Dec
28
Adjusting a Crayford Focusers Tension
Filed Under Guides
Sometimes it becomes necessary to adjust a Crayford focuser’s tension, usually after attaching a heavy camera or eyepiece. The method of adjustment varies from model-to-model but this example from a Skywatcher Equinox 80 is most common.
Dec
23
William Optics have announced their new William Optics AFR-IV Adjustable Flattener Reducer for refractors with 500-1000mm focal-length.
Dec
23
Celestron Binoculars Clearance
Filed Under Clearance
We have only two of the 9×63 models remaining (possibly the last two in the UK as Celestron’s importer has sold out).
There are also a number of the 8×56 models available.
Oct
19
The people at Starlight Xpress offer advice to those choosing a CCD camera for astrophotography:
Nov
5
James Mackay has kindly submitted his review of the new Baader 8-24 Hyperion Zoom eyepiece :
Faced with limited space in the family car when we go camping and the inevitable “Why don’t we leave the scope behind?” question I decided it was time to rationalise my collection of eyepieces. I have a case full of them (some good, some bad). Then I came across the Baader Hyperion Zoom eyepiece at the South West Astronomy Fair in August.
Oct
30
Martin Bradley of AstroPixels has taken the opportunity to compare his Skywatcher Evostar 120 ED PRO with the William Optics FLT 110 that he is currently reviewing:
I have been very pleased with my Evostar 120 ED PRO but haven’t had another quality apochromat for comparison. Now I have! The FLT is a TMB designed triplet of very high quality and a perfect instrument for assessing the performance of the ED120. (I will be writing a separate, full and detailed review of the FLT in the future).
Oct
24
This useful guide to filters was compiled by Gary O’Connor of the Stargazerslounge astronomy forum.
“I’ve been on my sickbed (well my sicksofa actually) the last couple of days bored stiff with only a laptop for company, so I’ve compiled this guide to planetary filters from various sites and Usenet etc.”
Nice one Gaz! Next time your struck with man-flu, perhaps a little something on eyepieces 
Oct
21
Martin Bradley of AstroPixels is currently testing the William Optics FLT110 APO refractor for a future review.
Received this from him today:
Oct
21
New Baader Hyperion Aspheric eyepieces
Filed Under Equipment
New Baader Hyperion Aspheric 31 and 36 mm eyepieces have become available in the UK.
The use of aspheric lens elements is interesting. Light rays entering at the edges of conventional spherical lens elements converge at slightly different focal points to light rays entering from the centre. This is known as spherical aberration. An aspheric lens has a non-spherical surface to converge central and peripheral light rays to a single focal point for uniform sharpness and clarity. Essentially, this does for eyepieces what a parabolic mirror does for Newtonians.
Oct
15
A sense of scale
Filed Under Cool Stuff, Educational
Nikon’s Universcale Flash website is both entertaining and educational. A fascinating way to experience size and measurements, from the the microscopic to the vastness of space. Wonderful!
‘We are able to view all entities, from the microworld to the universe, from a single perspective. By setting them up against a scale, we are able to compare and understand things which cannot be physically compared’