HOTECH’s SCA Laser Collimators

A time-saving astronomers tool

Astronomy Products

Give you more time for unforgettable Astro-images

Astronomy Products – Laser collimators are indispensable tools for aligning the optics of your time-machine-to-the-stars, but many laser collimators of the past had an inherent weakness in which the collimator wasn’t centered in the focuser. This often caused a small gap to exist between the collimator and the focuser’s drawtube, no matter how precise the machining of the collimator’s barrel. HOTECH’s SCA Laser Collimators have solved this problem using a Self-Centering Adapter (SCA) using rubber compression rings that expand evenly against the drawtube and center the collimator perfectly straight in the focuser.

Innovations in design and function

A clever idea that works by using three perfectly aligned laser beams to simulate the parallel rays coming from a distant star, HOTECH’s SCA Laser Collimators work great for quickly aligning the optics of your time-machine-to-the-stars. Stargazers using Ritchey-Chretien, Dall-Kirkham, Schmidt-Cassegrain, and Maksutov-Cassegrain telescopes can quickly, efficient and reliably prepare their telescope to continue their “Journey to the Beginning of Space and Time”, using the only effective method known to collimate their time-machines-to-the-stars.

HOTECH’s SCA Laser Collimators allow users to perform collimation indoors or outdoors, day or night, using a clear and simple to read display located within a short focal distance of the telescope for diagnosing alignment problems with a telescope optical systems without guess-work. Avoid the frustration of moving between the front and back of your telescope adjusting the corresponding alignment screw, while holding your breath and looking through a high magnification eyepiece trying to reference the concentricity of an image out of focus with HOTECH’s SCA Laser Collimators. You’ll have more time for viewing the universe and taking the unforgettable Astro images you really did all of this work for.

An indispensable tool for the astronomer

Check out my latest astronomy website at http://astronomytonight.yolasite.com/.

Learn how NASA astronomers are planning on detecting extraterrestrial moons orbiting distant suns https://spaceshipearth1.wordpress.com/2013/12/31/searching-for-extraterrestrial-moons/.

Read about the latest news on life beyond Earth https://spaceshipearth1.wordpress.com/2013/12/25/the-search-for-life-beyond-earth-takes-a-turn-at-jupiter/.

Take a look at the latest natural color images taken by the Cassini spacecraft https://spaceshipearth1.wordpress.com/2013/12/22/cassini-spacecraft-show-views-of-the-solar-system-in-natural-color/.

Unforgettable Astroimages Create Memorable Moments with the Canon EOS 5D Mark II

The newest star gazers dream is ready for your “Journey to the Beginning of Space and Time”

Astronomy Products

With the Canon EOS 5D Mark II

Astronomy Products – Easy to use, an array of useful and reliable features, and an eye-catching 21 pixels of resolution makes the Canon EOS 5D Mark II a star gazers dream. Hidden within the Canon EOS 5D Mark II lies a 21.1-megapixel, full-frame complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) sensor that captures celestial bodies in unforgettable high-resolution images that will make your “Journey to the Beginning of Space and Time” the trip of your lifetime. This metal-oxide sensor allows stargazers to capture a wider field of view than previous sensors due to its 35.9mm by 24mm size.

 

Innovation in design, amazing in image

 

Designed to withstand the rigors of night time environments and possible collisions with the ground, or even a cement floor, the Canon EOS 5D Mark II saves large Astro-images in seconds to a Compact Flash memory card. You can view your image on the 3.0-inch, 920,000 dot LCD view screen on the rear of the Canon EOS 5D Mark II in all lighting conditions. Designers and engineers even included the option to add a handy and time-saving Canon TC-80N3 remote control to your Canon EOS 5D Mark II, which allows you to set multiple images with certain exposure times and the time period between your exposures.

 

If you love astronomy, check out my latest website at http://astronomytonight.yolasite.com/, and then let me know what you think? 

 

 Learn how NASA astronomers are planning on detecting extraterrestrial moons orbiting distant suns https://spaceshipearth1.wordpress.com/2013/12/31/searching-for-extraterrestrial-moons/.Read about the latest news on life beyond Earth https://spaceshipearth1.wordpress.com/2013/12/25/the-search-for-life-beyond-earth-takes-a-turn-at-jupiter/.Take a look at the latest natural color images taken by the Cassini spacecraft https://spaceshipearth1.wordpress.com/2013/12/22/cassini-spacecraft-show-views-of-the-solar-system-in-natural-color/.

 

Grab a Bahtinov Focus-Mask for Your Time-Machine-to-the-Stars

A Bahtinov focusing mask will save you time for other things

Astronomy Products

An essential focusing tool for your “Journey to the Beginning of Space and Time”

Achieving perfect focus can be time-consuming and difficult without a focusing mask to help you

Focusing your telescope

Astronomy Products – One of the toughest things to achieve when trying to take timeless pictures during your “Journey to the Beginning of Space and Time” will be getting a sharp focus on your time-machine-to-the-stars. Professional astronomers and amateur astronomers in-the-know will use a focusing mask over the front of their time-machine-to-the-stars, rather than relying on trial and error to take pictures of unforgettable views during their trip to the stars.

One of the best and easiest to use and setup face masks on the market is the Bahtinov face-mask sold by Focus-Mask. Simply aim your time-machine-to-the-stars toward the star of your hearts desire, take a short 3 to 5-second exposure of your target, and then take a look at the three diffraction spikes on the Bahtinov face-mask. Adjust the focus on your time-machine-to-the-stars, take another 3 to 5-second exposure of your target, and once again examine the diffraction spikes. Continue this process until the middle diffraction spike lies directly between the other two spikes and you should be ready to take a shot of your hearts desire your kids will never forget.

 

Make sure you take your Bahtinov Focus mask with you

 

Before you head out on the next leg of your “Journey to the Beginning of Space and Time” grab a Bahtinov face-mask or another face-mask, and your view and astrophotography will improve significantly, and you’ll have more time for timeless views, rather than spending time trying to focus your time-machine-to-the-stars.

 

Check out my newest astronomy site at  http://astronomytonight.yolasite.com/. If you have time, drop by and tell me what you think?

 

Read about NASA’s Messenger spacecraft and its mission to Mercury

Have you heard about the recent meteorite that exploded near the Ural Mountains

Read about the supernova astronomers are studying looking for a black hole they think was created during the explosion

Explore Scientific’s 80mm Triplet Apochromatic Refractor Takes You Where No Man Has Been Before

One night exploring with time-machine-to-the-stars and you won’t want to come home

Astronomy Products

Take a journey backward in space and time to a moment distant beyond your imagination

One small and compact package

Great engineering, timeless design and innovative ideas

Astronomy Products – Explore Scientific is one of the new boys on the eyepiece manufacturing block, with both wide field eyepieces and several fine telescopes perfect for young and old amateur star gazers looking for a usable and reliable time-machine-to-the-stars for their “Journey to the Beginning of Space and Time”.

 

Explore Scientific’s 3.15-inch (80mm) f/6 Triplet ED Apochromatic Refractor is built around a triple objective, features a 2-inch dual-speed Crayford focuser, a 8×50 correct-image finder scope, a 2-inch star diagonal with a 1 1/4-inch adapter, and a dovetail mounting plate for securing your time-machine-to-the-stars to many of the most popular alt-azimuth mounts being sold today. The perfect setup for your journey to the stars and one sure to provide you with endless views of space and time you’ll never forget.

 

Your spaceship to the stars is waiting at your local telescope shop

 

 Check out my newest astronomy site at http://astronomytonight.yolasite.com/.

 

 

Read about NASA’s Messenger spacecraft and its mission to Mercury

 

Have you heard about the recent meteorite that exploded near the Ural Mountains

 

Read about the supernova astronomers are studying looking for a black hole they think was created during the explosion

 

New Eyepieces on the Block

A rising star on the horizon of usable and reliable eyepieces

Astronomy Products

Explore the universe using a nitrogen-purged eyepiece

The 14mm, 9mm, and 20mm eyepieces

The right equipment makes viewing the universe easier

Astronomy Products – The right eyepiece for your time-machine-to-the-stars can make the difference between memorable views during your “Journey to the Beginning of Space and Time”, and less than perfect views due to the fact you don’t have the equipment that to observe the universe. Explore Scientific is a new kid on the eyepiece manufacturing block, but the 20mm eyepiece of their 100 Series of eyepieces is quickly gaining fame for producing timeless views of space and time. Similar in many ways to Explore Scientific’s 9mm and 14mm offerings, the 20mm version of the 100 Series features enhanced optical coatings inside a barrel that has been purged with nitrogen and then sealed against the elements. A watertight barrel is a necessity when out in the wild as it will prevent fog from developing inside the barrel as the temperature goes down outside and consequently inside the barrel of the eyepiece. At the same time sealing the barrel against the elements keeps dust and fungus from contaminating the eyepiece and ruining your view of the universe.

 

 Check out my newest astronomy site at http://astronomytonight.yolasite.com/.

 

 

Read about NASA’s Messenger spacecraft and its mission to Mercury

Have you heard about the recent meteorite that exploded near the Ural Mountains

Read about the supernova astronomers are studying looking for a black hole they think was created during the explosion

Your Child’s FirstScope Will Open Their Eyes to the Possibilities in the Universe

This telescope will change your child’s view of the world and universe around them

Astronomy Products

Open your child’s eyes to the universe with a Celestron FirstScope

Set up your FirstScope at your favorite dark sky spot and let your “Journey to the Beginning of Space and Time” begin

Take a child on a journey to the beginning of space and time

Astronomy Products – Take your child into the dark places of the Earth and spend the night staring upward at the night sky they probably didn’t really know existed. This could be your opportunity to open up their mind to the real world and the possibilities of space and time, and turn interest into fascination. This is how astronomers are future game changers of the world and humanity are created. Celestron’s FirstScope will light the fire of discovery in your child’s mind and set them on a course that could lead to great moments in history.

Only $49.95, Celestron’s FirstScope is a 3-inch reflector with a standard 1 1/4 inch rack-and-pinion focuser, 20mm and 4mm eyepieces (which magnify 15x and 75x, respectively), and an amazing steady tabletop mount. Weighing just 4.5 pounds (2 kg), the FirstScope is light enough for your young ones to carry around safely, and sensitive enough to allow them to enjoy viewing the Moon, bright planets, and dozens of deep sky objects. The FirstScope also has the option of a separate accessory kit, which includes a finder scope, two eyepieces, a Moon filter and CD-ROM planetarium program, all for only $20. 

 

Learn why astronomy binoculars are a popular choice with amateur astronomers

Read about the Anasazi Indians

Read about astronomers viewing a supernova they think might have gave birth to a black hole

Remember the Unforgettable Moments of Your Journey to the Beginning of Space and Time

The Canon EOS 350D introduced many astrophotographers to the wonders of digital imaging

Astronomy Products

Astroimaging records moments in space and time

Astronomy Products – Astroimaging is a great way to record the unforgettable moments of your “Journey to the Beginning of Space and Time’, photographing the night sky has never been easier for the amateur, and you can capture the memorable moments of your trip to show the grandchildren. The array of imaging equipment available today for the amateur astronomer looking for a suitable Astro imaging camera to use as a time-machine-to-the-stars for never been more varied. We’ll take you through the basics of cameras and their uses in Astro imaging, starting with the modern camera, to help you decide just how you want to go about Astro imaging and what kind of equipment you want to use to do the job.

The modern camera used for Astro imaging uses electronic imaging sensors to help produce the images you’ll take on your trip. Currently, there are two different types of electronic imaging sensors, CCD (charge-coupled device) and CMOS (complementary metal-oxide semiconductor), both essentially do the job the same way. Inside every modern camera tiny photocells, called pixels, and the circuitry to control the exposure time and read out the image are housed. The number of pixels needed for each view will vary from relatively small numbers for smaller images of planets or distinct celestial bodies to millions of pixels (megapixel) for deep sky views of star fields.

Not all astronomy imaging sensors are created equal

Not all imaging sensors are designed and engineered equally, some imaging sensors produce color images while others only create monochrome views of the universe. Modern color imaging sensors use a “Bayer” matrix, in which alternate pixels filter red, green and blue to produce the image while a computer interpolates the data to smooth the image. Monochrome imaging sensors generally produce sharper images than color imaging sensors, but producing color images is more difficult, as you need to take red, green and blue exposures through separate filters and then use a computer to combine them to produce the color image.

Selecting the correct camera according to the Astro imaging uses you have planned for your camera during your “Journey to the Beginning of Space and Time” is possibly the most important decision you can make in your desire to make sure the treasured memories of your trip to infinity and back are recorded for all time. You definitely want to make sure you’re honest with yourself about what kind of Astro imaging you want a camera for. Do you want to be able to take pictures of celestial objects in the daytime sky? Can you use your Astro imaging camera without having to connect it to a computer? The answers to these questions, and others will help you determine the perfect Astro imaging camera for “Journey to the Beginning of Space and Time”.

For unforgettable images and moments during your journey

The Digital Rebel XT came out early in 2005

Learn why astronomy binoculars are a popular choice with amateur astronomers

Read about the Anasazi Indians

Read about astronomers viewing a supernova they think might have given birth to a black hole

Binoculars are Great for Casual Viewing of the Night Sky

Board Binoculars to Begin “Your Journey to the Beginning of Space and Time”

One of the best astronomical observing binoculars you can get

Astronomy Products

Viewing the universe using two eyes allows you to see more

Astronomy Products – Binoculars are a useful and fun way to view the solar system and delve even deeper into the cold darkness of space and time. The modern astronomer makes use of an amazing array of scientific viewing devices and techniques in the human journey to the beginning of space and time”. Large telescopes on both the Earth and orbiting the planet search the cosmos on a daily basis, using advanced optical systems, and new techniques to look at the universe in ways never before experienced by humans. Thousands of amateur star-gazers also use similar optical systems and techniques based on the same equipment to view the universe on a nightly basis. Good viewing binoculars, however, are a great and fun way for casual stargazers to journey to nearby celestial objects to have a quick look, and they’re also a good way to tour the universe.

  

Why bother with binoculars considering the array of sophisticated viewing equipment available for the dedicated amateur astronomer? Binoculars have a few points in their favor that make them good for the casual stargazer. Binoculars have a low power and wide field of view that makes them an ideal time-machine-to-the-stars for casual viewers of the night sky, or even sophisticated viewing of the universe. Science has certainly proven that viewing the night sky with two eyes is better than viewing the universe with one. The human eye’s power of resolution and ability to detect faint objects in the night sky dramatically improves using two eyes, rather than the one required for viewing with the traditional telescope. In addition, color perception and contrast of the view humans’ observe using two eyes, rather than one, improves noticeably.

 Astronomy binoculars will enhance the view during your journey

Need more proof? On a clear, moonless night, head out to your favorite deep sky viewing spot to conduct a little test of your own. Once you arrive, keep both eyes open, while covering one eye with your hand, and take a look at the night sky. Make a mental note of the faintest stars you see in the night sky. Now, take your hand away from the eye you have kept covered and view the same area of the night sky as before, and you’ll see a lot more stars in the area you previously viewed. It isn’t unusual for some stargazers to experience as much as a 10-percent improvement in perception using two eyes, rather than one, and this can be just the difference that provides some viewers on a casual journey to the beginning of space and time” with a life-changing experience.

Take part in our astronomy poll below!

 

Zhumell 20×80 SuperGiant Astronomical binoculars are great for casual viewing of the universe

 

Learn why astronomy binoculars are a popular choice with amateur astronomers

Read about the Anasazi Indians

Read about astronomers viewing a supernova they think might have given birth to a black hole

Your Time-Machine-to-the-Stars is Ready to Blast-off

Journey to the Beginning of Space and Time in a Celestron EdgeHD Series Telescope

Your time-machine-to-the-stars is waiting for you

Astronomy Products

You can find the Celestron EdgeHD Series Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope at your local astronomy shop

Astronomy Products – Space travellers looking to “Journey to the Beginning of Space and Time” need to travel to infinity and back using the best time-machine-to-the-stars they can find. Celestron’s new Celestron EdgeHD Series Schmidt-Cassegrain telescopes are the perfect time-machine-to-the-stars for the young traveller looking to “Journey to the Beginning of Space and Time, or the veteran space traveller wanting to try out a new spaceship to the stars. Celestron EdgeHD Series Schmidt-Cassegrain telescopes are available in sizes ranging from 8 to 14 inches and have a built-in field flattener/coma corrector in the baffle tube that according to the designers and engineers at Celestron eliminates a lot of the unwanted star bloat that can plague photos taken with conventional SCTs. Add in the enhanced focuser that engineers designed for the Celestron EdgeHD Series telescopes to reduce the image shift problems users of SCTs have noted and your time-machine-to-the-stars is ready to blast-off.

Instrumentation to make the professional astronomer smile with glee

Learn why astronomy binoculars are a popular choice with amateur astronomers

Read about the Anasazi Indians

Read about astronomers viewing a supernova they think might have given birth to a black hole

Steady Your Time-Machine-to-the-Stars for Timeless Views

The Celestron CGE Pro German equatorial mount

Astronomy Products

Astronomy mounts are not all equal

Astronomy Products – Using a sturdy mount to keep your time-machine-to-the-stars stationary is the difference between spectacular moments during your “Journey to the Beginning of Space and Time”, and less than fabulous views due to poor performance on the part of your telescope. One of the top heavy-duty mounts for your time-machine-to-the-stars is the Celestron’s CGE Pro German computerized equatorial mount. Light enough at 154 lbs to be transported to the perfect dark sky viewing spot, the Celestron CGE Pro German computerized equatorial mount can hold up to 90 pounds of telescope firmly in place, for timeless and unforgettable moments on your “Journey to the Beginning of Space and Time”. Just plug the Celestron CGE Pro into a 12-volt power source and the onboard polar alignment routine quickly and reliably helps you align the mount, even if the celestial pole is hidden from view. Making locating and following the celestial object of your choice across the night sky as easy as initializing the Celestron CGE Pro’s systems and blasting off into the night sky where no man has been before.

Celestron has designed and built some of the best mounts in the business over the years

German engineering just can’t be beaten and the Celestron CGE Pro is one of the best you can buy

Learn why astronomy binoculars are a popular choice with amateur astronomers

Read about the Anasazi Indians

Read about astronomers viewing a supernova they think might have given birth to a black hole