What is a Catadioptric telescope

Posted on January 12, 2013 by Reviewer

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A Catadioptric telescope has an optical tube assembly that uses a combination of mirrors and lenses. A common configuration is the Maksutov Cassegrain (Mak). This has a corrector plate (lens) at the front of the tube, in addition to the main mirror at the base of the tube.

Another type is the Catadiptric Newtonian. This has an additional lens in the focus assembly. In effect, it is a barlow lens that doubles the focal length of the tube without the extra size and weight of a long focal length OTA. The downside, is that there may be some slight loss of light gathering when compared to non catadioptric newtonian reflectors.

A good example of a Catadiptric Newtonian reflector is the  Visionary Telesto 114mm newtonian reflector (see image)

 

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Imaging Jupiter with an Ostara 1.25″ 3x achromatic barlow lens

Posted on January 9, 2013 by Reviewer

jupiter

An owner of the new Ostara 3x achromatic barlow lens took this amazing image of Jupiter and Europa.  Equipment used was a Skywatcher Skymax 150, Ostara 3x barlow lens and a web cam. All this was mounted on a Skywatcher NEQ6 mount.

The imager got this amazing result using Firecapture, 90sec capture, 1200 frames best 400 stacked in Registax 6

Full credit for the image goes to Paul Cotton from the North Lincs Astro society

Click here to buy the Ostara 3x achromatic barlow lens

 

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Skywatcher Planetary UWA 1.25″ eyepieces. New for 2013

Posted on January 4, 2013 by Reviewer

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New for 2013 is the Skywatcher UWA Planetary eyepieces (1.25″). Available in 2.5mm, 4mm and 5mm. 6mm , 7mm and 9mm available at a later date to be announced. At just £39.99 they are within most budgets.

Optical system is a 5-element fully multi-coated modified plossl design.  58 degrees field. Complete with fold down eye cups (eye relief 16mm). Threaded to accept 1.25″ filters.

These are designed for high magnification Planetary observations

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Ostara 1.25″ 40mm Plossl eyepiece review

Posted on December 24, 2012 by Reviewer

To test to 40mm Ostara plossl eyepiece , I used a Visionary Telesto 114mm Newtonian telescope to view the Moon and Jupiter.

Conditions were not favourable for the test, due to near by light pollution and a brisk wind. With all the light pollution, I feared lots of internal reflection from the 40mm plossl. To my surprise, there was none evident. This helped give a crisp and clear view. The focal length of the eyepiece gave 25x power when used with the Visionary Telesto 114. The Moon took up around 1/3 of the wide field of view.

Having such a low power eyepiece gave very good edge of field sharpness , with virtually no ghosting.  Overall, the eyepiece gave remarkable results for such a low priced item. Despite the Telesto getting mixed reviews, this test proved that even the lowest spec telescopes can give great results with the addition of an Eyepiece upgrade.

The low power eyepiece gave superb views of the Mountain,s valleys and craters. This included Clavius and all the mini craters within.

Turning to Jupiter. At just 25x you are not going to see much detail. But the two main cloud belts were clear to see, and the 4 satellites were pin point dots of light.

Only one issue was the lack of an eye cup. I would estimate that eye relief is approx 25mm. Without an eye cup to rest on (no spectacles used) I needed to move my head forwards and backwards till I hit the sweet spot . I found this took a few seconds to master. However, if you are a telescope novice that does,nt understand fully how eye relief works, this could be a problem.

The long eye relief , on the plus side mean,t that I could easily view the Moon without having to shut one eye. Also the wide 28mm clear aperture is ideal for basic digiscoping.

Click here to buy

 

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Visionary porro prism binoculars

Posted on December 18, 2012 by Reviewer

 

The Visionary B4 porro prism binoculars come in various styles and specs. Four of the most popular are the Classics, B4, HD and Neoma

Visionary Classic binoculars. Bk7 prisms and fully coated optics. Designed to give good results for those on a budget. Despite the low spec, these binoculars are more than capable of giving acceptable results. Not enough eye relief for spectacle wearers. Available in 8×40 for general use, 7×50 and 10×50 for low light /astronomy,and 12×50, 16×50, 20×60 for long distance use (plane and ship spotting)

Visionary B4 binoculars. Much the same as the classics, but with the added benefit of BaK-4 prisms. These give a brighter and sharper image with less scattering of light (ideal for astronomy). Available in 7×35, 8×40, 10×50, 12×50, 16×50, 20×50 and 8-20×50 zoom.

Visionary HD binoculars. Going up step from the B4, the HD range offer BaK-4 prisms, fully multi-coated optics and long eye relief for spectacle wearers. These give outstanding results in all conditions. Available in 8×42, 8×56, 7×50, 10×50, 12×60, 15×70, 20×80 and 20×80 triplet.

Visionary Neoma binoculars. The same spec as the Visionary HD binoculars, but with the addition of twist eye cups and nitrogen waterproofing. These also are heavier than the HD range, and have a longer body. Available in 8×42, 10×50, 12×60 and 15×70.

All of the above come with a soft case, except the HD 20×80 and 20x80T, which have semi soft cases. Image shows the Visionary B4 8×40 binoculars

Click here to buy

 

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New T-rings for Sony NEX, Samsung NX, Nikon-1

Posted on December 6, 2012 by Reviewer

Optical Hardware now have T-rings (t-mounts) to fit Sony NEX, Samsung NX and Nikon-1

A t-ring will allow you to fit any of the cameras to T-adapters and other devices that have T-42 x 0.75mm thread. Ideal for digiscoping and astrophotography. Contact your local Optical Hardware dealer for more advice.

Image shows a Samsung NX camera

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BBC Stargazing Live 2013. Waters Edge visitors centre, Lincolnshire

Posted on December 6, 2012 by Reviewer

On the 8th January 2013, BBC Stargazing live returns to the Waters Edge visitors centre, at Barton Upon Humber, Lincolnshire.

The North Lincs Astro club will be in attendance with a selection of telescopes for you to look through and give valuable advice

Further displays , demonstrations and talks by Paul Money will be inside the centre

For further details, contact the centre on 01652 631500

 

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Ostara SWA 2″ (50.8mm) eyepieces

Posted on December 5, 2012 by Reviewer

The Ostara 2″ (50.8mm) SWA angle eyepieces are designed to give picture window low-mid power views of the heavens. Available in 26mm, 32mm and 38mm. 2″ only.

Great eye relief makes them ideal for spectacle wearers. Fully multi-coated optics for a bright and clear view.

At around the £100 mark, they are good value for money, and well within the budget of many users

Click here to buy

 

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North Lincs Astro meeting 3rd December 2012

Posted on December 5, 2012 by Reviewer

There was a good gathering at the North Lincolnshire Astronomy club on the 3rd December 2012 meeting. Chris Roche gave a good talk about the speed we are travelling across space.

Clear skies for the most part ensured some of the best views of Jupiter’s Great Red Spot we have ever seen.  A bitter cold wind did,nt help , but we kept observing regardless.

Northern Optics was in attendance with some discounts on the night. Items purchased were a pair of Helios Apollo 15×70 binoculars, light pollution filter and a solar filter for a Celestron Nexstar 6SE.

Thank you to the Lincs wildlife trust for the use of the venue, and help set things up. 

Visit the North Lincs Astro website here

 

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Hawke Sapphire ED binoculars. 8×25 , 10×25

Posted on November 27, 2012 by Reviewer

The Hawke Optics Sapphire binoculars are now available in 8×25 and 10×25. Fully multi-coated optics, ED glass and high grade BaK-4 prisms ensure outstanding results at a very competitive price.
Click here to buy from Northern Optics

A close focus of 1.6m is impressive. This means they are perfect also for viewing much smaller wildlife as well as birdwatching

Just 241g, due to a lightweight magnessium alloy body

 

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