Below The Belt

B E L OW T H E

✹

T H

E

BELT

S T O R Y

✹

S O

✹

F A

R

Photo: Copyright Tim Butterley / European Southern Observatory

photos - left to right: Barry Pemberton John Pemberton A young Barry Pemberton (circa 1961) with his first home-made telescope

BELT

An early and highly successful Europa telescope

B E L OW T H E

✹

T H

E

S T O R Y

✹

S O

✹

F A

R

T

E

Once upon a time . . . . . . in 1984, Barry Pemberton established Orion Optics UK in the humble premises of his garage fitted out with grinding, figuring and polishing machines.

Early success prompted a move to new premises in 1987 and production of their first 150mm Schmidt-Newtonian.

Business has steadily grown since and now the company exports telescopes and optical components worldwide.

Orion Optics UK are now a major player in the manufacture of quality certiďŹ ab

telescopes. Heavy investment in state-of-the-art technology and the aquisitio the business ensure that optics and telescopes produced in the Crew factory

ble optics which feature across their range of

on of some of the best optical technicians in

are world class.

Image: Peter Shah (UK)

zygo

ÂŽ

High Reflectivity Coating

Optical surfaces are tested up to 29 times as they pass through the many process of being turned from a blank piece of galss to a highly accurate ďŹ gured mirror or lens

Today, the company is now run by Barry’s son John Pemberton.

The factory occupies 650 square metres and employs an ever growing workforce of skilled technicians.

Orion Optics are proud to be able to say that all the components they use are manufactured or sourced in the UK

Image: Adam Jesionkiewicz (Poland)

Orion Optics UK now have a range of telescopes to suit beginners through to research Astronomy.

The highly customisable VX Range offers great value for money.

The possibility of many different options and mountings make it a very desirable instrument.

The compact and powerful OMC140 Maksutov Cassegrain design . . . is probably, the best catadioptric telescope available, anywhere.

The carbon fibre CT Ultra Newtonians incorporate the best optics available anywhere, that’s guaranteed!

To suit the higher end of the market the dedicated Carbon AG Astrograph Range and the ODK Range of Optimised Dall-Kirkhams are exported to 20 countries around the world.

A growing reputation of OOUK’s products is testimony of their success and quality.

Across the length and breadth of the country, telescopes and optical components can be found in universities and private businesses.

Custom made telescopes are helping with cutting edge astronomy projects in ESO’s sites in Chile and La Palma.

Image: Máximo Ruiz (Spain)

range VX CT

Image: Mike Sidonio (Kotara NSW Australia)

ODK

AG

OMC

www.orionoptics

.co.uk

Please visit our website for full details, speciďŹ cations and prices of our products - you will also ďŹ nd an ever growing gallery of superb images taken with our telescopes.

All of the deep sky images in this publication were imaged with our equipment.

Image: Adam Jesionkiewicz (Poland)

Image: Adam Jesionkiewicz (Poland)

We also have a mobile site for smartphone users.

You will ďŹ nd a direct link on the main website or the address is www.orionoptics.co.uk/smart or use this QR code for a direct link to the mobile site . . .

Follow us on Twitter or Be a fan on Facebook

precision newtonian telescopes

We present our versatile VX range of precision astronomical telescopes with lots of mount options and upgrades, there is a model to suit all price brackets.

An excellent performer for both visual astronomy and astrophotography.

Each standard tube assembly includes: 1/6 PV HiLux Optics • Fan Assisted

Cooling on Optics • 9 Point Primary Mirror Cell • Tube Trims • OC1 Focuser Quality Spider • 50mm Finder Scope Black Tube Cradles *One 25mm Eyepiece *only included with inclusion of mount system

zygo

®

High Reflectivity Coating

view the full VX range and buy direct from our website . . .

www.orionoptics.co.uk UNITS 21 + 22, THIRD AVENUE CREWE, CHESHIRE CW1 6XU sales@orionoptics.co.uk technical enquiries: john@orionoptics.co.uk

SALES 01270 500089 ENQUIRIES 01270 251559 FAX 01270 251213

THE choice for EXPERTS & AMATEURS

£

Model shown above: VX8 f6 on EQ6 Mount All Orion Optics UK Telescopes are made in Crewe