the finest images for their sizes. Primary mirrors of extreme quality are available, but making your own allows absolute control over its quality at minimal cost. I chose to make a 6-inch f/8 because of that configuration’s ease of construction. Figuring such a mirror is also relatively easy, and it is possible for an amateur on a second or third try to do much better than making a merely adequate mirror. With some care, an ATM can make a mirror exceeding 1/8 wave, or better. I think I have done better than this, having 56 years experience pushing glass. I use the Foucault test and the Everest pin-stick method [1]. I have less confidence in the Ronchi test for producing the finest work, as it is a qualitative rather than a quantitative test. I recommend learning the proper methods, then make fine optics. One needs all the skills one can get. I used Pyrex for the 6-inch f/8 primary mirror, known for its ability keep its figure in widely changing temperatures. Despite that Pyrex blanks are no longer in mainstream production, there are still large numbers of blanks on the secondary market. Although I have little confidence in ultra-thin mirrors, as a concession to those who choose that approach, I began with a blank of 0.75-inch thickness that could adapt to ambient temperatures more rapidly than thicker blanks. Coincidentally, a 1-to-8 ratio of blank thickness is still within the range of acceptable, according to Porter and Texereau [2]. For further evaluation, I rely upon the works of H. R. Suiter, who gives all the information an amateur could ever need to evaluate telescope’s performance [3].

Image 2 - The author’s ATM definitive 6-inch f/8 Newtonian is optimized to yield a minimum central obstruction by operating at f/16 with the addition of a Barlow lens.

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Stray and Scattered Light A problem in all Newtonian reflectors, the sources of stray and scattered light are many. One common cause is a too-short tube, positioning the focuser so near its top end that stray light enters directly into light path of the focus tube. Bottom line: Unwanted light gets in if the scope end of the focus tube is not shaded. This problem is

DESIGNING THE OPTIMUM 6-INCH F/8 ATM NEWTONIAN even worse with truss Dobs that lack a lightblocking tube entirely. For this and many other reasons, I chose to use a solid tube. In addition, I utilized a 14-inch long light shield, shown in Image 3, where refractors would typical position a dewshield. This effectively moves the focuser even further back from exposure to stray light. On the other end, I made a back plate for my mirror cell that, while having a hole for air circulation from a high speed fan, was constructed to allow almost no light to enter around the primary. Finally, I resorted to a trick I first used in 1987 on a 6-inch f/10 reflector. I like to call it a “dark bucket,” also shown in Image 3. Any light that bangs around in this telescope is not going to do anything at my eyepiece holder; it cannot! If all else fails, the light gets lost in the dark bucket. The dark bucket is simply a 4-inch diameter can epoxied to the main tube. It provides a very dark, shaded recessed area directly behind the diagonal as viewed from the focus tube. The whole interior of the telescope tube has been coated with a thick layer of black flocking material. Any remaining shiny spots were given a small application of Krylon #1602, Ultra Flat Black. The result of these combined measures is that scattered light doesn’t have a chance to enter the eyepiece. For many yeas, I rarely used my finder to center the Moon, because I could simply aim the telescope in its general direction and then center it by seeing the increasing amounts of scattered light through the eyepiece as I closed in. I can’t do that with this Newt.

Image 3 - Detail of the extended light shield and the Turco dark bucket that combine to prevent stray light from entering the eyepiece from the front end of the telescope.

Turned-Down Edges (TDEs) TDEs are often a death knell to good definition, no matter how well the rest of the primary mirror’s surface is figured. These “hooks” at the edges of primary mirrors would seem far too small to cause so much trouble, but they do. Recent literature treats them as inevitable and as incurable other than by masking the mirror edge to cover the defect. But they are avoidable with sound fig-

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DESIGNING THE OPTIMUM 6-INCH F/8 ATM NEWTONIAN used cerium oxide and tempered pitch until a “black” polish was obtained, then I polished for another two hours, just to be sure [6]. Next, I made a new lap and polished for two hours more, using rouge to get the very best surface, as illustrated by Texereau. Only then did I figure the mirror as accurately as I could (to 1/16th wave). Scratches and sleeks have to be minimized, as they scatter light.

Image 4 - Diffraction spikes induced by a standard four-vane secondary mirror spider assembly. The author’s ATM Newt eliminates diffraction spikes by replacing the spider with an optical window.

uring techniques. Avoid them, and there’s no need to mask them. Primary and Secondary Ripple Texereau shows the dramatic differences in surface smoothness using various lap materials and polishers [5]. For my mirror, I

Tube Currents All telescopes are afflicted by “seeing,” the pesky wavering of our atmosphere. Seeing is a variable that can afflict a telescope in grotesque ways to soften and blur the clean diffraction disk we’d prefer to see. Some of this bad seeing takes place in front of our telescope – that we can do nothing about. But what occurs at that first optical surface and inside the telescope tube is within our control. I’ve used several approaches. My overlong light shield not only blocks stray light, it also extends beyond eddies of air warmed by the observer’s body heat, shielding the

view from them. Since most air currents within the tube tend to cling to the areas nearest the tube’s inner surfaces, I have allowed for 0.75-inch clearance between the tube and the mirror’s edge. While others favor a 1-inch clearance in Newtonians of this aperture, I was forced to use the clearance that was available with the tube I had. My experience has been that even a 0.5-inch space is sufficient. While my tube is metal, the thick flocking inside serves as a form of insulation. For the same reason, I never put my hands on any telescope tube for risk of heating it and introducing needless turbulence within the tube. I also installed a fan on the backside of the mirror cell to force cooling air into the tube and warm air out. I chose a 12-volt computer fan from Surplus Shed. Because the front aperture of the tube assembly is closed, the dark bucket features a removable door to allow warm air to circulate out. Spider Diffraction I dealt with the problem of diffraction induced by the secondary-mirror spider assembly by eliminating the spider entirely, thus the closed front of the optical tube. I made an optical window with a hole ground through the glass to hold a threaded bolt for supporting the diagonal holder. The window was given a single-layer antireflection coating on both sides to eliminate stray reflections and allow the window to pass more light to the mirror. As an aside, several ATMs referred me to the optical scientist William Zmek, whose studies are said to reveal that an optical window degrades the final image due to surface scratches, haze and polishing errors. I consulted his reports but could not find where they confirmed that the two surfaces of optical windows must introduce any degradation not common to the two, four and even six air-to-glass interfaces of high-quality refractor lenses. The optical window gets rid of the problem of spider diffraction that is especially detrimental to imagery. While some ob-

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DESIGNING THE OPTIMUM 6-INCH F/8 ATM NEWTONIAN servers actually like the spikes emanating from stars, shown in Image 4, spider diffraction is one of the reasons the classic Newtonians fails to perform to refractor standards. As Image 4 shows, how could it? Think of it this way: What if the large number of diffraction patterns that define a planet’s image all had four spikes. Curved spiders remove these spikes, but only by spreading their light throughout the entire field, resulting in a subtle overall haze. Some may rightly point out that my window seals off the tube and totally interferes with the flow of air. And they’d be right, but for the removable back on the dark bucket that lets fan-forced air circulate and speed cool-down. After cool-down, I close the dark-bucket door and turn off the fan. It is assumed, even among experienced ATMs, that making an optical window is a very hard chore. That’s not the case. Actually, neither of the window’s faces need to be flat to 1/20 wave, as some have stated. I have seen optical windows that were out of flatness by 5 waves on each surface with no detectable degradation of diffraction patterns. It is true that optical-quality glass is needed, but the key aspects of an optical window are that it be of uniform thickness and that its surfaces be regular with no zones. Such a window can be made by experienced ATMs. Central Obstruction In many short-focus, or “fast,” Newtonians, the secondary mirror forms a central obstruction of 30 percent or more of the primary aperture, as measured by diameter. Longer-focus Newtonians get by quite well with a 25-percent obstruction, yielding images that are passable. Suiter, in Star Testing Astronomical Telescopes, states that an 18-percent, or lower, obstruction yields diffraction images that are imperceptibly different from those of an unobstructed refractor. ATMs have struggled to attain this number by using low-profile focusers and smaller tube diameters to lessen the distance between diagonal and prime focus. (The latter strategy conflicts with the problem of air currents and narrow tube clearances.) But with effort, the 18-per-

cent ratio can be achieved. For my telescope, the secondary obstruction is just 13.7 percent. How is such a thing possible? I use a Barlow lens, but a transfer lens would serve just as well [7]. Look at it this way: Say I desire a fully illuminated field in my telescope of 0.25 degree. Given the variables of my scope, standard formulas dictate a minimum secondary-mirror minor axis of 1.0 inch, or an obstruction of roughly 17 percent – good, but significantly larger than mine. Now for a shift in perspective. The fully illuminated field I want is 0.25 inch before the Barlow lens. If I position the Barlow so it has a magnification factor of 2X, the fully illuminated field is magnified to 0.5 inch in a 1.25-inch eyepiece. Not bad. By the way, my Barlow lens is apochromatic, an easier feat at so small an aperture – 1.0 inch. As a final bit of figuring, I dealt with residual spherical aberration caused by this lens by some judicious re-figuring of the primary mirror when the whole optical system was inspected under a dual-pass auto-collimation Foucault test. The beauty is that it’s a null test, ensuring the highest accuracy. My experience is that such slight touching up of the mirror’s figure still keeps it well within superb optical tolerances. There is another advantage to this setup: Diagonals can be made to remarkably high standards, approaching 1/20 wave (in green light). A lesser known fact is that diagonals, by virtue of how they are made, can have turned down edges that, as mentioned above, can ruin images produced by a Newtonian. For this reason, it is often advised that an ATM buy a diagonal that is slightly oversized, so its edges do not contribute to the final image at the eyepiece. Coincidentally, the outer annulus of my small diagonal is unused in producing the fully illuminated 0.5inch field. What does all this mean to that diffraction image of a star I mentioned earlier? Some raise the issue of the degradation of imagery caused even by a relatively small 18percent obstruction. Theoretically, images are degraded as some light in that diffraction

image of a star migrates from the bright center to intensify the thickness of the first diffraction ring. I contend that the definitive Newtonian reflector, with its sub-18 percent obstruction, reveals diffraction images of stars, and all else, indistinguishable from those of an equal aperture apochromatic refractor. Side-byside, there are perhaps one in a thousand observers who might see the slightest difference. For the other 999 of us, the proof is in the viewing. And remarkably, this Newtonian design scales up with even more advantageous obstruction ratios as aperture is increased! It is clear that an Amateur Telescope Maker, with experience, can make optics that approach perfection of better than the 1/8th wavefront criterion – optics that rival of Apos.

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interstellarum Deep Sky Atlas Field Edition A New Kid on the Star-Atlas Block By Dragan Nikin

Sky Atlas 2000.0, Uranometria, and the Herald-Bobroff Astroatlas. Walk around any observing field, and you’re bound to spot many of these sprawled across observing tables. Deep-sky observers have been using these for years, and why shouldn’t they? A good paper atlas still has its place in an observers tool box, even in today’s digital age. Of the three, Sky Atlas 2000.0, with its extremely-large, lightweight format and easy-toread print, just may be the easiest to use, but with only 2700 plotted deep-sky objects and limited catalogs, it may fall short for some of the more seasoned observers. Uranometria 2000 is easily the gold standard to which any other atlas is measured. With over 30,000 non-stellar objects and 280,035 stars plotted to 9.75 magnitude, Uranometria does not leave the serious observer wanting.

While its footprint is small, it does come in two sizable and weighty paper volumes (three if you have an older version) that aren’t the most ideal for dewy conditions. Then there’s the Herald-Bobroff. The HB is really in a league of its own as it takes scaling to new heights. With 214 charts depicted across six different scales, the HB plots its dimmest stars and nonstellar objects down to 11.5 and 15th magnitude respectively. It also has more deep-sky object information annotated within its pages than anyone can shake a stick at. This all comes at a cost: Pages come in at a substantial 16 inches by 12 inches (16 inches by 24 inches when laid open!) taking up valuable table top space. What’s worse is that it’s also very difficult to find as it’s been out of print for quite some time. Bummer!

Image 1 - The cover of interstellarum.

Image 2 - interstellarum’s inside cover features a pocket for the included legend.

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INTERSTELLARUM DEEP SKY ATLAS FIELD EDITION Now, what if I told you an atlas with the best attributes of all three has been recently released state-side in a lightweight, waterproof, nearly indestructible, compact field edition? Interested? I knew you would be. I had the pleasure of meeting Ronald Stoyan of Germany during the 2014 OzSky Star Safari outside Coonanbarabran Australia. During our week of observing, Ronald was kind enough to pass around a rather small black-covered star atlas for guests to look over. The moment my hands fell on this atlas, I immediately recognized it as something very special. While perusing its pages and speaking with Ronald, it was clear that he and co-author Stephan Schurig designed this atlas with the deep-sky hound in mind. Even though I was holding an edition printed in German (a language I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t read), I could easily understand its contents and what Ronald was attempting to convey. This was one heck of a piece of work, and I knew I needed to have a copy of my own. What I was holding that warm autumn day down-under was interstellarum Deep Sky Atlas, Field Edition. Spiral bound to lay flat, the 11 inch-by-11 inch gem is dressed in a black, extremely resilient PVC material named Priplak, (material akin to a thin, flexible Kydex). Priplak was chosen for the covers as it would easily protect the pages inside, not that they needed any protecting. The pages are unlike any atlas youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve

Image 3 - Legend side A.

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INTERSTELLARUM DEEP SKY ATLAS FIELD EDITION known. Though they feel like paper, they are comprised of a high-tech polyethylene foil known as Polyart. Literally tear resistant and waterproof, this synthetic paper is ideal for those dew laden observing sessions that turn inferior non-laminated charts back to the pulp from which they came. Ronald was very proud when he explained that many hours went into choosing this material, excitedly adding that his atlas can be used underwater with no ill effects. I challenge anyone to name another atlas, paper or digital, to make such a claim! Ronald didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t stop there, though. He explained that careful consideration went into other important aspects, such as the colors of the paper and ink. The combination of the two makes for some great contrast under low-powered red light, helping to relieve the eyestrain so common under such conditions. In an attempt to avoid wasting space and maximizing overlap, the printing runs from edge to edge of each page: useful

Image 5 - Closeup depicting the various categories depicted in interstellarum.

and aesthetically pleasing. The atlas is jam-packed with 114 double spreads and 29 specialty maps that cover the entire sky in just one volume. The specialty maps, near the back, are detailed areas of dense Milky Way regions, various galaxy clusters, and/or the

Magellenic Clouds. Another bonus is the inclusion of the lines of constellations between their brightest stars. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve spent countless hours with pen and ruler drawing these very lines in my other atlases, especially Uranometria. This small detail just makes a world of difference during

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INTERSTELLARUM DEEP SKY ATLAS FIELD EDITION

Image 6 - Varying brightnesses are indicated and are discernible at a glance.

an observing session and it’s beyond me why other atlas authors do not follow suit. But I digress. On the inside cover you’ll find a removable legend with its own jacket to keep it in its place. Each chart covers a little over one hour in RA and 15 degrees

of declination with RA descending from left to right. Need to go west in the sky? Turn pages to the right. The scaling of the atlas is 6.0 inches (1.5 centimeter) per degree and its limiting stellar magnitude is 9.5, providing the user 201,719 Tycho cataloged stars.

This brings me to the meat and potatoes of the atlas: What’s plotted? Well, here goes: those 201,719 total stars, of which 2950 are doubles and 1168 are variable; 371 stars with known exo-planets, as of April 2013, depicted by a unique symbol; 9599 galaxies with 508 unique galaxy groups and 117 galactic clusters; 1903 open clusters; 181 globular clusters; 755 planetary nebulae; 530 galactic nebulae; 58 star clouds; 122 quasars; nearly 15,000 deep-sky objects total; plus some of the more common catalogs identified are Messier, NGC, IC, UGC, MCG, Shakbazian, Arp, Hickson and Abell, just to name a few. That said, what is probably the most unique feature of the interstellarum is its depiction and categorization of deep-sky objects. Never before has an atlas employed such a method. Here’s how it works: Ronald has taken all the deep-sky objects and placed them into four categories: objects visible under moderately

Sizes for SBIG, QSI, FLI Durable to extreme weather fluctuations Non-reflective 20+ years of thin film design Manufactured in Vermont

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INTERSTELLARUM DEEP SKY ATLAS FIELD EDITION dark skies (skies with a ZLM of 6.5 or a SQM reading of 21.3 mag per square arcsecond) in 4-inch scopes, 8-inch scopes, 12-inch scopes and in scopes of apertures larger than 12 inches. Categories can easily be differentiated by font size, outline strength, and color intensity. For example, an object visible in a 4-inch scope will have a bolder font and color fill than an object visible in scopes 12-inch or larger. It’s a simple and yet ingenious concept! At a glance you can immediately determine if a plotted object will be visible to you and your particular telescope and conditions. Emission nebula get a special little touch in this atlas as well. On the plotted boundary line of every emission nebula, a small O, U or H is superimposed on its edge. These letters tell you which filter (OIII, UHC or H-Beta, respectively) is recommended to help you attain the best view possible. Nice! And last, common double-star symbolism helps you determine separation, magnitude differences and position angles of the nearly 3000 plotted doubles. In addition to the field edition with which I was so enthralled, the interstellarum Deep Sky Atlas also comes in a desk edition. Both versions are identical except for the materials used, and that’s what accounts for the significant difference in pricing. The desk edition, composed of traditional paper, sells for a little over $100US, whereas the everlasting construction of the field edition can be had for about one and a half times that. (Side note: As of late February 2015, Obsession Telescopes has a very limited stock available at discounted pricing. Please contact Obsession Telescopes directly for availability.) Now, I know what some may be thinking. “We live in a digital world, do I need a paper atlas?” My short answer is “yes.” Paper atlases still have their place for those who like to use them and understand their benefits (this is coming from a guy who loves his MegaStar and DSS overlays!). Forgot to charge your

Image 7 - Graphic of an emission nebula recommending an H-beta filer via an “H” designation.

Astronomy TECHNOLOGY TODAY

INTERSTELLARUM DEEP SKY ATLAS FIELD EDITION

Image 8 - Closeup of M13 highlighting various degrees of observability.

Image 9 - Unique symbol for stars with known planetary systems.

iPad? So what! Paper atlases don’t need batteries nor run the risk of a hardware failure. I can pick up my pen and make pertinent notes in my atlases that can easily be revisited each time I return to that part of the sky. In my opinion, that’s just not the same with a tablet or computer. Not to mention that sitting in your favorite armchair as you thumb through the pages of a nice worn atlas reading old notes is just that much more enjoyable than surfing a computer screen. Call me old fashioned, but paper has a warmth and feel that a digital screen simply does

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not. I use MegaStar relentlessly, but I just don’t believe that paper is a thing of the past. Not yet anyway. Just as Telrads and traditional finderscopes are not a one-orthe-other proposition, a paper atlas is still another useful tool that an observer needs in his or her toolbox to accomplish the task on hand. In closing, if you enjoy a detailed, well-thought-out paper atlas, I urge you to consider the interstellarum Deep Sky Atlas. It combines all the best attributes of the three most popular atlases already available in our hobby, all the while

eliminating many negatives. It’s compact and lightweight. It has a substantial number of objects and catalogs plotted, and it’s geared towards observers of all levels. It brings a novel method of categorizing deep-sky objects that proves quite effective, and it has the durability and indestructibility of an M1 tank and will last forever. What’s not to love? Please don’t just take my word for it. Check out Ronald’s website at www.deepskyatlas.com and look for yourself. After a little research of your own, I’m confident you’ll appreciate, as I do, the hard work that Ronald and Stephan put into their beautiful atlas. Make room Sky Atlas, Uranometria and Herald-Bobroff: interstellarum is the new kid on the block, and he’s here to stay!

ASTRO TIPS tips, tricks and novel solutions

Hooked On – A Low-Tech Solution By David Lloyd-Jones This is so simple it hardly qualifies as a technical solution at all. As supplied, my SkyWatcher EQ3 RA-drive hand controller did not provide any means of hanging it off the tripod or mount at a convenient height for ready access. The only place to store it was on the accessories tray between the tripod legs, where it not only cluttered up the available space but was inconveniently low for ready access and use. The obvious solution was to attach a hook to the rear side of the unit, which could then be hung off the top of the lower part of one of the tripod legs. But where to get a suitable hook? It needed to be at least 3.2 centimeters (1.26 inches) from back to front to span the top of the tripod leg and clear the screw head there. None of the usual furniture hooks in my local hardware store came anywhere close to that. The answer came when I passed the section displaying angle brackets. The accompanying images tell the story. I super-

glued two small angle brackets together into a “U” shape so as to give the required internal size. I then glued the resulting “U”

to the back of the hand controller and applied black electrical masking tape as a finishing touch.

Super Glue plus two angle brackets plus electrical tape equal a low-tech solution.

Submit Your Astro Tip! Astronomy Technology Today regularly features tips, tricks, and other novel solutions. To submit your tip, trick, or novel solution, email the following information: • A Microsoft Word document detailing your tip, trick or novel solution. • A hi-resolution digital image in jpeg format (if available). Please send your information to tips@astronomytechnologytoday.com

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Tripod leg sans hand controller.

Tripod leg with hand controller conveniently at, well, hand.

with â&#x20AC;&#x153;T TAKUMIâ&#x20AC;? AKUMIâ&#x20AC;? Spirit

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