Mar08

ASTRONOMY

TECHNOLOGY TODAY Your Complete Guide to Astronomical Equipment

CELESTRON SKYSCOUT SCOPE 90 • ZHUMELL 8-INCH DOBSONIAN • TELESCOPE MAKING 101 MULTICART -‘SWISS ARMY KNIFE’ OF HAND CARTS • ORION REDBEAM SP FLASHLIGHT

Comet Chaser Gary Kronk Explores the Universe With A New Backyard Observatories Roll-Off Roof Observatory

Volume 2 • Issue 3 March 2008 $5.00 US

Contents Industry News

Cover Story - 29 This is a composite image by Gary Kronk using two photos obtained with a Canon Digital Rebel XTi. The top image showing periodic comet 17P/Holmes is a 180-second exposure at ISO 400 obtained on November 18, 2007 using a 100mm lens. The bottom image was taken inside the telescope room of his new observatory with the red light on. It is a 30-second exposure at ISO 400 that he shot on December 18, 2007 using an 18mm lens.

ASTRONOMY

TECHNOLOGY TODAY Your Complete Guide to Astronomical Equipment

CELESTRON SKYSCOUT SCOPE 90 • ZHUMELL 8-INCH DOBSONIAN • TELESCOPE MAKING 101 MULTICART -‘SWISS ARMY KNIFE’ OF HAND CARTS • ORION REDBEAM SP FLASHLIGHT

Famed Comet Chaser Gary Kronk Explores the Universe With A New Backyard Observatories Roll-off Roof Observatory.

11 SIERRA STARS OBSERVATORY Expands Observatory Network 11 TACHYON Offers Free Pocket PC 1.08 Software

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29

Volume 2 • Issue 3 March 2008 $5.00 US

In This Issue 8

Editor’s Note What is an “Amateur Astronomer” Anyway?

By Gary Parkerson

29 The Kronk Observatory A New Backyard Observatories Roll-Off Roof Observatory is the Perfect Cure for a Strained Back

By Gary W. Kronk 39 Telescope Making – 101!

Actually, it’s AST2933 Optics and Telescope Making, a Unique Astronomy Course at Florida Community College

By Mike Reynolds 47 The Original “Teeter’s Telescope” Part 2 From Telescope Modifier to Telescope Builder and Ultimately to Telescope Manufacturer

By Robert J. Teeter, Jr. 51 Orion Redbeam SP Flastlight Bolding Going Where No Red Flashlight Has Gone Before

By Penny Distasio

55 Celestron Skyscout Scope 90 A Fun Combo – Finding Objects has Never Been so Cool!

By Erik Wilcox

12 CRITERION MACHINE Products Now Available Direct to Public

59 Zooming Through The Skies With My Z8!

Zhumell’s 8-Inch Nicely Portable Dobsonian Telescope

By Randy Roy 65 The Multi-Cart The ‘Swiss Army Knife” of Hand Carts

By Gary Parkerson

14 THE BINOSCOPE COMPANY Offers Custom Powder Coating and Other Services

68 Astro Tips, Tricks, and Novel Solutions A Reel is the Key to Tracking Your Light

By Rod Nabholz

15 LUNT SOLAR SYSTEMS Dealer Network Continues to Expand

Astronomy TECHNOLOGY TODAY

5

Contributing Writers

Contents New Products

Penny Distasio has worked for Meade Instruments as a dealer support rep, and even did a stint at the McDonald Observatory Visitor's Center in Fort Davis, Texas, but her main connection in the world of astronomy continues to be Oceanside Photo & Telescope, where she has worked for the past twenty years.

Penny also writes articles for the Oceanside Photo & Telescope Astronomical Society's quarterly newsletter, Arc Minutes. She lives with her husband, Tony, and their two cats, Abbey & Pippin, in Vista, California.

Gary W. Kronk has been observing and researching comets since 1973. He has observed over 170 comets and has written four books that chronicle comets throughout history. He is the co-founder and President of the River Bend Astronomy Club in southern Illinois. He is employed as a project manager at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri.

Scott and Diane Horstman of Backyard Observatories are avid astronomers who began their roll-off roof observatory business in 2002. Since then they have sold many of their plans and other observatory accessories, have built numerous standard and custom built observatories, and last year constructed their 100th observatory.

Dr. Mike Reynolds has spent thirty-two years in astronomy and space sciences as a high school and college instructor, planetarium and museum director, researcher, writer, and lecturer. He has written a number of astronomy books and articles, led numerous astronomical expeditions worldwide, and has served as an invited speaker internationally. Mike is Associate Dean of Mathematics and Natural Sciences and Professor of Astronomy at Florida Community College and Executive Director Emeritus of the Chabot Space & Science Center in Oakland, California.

Randy Roy, like many amateurs, began his fascination with astronomy at age 10 after receiving a 4-inch Newtonian reflector for Christmas. 47 years later, he observes from his home in Lakeland, Tennessee with his C14 nearly every clear evening, but enjoys taking his 8-inch Zhumell Dob to club outings and public observing events.

Rod Nabholz has been hooked on amateur astronomy since the first object viewed through his first scope, the Shoemaker Levy impacts on Jupiter. He views near his home in Independence, Iowa, where he lives with his understanding wife, Donna and his three children. His 13-inch reflector is home built, as is much of his equipment that he shares via his website www.homebuiltastronomy.com. He also enjoys wild bird photography and his images can be seen at www.wildsideiowa.com.

When not under the stars, Rod is a Credit Manager for an energy company.

16 PIER-TECH New Observatory Control Software and Hardware

17 SMART ASTRONOMY Clear-View Portable Observatory Tent 17 STELLAR TECHNOLOGIES New Canon EOS T-2 Adapter 18 FAR LABORATORIES Helio Pod II Solar Finder 18 BURGESS OPTICAL New TMB/Burgess Stellar Series Eyepieces 20 ORION TELESCOPES & BINOCULARS Introduces StarShoot AutoGuider 20 DISCMOUNTS Offers Tripod Extension 23 ASTRO GIZMOS Adds Astro-Gazer Accessories 23 ASTRO-PHYSICS New Adapters for Losmandy Tripods and Mounts 24 BLUE PLANET OPTICS Offers Constellation View Wide-Bino

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, he spends his time playing in a rock band.

SUBSCRIBE NOW! Now accepting Canadian and International Subscriptions in addition to U.S. Subscriptions! www.astronomytechnologytoday.com 6

Astronomy TECHNOLOGY TODAY

25 WILLIAM OPTICS New Megrez 72-mm Doublet Apo 27 ATIK INSTRUMENTS New ATK-16IC-S Monochrome CCD and ATK-EFW Filter Wheel

ASTRONOMY

TECHNOLOGY TODAY

Volume 2 • Issue 3 March 2008 Publisher Stuart Parkerson

Managing Editor

Editor’s

Note

Gary Parkerson, Managing Editor

Gary Parkerson

What Is An “Amateur Astronomer” Anyway?

Associate Editors Russ Besancon Karol Birchfield Jessica Parkerson

Art Director Lance Palmer

Staff Photographer Jim Osborne

Web Master Richard Harris

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

Many amateur astronomers are also dedicated tinkerers…Wait a minute! I’m getting a little uncomfortable with the label amateur astronomer. There’s simply something wrong with qualifying the enthusiasm and dedication for the subject that most of us share. The publisher of this magazine is a golfer. Tiger Woods is a professional golfer. So what’s with this amateur business anyway?

Rob Teeter concludes an article on his early telescope making career in this issue and will share what he learned as a professional telescope maker in future issues. Having made quite a name for himself in this industry despite his, from my perspective, still very young age, Rob now blurs the distinction between professional telescope maker and amateur telescope maker (yes, “ATM”). I know – he now works as a degreed professional in environmental management, but the aspect of Rob’s life that best defines him for me is telescope maker. It’s simply who he is.

If you subscribe to this magazine, you surely consider Dave Kriege a professional telescope maker. Has anyone made and sold more premium Dobsonians or contributed more to the evolution of the Dob? Does it change things that he holds a professional license and practices in an entirely unrelated field? Did you even know that?

Consider Gary Kronk whose cover article in this issue of ATT describes the Backyard Observatories roll-off roof observatory recently installed at his home. His extensive, published writings chronicling comets represent the definitive work on the subject and yet custom relegates him to the ranks of amateur astronomer because, while he does

work in academia, it’s not as an astronomer in academia.

If whatever earns my livelihood is simply what I do to finance my obsession with astronomy, which defines me: the livelihood or the obsession? Or, is astronomy like the law? (Heaven forbid!) Must I have a Ph.D. to earn the title astronomer as most states require a lawyer to have managed a Juris Doctorate degree from some institution of merit? But we don’t license astronomers as we do lawyers. (Again – heaven forbid!)

Here’s my guess: if you read more than a few issues of this magazine without suffering hypersomnia, your self-image probably includes a strong dose of astronomer or telescope maker – sans qualifier. If those who know you think of astronomy when they think of you and if you think of astronomy when you think of yourself, I suspect you’re an astronomer, pure and simple – no qualifier needed.

Here’s my solution: the next time someone asks me who you are, assuming you don't have a Ph.D. in the subject and aren’t employed by a university to teach or conduct research in astronomy, I’ll simply describe you as, among other things, an astronomer.

I’ll use a modifier only when describing those who do have that Ph.D. and are so employed – I’ll describe them as professional astronomers. Ditto telescope maker versus professional telescope maker. Wow! I feel better already.

So where was I? Oh, as I was saying, many astronomers are also dedicated tinkerers and I’m no exception. It’s part of what connects us so firmly to this endeavor.

Unlike the hot-rod enthusiast who’ll never actually fashion an automobile from a cold block of steel, building an astronomy instrument of remarkable accuracy from the most basic of raw materials and tools is within our reach, whether or not we ever choose to do so. Similarly, most of us could build a competent astronomical observatory from scratch and will therefore enjoy learning from the professional example presented by Gary Kronk in this issue, even if we eventually choose (prudently) to have those same professionals do the job for us as well.

Because of the unique relationship we share with the telescopes we design, build or tweak, I’m thrilled that ATT is able to present Mike Reynolds’ account of his efforts to teach optics and telescope making to students at Florida Community College. Mike is one of those rare folks who have earned both labels: professional astronomer and telescope maker. His is the type of effort that we should try to assist to spread the knowledge that a meaningful and rewarding involvement in astronomy, and its tools, is within reach of all.

Similarly, I’m pleased that Rob Teeter has agreed to share, in a future series of articles, the tricks of the trade that he’s learned from his stint as a pro telescope builder and trust that you too will enjoy learning more in this issue of what led him to the decision to build telescopes professionally.

Most of you, like me, will spend more time tinkering with telescopes than actually building them from scratch. I confess that I’ve never, without assistance, ground a functional objective from a blank of raw glass and, perhaps, never will. But, although my collection of telescopes includes several that were purchased as fully complete and functioning systems, there are none that I haven’t “improved” in some manner, whether by simply tuning a focuser, improving baffling, or painting an OTA in my favorite color. I too consider myself a telescope maker and am pleased that ATT is able to find space in these pages to cover user built equipment as well as the remarkable products that are available to use from reliable commercial sources.

The new Astro-Physics 6" Eagle Adjustable Folding Pier is a versatile work-of-art as well as a totally practical tool for the advanced imager.

The one piece assembly sets up quickly in the field and allows adjustment of pier height, leveling of the mount, and eases the process of polar alignment.

www.astro-physics.com • 815-282-1513 Astronomy TECHNOLOGY TODAY

9

The Supporting

CAST

The Companies And Organizations That Have Made Our Magazine Possible!

We wish to thank our advertisers without whom this magazine would not be possible. 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.

20/20 Telescopes and Binoculars www.2020telescopes.com page 21

Bobs Knobs www.bobsknobs.com page 58

Lunt Solar Systems www.luntsolarsystems.com page 64

ScopeGuard www.scopeguard.com page 34

Adirondack Astronomy www.astrovid.com page 62

Catseye Collimation www.catseyecollimation.com page 66

Meade Instruments www.meade.com page 4, 69

ScopeStuff www.scopestuff.com page 33

NEAF www.rocklandastronomy.com/neaf page 40

Shrouds By Heather www.teeterstelescopes.com/shrouds page 23

Oceanside Photo and Telescope www.optcorp.com page 46

SkyShed Observatories www.skyshed.com page 35

Optec www.optecinc.com page 23

Starizona www.starizona.com page 18

Optical Mechanics www.opticalmechanics.com page 24

Stark Labs www.stark-labs.com page 60

Alpine Astronimical www.alpineastro.com page 42

Celestron www.celestron.com page 2, 28, 71

Amateur Astronomy Magazine www.amateurastronomy.com page 61 APM Telescopes www.apm-telescopes.de page 26

DayStar Filters www.daystarfilters.com page 19 Denkmeier www.denkmeier.com page 27

Astro Domes www.astrodomes.com page 60

Durango Skies www.durangoskies.com page 56

Astro Gizmos www.astrogizmos.com page 63

Farpoint Astronomical Research www.farpointastro.com page 11

Astro Hutech www.hutech.com page 22

AstroPhoto Insight Magazine www.skyinsight.net page 61 Astro Physics www.astro-physics.com page 9, 31 AstroShorts www.astroshorts.com page 61

Optical Wave Laboratories www.opticwavelabs.com page 20 Ostahowski Optics www.ostahowskioptics.com page 33

Glatter Collimation www.collimator.com page 41

Peterson Engineering www.petersonengineering.com page 52

Great Red Spot Astronomy www.greatredspot.com page 32

Pier-Tech www.pier-tech.com page 15, 43, 53

Green Bank Star Quest V www.greenbankstarquest.org page 54

ProtoStar www.fpi-protostar.com page 49 Quantum Scientific Imaging www.qsimaging.com page 57

AstroSystems www.astrosystems.biz page 17

HyperTune http://lxd55.com/hypertune page 30

ATS Piers www.AdvancedTelescope.com page 33

Jack’s Astro Accessories www.waningmoonii.com page 37, 49

Backyard Observatories ww.backyardobservatories.com page 24

JMI Telescopes www.jmitelescopes.com page 13

Sattleggers Alpenhof International Star-Party in Austria www.embergeralm.at/stella Page 48

Blue Planet Optics www.blueplanetoptics.com page 72

Khan Scope Centre www.khanscope.com page 31

ScopeBuggy www.scopebuggy.com page 16

Rigel Systems www.rigelsys.com page 20

Starlight Instruments www.starlightinstruments.com page 12 Stellar Technologies International www.stellar-international.com page 56 Stellarvue www.stellarvue.com page 41 Surplus Shed www.surplusshed.com page 10 Tele Vue Optics www.televue.com page 70 Thousand Oaks Optical www.thousandoaksoptical.com page 49 Vixen Optics www.vixenoptics.com page 50 William Optics www.williamoptics.com page 3 Woodland Hills Telescopes www.whtelescopes.com page 14

TO ADVERTISE CONTACT advertise@astronomytechnologytoday.com

The Supporting

CAST

The Companies And Organizations That Have Made Our Magazine Possible!

We wish to thank our advertisers without whom this magazine would not be possible. 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.

20/20 Telescopes and Binoculars www.2020telescopes.com page 21

Bobs Knobs www.bobsknobs.com page 58

Lunt Solar Systems www.luntsolarsystems.com page 64

ScopeGuard www.scopeguard.com page 34

Adirondack Astronomy www.astrovid.com page 62

Catseye Collimation www.catseyecollimation.com page 66

Meade Instruments www.meade.com page 4, 69

ScopeStuff www.scopestuff.com page 33

NEAF www.rocklandastronomy.com/neaf page 40

Shrouds By Heather www.teeterstelescopes.com/shrouds page 23

Oceanside Photo and Telescope www.optcorp.com page 46

SkyShed Observatories www.skyshed.com page 35

Optec www.optecinc.com page 23

Starizona www.starizona.com page 18

Optical Mechanics www.opticalmechanics.com page 24

Stark Labs www.stark-labs.com page 60

Alpine Astronimical www.alpineastro.com page 42

Celestron www.celestron.com page 2, 28, 71

Amateur Astronomy Magazine www.amateurastronomy.com page 61 APM Telescopes www.apm-telescopes.de page 26

DayStar Filters www.daystarfilters.com page 19 Denkmeier www.denkmeier.com page 27

Astro Domes www.astrodomes.com page 60

Durango Skies www.durangoskies.com page 56

Astro Gizmos www.astrogizmos.com page 63

Farpoint Astronomical Research www.farpointastro.com page 11

Astro Hutech www.hutech.com page 22

AstroPhoto Insight Magazine www.skyinsight.net page 61 Astro Physics www.astro-physics.com page 9, 31 AstroShorts www.astroshorts.com page 61

Optical Wave Laboratories www.opticwavelabs.com page 20 Ostahowski Optics www.ostahowskioptics.com page 33

Glatter Collimation www.collimator.com page 41

Peterson Engineering www.petersonengineering.com page 52

Great Red Spot Astronomy www.greatredspot.com page 32

Pier-Tech www.pier-tech.com page 15, 43, 53

Green Bank Star Quest V www.greenbankstarquest.org page 54

ProtoStar www.fpi-protostar.com page 49 Quantum Scientific Imaging www.qsimaging.com page 57

AstroSystems www.astrosystems.biz page 17

HyperTune http://lxd55.com/hypertune page 30

ATS Piers www.AdvancedTelescope.com page 33

Jack’s Astro Accessories www.waningmoonii.com page 37, 49

Backyard Observatories ww.backyardobservatories.com page 24

JMI Telescopes www.jmitelescopes.com page 13

Sattleggers Alpenhof International Star-Party in Austria www.embergeralm.at/stella Page 48

Blue Planet Optics www.blueplanetoptics.com page 72

Khan Scope Centre www.khanscope.com page 31

ScopeBuggy www.scopebuggy.com page 16

Rigel Systems www.rigelsys.com page 20

Starlight Instruments www.starlightinstruments.com page 12 Stellar Technologies International www.stellar-international.com page 56 Stellarvue www.stellarvue.com page 41 Surplus Shed www.surplusshed.com page 10 Tele Vue Optics www.televue.com page 70 Thousand Oaks Optical www.thousandoaksoptical.com page 49 Vixen Optics www.vixenoptics.com page 50 William Optics www.williamoptics.com page 3 Woodland Hills Telescopes www.whtelescopes.com page 14

TO ADVERTISE CONTACT advertise@astronomytechnologytoday.com

INDUSTRYNEWS

SIERRA STARS OBSERVATORY Expands Activities to Include the Sierra Stars Observatory Network

Starting in April, 2008, the Sierra Stars Observatory (SSO) is adding the first node of its Sierra Stars Observatory Network. The first added remote telescope will be the Rigel Project telescope located in Sonoita, Arizona.

SSO customers will have the option of having the Rigel telescope take their scheduled images if SSO is down due to weather or other factors. Alternately, its customers may chose to schedule images on the Rigel telescope through the SSO online scheduling system.

The Rigel telescope is an OMI 14.5inch (37-cm) f/14 Classical Cassegrain system with the same FLI Proline camera used on the SSO telescope in California and an FLI 7-filter filter wheel.

When the Rigel telescope takes images for schedules originally set for the SSO telescope, the exposure times are increased to match the same SNR and image contrast of the planned SSO image. The image scale of the Rigel system is 1.2 arc seconds/pixel versus 0.8 arc seconds/pixel on the SSO telescope and the field of view is about 27x27 arc minutes vs. 20x20 arc minutes on the SSO telescope. For more information about the Rigel telescope see astro.physics.uiowa.edu.

Sierra Stars Observatory will announce more details about the system and how to use it sometime in late March. Rigel is the first node of a planned extended world-wide network of professional-quality research telescopes of the Sierra Stars Observatory Network.

For more information, please visit www.sierrastars.com.

TACHYON Announces Free Pocket PC Version 1.08 Software Paulo Cacella of Tachyon has announced that Pocket PC Version 1.08 software, a full feature astronomical planetarium and telescope control program specifically created for PDAs, is now available as freeware. Paulo is a the software developer and an amateur astronomer with 20 years of experience in scientific software projects.

The freeware includes Hipparcos stars colored to accord with spectral classes, HR evolutionary diagram plotting for each Hipparcos star, constellation drawings, boundaries and lines, ketches of various objects as seen through a telescope, detailed information on NGC and IC objects, GSC1.2/GSC2.1,

DSS/SDSS images, provision for planning observing sessions, comet and asteroid data, a celestial calculator and precise event clocking, and SOHO images.

It also features meteor shower data, sky charts, telescope control with handpad emulation, import of Vizier deepsky catalogs, Clementine Lunar Map to 500 meter resolution, Variables GCVS (AAVSO Chart support), multiple stars with diagrams, comet and asteroid trails and ephemeredes, Internet browsing, and much more!

A comprehensive and effective 24 page manual is available in PDF from the Tachyon website. For more information on Tachyon, please visit www.tachyonweb.net.

Astronomy TECHNOLOGY TODAY

11

INDUSTRYNEWS

CRITERION MACHINE COMPANY Now Offers Products Directly to the Public Criterion Machine Company, which has for years provided highquality, custom machined parts to some of the best known names in the industry, now offers unique, finely machined products directly to astronomers.

Initial offerings include: PST focus knobs; a unique adapter that permits attachment of a Bogen tilt head to the counterweight shaft of the Orion Atlas/EQ-G mounts (We’ve seen this novel camera mounting option in action and it works very well.); an adapter that allows use of a Losmandy style dovetail on the Orion Atlas/EQ-6; and stainless steel counterweight shafts for the Atlas/EQ-6 mounts in lengths from 12-inches to 20-inches.

Criterion Machine Company also plans to introduce a proprietary brand of high-performance, solid-tube Newtonian telescopes featuring conical primary mirrors

by R.F. Royce-Precision Optical Components and is currently constructing an 8-inch f/6 prototype.

Criterion Machine Company’s extensive experience in production of specialized, high-precision, close-tolerance astronomy, optical, and laser

12

Astronomy TECHNOLOGY TODAY

components is also now available to any astronomer needing fine machining services.

For more information, please visit www.criterionmachine.com or contact owner Deven Matlick via dmatlick@westvirginia.com.

INDUSTRYNEWS

THE BINOSCOPE COMPANY Offers Custom Powder Coating and Other Services Joe Castoro of The Binoscope Company has announced that his expertise is now available to all astronomers for custom powder coating of optical tubes and components and mount parts and piers.

Don’t Miss Our Triple Reward Sale Jan 18,19, 20!

The custom powder coat is available in a full range of colors, including perfect matches for products from Astro-Physics, Takahashi, Meade, Celestron and Vixen, with finishes including gloss, matte, hammertone, speckle and metallic.

The Binoscope Company also offers expert customization services including shortening of optical tubes to accommodate binoviewing without the necessity of Barlow, OCA, or OCS. Of course, the products for which The Binoscope Company is best known, true binoscopes, are also available in a custom configuration that is sure to meet the needs of even the most demanding observer.

For more information, please visit www.binoscope.com.

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Subscribe Now!!!

Print and Online Issues Now Available!

ASTRONOMY

TECHNOLOGY TODAY

www.astronomytechnologytoday.com 14

Astronomy TECHNOLOGY TODAY

INDUSTRYNEWS

LUNT SOLAR SYSTEMS Dealer Network Continues to Expand The last issue of ATT included an announcement of additional products to be offered by Lunt Solar Systems, the new producer of high-quality, affordable solar filters, telescopes and accessories.

We concluded that news item with the names of two of Lunt Solar Systems' growing list of dealers, inadvertently omitting other companies from which its products are available.

The Current List of Lunt Solar Systems U.S. Dealers: • Adirondack Astronomy, www.astrovid.com • Anacortes Telescope & Wild Bird, www.buytelescopes.com • Astronomics, www.astronomics.com • Camera Bug, Ltd., www.camerabug.com • Hands On Optics, www.handsonoptics.com • Oceanside Photo & Telescope, www.optcorp.com • Teton Telescopes, www.tetontelescopes.com • Woodland Hills Telescopes, www.whtelescopes.com In Canada, Visit: • Kahn Scope Centre, www.khanscope.com • La Maison de l'Astronomie, www.maisonastronomie.ca

For current information on Lunt Solar System dealers and its most current product list, please visit www.luntsolarsystems.com.

Internationally, Visit: • Astrotech Engineering, www.astrotech.it • Centro Ottico San Marco, www.otticasanmarco.it • Ian King Imaging, www.iankingimaging.com • Galaxy Scientific Group, www.astro.hk • Galileo, www.galileo.cc

Astronomy TECHNOLOGY TODAY

15

The Supporting

CAST

The Companies And Organizations That Have Made Our Magazine Possible!

We wish to thank our advertisers without whom this magazine would not be possible. 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.

20/20 Telescopes and Binoculars www.2020telescopes.com page 21

Bobs Knobs www.bobsknobs.com page 58

Lunt Solar Systems www.luntsolarsystems.com page 64

ScopeGuard www.scopeguard.com page 34

Adirondack Astronomy www.astrovid.com page 62

Catseye Collimation www.catseyecollimation.com page 66

Meade Instruments www.meade.com page 4, 69

ScopeStuff www.scopestuff.com page 33

NEAF www.rocklandastronomy.com/neaf page 40

Shrouds By Heather www.teeterstelescopes.com/shrouds page 23

Oceanside Photo and Telescope www.optcorp.com page 46

SkyShed Observatories www.skyshed.com page 35

Optec www.optecinc.com page 23

Starizona www.starizona.com page 18

Optical Mechanics www.opticalmechanics.com page 24

Stark Labs www.stark-labs.com page 60

Alpine Astronimical www.alpineastro.com page 42

Celestron www.celestron.com page 2, 28, 71

Amateur Astronomy Magazine www.amateurastronomy.com page 61 APM Telescopes www.apm-telescopes.de page 26

DayStar Filters www.daystarfilters.com page 19 Denkmeier www.denkmeier.com page 27

Astro Domes www.astrodomes.com page 60

Durango Skies www.durangoskies.com page 56

Astro Gizmos www.astrogizmos.com page 63

Farpoint Astronomical Research www.farpointastro.com page 11

Astro Hutech www.hutech.com page 22

AstroPhoto Insight Magazine www.skyinsight.net page 61 Astro Physics www.astro-physics.com page 9, 31 AstroShorts www.astroshorts.com page 61

Optical Wave Laboratories www.opticwavelabs.com page 20 Ostahowski Optics www.ostahowskioptics.com page 33

Glatter Collimation www.collimator.com page 41

Peterson Engineering www.petersonengineering.com page 52

Great Red Spot Astronomy www.greatredspot.com page 32

Pier-Tech www.pier-tech.com page 15, 43, 53

Green Bank Star Quest V www.greenbankstarquest.org page 54

ProtoStar www.fpi-protostar.com page 49 Quantum Scientific Imaging www.qsimaging.com page 57

AstroSystems www.astrosystems.biz page 17

HyperTune http://lxd55.com/hypertune page 30

ATS Piers www.AdvancedTelescope.com page 33

Jack’s Astro Accessories www.waningmoonii.com page 37, 49

Backyard Observatories ww.backyardobservatories.com page 24

JMI Telescopes www.jmitelescopes.com page 13

Sattleggers Alpenhof International Star-Party in Austria www.embergeralm.at/stella Page 48

Blue Planet Optics www.blueplanetoptics.com page 72

Khan Scope Centre www.khanscope.com page 31

ScopeBuggy www.scopebuggy.com page 16

Rigel Systems www.rigelsys.com page 20

Starlight Instruments www.starlightinstruments.com page 12 Stellar Technologies International www.stellar-international.com page 56 Stellarvue www.stellarvue.com page 41 Surplus Shed www.surplusshed.com page 10 Tele Vue Optics www.televue.com page 70 Thousand Oaks Optical www.thousandoaksoptical.com page 49 Vixen Optics www.vixenoptics.com page 50 William Optics www.williamoptics.com page 3 Woodland Hills Telescopes www.whtelescopes.com page 14

TO ADVERTISE CONTACT advertise@astronomytechnologytoday.com

NEWPRODUCTS

PIER-TECH Observatory Control Software and Hardware 3.0 Advanced

Pier-Tech has introduced its new observatory software and hardware package, the Observatory Control Software and Hardware 3.0 Advanced.

The package is a rugged design that features industrial grade components found in the automation machinery industry. The system utilizes Honeywell switches, incorporating three limit switches: one for the roof open position; a second for the roof close position; and

the third for the pier down position.

There is also a switch for the scope or mount parked position.

One integral feature is the ability to control Pier-Tech height adjustable telescope piers either remotely or in the observatory itself. The system allows the controller to raise or lower the pier as part of the observing session automation routine. If a height adjustable pier is not present, a simple jumper wire can be put into the terminal block to bypass the pier function.

The controller has stored configuration settings and a microprocessor that can automatically open (or close) the observatory at a specific time or signal, either from a Boltwood cloud sensor, or from a scheduling software package, thus enabling unattended-automated control of a roll off roof observatory without the need of a computer. The cloud sensor

ScopeBuggy MAKING VIEWING EASIER! • • • • • • • • •

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Anodized gold wheels Shipping w PS ground One person can move any size scope shipped U quickly and easily • Ideal for the new Meade RCX Series • Ideal for the Meade LightBridge Series Patent Pending • Ideal for scopes up to 36”

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Astronomy TECHNOLOGY TODAY

can execute an automated routine consisting of pier down, close roof or open roof, pier up, all with feedback from the position limit switches on the roof and pier. This routine can also be activated from popular observatory control packages such as CCDAutoPilot and ACP. Hardware for the system includes a controller mounted to din rail with power supply, two wobble stick limit switches wired with 15' cable to controller din rail terminal block, one plunger limit switch wired with 5' cable to controller din rail terminal block, a PC cable, and a pier control cable (can be replaced with a jumper if not controlling the pier).

For more information go to www.pier-tech.com FEATURES • Microprocessor-based control board.

• Stored configuration and logic control for unattended operation of the observatory.

• Positional feedback switches for confirmation of pier and roof locations.

• Telescope/Mount parked position input included.

• Manual push-button controls. Pier Up/Down, Roof Open/Close • USB connectivity.

• Real-time indicators of feedback devices. Pier lowered, roof open.

• Observatory scheduler, program a time when to open and when to close the observatory roof.

• Developed using Microsoft .NET Framework®.

• Boltwood Cloud sensor configuration.

• Parameters available for reaction to the cloud sensor input.

• Ethernet connectivity.

• ASCOM compatibility.

• Optional Wi-Fi controller connectivity.

• Optional cellular tower connectivity.

NEWPRODUCTS

SMART ASTRONOMY Introduces the Clear-View Portable Observatory Tent Smart Astronomy’s new Clear-View Portable Observing Tent is the perfect companion for overnight trips to dark sites.

It keeps unwanted light from destroying night vision, blocks vibration causing wind, and prevents dew formation on optics – perfect for astrophotography and visual observation.

The specialized tent is constructed of high-density, waterproof fabric featuring a simple structure that is compact and light weight with an octagon bottom and round top. Four flexible poles support the tent obliquely and one flexible pole bends to form a circle that forms the observing space.

The observing tent features a removable awning of 2.2-meter (7.2-foot) diameter with rain-proof function. The octagonal bottom has a diameter of 3 meters (9.8 feet), that of the upper circle is 2 meters (6.6 feet), and the height of the tent is 1.5

STELLAR TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL Canon EOS Framing T-2 Adapter Stellar Technologies International’s new T-2 adapter is designed specifically for Canon EOS cameras and is a real time saver, adding easy framing flexibility not found in a regular t-ring.

By simply loosening the locking screw, the entire camera can be easily rotated and repositioned to facilitate framing the image is exactly as you want it. Like a normal Tring, it may be mounted to any standard Tthreaded accessory such as a T-adapter, 2inch nosepiece, 1.25-inch nosepiece, OAG, etc. An exclusive hand-tuned ball-bearing mount guarantees minimal loss in axial positioning of the image throughout the full 360 degree rotation. The Framing T-2 Adapter holds up to 20 pounds and is priced at just $39.

For more information, please visit www.stellar-international.com.

meters (4.9 feet). The net weight of the observing tent is 4.25 kilograms (9.4 pounds).

The observing tent is rated to resist 4-5 grade winds without guy rope or a 6-7 grade wind with appropriate guying.

Assembly can be completed in less than 10 minutes by one person or within five minutes by two. It offers ample sleep space for six and more than enough room to accommodate two observers.

The Clear-View Portable Observatory Tent includes the main tent, four flexible support poles, one round, flexible upper support pole, an awning, eight ground stakes, four guy ropes, an inner packing bag and a durable carry bag – all for just $224.95.

For more photos and information, please visit www.smartastronomy.com.

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Astronomy TECHNOLOGY TODAY

17

NEWPRODUCTS

FAR LABORATORIES

BURGESS OPTICAL

Presents the Helio Pod II Solar Finder

Announces New TMB/Burgess Stellar Series Eyepieces

FAR Labs original Helio Pod I provided solar viewers an effective, inexpensive solution to centering the sun in a solar telescope. Its new Helio Pod II offers even greater accuracy and functionality in the same simple, easy to

mount, and inexpensive format.

To install the Helio Pod II, simply squeeze the cable lock to loosen the elastic cord that attaches the device, slide the cord over the telescope with the disk without the cross hair toward the sun, squeeze the lock and pull to tighten the elastic cord, and that’s it.

Using the Helio Pod II is just as simple and straight forward.

The hole in the first disk casts a bright spot on the second disk.

Adjust this spot until it is centered in the cross hairs and you’re scope is aligned to the sun.

The price of the Helio Pod II is only $12.95 – a bargain for a competent solar finder. For more information, please visit www.farlaboratories.com.

Bill Burgess of Burgess Optical has introduced the new TMB/Burgess Stellar Series Eyepieces featuring 6 elements in 4 groups to provide an apparent field of view in excess of 60 degrees.

The eyepieces also feature an improved nosepiece safety undercut design that secures the eyepiece safely whether under set-screw or compression ring without causing the eyepiece to hang up under the compression rings as often happens with typical safety recess designs.

The series is planned to cover focal lengths from 10 mm to 20 mm in increments of 2.5 mm. The series has been introduced with a 20-mm version.

Information on the new TMB/Burgess Stellar Series Eyepieces will be added to the Burgess Optical website, www.burgessoptical.com in the near future.

18

Astronomy TECHNOLOGY TODAY

NEWPRODUCTS

ORION TELESCOPES & BINOCULARS

DISCMOUNTS

Offers New StarShoot AutoGuider

Announces Tripod Extension for use with DiscMounts

Orion Telescopes & Binoculars has introduced an affordable autoguiding option with its new StarShoot AutoGuider.

The autoguider uses a 1/2-inch format, 1.3 megapixel CMOS monochrome sensor with 5.2- by 5.2-micron pixels and is remarkably compact with a housing dimension of just 2.5 inches by 2.35 inches. It is also very lightweight at just 4.4 ounces. The included software features automatic calibration and single click guiding. All power is provided by the user’s computer through a USB2.0 connection and the camera body features an ST4 compatible autoguide output jack.

20

Astronomy TECHNOLOGY TODAY

The StarShoot AutoGuider is equipped with a 1.25-inch nosepiece that can be removed to reveal standard Tthreads. This autoguiding unit is delivered complete with software and cables for just $249, plus shipping.

For more information, please visit Orion Telescopes & Binoculars at www.telescope.com.

Tom Peters’ new DiscMounts tripod extension will add 8 inches to the DiscMounts tripods and is completely compatible with all past DiscMounts tripods.

The Tripod Extension is available in diameters of 4 inches and 6 inches to perfectly match the popular DM-4 and DM-6 DiscMounts. The base of the extension has the same dimensions as the top of the DiscMounts Ash Wood Tripod and the top has the same dimensions as the bottom of the DM-4 or DM-6 mounts.

The DiscMounts Tripod Adapters will attach to the DM-6 extension, allowing 8 inches to be added to the height of compatible tripods such as Astro-Physics tripods and piers using the AP #ADATRI mounting ring as well as the Losmandy G11, without sacrificing rigidity. The new Tripod Extension is easy to install and remove for storage.

The DM-6 8-inch Tripod Extension is priced at $225 and the DM-4 8-inch Tripod Extension is priced at $200.

For more information, please visit www.discmounts.com.

NEWPRODUCTS

ASTRO GIZMOS

ASTRO-PHYSICS

Offers Two New Optional Accessories

Two New Adapters Are Available For Losmandy Tripods and Mounts

Astro Gizmos has announced two new optional accessories for AstroGazer owners to make the portable observatory even more enjoyable.

Two table options are now available: a “high table” that mounts approximately 42 inches above ground and a “low table” that has a height of approximately 30 inches. Both measure 14 inches by 48 inches and are curved to fit the radius of the dome and are load tested to 50 pounds. Both tables are available for $150.

Another new option is a lower shutter that is priced at $100. The primary purpose of the lower shutter option is to shield the user from direct or indirect ground lighting. It also provides additional protection from wind and chill. When used in combination with the main shutter, the dome opening can be made as small as the user needs.

The AstroGazer is a 10-foot diameter, 8.5-foot height portable observatory featuring a sturdy, no-tools assembly frame and can be set up in less than 30 minutes. Its 13-ounce, blackout white Vinyl exterior sports heat sealed seams to insure waterproof protection and the 360-degree dome rotation permits horizon to horizon viewing. The basic AstroGazer is currently offer at a sale price of $1,475.

For more information please visit www.astrogizmos.com.

Astro-Physics has added two new mount/tripod adapters that allow AstroPhysics mount or tripod owners even more options for mixing Astro-Physics and Losmandy mounting products.

The LT2APM adapter (shown in photo) allows the Astro-Physics 400, 600, Mach1GTO, or 900 mounts to be used on the popular Losmandy HD series tripods as well as on the Losmandy MA Meade Field Tripod adapter. The LT2APM adapter is priced at $110.

Also available is the LM2APT adapter that permits owners of the Losmandy G11 mount to use Astro-Physics tripods, 6-inch portable piers, or the 6-inch Eagle Adjustable Folding Pier. The LM2APT is priced at $80.

To complete the picture, Astro-Physics also offers the LTKS Losmandy Knob Set for $38. This set of three machined aluminum knobs with stainless steel 3/8-16 threaded stud provides tools-free attachment using the LM2APM and LM2APT adapters.

For more information, please visit www.astro-physics.com.

Astronomy TECHNOLOGY TODAY

23

NEWPRODUCTS

BLUE PLANET OPTICS Introduces the Unique 2.3x40 Constellation View Wide-Bino Want the widest possible field of view when sweeping the Milky Way under dark skies? Then consider Blue Planet Optics’ new and truly unique 2.3x40 binoculars.

The Constellation View Wide-Bino weighs just 10.4 ounces and features eye-relief of 7 mm and a field of view at 1,000 yards of a very wide 1,370 feet. That’ll grab some sky!

You'll notice from the accompanying photo that there is no room in the assembly for either roof or porro prisms. Because the twin optical systems operate in Galilean versus Keplerian mode, none are needed, which results in the very compact, lightweight assembly. The Galilean system does not invert the image, so prisms are not nec-

essary to create an erect image.

Obviously, the low magnification factor of 2.3 versus the 40-mm aperture of the objective lenses results in a large exit pupil of 17 mm, reducing the effective aperture of the system by an extent that depends upon the user’s eye pupil dilation.

However, the large exit pupil results in ease of eye placement and the small magnification factor eases hand-held use of the binoculars.

We’ve heard the experience of using these binoculars described as more “binovision” than the typical binocular experience.

For more information or to order, please visit www.blueplanetoptics.com.

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TECHNOLOGY TODAY

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D O B S E R VAT O R Y

Our newest offering, the Dobservatory is specifically designed for the low pivot point of DOBs allowing you to view near the horizon. The Dobservatory is available in sizes from 7'6" x 7'6" to 15'6" x 15'6".

The Home Model is the perfect design of form, function and, of course, pricing with every feature you’ll need for the ultimate in observing! The Home Model is available in sizes from 7'6" x 7'6" to 15'6" x 15'6".

HOME MODEL

From Maine to California, Montana to Texas, BYO builds the highest quality roll-off roof observatories on the market today. We are now beginning our 6th year of providing turn key observatory solutions throughout the U.S. and have gained experience second to none.

Why Backyard Observatories?

WILLIAM OPTICS Introduces a 72-mm Doublet Apo to its Megrez Family

William Optics has quickly positioned itself as an industry leader by providing high-quality Apo refractors and related accessories at affordable prices.

WO continues that tradition by announcing a new member of the Megrez family of high-quality Apos: a 72-mm doublet.

The new Megrez 72 will feature a focal length of 432 mm, yielding a fast f/6 focal ratio. The air-spaced doublet objective is fully multi-coated using WO’s state of the art SMC coatings.

The new scope also features a 2-inch Crayford style focuser with a 1:10 dual speed micro-focuser and will offer 3.2 inches (81 mm) of focus tube travel in a

More options, Most roll-off roof experience, 25 years construction experience, Turn-key installation, Ever customizable designs, Highest quality residential specs (not shed type construction), Heavy duty industrial capacity roller system design, Exclusive m1 OASYS roof automation, Standard and Heavy Duty roof motor designs, Big Bear Piers, Warm/Control room options, Plans available created by an experienced builder/astronomer with DIYers in mind, Our observatories have been chosen 10 to 1 over other commercially built observatories at Deerlick Astronomy Village.

360-degree rotatable design. The focuser will also feature a brass compression ring, as will the included 1.25-inch adapter.

The overall length of the Megrez 72 is 11.8 inches (300 mm) with the lens shade fully retracted and 14.2 inches (360 mm) with the lens shade fully extended.

The tube assembly weighs 4.8 pounds (2.2 kilograms) and is available with a custom backpack that weighs 4 pounds (1.8 kilograms) and measures 12.5 inches by 17.5 inches by 6.2 inches (31.8 cm x 44.5 cm x 16 cm).

For more information on the new Megrez 72, please visit their Website at www.williamoptics.com.

CLUB MODEL

Our Club Model is quite probably the largest home observatory available and more bang for the buck than anything else out there! The Club Model is available in sizes from 16' x 20' to a whopping 24' x 32'!

WWW.BACKYARDOBSERVATORIES.COM • 330-667-3214 WWW.M1OASYS.COM

BYO EXCLUSIVE

m1 OASYS A Backyard Observatories Exclusive! The m1 OASYS system is the ultimate Roll-OffRoof Observatory Automation/Security System. This very flexible and robust system is a must-have tool for anyone wishing to secure, monitor, and remotely control their telescope observatory and best of all, you can install it yourself! Go to www.m1oasys.com for more info.

We are happy to build your Custom Design, just let us know what you want and we’ll build it! The sky is the limit!

CUSTOM DESIGNS

BACKYARD OBSERVATORIES

NEWPRODUCTS

ATIK INSTRUMENTS Introduces Two New Products – ATK-16IC-S Monochrome CCD and ATK-EFW Filter Wheel Atik’s new ATK-16IC-S Monochrome CCD Camera, the bigger bother of the 16IC, builds on that successful platform and features the Sony ICX415AL progressive scan sensor.

The camera offers increased pixels, square pixels, lower noise, and because it uses a progressive scan sensor, it is free from the “Venetian blind effect,” a product of interlaced sensors a phenomenon that is especially troublesome in short exposure imaging that many beginners are relegated to due to mount or guiding limitations.

The Sony sensor boasts a pixel size that accommodates a wide range of telescope focal lengths making for a very versatile camera. It also features one of the lowest readout noise figures in the business and is much less prone to an increase of hot pixels. Because it is equipped with a highefficiency thermoelectric cooling system it is capable of long exposure imaging as well.

Capturing the faintest wisps of nebulae through even narrowband filters is within its grasp. And, because it is capable of long-exposure imaging, it includes an autoguiding port (ST4 compatible).

The ATK-16IC-S features a 16 bit analog to digital converter, high-quality, hightransmission BK7 optical window and an ultra-low vibration magnetic levitating fan.

Power consumption is just 550mA at 12vdc. The introductory price of $895 includes the camera body with 1.25-inch adapter, 3-meter USB cable, 1.8-meter battery power connector (car lighter plug), CD-ROM with drivers, software and user manual (PDF) and print QuickStart guide.

Atik is also introducing a new electric filter wheel that holds five 1.25-inch format filters in its motorized rotation wheel. It requires no more back-focus than its manual counterpart (just 19.5 mm). Critical features include a closed design that eliminates light leaks, a central support design to prevent bending of the wheel walls under heavy camera loads, magnetic sensors for precise

positioning of filters, and a hand control rently under development). that permits switching of filters without For more information go to www.atiktouching and causing vibrations in the teleinstruments.com scope/mount assembly.

The ATK-EFW is ATK-16IC-S - TECHNICAL INFORMATION scheduled for an introductory price of $350 and includes a 1.25-inch adapter, Tthread camera adapter and locking ring. The ATK-EFW is upgradeable to a USB computer interface enabling computer control of the wheel with either a stand alone interface, or through ASCOM (this upgrade option is cur-

Sensor Type Horizontal Resolution Vertical Resolution Pixel Size ADC Readout Noise Interface Power Maximum Exposure Length Minimum Exposure Length Guide Port Cooling Weight

CCD - Sony ICX-415AL 782 pixels 582 pixels 8.3 uM x 8.3 uM 16 bit 5.5 eUSB 12v DC 0.55A Unlimited 1/1000 s ST-4 compatible Thermoelectric with ΔT = -20°C Approximately 350 grams

Astronomy TECHNOLOGY TODAY

27

The Supporting

CAST

The Companies And Organizations That Have Made Our Magazine Possible!

We wish to thank our advertisers without whom this magazine would not be possible. 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.

20/20 Telescopes and Binoculars www.2020telescopes.com page 21

Bobs Knobs www.bobsknobs.com page 58

Lunt Solar Systems www.luntsolarsystems.com page 64

ScopeGuard www.scopeguard.com page 34

Adirondack Astronomy www.astrovid.com page 62

Catseye Collimation www.catseyecollimation.com page 66

Meade Instruments www.meade.com page 4, 69

ScopeStuff www.scopestuff.com page 33

NEAF www.rocklandastronomy.com/neaf page 40

Shrouds By Heather www.teeterstelescopes.com/shrouds page 23

Oceanside Photo and Telescope www.optcorp.com page 46

SkyShed Observatories www.skyshed.com page 35

Optec www.optecinc.com page 23

Starizona www.starizona.com page 18

Optical Mechanics www.opticalmechanics.com page 24

Stark Labs www.stark-labs.com page 60

Alpine Astronimical www.alpineastro.com page 42

Celestron www.celestron.com page 2, 28, 71

Amateur Astronomy Magazine www.amateurastronomy.com page 61 APM Telescopes www.apm-telescopes.de page 26

DayStar Filters www.daystarfilters.com page 19 Denkmeier www.denkmeier.com page 27

Astro Domes www.astrodomes.com page 60

Durango Skies www.durangoskies.com page 56

Astro Gizmos www.astrogizmos.com page 63

Farpoint Astronomical Research www.farpointastro.com page 11

Astro Hutech www.hutech.com page 22

AstroPhoto Insight Magazine www.skyinsight.net page 61 Astro Physics www.astro-physics.com page 9, 31 AstroShorts www.astroshorts.com page 61

Optical Wave Laboratories www.opticwavelabs.com page 20 Ostahowski Optics www.ostahowskioptics.com page 33

Glatter Collimation www.collimator.com page 41

Peterson Engineering www.petersonengineering.com page 52

Great Red Spot Astronomy www.greatredspot.com page 32

Pier-Tech www.pier-tech.com page 15, 43, 53

Green Bank Star Quest V www.greenbankstarquest.org page 54

ProtoStar www.fpi-protostar.com page 49 Quantum Scientific Imaging www.qsimaging.com page 57

AstroSystems www.astrosystems.biz page 17

HyperTune http://lxd55.com/hypertune page 30

ATS Piers www.AdvancedTelescope.com page 33

Jack’s Astro Accessories www.waningmoonii.com page 37, 49

Backyard Observatories ww.backyardobservatories.com page 24

JMI Telescopes www.jmitelescopes.com page 13

Sattleggers Alpenhof International Star-Party in Austria www.embergeralm.at/stella Page 48

Blue Planet Optics www.blueplanetoptics.com page 72

Khan Scope Centre www.khanscope.com page 31

ScopeBuggy www.scopebuggy.com page 16

Rigel Systems www.rigelsys.com page 20

Starlight Instruments www.starlightinstruments.com page 12 Stellar Technologies International www.stellar-international.com page 56 Stellarvue www.stellarvue.com page 41 Surplus Shed www.surplusshed.com page 10 Tele Vue Optics www.televue.com page 70 Thousand Oaks Optical www.thousandoaksoptical.com page 49 Vixen Optics www.vixenoptics.com page 50 William Optics www.williamoptics.com page 3 Woodland Hills Telescopes www.whtelescopes.com page 14

TO ADVERTISE CONTACT advertise@astronomytechnologytoday.com

The Kronk Observatory

By Gary W. Kronk

My interest in astronomy began about 40 years ago and, since 1973, my major focus has been comets. Starting with a 60-mm Jason Empire refractor in 1968, the next few years found me purchasing larger telescopes for visual observing. This culminated with a 13.1-inch Coulter Dobsonian in 1985, which I moved around on a two-wheeled cart for the next decade.

By the late 1990s, I was starting to become more interested in imaging. I started with an 80-mm refractor and then worked my way up to an 8-inch Meade LX200 UHC. Since obtaining the Meade, I began taking some of the best images of my life. Unfortunately, I was now spending a lot of time in the set up and take down of equipment. I was no longer taking a telescope out to simply observe – I was now taking a telescope out, aligning

for tracking purposes, setting up a computer, and attaching and focusing the camera. At the beginning of March 2006, I ran into a bit of a roadblock, as I strained my back very early one morning while carrying the LX200 from my garage to my backyard.

The Need for an Observatory During my doctor-ordered month off from carrying anything heavy, I began considering my options. First and foremost, I needed a pier. The simplest idea would be a pier and a concrete pad, but I would still be left with carrying the forkmounted telescope. My strained back prompted me to look for another solution. I began researching whether to build an observatory with a dome or a roll-off roof.

Since I have had the good fortune to have observed at professional observatories, a dome was certainly at the top of my list. I will never forget the experience of opening and rotating the 90-foot diameter metal dome at Yerkes Observatory back in the 1990s. On the other hand, I would probably only be able to afford a six- or eight-foot dome, so the Yerkes experience would not be duplicated! Also, my time in observatories has shown me that a view of the sky through a slit in the dome allows clouds to sneak up on you.

Finally, I belong to the River Bend Astronomy Club in Illinois and a dome in my price range would not allow very many people in at any one time.

I decided a roll-off roof observatory would be more practical. It would offer a view of sky only slightly restricted from that of just standing in my yard. It would

Astronomy TECHNOLOGY TODAY

29

THE KRONK OBSERVATORY Diane and Scott Horstman offer this construction overview as a guide for do-it-yourselfers and to outline what you should expect if you decide to have Backyard Observatories come to your site and install a roll-off roof observatory.

No special site preparation is needed prior to BYO installing your observatory unless you choose to have the building installed on a concrete slab. Slabs need to be installed by you or a local contractor at least a week before BYO’s arrival.

Lay out the post holes in the designated area and drill them out. Specs for the foundation holes vary zone to zone but generally you want to be down to solid ground and below the local frost line. If soil is soft it is a good idea to tamp or otherwise compact the soil for a good solid base. Be sure to always check local codes for any facet of construction you may be unsure about.

Build the box rim and square the frame. BYO always uses a transit to “shoot the heights” on the corners to ensure the building will be level. If all you have at your disposal is a 4-foot level, that’s fine, but check and recheck.

(Continued on Page 32)

30 Astronomy TECHNOLOGY TODAY

Scott Horstman and his team put up walls on the first day of construction.

also allow several people inside at the same time. Another important factor would be that I could buy a rather large roll-off roof observatory for about the price of a small dome.

I made the comment earlier about “building” the observatory. Now I love to swing a hammer and use power tools, BUT I am not particularly good at using them, so my next Google search was for people who might build a roll-off roof observatory for me. I quickly found Scott Horstman’s Backyard Observatories. After several e-mails between Scott and his wife, Diane, I was sold. I decided on the CJE2, which measured 11’6” x 15’6” and included a warm room.

Scott’s team arrived on the evening of September 14, 2006. They began con-

struction early the next morning and worked all day on September 15 and 16.

The observatory was completed around mid-day on September 17. The majority of the observatory was built under sunny skies, but rain came as the roll-off roof was undergoing its final adjustments.

Waiting for “First Light” The rain and clouds stayed around through the remainder of September, during which time I set up the computer system in the warm room and drilled holes to run cables between the two rooms. A couple of times, when the sky looked sort of promising, I went out and just sat in the observatory looking at the weather radar on the computer. Unfortunately nothing panned out.

THE KRONK OBSERVATORY My first actual use of the observatory came on October 1, but conditions were not the best. I imaged the sun late in the day and then Jupiter during early evening before clouds stopped the session. The next three nights were cloudy and/or rainy. Although October 5 was not much better, I discovered one major benefit of an observatory and permanently mounted telescope: I can take advantage of momentary clearings. It basically took me 10 minutes to get the computer and telescope powered up and to roll the roof back. I was able to obtain two images of M57 before clouds ended the session. Skies finally cooperated on October 6, 7, and 8, as I managed to image several comets and deep sky objects each night and put in a total of seven hours.

What I Like About This Observatory I live in a small subdivision on the outskirts of a very small town of about 800 people in rural Illinois. The six street-

lights in the subdivision are sodium vapor with shields that keep the light pointing downwards and they are also blocked by other houses.

My only light problem in the past was when someone would turn on an outside light on the back of their home, but the observatory has eliminated this obstacle.

So, if I want to visually observe, this observatory allows my eyes to dark adapt with no interruption.

I certainly like the roominess. The first time the River Bend Astronomy Club saw the observatory, there were 10–12 people standing around the pier in the telescope room. We were all enjoying the expanse of sky above us and even spotted a couple of meteors.

I really like the warm room. Although the walls of the telescope room are not insulated, to keep the telescope as close to the outside temperature as possible, the warm room is insulated. A small space heater warms the room up very quickly.

Since I hate turning on the computer

Astronomy TECHNOLOGY TODAY

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THE KRONK OBSERVATORY

Recheck for square before pouring the concrete in the post holes.

The pier hole goes in. We use a 12-inch auger that yields about a 14-inch hole. We fan the bottom of the 36-inch minimum depth hole to about 20 inches for a nice wide base. We always pour the pier after the observatory is built in case of any adverse weather. The hole is poured solid with concrete and the distance from ground level to the desired height is formed with Sonotube or a wooden form, depending on the pier to be installed.

when it is especially cold outside, I bought a wireless weather station and wireless remote control power outlet. If the skies look good, I can check the warm room temperature from within my house and then switch on the space heater without running out to the observatory! This might seem a little excessive, but it does save time. The warm room is large enough for five or six people to see the computer monitor.

A rather unexpected bonus is the sound of the motorized roll-off roof opening and closing. The low-pitched humming of the motor and the sound of the 1200-pound roof slowly rolling along its track seems to bring about a sense of awe in people, especially children, that closely resembles what I felt at Yerkes Observatory.

I love giving talks to schools and scouting groups on astronomy. It is a lot of fun seeing the looks on the faces of children when the roof begins moving!

Imaging Equipment The 8-inch Meade LX200 is at the core of the observatory. I thought about going larger, but the cameras I use are digital, which indicates the field of view is reduced from what you can see visually.

After doing various calculations, I decided to stay with the 8-inch. I did purchase an f/3.3 focal reducer so that I could jump to a wider field of view if necessary. The cameras I currently use are a MallinCam Hyper Black and White video camera and a Canon Digital Rebel XTi. The MallinCam is certainly the heart of the observatory. The sensitive Sony CCD chip enables the camera to give live views showing stars down to magnitude 17–18, while processed images can go to magnitude 19. The camera was created by Rock Mallin of Quebec, Canada, and provides the lowest noise I have ever seen on a video system. In addition to several sensitivity settings, the camera also boasts 7and 15-second integration modes, which is when the faintest objects are captured.

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Starting at The deck framing is treated 2-inch by 8-inch lumber and solid blocking is put in between the joists in such a way as to be centered on the seams of the treated plywood decking.

We use the new “LedgerLok” hardened steel fasteners in lieu of lags or carriage bolts. These are IBC/IRC approved for use in treated lumber and will not deteriorate like zinc or other treated fasteners.

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32 Astronomy TECHNOLOGY TODAY

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This image was obtained using the MallinCam Hyper Black and White video camera. It is the result of five one-minute AVI movies that were each run through Registax. The five resulting images were then merged in PhotoShop.

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This image was obtained on 2006 October 25.02. I used the MallinCam Hyper Black and White video camera. Five 30-second AVI movies were each stacked using Registax and the five resulting images were then stacked and averaged using Astrometrica.

The majority of the images obtained in the last year have been obtained using this camera.

When I have visitors at the observatory we usually sit back and enjoy the live views. I almost always use this camera in conjunction with an f/3.3 focal reducer to provide a view about 35 arc

minutes across.

The Canon can be used several ways.

A number of images have been shot through the Meade, but I frequently mount it atop that telescope and use a variety of lenses to obtain guided exposures.

My favorite lenses have focal lengths of 100mm and 300mm.

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THE KRONK OBSERVATORY

Sturdy 3/4-inch treated plywood goes in for the flooring. Note the location of the solid blocking.

On smaller observatories, we often pre-fabricate the walls and install the siding in the shop. This saves on time and clean up in the field. On larger observatories, we build the walls on site, although we do as much preparatory work in the shop as possible. We use standard 16 inch on center 2-inch by 4-inch framing and 1/2-inch OSB sheathing. This is typical residential home construction standard. Your roll-off will be nothing less than a small house.

The walls are up.

C/2006 P1 (McNaught) 2007 January 6.95 - 20-cm Meade SCT GPS, f/3.3 focal reducer, and MallinCam Hyper Black and White Camera. Two 10-second AVI movies were shot with sensitivity turned off and were processed using Registax.

Observations During the last year, I have logged 95 separate observing sessions in my observatory, the shortest running 10 minutes and the longest running seven hours. I have accumulated 1,442 images. The concept of “set up and take down� has obviously become virtually nonexistent and the year 2007 became my most productive year since I began keeping records in 1970. In addition, I observed 30 different comets! I also observed all of the planets, dozens of minor planets, all

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Building the roller system. BYO uses high quality industrial, 800-pound capacity, V-groove rollers that ride on 1 1/2-inch angle iron. The roof has an active tie down system when not in use. A passive tie down system is available for use if automating.

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34 Astronomy TECHNOLOGY TODAY

of the Messier objects, and hundreds of deep sky objects in the NGC, IC, and UGC catalogs.

The first comet imaged at the new observatory was C/2006 T1 (Levy). The comet had been discovered by David Levy on October 2 and the news was first published on October 3. Of course, the first cloud-free skies I experienced with the observatory were on October 6 and that is when I obtained five separate images using the MallinCam. I did not have to wait long for the

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THE KRONK OBSERVATORY first interesting comet to make an appearance. Comet C/2006 M4 (SWAN) was announced shortly before mid-July, but had been moving through the skies of the Southern Hemisphere. During the latter half of September the comet became visible to Northern Hemisphere observers.

Although clouds initially kept the comet out of view, its low altitude made it a difficult object during early October.

I finally imaged it on October 13 and I followed it for over two months. The comet was a fairly nice one, showing a fanned tail, but became quite notable after it experienced a small brightness increase on the night of October 23/24. My images during the next week revealed tail structure that changed from night to night.

I imaged comet C/2006 P1 (McNaught) during the first half of November, before it dropped into evening twilight. My next observation came on 2007 January 6, when I imaged it and the star Altair, in two separate images, just as

This image was obtained on 2007 January 10.98 in rather bright twilight. I mounted the Canon Digital Rebel XTi, with a 300-mm telephoto lens, piggyback on the Meade. I then shot 13 half-second exposures and stacked them in Registax. Because the comet was in haze over the western horizon, I split the image into separate black and white R, B, and G images. This is the R image, which showed the comet best.

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THE KRONK OBSERVATORY

Roof framing.

Papered in.

This image was obtained on 2007 October 25.05. I used the MallinCam Hyper Black and White video camera. A 3-minute long AVI movie was stacked using Registax.

Roof support system. We frame the roof support system with sturdy 4-inch by 6-inch lumber. On the larger “Club Models” 6-inch by 6-inch framing is used.

This image was obtained on 2007 November 7.02, using the Canon Digital Rebel XTi at the prime focus of the LX200. This is a 30-second exposure using ISO 1600.

The steel roofing goes on. We use high quality “Fabral” brand steel for the roof. We prefer to use white as the standard for the high reflectivity, but a variety of colors are available. We don’t recommend shingles because of weight and heat retention, but that option is available if required by homeowner associations.

(Continued on Page 38)

36 Astronomy TECHNOLOGY TODAY

the sun was setting.

Of course, this comet became very spectacular during the next few days. My last image was obtained using the Canon XTi on 2007 January 10.

Many more comets were imaged during 2007, but the highlight was obviously the sudden appearance of periodic comet 17P/Holmes. On 2007 October 24, the comet was announced as undergoing a

THE KRONK OBSERVATORY tremendous outburst in brightness. By the time it reached its peak it had gone from 16th-magnitude to magnitude 2.5 in less than 24 hours!

I followed this comet through the end of the year as the coma continued to expand. My last photo using the Canon was obtained on November 7. When the next clear night came three days later, the comet was too large to fit in the field of view.

By November 18, the coma was beginning to spread across the star Alpha Persei. I decided to use the MallinCam to obtain a series of 30-second exposures and construct a montage of the scene.

Although the primary goal of my observatory is to image comets, I have been imaging a lot of deep sky objects. Many were found in the images I had obtained of comets, but I have also spent a few nights doing nothing but imaging galaxies, nebulae, and star clusters. I have had a couple of sessions where I imaged more than 50 different deep sky objects.

This image is a montage of ten images obtained during the period of 2007 November 18.03-18.04, using the MallinCam Hyper Black and White. Each image began as a 30-second AVI movie that was subsequently stacked in Registax. The images were then put together using the Photomerge feature in PhotoShop CS3.

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THE KRONK OBSERVATORY

Finishing the roof trim.

Installing siding. We use vinyl siding as the standard.

However, any type of siding may be used to fit the area such as cedar lap or “SmartSide” to name a couple.

This image was obtained on 2007 April 5.10, using the MallinCam Hyper Black and White. A 50second AVI was stacked in Registax. The galaxy M66 is to the left, while M65 is to the right.

A warm room is a nice option. Shown here is the standard wiring package and the “SmartSide” is seen installed already on the back wall.

This image was obtained on 2006 December 9.02. It is one of the few images I have obtained with the MallinCam Hyper Black and White without the f/3.3 focal reducer. I also used the camera's 7second integration feature. This is the result of a 50-second AVI stacked using Registax.

Finished product.

38 Astronomy TECHNOLOGY TODAY

The Future of Kronk Observatory Although I hope to one day add a CCD camera to the observatory, I am certainly having a lot of fun with what I have right now. I did purchase Astrometrica about a year ago, and have used it extensively to stack images by precisely align-

ing them on the comet that was photographed. The next step I would like to take is to begin regularly using Astrometrica to measure positions of comets and minor plants, which would lead to the observatory receiving an official designation from the Minor Planet Center.

Telescope Making – 101!

Actually, it’s AST2933 Optics and Telescope Making, a Unique Astronomy Course at Florida Community College

By Mike Reynolds

Why would anyone take the time to build their own telescope? This is a question I often hear, and I bet I am not the only one involved in astronomy in one way or the other who has been asked this question in the past. Today, a range of telescopes, from decent quality Dobsonians to simply superb Apochromat Refractors and elaborate Compound and Catadioptric telescopes, are available at attractive to high yet acceptable prices. And as we well know, that is just the tip of the commercial telescope iceberg! So why would one spend the time and effort not only building his or her own telescope, but go through the effort of grinding, polishing and correcting the mirror for that telescope? It seems that you can buy a telescope for nearly the same price, and much less effort and hassle…

Amateur astronomers were not always blessed with the availability and variety of telescopes and accessories we have today.

When one examines the history of amateur astronomy, telescope making was not just for fun, it often was a necessity. Yes, commercial telescopes were available, and some very fine telescopes, too – the question

often became could I afford that telescope?

So many a budding as well as experienced amateur astronomer – and a few professionals, too (look at the history of George W. Ritchey and his “partnership” with George Ellery Hale and their telescopes) – built their own telescopes. And literally, they were building their own telescopes from scratch. If you have ever picked up a copy of the classic volume Amateur Telescope Making by Albert Ingalls, you are reading a collection of a number of articles that appeared in Scientific American in the 20th century. No, not the 1960s, but on the heels of telescope making pioneers like Russell Porter. Porter wrote articles for Popular Astronomy and Scientific American on his telescope designs as well as making of the telescope itself. In 1920 Porter started the Springfield Telescope Makers in Springfield, Vermont, to teach telescope making.

Participants were taught how to grind and polish their own mirrors, as well as eyepiece, mount, and optical tube assembly requirements. Often salvaged parts were used in telescope construction, which became standard for the era. Porter, after being rec-

ommended to George Ellery Hale by Albert Ingalls of Scientific American fame, was invited to join the group of astronomers and engineers to design and build the 200inch behemoth on California’s Palomar Mountain.

A Personal Start In the 1960’s when I “grew” up in astronomy, telescope making workshops still abounded across the United States and many other countries. Yes, telescopes like those beautiful Unitron refractors called to me from the pages of Sky & Telescope (I now collect Unitrons and this is another story…). Still many an astronomy club or society, planetarium, museum, or public observatory touted telescope making workshops. Stellafane, the classic “star party,” was the showcase of telescope making. Others, like Stellafane and the Riverside Telescope Makers’ Conference, also displayed and touted the high-quality design and work of many amateur astronomers.

My parents could not afford to buy me the high-quality commercial telescopes. In fact, this budding astronomer received

Astronomy TECHNOLOGY TODAY

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TELESCOPE MAKING - 101 when he was nine years old and in 3rd grade a 2-inch Gilbert reflector for Christmas. Today I own eyepieces bigger than that Gilbert 2-inch primary mirror! My mother had told me several times how she and my father had to really stretch their dollars to buy me that telescope. As poor as it was, that 2-inch Gilbert reflector fueled my love of the heavens. As I grew up with that 2-inch Gilbert reflector, I knew I would need a bigger telescope! Imagine: aperture envy at the age of nine…! By the way, I still own that 2-inch Gilbert reflector.

After a 3-inch diameter Reflector made

by Skill(!) and an Edmund 4.25-inch GEM reflector was added to my growing arsenal of telescopes, I realized that I had to do something about my serious case of aperture envy. I started perusing advertisements and catalogs and decided during the summer between my eighth and ninth grades that I was going to build my own 6-inch reflector. I planned on doing everything from grinding, polishing and correcting the

40 Astronomy TECHNOLOGY TODAY

mirror to making the optical tube assembly and a simple German equatorial mount.

My initial guide was Sam Brown’s All About Telescopes from Edmund Scientific and the Edmund Scientific 6-inch mirror kit (I would drool looking through those Edmund catalogs – and yes I still have some vintage 1960’s Edmund catalogs!). Growing up in Northeast Florida, I became aware of a couple of local and active astronomy clubs, the Jacksonville Astronomy Club and the Astro-Gator Astronomy Club (a club specifically for the “young, budding” astronomers that was very popular in the Jacksonville area in the 1960s and 1970s), but it was difficult for me to get to the meetings or the ATM workshops. So I was on my own.

I didn’t have a 55-gallon drum or easy access to making a pedestal mount as recommended in All About Telescopes, so I took an old wooden toy chest, turned it on end and put several heavy pieces of granite in the bottom for stability. I figured my

younger brother and sister didn’t need that toy chest anyway. So I started grinding the six-inch mirror.

Over a period of about three months, the six-inch f/8 took shape. Yes, I chipped one edge of the mirror, but not too badly; my homemade mirror clip would cover that defect. But I learned why taking a stone to the edge of the mirror and the tool and beveling the edges down was important.

Out of this came an okay 6-inch f/8 telescope. I learned about mirror testing and the challenges of creating a parabola.

My parents, up to their passing, still razzed me about getting the red rouge supplied for polishing all over everything. I also learned the fine art of chemically silvering a mirror – yes, I said silvering! This had now turned into a school science project, and my science teacher agreed to get the silver nitrate and other chemicals to chemically silver my mirror. And my optical tube assembly and mount were nothing fancy: a simple tube

TELESCOPE MAKING - 101 made of 1x8s and a mount made of pipe, 2x4s and 4x4s. The mirror cell was also wood with simple clips and spring hardware. But the scope worked nicely, and I ended up winning 4th place in a very competitive Florida State Science Fair. More importantly was I learned a lot about optics and the mechanics of the telescope. And this project launched me on a career in the sciences and a lifelong interest in telescope making. I not only built telescopes, but also an observatory at the age of 16 – a simple sliding roof structure out of a metal tool shed – and two cold cameras (yes, in the era when we used film for astrophotography!).

A Little More Local History – Then Out West!

But as some local Jacksonville telescope makers like Jim Sutherland and Ernie Rowland were always willing to pass on their knowledge to me, I wanted to do the same. As a young, enthusiastic high school teacher teaching one class of astronomy, we had to make our own telescopes! Nothing fancy, but for high school students, turning out their own 4.25-inch reflectors was a little unusual.

This seemed to be a trend for me; when I was planetarium director at the Jacksonville Museum of Science and History, we started a Telescope Making Workshop at the Museum. And later when I was

considering a major move from Florida to California to direct the Chabot Observatory (now known as the Chabot Space & Science Center), one of the things that captured my attention and sold me on Chabot was Chabot’s Telescope Making Workshop (TMW). This for me was the start of a wonderful experience as the Executive Director of Chabot.

The Chabot TMW, headed by optical guru and longtime telescope making pied piper, Paul Zurakowski, was a dream for me. I was also impressed not only by the variety of telescope making projects but the diversity of the Chabot TMW students. The Eastbay Astronomical Society, through the Chabot TMW, has long been a holdout in today’s “don’t build it, just buy it” trend.

I can clearly remember having a long conversation with Kevin Medlock, one of Chabot’s TMW long-time associates, being impressed with the quality of participants, and the many students who came out of Chabot’s Telescope Making Workshop and into industry as professionals. My only regret in my many years at Chabot is that I never had the opportunity to build anything in Chabot’s TMW due to the pressing needs of designing and fundraising for the new facility. But I was a frequent visitor to Chabot’s TMW over the years.

Back To Florida – And College Teaching With our move back to Florida in 1993 to be with our families and deal with those family issues, I again went back into the classroom, but this time as an astronomy professor at Florida Community College.

Astronomy TECHNOLOGY TODAY

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TELESCOPE MAKING - 101

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This community college, one of 28 in the State of Florida, has a large student population of around 60,000 students on four major campuses and several satellite centers.

It has a diverse program of student programs and degrees, as well as a diverse offering of courses. Florida Community College was just approved to begin to offer some specific bachelor’s degrees, so is moving beyond the realm as a community college. Astronomy has been offered since the College’s inception and first classes in 1966.

I was appointed Associate Dean of Mathematics and Natural Sciences in January 2006, yet continue to teach one of the introductory astronomy classes and labs each semester (I have this strange theory that administrators should be in the classroom from time-to-time to experience what our professors experience as well as get to know the students the College serves…).

Students kept asking me about other astronomy courses; the College had none at the time.

So being a good dean, I was looking for a way to add some new astronomy courses to the College’s offerings, and a marriage between what NEFAS had been doing and a college course seemed natural to me. Maybe not to most sane people, but to me…!

Diversity in Astronomy Courses at the College!

Florida Community College approved a series of new astronomy courses in the Summer of 2007. AST2931, AST2932, and AST2933 are Astronomy Seminars for 1, 2, and 3 semester hours of credit respectfully. In the fall of 2007 the College offered AST2933, Observational Astronomy.

Students developed and implemented specific observational astronomy projects, depending on their background and interests.

And in the Spring semester 2008, we have two astronomy seminar sections. AST2932 is a seminar on Mathematics in Astronomy.

And we opened another AST2933. But this AST2933 was different: the seminar focus is Optics and Telescope Making. Imagine a college course where students learn the ac-

ademics of optics and telescope design then put that to use! And receive college credit for the course, too. Thirteen students are enrolled for this section of AST2933, being offered on Saturday mornings from 9 AM to 12:30 PM. The local astronomy club descendent of the Jacksonville Astronomy Club and the Astro-Gator Astronomy Club, the Northeast Florida Astronomical Society (NEFAS), had continued the telescope making workshop efforts on and off while I was at Chabot. Led by Jeff Elledge and Mike Ramirez, NEFAS members were grinding their own mirrors and completing an assortment of fine telescopes.

Both Jeff and Mike agreed to partner with me and assist with the AST2933 Optics and Telescope Making effort. All three of us bring different skills to the class. Jeff is a superb optician; some people seem to be born with certain innate skills and abilities and Jeff’s is optics. Mike is also a solid telescope maker, from pushing the glass to high quality woodworking skills necessary for building Dobsonians.

Mike and I were meeting over a variety of issues and projects, so I asked him why he wanted to be a part of this class. Mike noted that I think everyone has in them the disire to share the knowledge they know.

Telescope making seems to be a dying art, and it’s one way to continue this fabulous tradition and knowledge. And – not only is there tremendous satisfaction, I learn a little myself. I could not have said it any better!

I am very fortunate in that I have a College that supports such initiatives. Our College President, Dr. Steve Wallace, has a vision for a College observatory and earthspace science center. Hopefully state and private funding will materialize for such an effort, especially in today’s very challenging state budget crisis. And my Campus President, Dr. Margarita Cabral-Maly, has been very supportive in developing new courses and programs. And it was Dr. Maggie’s support, along with several of our Campus leaders, which provided us with not one but

TELESCOPE MAKING - 101 two rooms for AST2933, Optics and Telescope Making.

Setting up Optics and Telescope Making…and Getting Started!

We are very fortunate that we had two rooms in which to conduct the class. One room, with a linoleum flooring and sink – thus running water – is used for grinding, polishing, and testing. The College procured twelve-55 gallon drums which we partially filled with water for stability and fitted the tops of the drums with plywood circles. Instead of using cleats to hold the mirror or tool in place, we have found that using a wet towel works fine. So part of each student’s homework is to take home and wash their towels! Towels are discarded as the students move from grit to grit to avoid contamination. Small carpet squares are placed at three points around the barrel to floor contact. We will also add one station that is handicapped-accessible. I do not currently have any handicapped students who require such a station, but certainly hope that someone who would need such access and like to take the class will do so in the future.

The second room is our classroom and has an area for storage of supplies and tools, as well as the campus telescopes. We also have on “display” a number of telescope optical types and mounts and some North Florida historical optical components. One example is a 16-inch mirror and assorted tools that were used in making this mirror.

The Jacksonville Astronomy Club took on the project of building this 16-inch in the day that a telescope of that diameter was considered a monster. Records show that this more-than full-thickness mirror is believed to have been started in the late 1940’s and made of a “historically-significant glass.” I am researching and confirming these specific details.

The kits we are using for this session were purchased from Newport Glass Works in California. Students were given the option of the diameters and focal lengths; we

have a range of 6-inch to 10-inch telescopes. The Newport kits had been used by NEFAS members in the past; the mirror and tool come with a pre-generated curve, grit, cerium oxide (I can still hear my mother groaning!), pitch, a finished secondary, and aluminization with the completion of the mirror. And even though students are just getting started, I am already hearing plans for future telescopemaking projects from this inaugural class!

The students range from novice to experienced in astronomy, as well as range in

age. In this first class are two planned astronomy majors, Laura Ingersoll and Michael Liebenow. There is a father and son taking the class together, Norm and Andrew Willis. They are each making 8-inch telescopes. But for all in AST2933, this will be their first ATM project “pushing the glass.”

Jeff, Mike and I have spent the first couple of weeks of class taking the students through everything from optical systems (they were treated to my hours-long lecture Continued on Page 46

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TELESCOPE MAKING - 101

Photo 1

Photo 4

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Photo 2

Photo 5

TELESCOPE MAKING - 101

Photo 3

Photo 6

PHOTO 1 Like kids at Christmas, AST2933 students Pat Hague, Matt Vickers, and Steve Peacock open and unpack their mirror kits. Pat is making a 10-inch, Matt a 6-inch, and Steve an 8-inch.

PHOTO 2 In an almost perfect formation, students are busy with the early stages of grinding. AST2933 students from left to right: David Tuttle, Kevin Hudson, Pat Hague, Matt Vickers, and Glenn Williams (taking a coffee break).

PHOTO 3 In the AST2933 classroom, various telescopes and optical components are on display for not only the AST2933 students, but the AST1002L Astronomy Laboratory class.

PHOTO 4 Michael Liebenow (left) and Jeff Elledge examine a simple homemade mirror cell. Michael is working on a fast system specifically designed for astrophotography.

PHOTO 5 Laura Ingersoll is working on a long-focus 6-inch planetary telescope while her son Kieran (6 years old!) looks on. Kieran stopped by the class briefly to see what his mom and other students were doing.

PHOTO 6 Matt Vickers is beveling the edge of his 6-inch mirror. Beveling is necessary to prevent chipping during the grinding process.

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TELESCOPE MAKING - 101 Continued from Page 43

on optics and telescope design!) to grinding and polishing techniques to demos on testing mirrors. Jeff always seems to have some of those wonderful yet torturous telescope optical projects in progress. In fact I hear rumors that he has convinced Michael Liebenow to work on some very fast f/ratio 8-inch optics. I will report in a future issue of ATT how our first semester went – and specifically the telescopes that came out of that first semester. Right now I am planning on offering the class again in the Fall Semester this year; maybe a summer section if there is enough interest in the class.

In Closing … For Now! Back to that question: Why would anyone take the time to build your own telescope? If you have never made your own telescope literally from scratch, you should do so at least once. Just think of those cloudy nights when you are aching to get out and observe; work on that mirror instead of fretting over the weather! For AST2933 students there are a variety of reasons for being a part of this class, from “an interesting and different type of academic college class” to “I have always wanted to build my own telescope.” And these students will learn a lot about optics and optical designs, conic sections and curves, and the associated mathematics. (What a wily way to teach students college math!)

For me as a telescope maker, it’s been the sense of accomplishment and satisfaction through making something with your own two hands. As a teenager I had a better understanding of optics, conic sections through understanding a little about spheres and parabolas, and telescope mechanics than most college graduates will ever have. And yes, I also really enjoy using the telescope; I always have and always will!

I own my more-than fair share of excellent commercial telescopes and various accessories; just ask my patient wife Debbie about “Mike’s telescopes.” But when it comes to a homemade instrument: there’s just something about looking through a telescope that you made yourself…

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The Original “Teeter’s Telescope” Part 2 of 2

By Robert J. Teeter, Jr.

Last issue’s recollection of my total modification of an 8-inch Orion Deep Space Explorer (DSE) is only half the story of my first, and quite possibly my most important endeavor in the hobby. The project took on special meaning when it was decided that the Orion DSE had been taken as far it could go without needing a complete and total overhaul. This is the conclusion of the project that took the 8-inch Orion DSE from “Eight to Great.”

The first component to go was the stock DSE cardboard tube in favor of a new concrete-form tube from a local concrete supplier. The inner lining of the tube came with a waxy paper coating, which easily pealed off to reveal an absorbent layer underneath. Flat black paint stuck to this layer exceptionally well. The exterior of the tube was a different beast entirely. There was a waxy finish, but it could not be pealed off without having a significant portion of the outermost layer coming with it. After hours of trying to sand the tube and trying a number of different sealer/primers to give the paint a nice surface

to bond to, we finally found the best solution was Kyanize Aquabond Primer-Sealer (available through Siperstein’s Paint).

We wanted to ensure a nice flat and even finish to the painted surface of the tube, so three coats of primer-sealer were applied. My father manned the china-bristle paint brush and I took the mini-roller to smooth out the brush strokes. We hand-sanded between each coat, wiped with a tack cloth and then followed up with four coats of Siperstein’s safety-yellow “Sipthane” gloss paint, also sanding between coats. What resulted was a rich, creamy yellow that would accent the dark stain we would eventually use on the new Dobsonian rockerbox.

With a blank slate before us as to how to create the new rockerbox, we took extra time and considered our observing situation. My father owned a 22-foot 1972 Winnebago motor home that the two of us took to all of our star parties. For those readers that remember these antique vehicles, you will recall there are only three doors, two of which are up in the cab and one skinny door to gain

A very junior Rob poses with his Stellafane first place prize winning Dob.

entry into the kitchen area. This would present a problem for a solid, one piece rockerbox built to place the eyepiece of the 8-inch f/6 at my eye-level near the zenith (I am 5'11" tall).

We had a task ahead of us and we decided to tackle it with a solution that in 1998 had been seldom tried. We set out to create a collapsible rockerbox for this scope that could be packed flat in the bunk above the cab of the motor home, with the optical tube assembly packed next to it. Once we had drawn up the plans for the new rockerbox and saw that we needed it to be approximately 38-inches tall, it became imperative that the base of the scope could collapse.

Using aluminum u-channel, a couple brass window sashes, t-nuts and a couple 1/4"-20 thumbscrews, we had pushed the Dobsonian mount beyond the usual glue and screw assembly technique. Starting from the bottom of the base, we had a groundboard employing three feet, 120-degrees apart, on the underside with a 2"x2" Teflon pad above each foot on the top. The next Astronomy TECHNOLOGY TODAY

47

THE ORIGINAL “TEETER’S TELESCOPE” “front board,” essentially anchoring the “side boards” to the “front board.”

This design allowed the entire assembly to be broken down flat, but then to be assembled using only two window clasps and two thumbscrews to keep the rockerbox rigid. I will admit that there was some Robert John Teeter Jr. and Sr. Some of Rob’s fondest memories of flexure in the two his father were from the many star parties the two attended, in“side boards,” but I cluding Stellafane in 1998. always considered it piece was the “rockerbox bottom,” with to be due more to the height of the sides than Wilsonart’s Ebony Star laminate applied to actually how they were clamped into place, the underside, using 3M’s #90 spray adhesince the flexure was most visible 180-desive. Connecting these two boards was Sky grees away from the “front board.” However, Engineering’s pivot-kit for their Skythe scope could be hand-guided at magnifiCommander digital setting circles. Three cations exceeding 300x with very minimal lengths of aluminum u-channel were sway or vibration at the eyepiece. mounted to the top of the “rockerbox botEach of the four rockerbox sections was tom,” and would act as guides for the upoutfitted with its own large carry handle and right sections of the rockerbox, including the the whole assembly could be field assembled two “side boards” and the one “front board.” in under 5 minutes once unpacked. Several The three uprights would plug into other collapsible Dobsonian mounts have their respective u-channels, with the two since come onto the market, but they only “side boards” being clamped into place with appear applicable for shorter focal length opbrass window clasps (one on each “side tical tubes and those applications where the board”). The “front board” then plugged goal is not to raise the eyepiece to the user’s into its u-channel, and two 1/4"-20 thumbeye level at zenith, or at least not those obscrews would be run through the two “side servers near 6-foot tall. boards” and into t-nuts mounted into the Since this scope was a total redesign, my

48 Astronomy TECHNOLOGY TODAY

father and I had to keep the innovations coming, including a clamshell tube-cradle to connect the optical tube assembly to the newly finished rockerbox. Another goal on our “laundry list” of improvements included larger diameter altitude bearings. The original Orion DSE came with plastic 4-inch diameter trunnions which were far too small to absorb any difference in weight distribution. My father was able to procure a length of 8.5-inch outside diameter black ABS tubing. The outside surface was smooth and the thickness, at schedule 40, would be rigid enough to support the weight of the optical tube. I will admit the decision to use ABS was not purely mechanical because the black ABS did fit much better with the dark wood stain, yellow optical tube and the other black accents on the scope than white PVC. The larger bearings alone would not solve the balance problems involved with using the larger 2-inch widefield eyepieces.

To wrap up this solution, instead of building a simple cubic tube-cradle to surround the optical tube and yield a flat surface on which to mount the new altitude bearings, we took the cubic design and cut it in half, mounted a length of piano-hinge and a couple chest clasps. This would allow the user to slide and rotate the optical tube within the tube-cradle. We felt this would surely cure any necessity to bring along counterweights and would keep us from having another rock counterweight incident, as mentioned in my previous article.

With the rockerbox complete and the

THE ORIGINAL “TEETER’S TELESCOPE” optical tube primed and painted, we gutted the Orion DSE tube and remounted all of the replaced components into the new safety-yellow tube assembly. With a few more tweaks and modifications, including an angled bracket on the tube-cradle to hold my SkyCommander digital setting circle computer at an ergonomic position and a 12-volt junction box to split DC current for the Sky- Brass window clasp mechanism for securing sideCommander and the primary boards to rockerbox bottom, enabling the Dobsonian mirror cooling fan, the new mount to be disassembled for transport.

Dobsonian was, for all intents and purposes, complete.

She saw many dark moonless nights under dark skies throughout New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York, Maryland and Connecticut. None were more meaningful, however, than the July weekend at the Stellafane Telescope Makers convention in Springfield, Vermont, in 1998.

It was there, on a whim that I entered the scope into the Junior Division up on Breezy Hill, next to the famous Pink Club House.

Many memories stay with me from that weekend, includ- Teeter’s Dobsonian mount disassembled and ready to be ing the masses of people going packed and transported to a dark sky site. Each component is outfitted with a large carry handle making asfrom scope to scope as the sembly in the field quick and easy. judges made their way from father, some friends of the family and Gene, scope to scope. I can recall it vividly: My who had first introduced us to Stellafane, all stomach knotted, but I knew I had to be in attendance, the image of my safety-yellow cool. My scope was next, the video camera 8-inch f/6 Dobsonian glowed on the overturned to me, the microphone was angled on sized projector screen in the Stellafane amits boom above my head, camera shutters phitheater as they announced, “First Place, clicked and the judges asked me why my Junior Division, Robert Teeter.” We had scope was special. I told them the story of the done it. While it was I who was entered into scope, the same story I have just relayed to the competition, it really was “us,” my father everyone reading this article. The next few and I. Without him that telescope would hours were excruciating indeed, waiting have stayed a two-dimensional drawing and for Saturday night’s announcement of the would never have propelled me from telewinners. scope modifier to telescope builder and ultiWith my best observing buddy, Adrian, mately to telescope manufacturer. another friend from school, my mother, my

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By Penny Distasio

Have you ever seen the Sci Fi reality show, “Ghost Hunters”? Now wait, don’t be so quick to roll your eyes at me, because you may find that you have more in common with these pursuers of the paranormal than you think…I know I do. Sure, I haven’t been chased out of a library by an angry librarian (an angry dead librarian!) nor had the need to roast a giant marshmallow man lately, but I know what its like to have my equipment fail due to inexplicable battery drain. An inoperable camera or video recorder stops ghost hunting dead in its tracks (no pun intended), and since this exact same phenomenon has afflicted my equipment dozens of times, I feel their pain.

Most amateur astronomers can relate.

Who hasn’t had illuminated reticles run out of steam mid-guide, or worse, watched battery-operated, computerized telescopes grind to a screeching halt when they had only knocked out the first three of a twenty-five object guided tour? My Telrad was infamous for eating batteries during the winter months, but I loved it so much, I made sure to have a Costco-pack of AAs in my glove compartment at all times…and then, there’s my red flashlights. Need I say more?

When the first shipment of Orion Redbeam SP Self-Powered flashlights came into OPT, I was intrigued. Here was a red flash-

light that, if the claims were true, would never need batteries! Instead, the user could turn the built-in crank for just one short minute and get a full hour of nice red light, or, if they preferred, the flashlight could be charged via a computer USB port with the included cable.

But wait, there’s more! The Redbeam SP also comes with the appropriate cable and a selection of adapters for a variety of cell phones. If your cell runs out of juice, and you need to make a phone call, the Redbeam can charge it for you. What’s not to like, right? Let’s find out.

I brought a RedBeam SP home and took it out of the box. I noticed its ergonomic shape right away, and when I picked it up I was surprised at how light it was. I turned the flashlight on and discovered it was fully charged, and so the first thing I did was put it on High, with all five LEDs lit, to see how long the charge would last with continuous use. The light is very bright on High, so bright that it would be helpful in an emergency or during a blackout, and to my surprise, that brightness lasted for over two hours, and it was bright enough to read by for another 45 minutes. Since most amateur astronomers would use the flashlight on Low rather than High (Low uses three LEDs and is still pretty bright) I would guess that on a full charge, you would have a good four hours or so of decent

illumination before you needed to rev it up again.

Speaking of revving the RedBeam SP up, the built-in crank works very well. While you are using the flashlight, the crank is imbedded in the underside and stays neatly out of the way, but when you are ready to do a little charging, just flip it into position and turn it either clock- or counter-clockwise. I wouldn’t count on getting a good upper body workout when you charge this flashlight, as the crank turns easily and with little resistance.

Since my first test resulted in a dead flashlight, I figured I’d check the claim that one minute of cranking would produce an hour of light, and so I used a timer and did a miniworkout. It was obvious that the flashlight wasn’t fully charged when my timer buzzed, but the emitted light was plenty bright and stayed reasonably so for about a half hour. The second half hour found the RedBeam SP still illuminated, but the amount of light would only be useful for up-close work, like checking a star chart or adjusting a setscrew in the dark.

The beauty of this flashlight, however, is that you can always turn the crank a bit more to raise the intensity of the light if the task at hand calls for something brighter.

Frankly, I don’t know how long you would need to turn the crank before fully charging the RedBeam SP manually, but I Astronomy TECHNOLOGY TODAY

51

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Tony’s Take on the Orion RedBeam SP Flashlight…

I’d like to introduce my husband Tony. He helps me test most of the products I get to play with, but looks at things from a more technical perspective. Tony is an optical engineer and has worked at several observatories, including the University of Hawaii’s Mees Solar Observatory and the Air Force AMOS Observatory on Maui, and the Hobby-Eberly Telescope at McDonald Observatory.

Tony’s curiosity got the best of him, and so with my permission, he proceeded to take the Redbeam SP apart to see how it worked. Tony could tell right away that this flashlight was not meant to be disassembled, but frankly, we both wanted to see how it worked, and knew you would wonder as well. The crank is the only simple part to detach…it comes away easily with the removal of three screws. In order to get to the guts, however, the exterior of the case had to be forcibly peeled away (basically destroying it in the process), to expose four hidden screws that secured the clamshell case together.

Here’s how the Orion Redbeam SP flashlight works: When you turn the crank mechanism, it drives a gear train that turns the rotor/flywheel of a small generator. The gear train ratio is such that the rotor spins much faster than you could ever turn the crank. The generator charges a small disc battery located near the center of the flashlight, but the power generated can also be diverted to a cable that, when attached, is capable of charging a variety of cell phones. If you choose to charge the flashlight via the USB cable, the circuitry safely routes the current directly to the battery. There are two printed circuit boards (PCB) inside the flashlight. One PCB holds the LEDs, on/off switch and miscellaneous electronics, and the rear PCB holds, among other things, the connectors seen from the exterior and the charge indicator light.

Tony was very impressed with the Redbeam SP, because even after he basically broke the flashlight for this test, it still worked! As far as Tony was concerned, this proved the flashlight design was thoughtfully engineered and the manufacturing was robust. He fitted the pieces back together, and even though it looks like it’s been through a multi-dimensional rift, it performs like a champ.

ORION RED BEAM SP flashlight, I believe there could still be a place in your accessory case for this innovative product. It may not solve the mystery of all of your inexplicable battery drains, but baby steps, my friends…baby steps.

The Orion RedBeam SP Flashlight retails for only $24.95, and can be purchased at OPT (www.optcorp.com), Orion, or a variety of other telescope dealers. FYI, I know that it was the “Ghostbusters” and not the “Ghost Hunters” who got chased out of a library and went through marshmellow mayhem…I just wanted to see if you were paying attention!

Raised

Raised

centers in the top left image. My camera insisted on seeing them as yellow, but in real life, they are just a more intense shade of red.

Luckily, the fix was simple, if not exactly elegant. All we had to do was put a piece of Scotch brand Magic tape (any slightly “frosted” tape will do) over the LEDs, and voila! If you take a look at the images on the right side of Image 1 you’ll see what I mean.

Even though this flashlight needs a piece of tape to make it better, I still highly recommend the StarBeam SP. The idea of having one in the glove compartment of my car is comforting, and even if you have a favorite red

Lowered

have a feeling you would get an upper body workout. To prevent the development of one Popeye-like arm, and looking a bit silly, the manufacturer has included an alternate charging method. The flashlight has a DC jack plug on the bottom near the lanyard, and all you have to do is attach the included cable, connect the other end to your computer’s USB port and let ‘er rip. There is a green indicator light on the flashlight that tells you it is accepting a charge, regardless of the charging method being used. What doesn’t happen however, as far as I could see, is any indication that a full charge has been achieved, and so I asked the manufacturer. According to Orion, five hours of charging via the USB port is required to completely charge the RedBeam SP. One of the many things that makes the RedBeam SP flashlight innovative is the ability to charge a cell phone if you find yourself without power in a sticky situation. In addition to the DC jack plug, the RedBeam also has a USB port at one end. All you have to do is plug the USB cable into that port, attach the proper cell phone charge adapter to the other end, and plug it into your phone. According to the manufacturer, for every 120 turns of the crank, you will get two minutes of talk time or fifteen minutes of standby time.

I could not test this valuable function, because none of the adapters fit my phone. The instructions do say that the adapters included will not fit all makes and models of cell phones, but they give it a good try. A Motorola, Sony, Siemens, Samsung, and Nokia adapter are included.

Finally, let’s talk about the one thing I found a bit troublesome, and that is the pattern of lights the row of LEDs make when the flashlight is used at close range. When the RedBeam SP is used at most distances, this pattern isn’t a problem at all, but it is distracting when attempting to read. To give you a better idea of what I am talking about, take a look at the examples shown on page 52. The images on the top and bottom left show the light pattern from the RedBeam SP without alteration. We shined it on a closet door from very close range, and again at about three feet.

By the way, please disregard the yellow LED

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We wish to thank our advertisers without whom this magazine would not be possible. 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.

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Celestron Skyscout Scope 90 A fun combo - finding objects has never been so cool!

By Erik Wilcox

Since its release, everyone seems to be talking about the Celestron SkyScout Personal Planetarium. On its own, it’s an innovative and useful tool for locating and identifying a large assortment of objects in the night sky. But one question I kept hearing on all the astronomy message boards was, “Can I mount it to my telescope and use it as a manual 'go-to' system?” The short answer was no, if the telescope’s optical tube was made out of steel.

The reason is that the SkyScout relies on GPS satellites to find objects, and magnetic sources can cause interference.

Well, Celestron must have been listening. The new Celestron SkyScout Scope answers the question by employing a non-magnetic aluminum optical tube, finderscope, focuser, tube rings, and SkyScout mounting hardware, so magnetic interference isn’t an issue. But how well do the SkyScout and scope work together?

First, I’ll begin with the scope itself, since the ability to find objects would be useless if the views through the eyepiece weren’t any good. The scope in question is a 90-mm f/7 achromatic refractor. It arrived in a large, well packed box, complete with everything needed to get outside and view on the first night. …That is, if the skies were clear! The new gear “curse” was certainly with me, as it seemed to be cloudy every evening.

While this did allow me to get accustomed to many of the SkyScout’s unique features, it wasn’t as satisfying as actually getting some observing time in! I spent a good deal of time with the scope set up in my living room, ready to go at the first sign of a break in the clouds. It’s a nice looking scope, and it really got me thinking about how much gear money can buy these days. For just over $300 (not including the SkyScout itself), this was a nice, solid rig. The mount has thick, stainless steel legs; the optical tube is built well and attractive to look at. Anyone would be proud to own such a scope and its appearance and overall quality gives the impression of a much higher price tag.

For specifics, I’ll start with the focuser. For an inexpensive telescope, the R&P focuser is very smooth with no “slop” or play. However, I’d like to see a bit more outward travel than the 2 3/8 inches offered. Some of my eyepieces didn’t reach focus until the drawtube was extended almost all the way out and new owners should consider investing in one of the short extension tubes that are readily and affordably available. The 6x30 finderscope is of good optical quality, although it did arrive out of focus.

Focusing it was easy, by loosening a locking ring on the finderscope body, and

turning the achromatic lens assembly clockwise or counterclockwise until stars are in focus. Then, the locking ring is tightened down to maintain its position.

The scope comes with two eyepieces, a 40-mm, and a 10-mm. Both appear to be of a Plossl design, and they’re about what I’d expect as accessories included with a telescope. The 10-mm is optically good, with tight eye relief that’s typical in shorter Plossls. I found the 40-mm difficult to use, as the eye relief is extremely long. Even with the eyeguard peeled up, kidney beaning and “blackouts” were an issue for me. However, an eyeglass wearer might find the long eye relief in the 40mm useful. Both eyepieces are internally blackened, and I could detect no stray reflections. The 40-mm has a safety groove on the barrel.

A 1.25-inch 90 degree prism diagonal is also included. After comparing it with my own mirror diagonal, I was pleasantly surprised. The prism diagonal shows no visible loss of brightness, and works well for astronomical viewing.

Under a suburban sky, I had several fun and productive nights out with the SkyScout scope. At high power, Mars revealed its slight gibbous phase and a good amount of detail on its disk. The traAstronomy TECHNOLOGY TODAY

55

CELESTRON SKYSCOUT SCOPE 90 pezium in Orion was crisp and clear, and easily showed its four main components.

Deep sky objects were as good as could be expected for a 3.5-inch scope in a suburban sky. Objects like the Double Cluster, the Pleiades, and M35 were beautiful to view. This refractor really excels with brighter open clusters. Even in my poor sky, it was a nice viewing companion on these objects.

I quickly determined that the optics on this particular scope were excellent. It takes magnification very well, and a Ronchi film strip test revealed straight, crisp lines, with no spherical aberration.

Chromatic aberration wasn't bad at all either, considering that this is an f/7 achromat. The moon had a slight bluishviolet tinge along the limb, and a bit of false color could vaguely be seen on bright stars as well, but it wasn’t particularly noticeable.

Staring down the optical tube, everything looked nice and blackened, with the exception of the three screws used to mount the lens cell. Removing the dew cap (which snaps off easily) accesses the screws, and it would be easy to take them out and paint them flat black, should one desire to do so. As is, I didn’t note any glare from these screws during my observing sessions.

The Alt/AZ mount, though very beefy for a scope of this size, did get a bit shaky when attempting to focus objects at higher powers. This was mainly the case when the SkyScout was mounted on top of the telescope. A solid rap on the side of the tripod required just over five seconds for the shaking to dissipate. Owners should consider investing in Celestron's very effective anti-vibration tripod pads – these should help tame vibration and significantly reduce those five seconds.

The mount is certainly much more solid than many of the comparable aluminum leg tripods I’ve used, and the unique clutch mechanism works well. In fact, it’s far better than an alt/az mount that I recently owned, where balance was a real problem depending on where the scope was pointed. With this mount, the same lever that moves the scope up or down in altitude is also used to lock its Continued on Page 58

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Astronomy TECHNOLOGY TODAY

CELESTRON SKYSCOUT SCOPE 90

Celestron SkyScout Scope FEATURES • Designed with non-magnetic materials that do not to interfere with the SkyScout sensors.

• Quick and easy no tool setup.

• 90-mm refractor optical design with all coated glass optics and 660-mm (f/7) focal length for crisp, clear images.

• Erect image 6x30 finderscope with quick-release bracket.

• Erect image optics are ideal for terrestrial and astronomical use.

SPECIFICATIONS OPTICAL DESIGN APERTURE FOCAL LENGTH EYEPIECE 1 MAGNIFICATION 1 EYEPIECE 2 MAGNIFICATION 2 MOUNT OPTICAL COATINGS FINDERSCOPE STAR DIAGONAL CD ROM HIGHEST USEFUL MAGNIFICATION LIMITING STELLAR MAGNITUDE RESOLUTION RESOLVING POWER LIGHT GATHERING POWER ANGULAR FIELD OF VIEW LINEAR FIELD OF VIEW (@1000 YDS) OPTICAL TUBE LENGTH WEIGHT

• Pan handle control with clutch for smooth and accurate pointing.

• Rugged pre-assembled tripod with 1.25" stainless steel tube legs provides a rigid and stable viewing platform.

• Accessory tray for convenient accessory storage.

• Adjustable bracket to hold SkyScout (SkyScout Personal Planetarium sold separately).

Refractor 90 mm (3.54 in) 660 mm (25.98 in) 40 mm (1.57 in) 16.5 x 10 mm (0.39 in) 66 x Alt-Azimuth Fully Coated 6x30 Erect Image Erect Image diagonal -1.25" The Sky L1 213 x 12.3 1.54 arc seconds 1.29 arc seconds 165 x 3 degree 158 ft (48.16 m) 25 in (635 mm) 20 lb (9.07 kg)

The SkyScout Scope is currently available from your favorite Celestron dealer for $299.

Celestron has made it easy to attach and align the SkyScout to the Scope 90 with a specially designed, no tools required adjustable mount.

8 Astronomy TECHNOLOGY TODAY

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CELESTRON SKYSCOUT SCOPE 90 Continued from Page 56

position. This is done by simply turning the end of the lever clockwise - a very nice feature. In azimuth, there’s an easily accessible lever on the mount that can be

Celestron has now introduced the new SkyScout Connect which allows the SkyScout to be connected directly to Celestron computerized telescopes. Now Celestron owners can use the SkyScout to locate any object in its database and their computerized telescope will slew to the same object with a touch of a button.

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Astronomy TECHNOLOGY TODAY

tightened to lock position. Aside from a small amount of backlash in altitude, the clutch system works flawlessly.

The only issue I have with the mount is that it’s not possible for the scope to point directly at the zenith.

Attempting to do so causes the optical tube to make contact with the mount. I was finally able to view at the zenith by adjusting two rear tripod legs so they were a few inches shorter than the front tripod leg, but doing this makes the viewing position a bit difficult. I’d like to see Celestron offer an aluminum “wedge” that could be bolted onto the existing dovetail bracket for easier viewing at the zenith, although it sounds like something enterprising ATMers will have no problem creating.

As for the SkyScout Personal Planetarium, well, it’s a lot of fun! The unit mounts onto the telescope with a pre-installed bracket and threads on with a single thumbscrew. Three other protruding knobs fit into the SkyScout’s body, further holding it in place. And the bracket itself is adjustable, so that the SkyScout can easily be aligned with the main telescope.

With the included earbuds, an audio description of many objects can be played. This proved very useful and adds to the excitement of the object being viewed. There’s also a text description which can easily be scrolled through.

The whole unit is very user friendly.

The buttons are large and the screens are easy to navigate. The red backlight has an adjustable brightness level, so it won’t destroy your night vision. Finding objects is quick and simple. They’re all catego-

rized, so it’s easy to pick an object out of the database. Looking though the large viewfinder, it’s then easy to “zero in” on an object, and multiple red arrows lead the way. When an object is centered, all the arrows illuminate. There’s a “Target” button to quickly identify objects, a USB port to download updates from a computer, and a Sky Tour/SD card slot for interactive tours of the sky (with optional Sky Tour cards).

The unit is made of lightweight, high impact plastic, and has rubber armor for an easy grip, even when wearing gloves.

From a design standpoint, it would be difficult to improve on the SkyScout’s ease of use.

The SkyScout uses GPS satellites to find its way and thus needs an unobstructed view of the sky. I found that accuracy was compromised when I attempted to use it near buildings and trees. In addition, a magnet icon comes on to let you know when you’re too close to a magnetic source, such as a vehicle.

Getting the icon to deactivate requires moving at least 6 to 8 feet away from the vehicle.

With an unobstructed sky, the accuracy worked well for aligning the scope.

Objects located in the SkyScout were usually within the field of view of a low power eyepiece, or visible in the finderscope. Using the SkyScout by itself on showpiece objects, stars, etc., gave good results too. The multi-coated viewfinder doesn’t seem to diminish the brightness of objects when compared to just viewing them with the naked eye.

Battery life is pretty good and is aided by a feature that shuts the SkyScout off after a few minutes of inactivity.

Turning the unit back on requires it to go through the GPS acquisition process again. However, this only takes a minute or two, so it’s probably a more than fair trade for the savings in battery power.

Overall, I found that the Celestron SkyScout scope matched up well with the SkyScout Personal Planetarium. As opposed to just having a telescope with a built-in push-to system, this combination allows the user to enjoy the SkyScout on its own as well and to own both at a very modest price. Kudos to Celestron!

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TO ADVERTISE CONTACT advertise@astronomytechnologytoday.com

By Gary Parkerson

I generally avoid “reviewing” equipment for ATT - frankly, there are too many willing to do the job who also enjoy far superior experience and skill on most subjects, but we were finally presented with a product that I may actually be uniquely qualified to tackle.

Not only do I have the typical collection of too heavy astronomy equipment and regular need to move that stuff around, but ATT handles a greater than typical volume of heavy containers of printed material each and every day, and I do my share of moving that around too. So, when I first saw the Multi-Cart listed as a new item on ScopeGuard’s website, I knew that I not only wanted one - I needed one! I’m pleased to report my experiences here.

What Is It? It’s not just a four-wheel cart and it’s not just a two-wheeled hand-truck or “dolly” – it’s both and much more. The basic unit has a four-wheel base that features two “rear” wheels mounted on a fixed axle and two swivel mount “front” wheels. The base of each of the five models extends significantly to better accommodate a variety of loads and I consider

this one of the key features of the Multi-Cart.

Anyone who’s had to maneuver a too long dolly through a crowded maze of stuff will appreciate the ability to shrink the cart base to best fit the load. The base features two lock buttons that keep the base halves from separating when being extended and two large teeknob set-screws that lock it into any length between its minimum and maximum.

But, my favorite feature of the MultiCart – what transforms it from handy tool to too handy to do without for me – is the optional shelf/worktop. Scope Guard advertises that the cart is capable of eight different configurations, but the optional shelf kit adds two to that list. Of these, I find that I regularly use only (only?) five configurations. The base can be used as a four-wheel cart with either the front, or rear, or both uprights extended, or as a two-wheel hand-cart with only the rear upright extended. The front and rear uprights lock firmly into the upright position. Collapsing them is accomplished by simply pulling on a quick-release cable.

What I Ordered I ordered the Multi-Cart R12, which consists of the largest cart base and is equipped with large pneumatic tires at all four corners.

I opted for the largest wheels because I planned to use it at star parties with range of terrain including sand, deep grass, rocks, and mud. So far, the 10-inch rear and 8-inch front wheels

Unassembled Multi-Cart R12 Astronomy TECHNOLOGY TODAY

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THE MULTI-CART

Multi-Cart R12 in its shortest 4-wheel configuration. Both end uprights are locked in the “up” position and the cart is loaded with 6 boxes of ATT copies for a total load of 300+ pounds. It still rolled easily over the gravel surface.

Multi-Cart R12 in the 2-wheel dolly configuration. It still easily handled the 300+ pounds of magazines while traversing a series of steps.

66 Astronomy TECHNOLOGY TODAY

have proved capable of handling all such terrain.

I also ordered the expandable shelf kit and the set of 48-inch bungee cords that Scope Guard recommends be used with the cart. Unfortunately, the optional solid lower deck kit has been in short supply and was unavailable when I ordered the R12, but I plan to remedy that as soon as these are again available. Without it, the cart base consists of three rails that run the length of the cart and are spaced approximately 5.5 inches apart. The outer rails feature a non-slip tape and are fine for supporting large objects, but the optional solid lower deck would better allow storage of small objects on the base and increase even more the overall utility of the Multi-Cart.

The R12 model I order arrived well protected in two boxes – one for the Multi-Cart base and wheels and another for the optional shelf kit. Some assembly was required, but was straightforward and quick. The only tool I needed was needle-nosed pliers to set the Cotter pins (which I later replaced with hitch pins) that secured the wheels and uprights.

The Multi-Cart is primarily constructed of 3/4-inch by 3/4-inch and one-inch by oneinch square steel tubing and is sturdy and stable. The steel tubing is coated in a black or dark gray hammered finish and the assembly features yellow trim and wheel hubs. The bungee cords I ordered are yellow with black trim and I found the overall scheme attractive.

How I Use The Multi-Cart I frequently attend astronomy gatherings for which ATT provides complimentary copies to all who attend. This means that, along with myself and personal stuff, I haul one or more boxes of magazines and paper is, among other things, heavy. I was recently forced to park a block and a half away from a university auditorium and transport three such boxes from my van to the hall. The fully extended base easily carried four boxes of magazines, each weighing 50+ pounds, and, once I arrived, the shelf served as a tabletop for displaying the individual magazines. I simply parked the thing outside of the entrance to the auditorium and those attending the meeting grabbed individual copies off the shelf on their way in. As on that occasion, I generally find that the handicap-access ramps of park-

ing lots and walkways make it very easy to haul cargo on the Multi-Cart in four-wheel mode with shelf installed.

When hauling boxes of magazines up stairs or over tall curbs, I generally convert the Multi-Cart to two-wheel, conventional handcart mode. Indeed, the base features stairclimber rails specifically to assist transcending such obstacles and I’ve hauled as much as 250 pounds of magazines with the cart in this configuration, the limiting factor being me rather than the load capacity of the Multi-Cart.

The optional bungee straps are very useful and the perfect length for most loads that I’ve carried with the cart, whether in twowheel or four-wheel mode. They are 48 inches long when relaxed and can stretch to as long as 10 feet if needed. That may sound like too much for securing loads to a cart that is only 51 inches long when fully extended, but, in practice, it proved to be just right. The plastic, non-marring hooks of the bungee cords are large enough to fasten to every structural member of the Multi-Cart, so there is no lack of anchor points. The bungee straps are constructed of flat, corded elastic that will not mar paint or dig unduly into items like soft sided scope cases or luggage.

I’ve used the Multi-Cart on more than one occasion for a tool/parts cart by simply placing a few rectangular plastic tubs on the shelf and base rack – a use for which it’s very well suited.

While I use the cart regularly to haul boxes of magazines, I generally leave it in its fully assembled version with shelf/work-top installed, because I’ve come to think of it more as a portable work center rather than simple cargo hauler and it works well in this role at star parties. The shelf/worktop, in its longest configuration, is 51 inches long by 16 inches wide – large enough to support an eyepiece case, star chart and laptop, making it the perfect desktop for star parties. With the base in its shortest configuration, the shelf section is shortened to a still very useful 28 inches. The two interlocking shelf sections are constructed of carpet covered half-inch plywood supported by two rails of square tubing, forming a sturdy, slip-resistant work surface.

I attended a major star party recently to which I brought no equipment and spent most of one evening viewing with two friends

THE MULTI-CART (both of whom have great equipment, by the way!) who were set up as is typical for most – a small table with room for a laptop, eyepiece cases on the ground, and most equipment left in their vehicles. Stumbling over unlatched eyepiece cases in the dark is no fun (and not all that great for precious eyepieces) and the laptop tables never seemed to be in the best place.

Aim your telescope to a target near the opposite horizon and the working end of the scope winds up on the other side of the mount and the laptop table in the wrong place. Using the Multi-Cart shelf as a portable desktop solves this problem.

I generally store eyepiece and equipment cases that I’m not currently working out of on the base of the Multi-Cart, along with the heavy battery pack that powers my laptop in the field and anything else that I’d like to keep at hand and portable. When it would be handier to have my field desktop on the other side of my mount, I simply wheel it all to that more convenient location - the eyepiece case I’m working out of, star chart and/or laptop are readily at hand on the shelf and I don't have to walk around the scope/mount in a crowded field to get to something I need.

My Modifications To The Multi-Cart Most astro gear-heads are natural tinkerers and I’m no exception. I’ve drilled additional holes in the uprights for more shelf height options. The shelf kit uprights (41 inches tall when measured from ground) are predrilled for mounting the shelf at heights from ground of 31.5, 34.5 and 37.5 inches. I drilled two additional sets of mount holes to permit mounting the shelf at heights of 28.5 and 25.5 inches, closer to the standard desk

height at which I’m most comfortable when using a keyboard. Because the uprights extend above the shelf when it is installed, they make a handy surface for clamping a red, battery operated work light for illuminating an eyepiece case or star chart.

The Multi-Cart uses standard Cotter pins to secure the two uprights and to lock the Clevis pins that attach the front swivel wheel assemblies. I re- Multi-Cart R12 in my favorite configuration – shelf inplaced these with hitch pins for stalled, eyepiece cases in tow, and plenty of room for star no-tools removal/insertion of charts, laptops and such on the desktop height shelf. the pins. This makes it much “hammered” black or dark gray coatings that easier to remove the front upright and wheels I’ve come to associate with some telescope when I plan to use the Multi-Cart as a two mounts. While it has proven very durable, it wheel cart for extended periods. is not impervious to the kind of abuse it reI also added red blinking LEDs at each ceives with the regular use it gets around my corner of the Multi-Cart when I use it at star home and office and the finish shows that freparties, to help others avoid the thing in the quent use. dark. Moving it from location to location can confuse observing neighbors and create a poConclusion tential hazard.

You’ll think of far more novel uses than I, My most significant modification of the but the bottom line is that the Multi-Cart is Multi-Cart is only in the planning stages. I really very handy and competent for all of the would like to add a lightweight laptop shroud uses I’ve described. If you haul refrigerators for or canopy to shield the contents of the shelf a living, it will not replace the appliance dolly from dew and neighbors from the glow of my you should have invested in. You wouldn't laptop. My plan is currently no more sophisbuy a Swiss Army Knife if all you ever do is ticated than forming two “tent” hoops with filet fish, but you do buy that multi-tool when 1/2-inch CPVC pipe to support a custom you need a single, versatile device that is comsewn, opaque, dew resistant canopy or petent to handle a variety of applications. The awning.

Multi-Cart adds the additional dimension of I’ve also added a lot of scrapes, scratches serving as a portable worktop and that’s someand chips to the finish of the Multi-Cart bething that makes it peculiarly useful for ascause I use it almost daily with little regard for tronomy in the field. cosmetics. The finish appears similar to the

Astronomy TECHNOLOGY TODAY

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Zooming Through The Skies With My Z8!

Zhumell’s 8-Inch Nicely Portable Dobsonian Telescope

By Randy Roy

My friends were surprised when I showed up at our dark site observing session with a $300 imported Dobsonian telescope (My 8-inch Zhumell and accessories were $324 and included a $25 rebate from Great Red Spot Astronomy Products. What a deal!). They were even more surprised when my new 8-inch Zhumell Dob offered up views of the Orion Nebula, the Beehive Cluster, Mars, Saturn, the Double Cluster and other favorites that rivaled the best scopes on the field. This is how I got there . . .

In my 47 years in the hobby, I have built, bought and used all kinds of scopes and mounts. For the past several years, I owned a 16-inch Go-To Dob from a premium telescope maker. Having recently retired, I built a house at a location with reasonably dark skies and exchanged the 16-inch Dob for a C14 and GEM on wheels. I’ve always wanted a GEM mounted C14 so I am one happy star gazer.

Still, I need a portable scope I can toss in the back of my Jeep to use at my club’s observing events. The C14 is a great scope to push around on wheels, but unless I am going to a multi-day star party, I am not willing to go through the hassle of disassembly, transport, reassem-

bly, etc. required to use this fine scope for a brief outing.

Enter the Z8 Frankly, my expectations were low. I have eyepieces that cost much more than $300. I have accessories for my C14 that cost more than $300. To my surprise and delight, I found that you really can get a fine scope that is complete in every way for a few hundred dollars. And I mean a scope that can please an old observer like me who has owned some nice telescopes over the years.

The 8-inch Zhumell Dobsonian comes surprisingly complete. Apparently, the manufacturer has made continuing upgrades in the scope over the past few

Image 1

years. For example, the two-inch Crayford focuser comes complete with brass compression rings and a 10X fine focusing knob. The black anodizing of the focuser is second to none. It is attractive and functional. I especially like the user adjustments for tension and braking.

The movement is very smooth and it handles my heavy eyepieces (even when adding a Barlow) with no slip at all.

Many similar scopes come with a straight through finder that is quickly discarded in favor of a right angle finder.

This scope comes new with a nice right angle finder. It has an easy to use, quick connect finder bracket and base and a convenient focusing ring on the finder itself. At our club’s dark site, I was able to easily find the Crab Nebula against a background of “pinpointy” stars in the finder scope. I am very pleased and will not be upgrading the finder scope. It doesn’t need it.

The scope also includes a primary mirror cooling fan mounted at the rear of the mirror cell (Image 1). This is a nice touch. I’m not convinced an 8-inch scope really needs one, but I can say that 20 minutes of cool down is all that is needed for great views of the planets.

The base is similar to that typical of Astronomy TECHNOLOGY TODAY

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ZOOMING THROUGH THE SKIES WITH MY Z8

Image 2 all of these imported Dob’s. It is made of particle board with a nice laminate. The altitude bearings are plastic and work well with the Teflon pads they ride against.

The altitude bearings are further stabilized with a spring arrangement. I had some difficulty getting the springs attached at first. I placed a call to Jeff at Great Red Spot Astronomy Products and he suggested placing the spring assembly upside down. This greatly simplifies the

installation/removal process without adding additional hardware or sacrificing any of the tension given by the spring mechanism.

The azimuth bearing is the “Lazy Susan” ball bearing type. I did not like those when I first encountered them a few years ago - I found they have an uneven motion as they traveled sandwiched between the ground board and the rocker box. These are different, though. Zhumell has fixed that problem by sandwiching the bearings between two circular plates. The result is the smoothest azimuth motion I have seen in a Dob. Other stock accessories include a nice 2-inch, 25-mm eyepiece for widefield viewing as well as a decent 9-mm Zhumell plossl. I’ve amassed a collection of fine eyepieces over the years so I will save these for use at public observing sessions where unwitting children (and their parents) tend to point their fingers too close to the eyepieces saying, “Is this

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where I look?” The eyepieces are of good quality and I would suggest any first time telescope buyers use these eyepieces for a while before buying more.

The other stock accessory is a nice laser collimator. I’ve always liked using a laser for collimating the secondary. This is made simple by the factory installed white donut placed at the center of the primary mirror. Just place the collimator in the focuser, turn it on and adjust the secondary until the red laser dot is in the center of the doughnut. For adjusting the primary, simply go to the rear of the scope and peer into the little window cut into the side the collimator. Adjust the primary collimation knobs (yes, knobs, not screws) until the red laser dot disappears into the hole in the center of the window. I’ve found the collimation holds very well between uses.

Many folks with similar, but larger scopes have replaced their collimation springs with stronger ones, complaining that the stock collimation springs are not

ZOOMING THROUGH THE SKIES WITH MY Z8

Image 3 strong enough to hold collimation. My guess is that the springs were originally sized for the much lighter 8-inch mirror since the collimation tension seems about right for this size scope.

A couple of last points on collimation I’ve seen several posts on the various groups complaining of the supplied laser pointers being out of collimation themselves. In fact, I’ve owned a few laser collimators that were shipped to me out of collimation. This one was perfect. I put together a make-shift V-block to test the collimator and was happy to find that I could rotate it within the V-block with no apparent movement of the beam itself on a wall located about 30 feet away.

Actually, I was quite surprised. Also, I initially collimated the scope with my sight tube and Cheshire and found the laser agreed with that collimation completely.

Life’s good.

Image 2 shows the altitude bearing and spring assembly. Note the placement

of the ring on the rocker box side of the spring. This enables easy hookup of the spring assembly.

While we are on the mechanicals of the OTA, I will point out a small problem. I noticed as I was assembling the scope that the altitude bearings were a bit loose and have read Internet postings complaining about this on similar scopes.

Many owners have immediately placed lock washers on the nuts which are on the inside of the OTA. Others have even used Loctite brand thread lock to ensure that the nuts do not become loose. I simply tightened mine and will see if they require a more aggressive solution later.

Hopefully, mine will stay snug.

Tightening the nuts did give me an opportunity to pull the mirror and its cell out of the back of the scope and I’m glad I did. I frankly assumed the mirror would be of average to poor quality. I am speaking of the glass blank itself. I recently had an experience with a friend’s low-cost Dob. We were shocked to see how rough the edge of the mirror appeared. It was as if someone took a file to the mirror and sort of beat it up all around the edges.

The scope gave good views, though star testing showed the mirror to have an extreme turned down edge. The Zhumell mirror, however, has a nicely beveled edge.

While on the subject of mirrors, the secondary mirror and spider assembly are quite nice. The secondary is easily collimated and the secondary veins and stalk are of similar quality found on much higher priced telescopes. Image 3 shows the

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61

ZOOMING THROUGH THE SKIES WITH MY Z8 Image 4

Image 5

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Astronomy TECHNOLOGY TODAY

spider assembly. Also, note how well blackened the inside of the tube and all its hardware appears.

On star testing, I am not an expert at judging the degree to which a mirror is corrected, but I can determine if the mirror is very good or very bad. This is where I was most surprised and pleased with the Z8. To star test, I used an 8-mm eyepiece in conjunction with a Barlow. The 8-mm has three closely and evenly spaced marks on the barrel, so that I can slide the eyepiece into the Barlow at the middle mark and focus the star at 300X. Then I can slide the eyepiece to the other two marks, one at a time, to get an accurate star pattern inside and outside of focus. I find this to be much more accurate than racking the focuser in and out.

Here is what I found: first, the edge of the mirror is outstanding. If anything, it is very slightly turned down, but only very slightly. The size of the central shadow did not vary between the intra and extra focal images. I won’t speculate

on the degree of wave accuracy, but the mirror is certainly better than diffraction limited. There was no hint of under or over correction and the intra- and extrafocal patterns were very similar.

Another surprise was the degree of smoothness of the optic. I won’t claim the mirror is as smooth as a premium mirror maker, but it is remarkably good. My only negative comment about the mirror is the slight astigmatism noticed. I’ve seen it before on a new scope and immediately popped the mirror back out and loosened the mirror clips. The manufacturer’s like to ship these with the mirror clips tightened down to avoid the mirror being damaged in transit. Most of them really need to be loosened just a bit by the user to get the best images possible. Since loosening the clips, my mirror makes beautifully round out of focus Fresnel patterns.

The best test of a scope, however, is simply pointing it at the skies. I was extremely pleased to see the E and F stars

ZOOMING THROUGH THE SKIES WITH MY Z8 of the trapezium the first night I used it.

I was even more surprised to find them on the next two subsequent outings. I believe my friends thought I was guilty of averted imagination until they all saw how easy E and F were in the Z8 for themselves. They were also surprised to see how detailed the Running Man Nebula was in an 8-inch scope. The Leo Triplet was no problem at all and the Crab Nebula seemed almost three dimensional. The scope performed equally well at higher powers. We used 267X to get a fine view of Syrtis Major (the Shark Fin) on Mars. Saturn was beautiful as always, though the ring placement will not be favorable for a few more years. Rigel split easily, of course, but the Pup, Sirius’ companion, eluded me once again. Still, I get the sense that when the seeing is just right that the Pup will be doable with this scope.

Add-ons and upgrades? I probably won’t do many mods to this scope. As I said, it is a remarkably complete package.

I did add an inexpensive, lightweight red dot finder in between the focuser and finder scope. Image 4 shows my RDF (Red Dot Finder) snuggled between the focuser and supplied right angler finder scope. I like a RDF when using a right angler finder scope just to get the scope pointed in the correct general area. I also added a 1-pound counterweight to the underside of the scope near the rear. This stabilizes the scope when using heavy eyepieces while looking near the zenith.

Without the counterweight, I found I had to hold on to the scope as I observed to prevent the scope from slowing creeping, placing the target out of the field of view. This isn’t a problem when observing alone, but when getting up from my observing chair and letting others look into the eyepieces, any amount of creep will cause you to lose the objects before other observers have had their peek.

My counterweight is shown in Image 5. I had a 1 pound counterweight

Image 6

from a former scope and attached it with screws. Others prefer an easier and just as effective counter weight using magnets covered with “sticky felt.”

Image 6 includes my favorite “upgrade” and the only one really needed!

I am happy with the Z8. I initially hoped to be pleased with it “for the money.”

Well, I am exuberant with the scope for the money. I am pleased with it for its quality and completeness and not just for the money.

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ASTRO TIPS tips, tricks and novel solutions A Reel is the Key to Tracking your Light

By Rod Nabholz I don’t think there is any more valuable space during a night out with my scope than that found in my pockets.

It seems that there are endless items competing for space in jacket, shirt and pants pockets. Add in a little inevitable excitement that naturally occurs during observing, and it seems that all of those items that find their way into a pocket have a mystical way of jumping from one pocket to another so it is never found in the same place twice.

Of all of these pocket passengers, the one that was most frustrating for me was my red light. Probably because I used it more than almost any other accessory and often needed it quickly, its constant game

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of hide and seek became exasperating.

One night I thought to myself that I needed a leash to keep tabs on it.

The leash idea brought my mind to the retractable leashes so popular with pet owners – and from that my mind leapt to those retractable key reels that I have seen used by people charged with keeping track

llll of what seemed to be enormous bundles of keys.

The reel attaches to the belt and has a retractable cable, about thirty inches or so in length. The user pulls on the keys, the cable plays out, and, when finished, the spring loaded reel draws the cable and keys back. I thought it would work great

to keep my red light right at my side.

For about $4 at my local hardware store, I picked up my key reel. The key ring attached quickly and easily to the lanyard loop on my mini right angle military style light. Clipped to my belt, the reel worked exactly like I had hoped.

I could immediately lay my hands on the light throughout the night. The cable is long enough to bring the light all of the way up to eye level. When I am done using the light I can simply drop it and the reel pulls it right back to the ready position on my hip. Exactly the same place every time – no more pocket patting and searching. Fantastic!

I suppose I would look silly with 10 of these on my belt for all of the other stuff still left in my pockets…Well, it is dark out there…

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