Tele Vue NP-127is127
This is our main telescope and we use it primarily for DSO (Deep Sky Observations). The power of this telescope isn't so much in making distant objects larger, but rather the way it can be so precisely controlled to take very long exposures. Coupled with a specialized astrophotography camera it is capable of producing remarkable images. In order to take very long exposures, the telescope must track very precisely which requires a number of different pieces of equipment all working together.
This is our main telescope and we use it primarily for DSO (Deep Sky Observations). The power of this telescope isn't so much in making distant objects larger, but rather the way it can be so precisely controlled to take very long exposures. Coupled with a specialized astrophotography camera it is capable of producing remarkable images. In order to take very long exposures, the telescope must track very precisely which requires a number of different pieces of equipment all working together.
ZWO ASI2600 Monochrome Astrophotography Camera
Resolution: 6248×4176 pixels. That yields very, very impressive photographs. That high resolution is only possible during *very* clear/stable seeing. So far we have achieved that level of seeing twcice! Having said that however, dropping the resolution down to even 25% yields stunning pictures!
Resolution: 6248×4176 pixels. That yields very, very impressive photographs. That high resolution is only possible during *very* clear/stable seeing. So far we have achieved that level of seeing twcice! Having said that however, dropping the resolution down to even 25% yields stunning pictures!
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Mount
Our telescope and camera require extremely precise tracking to keep up with the rotation of the Earth very, very exactly.
This mount does that: Working together with the guide camera (below) and the associated Phd2 tracking software, this mount can limit the 'drift' of the image in our exposures to around 1 pixel in an hour's worth of exposure (keep in mind, the camera is over 6400 pixels in width)-- About 1/100th of 1%!
Our telescope and camera require extremely precise tracking to keep up with the rotation of the Earth very, very exactly.
This mount does that: Working together with the guide camera (below) and the associated Phd2 tracking software, this mount can limit the 'drift' of the image in our exposures to around 1 pixel in an hour's worth of exposure (keep in mind, the camera is over 6400 pixels in width)-- About 1/100th of 1%!
ZWO 7 Position Filter Wheel
The filter wheel allows us to seamlessly switch between various different wavelengths of light. Because our camera takes black and white pictures, it is important that we only allow a particular color of light into the camera. By using a hydrogen alpha filter, for example, we only allow a narrow range of very bright REDlight onto the camera. We then use Photoshop to make that red light, well, red!Includes Hα, SII, OIII, Visible (L) , Visible (Red), Visible (Green), Visible (Blue) filters
The filter wheel allows us to seamlessly switch between various different wavelengths of light. Because our camera takes black and white pictures, it is important that we only allow a particular color of light into the camera. By using a hydrogen alpha filter, for example, we only allow a narrow range of very bright REDlight onto the camera. We then use Photoshop to make that red light, well, red!Includes Hα, SII, OIII, Visible (L) , Visible (Red), Visible (Green), Visible (Blue) filters
ZWO HA/SII/OIII Narrow Band Filters
FocusLynx Auto-Focuser
Viewing conditions can change from moment to moment and hour to hour. Our auto-focuser adjusts the telescope based on temperature, humidity and other atmospheric conditions to ensure the best possible imaging during challenging conditions
Viewing conditions can
ZWO 120mm HD Camera
We use this tracking camera with our PHD2 software to "Lock On" to a guide star. The software then sends micro adjustment commands to our mount (a few tenths of 1 pixel) every two seconds to further ensure precise system tracking.
We use this tracking camera with our PHD2 software to "Lock On" to a guide star. The software then sends micro adjustment commands to our mount (a few tenths of 1 pixel) every two seconds to further ensure precise system tracking.
Celestron NexStar 8SE Telescope
We use this telescope for lunar and solar photography. We are buildig our program this year to include solar astrophotography using our Celestron telescope with our ZWO planetary camera
We use this telescope for lunar and solar photography. We are buildig our program this year to include solar astrophotography using our Celestron telescope with our ZWO planetary camera
ZWO ASI 585MC Planetary Camera
We use this camera with our Celestron NextStar8 telescope for planetary, lunar and solar astrophotography
We use this camera with our Celestron NextStar8 telescope for planetary, lunar and solar astrophotography