The Saxon 10" DeepSky (254/1200）Dobsonian Telescope is the perfect partner to begin your astronomy adventure with. This affordable telescope comes with a "paraboloidal" primary mirror to eliminate spherical aberration and a four-arm, secondary-mirror bracket with fine supports (0.5mm thick) to reduce diffraction spikes and light loss.

This telescope comes with an aperture of 254mm and a focal length of 1200mm in a 10" tube. This scope features quality parts and accessories - the special roller-bearing construction, Crayford focuser, eyepieces and finderscope are all designed to aid with your observing experience. Once assembled and with a little practice, you'll soon be able to find and view the rocky surfaces of the Moon, planets in the Solar System as well as deep sky objects such as star clusters, double stars, nebulae and galaxies.

The Saxon 10" DeepSky Dobsonian Telescope requires no additional tools during assembly and is incredibly easy to use, making it the perfect scope for beginner astronomers.

What is Dobsonian Telescope and Why the Tension Control Handle?

A simple, elegant form of an alt-azimuth mount made to carry a Newtonian reflector was popularized by John Dobson in the late 1970's. The Dobsonian mounted telescope is popular among amateur astronomers and telescope makers because of its simplicity. In its simplest form, the Dobsonian mount consists of a box which allows the optical tube assembly to pivot in altitude, while the box itself is swivelled on a base in azimuth.

The Dobsonian mount usually relies on the friction between the side bearings on the optical tube of the telescope and a frictional material on the saddle to hold the optical tube in place. If there is too much friction, the telescope is difficult to move to center an object in the filed of view. If there is too little friction, the telescope will not sty where it is positioned. This makes stabilizing the optical tube of the telescope difficult when using a Dobsonian mount, especially when accessories, such as a finderscope or an eyepiece, are added to the optical tube. As long as the amount of friction is at an appropriate level, and therefore stabilization of the optical tube is achieved, the telescope can remain in its desired position to view an object and maintain its position even when the mount is rotated.

The devices for stabilizing a telescope on the Dobsonian mount currently available include: a sliceable weight to counter balance the weight of the telescope, a friction lock that must be adjusted to inhibit movement of the telescope, and a spring attached between the telescope tube and mount to aid in stabilization.

These devices are inconvenient to use because they do not provide a simple and user-friendly way to adjust the friction. The objective of the saxon Tension Control Handle invention is to provide a tension adjuster that users can easily turn to add or reduce tension, thereby increasing or decreasing the friction between the optical tube and the sideboard of the mount.

By providing such a tension adjuster, the telescope does not need to be balanced in order to stay in position. The tension adjuster can be tightened such that the optical tube can stay in a position but can still be moved when prompted to adjust the position of the optical tube. Alternatively, the tension adjuster can be completely tightened to lock the optical tube in position.

Enhance your Canon EOS R series mirrorless cameras with our Saxon T-Mount adapter, meticulously designed to marry your camera with the universe of telescopic imaging. This adapter is the linchpin for attaching your Canon mirrorless camera to a T2 (M42) thread, ensuring a flawless connection for your astronomical adventures.

The adapter comes with an ingenious removable internal M42 thread, easily detached with the included hex key, paving the way for a variety of additional connections (available separately). Upgrade to an M48 x 0.75 thread with our specialized adapter, ideal for those using full-frame sensors where a standard T2 connection may lead to vignetting.

This adapter maintains the critical 25mm distance from the sensor to the female thread, safeguarding the integrity of your imaging pathway. Whether capturing the majesty of a nebula or the intricate craters of the moon, our adapter ensures a comprehensive, unrestricted field of view for the most demanding astrophotographers.

Losmandy VUP14 is designed to work with any mount that uses the 46mm Vixen Style Saddle.

These dovetail plates and accessories are the same dimensions as the Vixen type dovetail. Vixen style dovetail bars may be mounted to the top and bottom of tube assembly for mounting of all V series accessories, making it possible to use both sides of tube for equipment. The unthreaded holes and slots are countersunk on the underside to hold socket head machine screws. There are 24 holes and 4 slots so there's nothing that cannot be mounted to these dovetails.

The dovetail plates, like all accessories in the Losmandy line, are machined for lightness and rigidity from aluminium stock, then black anodized for a tough, corrosion free surface.

One of the most anticipated astrophotography products of the the year is on the way!

Product Description

The DC Y Splitter cable is the enhanced DC cable that adopts pure copper as the wire core.

Usage: The dew heaters for telescopes

Material: Pure copper wire (internal)

Cable length: 150mm/150mm

Plug diameter: 4.5mm (outer)

Connector: 1x 5.5*2.1mm male, 2x RCA female

New from ZWO

The ZWO New EFW-EOS II adapter has been designed as a short EOS adapter for EFW & Cooled camera(6.5mm backfocus version).

Extend distance: 17.5mm

So you can use Canon Lens with ASI1600 and EFW

What accessories do I need to go with my telescope?

This is a question we get asked every day! We've put together some of our favourite accessories as the BINTEL Observer's Kit #1.

Included are:

BINTEL Plossl 32mm

Most telescopes come with at least one and sometime two eyepieces as standard. They usually offer a medium power around 25mm and a higher power 10mm. These are enough to get you started on your astro journey. While many beginners ask how to increase the magnification of their telescope with additional eyepieces, they often don't realise there's advantages to reducing the magnification with a longer focal length eyepiece.

Lower magnification brings a wider field of view. Some wonderful astro objects in the night sky such as large nebulae and star clusters might not fit into the eyepiece at higher magnifications. They'll need a wider view to see them in their fullest detail.

2x Barlow Lens with T-Adaptor

A Barlow lens effectively changes the focal length of each eyepiece. You insert the Barlow into your telescope and then your eyepiece into the Barlow. This doubles the magnification of each of your eyepieces. Your 10mm eyepiece becomes a 5mm, your 25mm a 12.5mm and so on. It's a quick and effective way of making your telescope more versatile.

This Celestron Barlow also had a T-Adaptor thread. If you have a DSLR camera, simply buy the matching low-cost T-ring for your camera body type (Nikon, Canon etc) here and this can be used to attach a DSLR to your telescope.

Celestron Night Vision Red Torch - RRP $29.95

Why do astronomers use red torches?

No matter the size of the telescope you're using, what's seen through the telescope will be faint. Luckily, our eyes get used to low light after spending a short time in the dark. It takes about 30-40 minutes for us to become "dark adapted". Our eyes are then some 10,000 to 1,000,000 more sensitive to light compared to when we're in full daylight.

(Needless to say, our eyes become less sensitive in the dark as we age and take longer to adapt.... )

This is something we're all used to seeing. At low light, our sight moves from full colour to black and white as different parts of our eyes become active. This dark adaption or night vision is especially important when observing at night. The problem is that even a short burst of white light from a car headlight, an outdoor light or a normal torch can "reset" dark adapted eyes and you need to start the entire process of adapting to the dark all over again.

It's easy to avoid the loss of night vision by using a low intensity red light. This Celestron Night Vision Red Torch lets you adjust your telescope, red maps and book or even attach cameras - all without losing your night vision. Many experienced astronomers will tell you their red lights are some their most used and handiest accessories in their observing toolkit!

Celestron Moon Filter RRP $19.95- yes, I wear my Sunglasses at Night

The Moon is bright enough to cast shadows! It's also sometimes overwhelmingly bright in a telescope eyepiece. The glare can make it uncomfortable to view.

A Moon filter simply reduces intensity to make the Moon easier to observe. With glare reduced, you'll also be able to pick out the finer details on the Lunar surface. This Celestron Moon Filter screws into the base of all 1.25" eyepieces.

Observer's Map of the Moon - RRP $19.95

This is a handy fold out, two-sided map of the Moon.

You can observe features with your telescope and locate them on the map or vice versa. This map also features a directory of all the key lunar regions with coordinates to find them.

On the reverse side of the map, there are close-up photos and information about the most exciting lunar regions to explore. You’ll also find images of the North and South polar regions for reference​. Refer to the lunar observing tips for practical information about using your telescope or binoculars to explore the Moon.

The Observer’s Map of the Moon is waterproof, tear-resistant, and can be folded into an 20cm x 10cm size, making it easy to take along on your next camping trip, star party, or evening in your backyard. When not in use, the Moon map will be a stylish decorative poster on your wall. It makes a great display for your classroom or astronomy club.

This 10 map atlas of the night sky is drawn by Wil Tirion and is based upon the Hipparcos and Tycho Catalogs with a stellar limiting magnitude of 6.5.

Opposite each full page map Brian Skiff of the Lowell Observatory has prepared a tabular listing of interesting objects visible in binoculars or small telescopes. These include galaxies, open clusters, diffuse nebulae, bright nebulae, planetary nebulae, double stars, and variable stars.

Atlas includes a set of seasonal star maps to help orient the user to the night sky throughout practically the entire populated world. Objects in Skiff's catalog are also listed in cross referenced tables. Ideal companion atlas to the larger Sky Atlas 2000.0 or Uranometria 2000.0.

The RC II series of binoculars are extremely compact and lightweight, featuring a sophisticated design. These binoculars place emphasis on portability and can be folded for easy carrying. A range of colour variations is available to suit your personal preference.

They might be small - but are powerful for their size and offer remarkably clear views.

• 8x magnification
• Waterproof
• Foldable and ultra-compact
• Stylish outdoor design
• Rubber coated for convenient grip
• Multi-coated lenses for maximum brightness and contrast
• Convenient centre-focus knob for easy focusing
• Fully multi-coated optics
• Nitrogen‑filled body for waterproof/fogproof/dirtproof performance
• Built-in dioptric correction adjusts to individual eyesight
• Size W x H x D (mm): 107 x 88 x 38
• Weight: 215 g

High-quality waterproof and compact binoculars with a wide field of view for outdoor exploration.

The 10x25 WP II binoculars are built for those who love outdoor adventures in all weather conditions. With a 10x magnification and a 25mm objective lens, these binoculars provide crisp, high-contrast views, ideal for wildlife observation and sports events. Featuring BaK-4 prisms and multi-coated lenses, they deliver exceptional optical performance, while their waterproof and fog-proof design ensures reliable performance in challenging environments. Nitrogen-filled for extra protection against moisture, the rubber-coated body offers a durable and secure grip, even in wet conditions. Compact and easy to carry, the 10x25 WP II binoculars are perfect for any outdoor enthusiast who needs a reliable and rugged pair of binoculars.

· Roof Prism Type Binoculars
· 10x magnification
· 25mm objective lens
· BaK-4 prisms for bright, crisp images
· Multi-coated lenses
· Wide-angle of view
· Waterproof and fog-proof
· Nitrogen-filled
· Rubber-coated body
· Built-in dioptric correction
· Convenient centre-focus knob for easy focusing

Specifications

An extension tube can also be used for increasing image scale when doing projection photography.

SKU: FF115

Annals of the Deep Sky - Vol 4 : A Survey of Galactic and Extragalactic Objects by Jeff Kanipe and Dennis Webb

“At last: the sky guide we’ve been waiting for! Annals of the Deep Sky melds through-the-eyepiece observing with up-to-date 21st century astrophysics. Its highly readable format should appeal to observers and non-observers alike. ..... operates at many levels. To the novice, it provides guidance and inspiration, offering both basic background and knowledge to grow with. It provides enrichment for established amateurs, pointing out new directions to pursue. And it offers an up-to-date, one-stop astrophysical reference for advanced observers who aspire to contribute to science.”

358 pages, 158 illustrations, softbound.

Covers Canis Minor, Capricornus, Carina, and Cassiopeia.

The newest handbook for Deep-Sky observers.

Annals of the Deep Sky - Vol 4: Foreward

We are happy and proud to present volume four of Annals of the Deep Sky, in which we continue our survey of prominent stars and deep-sky objects in all 88 constellations. With this volume, we are approaching a quarter of the way to completion, though, speaking realistically, we know we have only just begun.... Among the numerous reviews, online discussion boards, and remarks from star party attendees, we’ve not heard one discouraging word. Most gratifying was the reader who likened receiving a new volume to embarking on a journey of exploration.

Readers may not be aware of this, but our labors on this series have taken us on an exciting journey as well. If you dig deeply into almost any subject you come across interesting tid-bits sooner or later, but when the subject is the universe, one never ceases to be amazed. For us, it is a constant state of being. Each day we come across some eye-opening perspective that allows us to depict the celestial objects we profile as real, physical entities, not abstractions removed across vast gulfs of space.

We strive to present stars, nebulae, and galaxies as objects you can pick up and examine as you would an interesting shell or piece of driftwood on the beach, except that we also relate how the shell or driftwood got there, why it has its unique shape, and what form it will take over time. Our discoveries are your discoveries, as is our surprise and astonishment.

This volume spotlights four constellations: Canis Minor, Capricornus, Carina and Cassiopeia.

Canis Minor

Canis Minor is not often at the top of anyone’s observing list, but like its bigger brother, Canis Major, it contains a prominent first-magnitude star, Procyon, with a white dwarf companion nearly hidden in the primary’s glare. The orbit of Procyon B itself is nearly circular, but the periastron and the apastron junctures are rather extreme, ranging from a minimum distance of 9 AU to a maximum of 21AU. Given that apastron occurs sometime around the year 2027, now is a good time to begin looking for Procyon B.

Procyon has been studied using the rapidly developing technique of asteroseismology, the analysis of stellar oscillations....Starlight tells us much about a star’s temperature and chemical makeup, but asteroseismology allows us to view the star from the inside out. A running theme in the Galactic section of Canis Minor isthe number of asterisms and suspect star clusters to be found within its bounds. NGC 2394 is one of these. Although most research suggests it is not a real cluster, other studies contradict this conclusion....

Capricornus

Capricornus is another low-profile constellation, but it does contain Dabih (β Capricorni) that forms a quadruple system definitely worth telescopic scrutiny. Without doubt, the jewel of the Sea Goat is the globular cluster M30, an old object with an extremely dense core and radiating star chains. It is thought that the central density may exceed a million stars per cubic parsec, making it one of the highest-density environments in the Galaxy. Life forms living on a planet in such a locale would never know a night sky, except, perhaps, under rare conditions, reminding us of Isaac Asimov’s science fiction short story, “Nightfall.”
For the galaxy enthusiast, Capricornus also features a double galaxy, NGC 6907 and NGC6908. The larger system, NGC6907, is an easy find, but see if you can spot its companion, “hidden” in the other’s easternmost spiral arm.

Carina

Our next starry fare is Carina, the Keel, formerly known as Argo Navis. What can we say about this sprawling and incredibly bountiful constellation? Dennis has deemed it our masterpiece, and truth be told, there is no shortage of celestial marvels to chronicle and illustrate. We think it safe to say (as much as modesty allows) that our review of the uncanny, volatile star Eta Carinae is one of the more comprehensive available in the popular literature today. Given its enduring observational history and abundance of cutting-edge research, it is deserving of its own book length treatment. Be sure to check out our three-dimensional presentation of the curious bipolar nebula encompassing this star, called the Homunculus, as well as the star’s laser emission and light echoes from the “Great Eruption” in the 1840s.

Of course, there are numerous other objects to explore in Carina, not the least of which is the Carina Nebula (NGC 3372), which lies just east of the dark, hourglass-shaped Keyhole Nebula; NGC 2516, also known as the Southern Beehive; the planetary NGC 2867 with its hot Wolf-Rayet central star; and the extremely rich globular cluster NGC 2808. The southern regionof Carina, away from the Milky Way, also harbors a number of fascinating galaxies, including the pair IC 2554 and NGC 3136B, NGC 3136, a bright elliptical with some internal structure, and, for imagers, an intriguing face-on spiral, NGC 3059.

Cassiopeia

Given its location immersed in the northern Milky Way, Cassiopeia features myriad stars and nonstellar objects of all kinds. Among the former, we offer Caph (β Cassiopeiae), the brightest member of the class of Delta Scuti stars, four Mira-type variables, the triple star Iota (ι) Cassiopeiae, and the massive binary AO Cassiopeiae. Of the latter selection, we include the young planetary nebula IC 289, the bright open clusters M52 and M103, and the extensive star-forming region (with associated star cluster) IC 1805.

In the northern part of the constellation, we find two satellites of the Andromeda Galaxy, the dwarf ellipticals NGC 185 and NGC 147. Those with an abiding interest in the history and on going research into the supernovae remnants Tycho’s Star (SN 1572) and Cassiopeia A will find plenty to mull over, as well as a sidebar on the eccentric Tycho himself. If each volume is truly like a journey of exploration, we hope you think of us as travel guides, pointing out the most interesting aspects of the astr onomical sights we encounter. We are all at the beginning of an adventure without comparison, and without end.

The ND filter is used to reduce exposure light to improve photo quality when shooting the sun or over-bright objects. The sun will appear in a natural orange color when shooting through your DWARF II using this filter.

Attention: To install the UHC/ND filters on DWARF II, you need to use a magnetic filter adapter. And when shooting the sun, you need to install two ND filters for the two cameras in DWARF II, or it may damage the sensor of DWARF II.

Specifications

• ND
• Transmittance: 1/1000000
• Diameter: 1.25''
• Screw thread: 28.5*0.6mm
• Net Weight: 6g

Warning

• Keep the surface of the filter clean.
• Please do not use it when it has obvious dust or fingerprint, or it will affect the photo quality.
• Clean advice: If there is any dirt, we suggest using a blower or cleaning with glass wipes.

The Celestron Dew Heater Ring is the ideal dew prevention solution for your Celestron telescope. This must-have accessory will improve your observing or imaging nights year-round. The Dew Heater Ring permanently mounts to your 9.25" Celestron Schmidt-Cassegrain and EdgeHD optical tube, replacing your retaining ring, so you'll never be caught without it. The installation process is quick and easy (follow the manual for instructions).

How it works

The Dew Heater Ring replaces the plastic retaining ring on your Schmidt corrector lens for efficient heating across the lens. The ring is constructed of lightweight, durable aluminum. Its rigid frame supports the cable circuity and the telescope's Schmidt corrector lens. Unlike other heating bands or strips that inefficiently heat the lens cell to warm the glass, the Celestron Dew Heater Ring heats the corrector glass directly, providing the most efficient transfer of heat to prevent dew formation.

Simply plug the ring into an external 12V DC power source for consistent, continuous heat that will prevent dew from forming even under heavy dew conditions. The Dew Heater Ring features two storage clips to keep the power and thermistor jacks secure when not in use while accommodating the telescope's dust cover.

The Dew Heater Ring also comes with a cable management clip that connects to the telescope's front cell. Corral the power and thermistor jack to prevent them from dangling and reduce unwanted pulls on the cable connection to the rings.

The Dew Heater Ring comes complete with:

• Dew Heater Ring
• Cable management clip
• Power jack extension cable
• Paper installation shield

Enhance your setup

To achieve the highest level of dew prevention while maximizing power efficiency, we strongly recommend pairing the Dew Heater Ring with a Smart DewHeater Controller (sold separately). The controller uses the ring's built-in thermistor and its internal environmental sensor to provide just the right amount of heat to the corrector to prevent dew based upon the ambient temperature, ambient humidity, and temperature of the Schmidt corrector, which can dramatically reduce the ring’s power draw, greatly increasing battery life. The ring also includes an extension cable for connecting the ring directly to one of the controllers’ heater output ports, or to a third-party controller’s heater output port. (Note: the ring’s integrated thermistor is only compatible with the Celestron Smart DewHeater Controllers).

We also recommend adding a dew shield to your setup. While not mandatory, a shield will cut down on the amount of power the Dew Heater Ring needs to keep the optics clear.

Load Capacity

Without counterweights, the ZWO AM5N can handle 15kg of astro gear

Lightweight and easy to setup

Ideal for transporting to dark sky site or setting up in your backyard

Improved tracking

For even sharper images

Cable Management Features

DC output and USB Type-C ports now standard

New Bluetooth Connectivity

For better mount control

EQ and Alt-AZ Modes

For both astrophotography and visual observing

It is recommended to use a counterweight of ≤5 kg. When using a 5 kg counterweight, the lever arm should be installed within the range of 20 cm to 30 cm. 
For counterweights of other masses, the installation position can be calculated as follows: 

Assume the counterweight mass is m kg. The allowable lever arm length L is defined by:
10 N·m ≤ m × g × L ≤ 15 N·m where g = 9.8 m/s2, 
which can be approximated as 10 m/s2.

For example, if a 2 kg counterweight is used, the allowable range of L is from
10 N·m / (2 × 10 m/s2) = 0.5 m to
15 N·m / (2 × 10 m/s2) = 0.75 m. 

Specifications

Included in the Box

The saxon SBM ScienceSmart Biological Microscope features 40x, 100x, 400x magnification, bottom light illumination and a monocular head. The microscope head is rotable at 360 degrees and the 45 degree incline eyepieces provides optimum viewing for ergonomic purpose.

In addition to AC Power this biological microscope can be easily powered with AA Batteries, turning it to a portable microscope where you can carry and switch it on anywhere without worrying for a power outlet.

The saxon SBM ScienceSmart is easy to use and a great introduction to young scientists, beginners, high school teachers and students.

What's in the box

The MONARCH M5 12 x 42 feature extra-low dispersion (ED) glass employed to correct chromatic aberration that causes colour fringing to achieve contrast-rich and high-resolution images. For a bright view and natural colour fidelity, a multilayer coating is applied to all lenses and prisms, dielectric high-reflective multilayer coating, and phase correction coating are applied to the roof prisms.

The MONARCH M5 12x42 exterior has been completely redesigned from the MONARCH 5 binoculars into a clean form with straight lines. Nikon MONARCH M5 binoculars are ideal for nature-watching, birding, and many other outdoor activities.

Key Features

• Sophisticated exterior design for comfortable holding
• Extra-low dispersion (ED) glass for chromatic aberration compensation and brighter, clearer viewing
• Dielectric high-reflective multilayer prism coating ensures superior transmittance uniformity across the visible range, resulting in brighter images and more natural colours
• All lenses and prisms are multilayer-coated for brighter images
• Phase-correction-coated roof prisms for high resolution
• Long eye relief design ensures a clear field of view, even for eyeglass wearers
• Waterproof (up to 1m/3.3 ft. for 10 minutes) and fog-free with O-ring seals and nitrogen gas
• Turn-and-slide rubber eyecups with multi-click facilitate easy positioning of eyes at the correct eyepoint
• Rubber armouring for shock resistance and a firm, comfortable grip
• Lightweight body uses fibreglass-reinforced polycarbonate resin
• Soft-to-the-touch neck strap
• Flip-down objective lens cap
• Optional tripod adapter enables attachment to a tripod

Universal Dovetail Plate

Hole Separation of 60mm, 2.00 inch, 35mm, 1.5 inch, 1.25 inch.

Fits Astro Physics, Astro-Tech, Borg, Celestron, Explore Scientific, Meade, Orion, Parallax, Questar, Stellarvue, Takahashi, TeleVue, Vixen, William Optics

Wt. 2.4 lbs., Length 14", thickness 0.7"

Includes 1 safety stop screw

DUP Pattern here

A T-ring is used to connect your DSLR camera to a telescope.

Select the T-Ring which matches your camera type in much the same way you need to get the correct lens to attach to it. (Nikon, Canon EOS, Sony etc)

This BINTEL T-Ring is for Nikon DSLR camera bodies.

One end of the T-Ring connects to your camera body in place of the lens and the other end connects to the telescope. Some telescopes may already have a "T-thread" connector while others may require a camera connector.

BINTEL can help with the best way to attach a camera to your telescope.

Losmandy DC11 Dovetail Plate - Celestron 11 Inch

The Dovetail Plates are the heart of the Losmandy Secondary System. 0.5" x 4.0" x length of the tube assembly. Dovetail plates may be mounted to the top and bottom of tube assembly for mounting of all D series accessories, making it possible to use both sides of tube for equipment.

The dovetail plates, like all accessories in the Losmandy line, are machined for lightness and rigidity from aluminium stock, then black anodized for a tough, corrosion free surface.

Celestron dovetail plate for 11", bolts to existing holes. Includes curved blocks for precision fit to the tube assembly. Stainless Steel hardware included.

Weight:. 2.25 lbs.
Length: 17.25"
Hole Sparation: 16.0/16.50
Height: top of tube to top of dovetail plate 1.00"
Thickness .6"

Part #: DC11

Binoculars for the great Australia Outdoors!

Pentax's 10x50 S-Series SP Binocular features large oversized fully multicoated 50mm objectives to reduce reflection and maximize light transmission through the entire optical path. Utilizing the traditional porro prism configuration gives scenes a rich depth of view for an immersive observation experience and provides a comfortable feel in the hand with a lot of surface area to maintain a sure grip. The large objectives and coatings maximize the amount of light getting to the user's eyes for exceptional low-light capabilities, and its high 10x magnification provides an immersive observation experience whether users are bird watching or comet hunting.

Fully-multi-coated optics assure maximum light transmission resulting in high quality viewing. Every surface of every element is fully coated minimizing internal glare and flare and giving a bright clear view. Aluminum-diecast body adds strength and durability. View your subjects even in dim light with high-quality BaK4 prisms that transmit more light at the edges to enhance illumination.

Celestron 8" F/2 RASA - Capture spectacular wide-field deep sky images in seconds with Celestron’s portable astrograph, the 8” Rowe-Ackermann Schmidt Astrograph (RASA). This incredibly fast f/2.0 system is the perfect companion to today’s color astronomical CMOS cameras, smaller CCD cameras, and mirrorless cameras. Thanks to its fast focal ratio and patented optical design, you can produce sharp, detailed images and, in many cases, skip the autoguider completely. Weighing in at just 17 pounds, it’s easy to transport your 8” RASA to the most remote dark sky locations.

RASA Performance Made for Everyone

The 8” RASA is an imaging telescope that delivers a flat field without optical aberrations for razor sharp stars across a wide field of view. It can capture stunning deep-sky astronomical images without the challenges typically presented by longer focal length instruments at a fraction of the cost of those systems.

The latest addition to the RASA family, this 8” version is a much more portable and affordable version of the heralded RASA 11, which was introduced to much acclaim in 2014. With the 8” RASA joining the lineup, a wider range of astroimagers can enjoy the benefits of the RASA design. It has many of the same thoughtfully designed features as its “big brother” RASA 11, including the integrated air-cooling system, internal filter mount, and sturdy CGE dovetail mounting bar.

Purely designed for imaging, the 8” RASA cannot be used visually. The prime focus focal plane is located at the front of the optical system, so it cannot accommodate a traditional eyepiece.

Shorter Exposure Times and Virtual “Real-Time” Observing

Since it is an F/2.0 optical system, imagers can use shorter exposure times to capture detail in faint objects. When combined with sensitive cameras and the proper “live stacking” software, the 8” RASA can provide an almost real-time observing experience. View images on a computer instantly that are brighter and more detailed than can be seen in much bigger telescopes with the naked eye.

Because shorter exposure times are possible, your equatorial mount won’t need to accurately track over extended periods. The 8” RASA’s relatively short 400mm focal length also lessens equatorial tracking demands. In many cases, autoguiding will not be required. Weighing only 17 lb, this optical tube pairs perfectly with a wide variety of mounts.

Ultra-Stable Focus System

With the launch of the 8” RASA, Celestron is unveiling a focuser design that mitigates lateral movement of the primary mirror when focusing, slewing, or tracking with the astrograph. Focusing is easier, more accurate, and more stable than ever. The key to the Ultra-Stable Focus System is two sets of precision bearings that are precisely aligned and tested during assembly to ensure optimal results.

Built for Today’s Latest Cameras

Unlike the larger RASAs that work with DSLR and large CCD cameras, the 8” model was designed with color astronomical CMOS cameras, smaller CCD cameras, and mirrorless cameras in mind. The telescope does not work with standard DSLR cameras. It is optimized for sensors with up to a 22mm diagonal, but performs well with sensors up to 32mm diagonal. The APS-C sized sensors used in many mirrorless cameras are a good choice. 42mm full frame sensors will also work, but performance will be poor at the edges of the sensor and field illumination will be reduced. Additionally, we do not recommend pairing RASA 8 with any camera body more than 4” in diameter. See the chart below to determine if your camera is compatible with RASA 8.

Unique Optical Design

RASA’s optical design is patented (US 2016/0299331 A1). The design consists of a Schmidt corrector, primary mirror, lens group, and optical window. The lens group contains 4 elements and utilizes rare-earth elements. Unlike many telescopes that only perform well over the visible spectrum (400-700nm), the 8” RASA’s optics are designed to perform over a wider spectral range, from 390-800nm. This allows more of the light emitted from the astronomical object to be sharply focused in the image.

With many imaging systems, adding an extra piece of flat glass such as a filter does not change optical performance. However, that is not the case with super-fast optical systems like the RASA. Our engineers addressed this by designing the RASA with a removeable optical window, so you can maintain peak optical performance if a filter is added or if a camera has its own optical window. Celestron offers a Light Pollution Imaging Filter designed specifically for the 8” RASA, which mounts in place of the optical window.

All refractive optical surfaces are coated with StarBright XLT coatings, while the primary mirror uses enhanced aluminum coatings. This maintains high light transmission through the entire optical system.

When compared with “Hyperstar SCT” systems, the RASA 8 provides better optical performance and field illumination.

Description

• Three-in-one GoTo mount can operate in GoTo Equatorial mode holding one telescope, or in GoTo Altazimuth mode holding one or two different telescopes
• Capable of holding a 20kg telescope payload -- ideal for any observational or astrophotographic pursuits
• Accurate belt-driven stepper motor drive system minimises backlash. Movements in any direction are immediate greatly assisting autoguiding accuracy. The responsive GoTo system can locate any of over 42,000 celestial objects with a pointing accuracy of 5 arc-minutes
• Features dual encoders on motors and each axis to maintain alignment. The mount can be de-clutched and moved after alignment and still maintain alignment.
• Dual dovetail saddle for use with Vixen Style narrow or Losmandy "D" style wide dovetail plates, 25.4mm diameter retractable counterweight shaft, new threaded power input jack and threaded DC cable, built-in autoguider port, PPEC capability, 9 slew speeds, and North/South hemisphere polar alignment scope

Skywatcher's new AZ-EQ6 mount is capable of carrying a heavy payload for your visual and astrophotography requirements. It is a very efficient transportable mount weighing only 15 kg, for a load capacity of 20 kg (counterweight excluded).

An excellent feature of the AZ-EQ6 SynScan is the patented dual-encoder technology. This technology allows the telescope to be moved manually in either axis without the mount losing its positional information which gives enormous freedom and convenience for users.

New Features :

• German Equatorial / Alt-Az dual mode
• Permanent periodic error correction(PPEC). PPEC can be trained with Autoguider or PC.
• Belt drive - Super smooth PE curve. Low backlash, silent slewing.
• Shutter release control for batch exposures of astrophotography.
• New motor controller with higher torque and accuracy.
• Include two dual-fit (45mm/75mm) saddle for mounting two telescopes.
• Improved reliable power supply outlet.
• Polar-alignment with polar-scope or SynScan HC's polar-alignment routine.
• Primary axis encoder tracks the mount's position. Users can push the mount at any time without worrying about losing the mount's alignment.

The Skywatcher NEQ6 Equatorial Mount has a well earned reputation as an affordable and capable GoTo mount for both visual and photographic use. Now Skywatcher has developed the enhanced, more versatile AZ-EQ6 GoTo Mount. This new mount promises to become a favourite among intermediate to experienced observers and astrophotographers. This three-in-one smart mount not only operates in equatorial GoTo mode holding one telescope, but also in Altazimuth GoTo & Tracking mode while holding one or even two different telescopes. Control the Skywatcher AZ-EQ6 via the included SynScan hand controller, or robotically with your PC/laptop, or even wirelessly from your iOS mobile device with Orion's StarSeek software and Wi-Fi module (sold separately).

In addition to the dual Altaz and EQ modes, the AZ-EQ6 boasts some other key enhancements, including a smooth and robust latitude adjustment for accurate polar alignment.

New RA and Dec clutches afford positive locking for heavy loads plus a thicker retractable counterweight shaft - 1" in diameter - and a thread-on shaft extension carry multiple counterweights with no chance of flexure.

The newly engineered equatorial head is lighter than the NEQ6, but will carry a 20kg telescope payload with ease. In Altazimuth GoTo & Tracking mode with two different telescopes, each side can hold up to a 9kg telescope. The mount comes standard with an upgraded belt-driven stepper motor drive system that can locate over 42,000 celestial objects of interest with pointing accuracy of 5 arc-minutes and tracking precision of 0.1436 arc-second steps.

The drive has closed-loop electronics, with two sets of encoders per axis, meaning that once it is aligned you can manually move the attached telescope to a new target (or accidentally bump into the telescope) and the mount will still know where it's pointing in the sky! What's more, after an inadvertent or intentional nudge, this smart mount can return to its last target or pinpoint any new target you select without requiring realignment.
This is a highly transportable, yet seriously heavy-duty mount; the mount and tripod weigh in at 23kg. (without counterweights) and the mount can be uncoupled from the tripod with a single hand knob. Loaded with great features, the Skywatcher AZ-EQ6 GoTo Mount has a secure, threaded power input jack; a built-in autoguider port for accurate astrophotographic use; and offers 9 different slew speeds (up to 4.2° per second). This performance-packed mount also features Permanent Periodic Error Correction (PPEC).

The Skywatcher AZ-EQ6's dual-width dovetail saddle accommodates both narrow (Vixen-style) and wide (Losmandy-style) dovetail attachment plates. Along with its sturdy steel-legged tripod, the mount also includes a second dovetail saddle for dual-telescope Altazimuth operations, illuminated polar axis scope with adjustable brightness, two 5.1kg counterweights, RS-232 communication cable, and 12-volt DC power cable with a secure threaded connector.
Whether you're seeking a reliable mount for astrophotography or just looking for an amazingly accurate GoTo platform for visual pursuits, let Skywatchers AZ-EQ6 shoulder the weighty responsibility for smooth, stable, and smart performance!

Two Dual-fit Saddles
Two 5kg counterweights

Annals of the Deep Sky - Vol 1 A Survey of Galactic and Extragalactic Objects by Jeff Kanipe and Dennis Webb

“At last: the sky guide we’ve been waiting for! Annals of the Deep Sky melds through-the-eyepiece observing with up-to-date 21st century astrophysics. Its highly readable format should appeal to observers and non-observers alike. ..... operates at many levels. To the novice, it provides guidance and inspiration, offering both basic background and knowledge to grow with. It provides enrichment for established amateurs, pointing out new directions to pursue. And it offers an up-to-date, one-stop astrophysical reference for advanced observers who aspire to contribute to science.”

358Pages 158 illustrations, softbound.

Covers Andromeda, Antlia, Apus, and Aquarius plus Introductions to Basic Astronomy and Astrophysics.

The RC II series of binoculars are extremely compact and lightweight, featuring a sophisticated design. These binoculars place emphasis on portability and can be folded for easy carrying. A range of colour variations is available to suit your personal preference.

They might be small - but are powerful for their size and offer remarkably clear views.

• 8x magnification
• Waterproof
• Foldable and ultra-compact
• Stylish outdoor design
• Rubber coated for convenient grip
• Multi-coated lenses for maximum brightness and contrast
• Convenient centre-focus knob for easy focusing
• Fully multi-coated optics
• Nitrogen‑filled body for waterproof/fogproof/dirtproof performance
• Built-in dioptric correction adjusts to individual eyesight
• Size W x H x D (mm): 107 x 88 x 38
• Weight: 215 g

Nikon OceanPro 7x50 Specifications

• Focusing System: Central Focus
• Magnification: 7x
• Objective Diameter: 50mm
• Angular Field of View (Real): 7.2°
• Angular Field of View (Apparent): 50.4°
• FOV at 1000m: 126m
• Close Focus Distance: 10m
• Exit Pupil: 7.1mm
• Relative Brightness: 50.4
• Eye Relief: 22.7mm
• Size (Length x Width): 7.6 x 8 in
• Weight: 1120g
• Interpupilary Distance: 56-72mm
• Waterproof/Fogproof: Yes
• Prism: Porro
• Supplied Accessories: Nikon binocular travel case, Marine grade floating strap and lens covers.