Takahashi Epsilon-130D Astrograph: Takahashi first introduced their Epsilon Series flat-field hyperbolic astrographs in the mid 1980’s with the Epsilon-130 offering the smallest aperture and most portable of the series. The Epsilon optical system features a hyperbolic primary and a digital corrector to produce a flat field image that excels for […]
I read Uncle Rod’s post on Amateur Astronomy “What’s Gonna Happen to Us?”, and I walked away with quite different conclusions. First, I want to say I have the utmost respect for all that Uncle Rod has done for amateur astronomy. His work in print and online is sage advice […]
As many of you know, I (Gary Parkerson – pictured here) am editor of the magazine Astronomy Technology Today as well as the content on this website. You also many be familiar with the work of Rod Mollise, although you probably know him better as Uncle Rod. No doubt, you’re also aware […]
By Austin Grant Lunt Calcium K Filter Review: I remember from an early age being told not to look directly at the sun, and I’m also quite sure that my first pair of binoculars had a sticker on them instructing me to absolutely not point them at the sun. So, […]
Celestron CGEM II Mount: The Celestron CGEM, CGEM II and CGEM DX mounts are a midsized class of German Equatorial Mounts (GEM) generically called EQ6 mounts. They are similar to the Orion Atlas mount and the Sky-Watcher EQ6. These mounts are higher capacity mounts than the Celestron Advanced VX but […]
By Michael Deneen Astronomy Chart Light – Gloucester Field Lamp: A few years ago, I started searching for a dimmable, battery-operated red-LED field lamp for my chart table, and I was surprised to find none on the market. I decided to build one on my own, and it has changed […]
Interview with Wayne Parker Creator of the SkyShed POD: Wayne Parker, creator of the SkyShed POD, POD MAX as well as a number of other astronomy related products, took some time to update us on the process of developing its unique POD MAX observatory. Wayne is also a member of […]
SBS SM-2 Seeing Monitor : Santa Barbara Scientific, a company formed by one of the original founders of SBIG (now part of Diffraction Limited), offers a unique product that allows amateur astronomers to measure the true seeing conditions in the areas they practice astronomical viewing and imaging. The SBS SM-2 […]
iOptron calls the iOptron AZ Mount Pro a “level and go mount,” the term it uses to describe its AZ Mount Pro’s simple set-up routine. Using its built-in precision level indicator, you simply level the mount and turn on the power – the computerized alt-azimuth telescope mount takes it from […]
MallinCam is now offering a new lower price of $799US for itsMallinCam SkyRaider DS2.3 Plus video/imager/autoguider. Part of the MallinCam SkyRaider family of astronomical video cameras, the DS2.3 Plus incorporates the Sony Exmor CMOS sensor to deliver the high sensitivity needed for astronomical observation and imaging. The MallinCam SkyRaider DS2.3 […]
Astro-Physics Starfire Refractor> Ever since reading Alan Dyer’s article Astro-Physics Refractors Big & Small in the 1993 September issue of Astronomy magazine, I have dreamt of someday owning an AP-155 f/7 EDF Starfire refractor. Well, it’s taken a couple of decades but I finally acquired Astro-Physics Starfire Refractor a few […]
BOSS Supernova Search: With each new advancement in the technology available to amateur astronomers, the line between amateur and professional – already barely distinguishable – is further blurred. There may be no better example than the feats of a group of amateur astronomers who call their group the Backyard Observatory […]