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Observatory Equipment
Observatory Equipment
Observatory Equipment
An Observatory would not be much use without the proper equipment. The list below includes some of the high quality equipment manufacturers we recommend for your home observatory. Each manufacturer has a long history of providing quality products and is a leader in their equipment category. And because there are so many choices, we work with you to determine the setup that is right for your needs and then order the equipment to insure you have all the proper adapters and attachments.
Give us a call to learn more about the products below or to place an order. We provide a complete solution with product and component ordering to installation in your home observatory.
Planewave Instruments
The Planewave CDK telescope is a brand new optical design. The goal of the design is to make an affordable astrographic telescope with a large enough imaging plane to take advantage of large format CCD cameras. Most telescope images degrade as you move off-axis from either coma, off-axis astigmatism, or field curvature. The CDK design solves these problems with three components: an ellipsoidal primary mirror, a spherical secondary mirror and a lens group. All these components are optimized to work in concert to create superb pinpoint stars across the entire 42mm image plane.
The Planewave CDK telescope is a brand new optical design. The goal of the design is to make an affordable astrographic telescope with a large enough imaging plane to take advantage of large format CCD cameras. Most telescope images degrade as you move off-axis from either coma, off-axis astigmatism, or field curvature. The CDK design solves these problems with three components: an ellipsoidal primary mirror, a spherical secondary mirror and a lens group. All these components are optimized to work in concert to create superb pinpoint stars across the entire 42mm image plane.
Optical Guidance Systems
Optical Guidance Systems (OGS) is in their 19th year of providing research quality telescopes, mountings, and computer control systems to a discerning clientele. OGS was the first telescope maker to earn global acceptance for the Ritchey-Chretien (RC) line of optical tube assemblies, and remains the #1 manufacturer of RC telescopes today. OGS specializes in turn-key robotic and Internet-controlled telescope systems. OGS can also supply Newtonian, Classical Cassegrain, Wright-Schmidt or Maksutov systems configured to specifically meet your needs.
Optical Guidance Systems (OGS) is in their 19th year of providing research quality telescopes, mountings, and computer control systems to a discerning clientele. OGS was the first telescope maker to earn global acceptance for the Ritchey-Chretien (RC) line of optical tube assemblies, and remains the #1 manufacturer of RC telescopes today. OGS specializes in turn-key robotic and Internet-controlled telescope systems. OGS can also supply Newtonian, Classical Cassegrain, Wright-Schmidt or Maksutov systems configured to specifically meet your needs.
Tele Vue
Tele Vue has been a world leader in high quality eyepieces and telescopes for over 25 years. In 1980 Al Nagler, founder of Tele Vue, introduce the 13mm Nagler eyepiece with an amazing 82° apparent field of view. And the innovation continues at Tele Vue with the 2007 introduction of the 13mm Ethos eyepiece with a 100° apparent field of view. Their telescopes are legendary as well with unsurpassed quality, crisp optics and a flat field of view. The new "is" (imaging system) line of refractors are one of the best platforms for astrophogography on the market today.
Tele Vue has been a world leader in high quality eyepieces and telescopes for over 25 years. In 1980 Al Nagler, founder of Tele Vue, introduce the 13mm Nagler eyepiece with an amazing 82° apparent field of view. And the innovation continues at Tele Vue with the 2007 introduction of the 13mm Ethos eyepiece with a 100° apparent field of view. Their telescopes are legendary as well with unsurpassed quality, crisp optics and a flat field of view. The new "is" (imaging system) line of refractors are one of the best platforms for astrophogography on the market today.
AstroSystems
AstroSystems has been manufacturing innovative astronomical accessories for over 20 years. Their main product, the TeleKit dobsonian telescope, comes in apertures ranging from 10" to 32". TeleKits are made from precision CNC machined wood components and use only the highest quality stainless steel hardware. TeleKits can be purchased as components that you assemble or as a premium finished truss tube telescope.
AstroSystems has been manufacturing innovative astronomical accessories for over 20 years. Their main product, the TeleKit dobsonian telescope, comes in apertures ranging from 10" to 32". TeleKits are made from precision CNC machined wood components and use only the highest quality stainless steel hardware. TeleKits can be purchased as components that you assemble or as a premium finished truss tube telescope.
Mathis Instruments
The Mathis Instruments family of telescope mounts has a long history dating back over 24 years. The early models were designed for specific optical tubes, such as the Celestron C-11 and C-14, and were in an equitorial fork configuration. Today, Mathis Instruments manufacturers three models of mounts in both German Equitorial and equitorial fork configurations. Their larges mount, the German MI-1000G, is capable of carrying as much as a 500 pound (225 Kg.) optical tube assembly.
The Mathis Instruments family of telescope mounts has a long history dating back over 24 years. The early models were designed for specific optical tubes, such as the Celestron C-11 and C-14, and were in an equitorial fork configuration. Today, Mathis Instruments manufacturers three models of mounts in both German Equitorial and equitorial fork configurations. Their larges mount, the German MI-1000G, is capable of carrying as much as a 500 pound (225 Kg.) optical tube assembly.
Software Bisque
The Paramount ME features a German equatorial mount with research-grade 11-inch right ascension gears that provide unsurpassed tracking performance. Hefting up to 150 pounds of astronomical equipment, and designed for uninterrupted operation, the Paramount ME can be used as a remote or internet solution. The Paramount ME features integrated telescope and CCD camera control, unattended start-up and automated operation, seven (7) arcseconds or less periodic error before correction, and precision guided or unguided tracking.
The Paramount ME features a German equatorial mount with research-grade 11-inch right ascension gears that provide unsurpassed tracking performance. Hefting up to 150 pounds of astronomical equipment, and designed for uninterrupted operation, the Paramount ME can be used as a remote or internet solution. The Paramount ME features integrated telescope and CCD camera control, unattended start-up and automated operation, seven (7) arcseconds or less periodic error before correction, and precision guided or unguided tracking.
