Astronomy magazine ScopeTrader June 2025 is here

The wait is over,the latest issue of ScopeTrader Magazine has landed, and it’s one you don’t want to miss. Whether you’re a telescope tinkerer, deep-sky imager, solar watcher, or star party regular, this month’s collection of stories, gear highlights, and expert insight will keep your curiosity sparked and your wishlist growing.

Astronomy magazine ScopeTrader June 2025 is here: Packed with exclusive gear, insights, and innovation

June’s headline story celebrates Tom Osypowski, an amateur astronomer whose career-long dedication to Dobsonian tracking systems has quietly redefined what's possible for visual observers and astrophotographers alike. From his very first Equatorial Platform built in 1984 to the modern precision instruments he produces today, Osypowski’s story is one of invention, passion, and craftsmanship.

This feature takes readers deep into:

• The why and how behind Dobsonian tracking upgrades
• Tom’s early trials with motorized platforms in the pre-digital age
• How his ideas evolved in parallel with the rise of CCD astrophotography
• What makes a platform truly precise for long-exposure imaging
• Where he sees visual astronomy heading in a smart telescope world
   

It’s a masterclass in optical engineering through the eyes of someone who never stopped building.

New gear, hot reviews, and what’s next

This month’s gear section is nothing short of packed. You’ll get insider access to:

• The ARTEC Astrograph Series by Artesky, reviewed under real skies for contrast, resolution, and mechanical design. These scopes are more than pretty carbon fiber tubes, they’re built for serious capture sessions with full-frame sensors.
• Hands-on impressions of the McGill EQ Mode Kit for the Seestar S30 and S50. Yes, those alt-az smart scopes can now track equatorially with a clever retrofit.
• ScopeBits’ new ClickStar Controller, which might be the most user-friendly modular controller for legacy mounts and DIY imagers. No screens, just smart control.
   

Other gear features cover:

• The SV260 light pollution filter under suburban skies
• The Wanderer ETA M54 for auto tilt correction
• The GIOTTO flat field generator from PrimaLuceLab
• The TH10 Fluid Head tripod solution for Seestar owners who demand portable stability
   

Each product was tested in real-world imaging setups, with expert commentary and data to help you decide what’s worth your budget and what’s best left in the cart.

Smart telescopes are taking over: Here’s what you need to know

If you’re feeling the smart scope buzz, you’re not alone. This issue dedicates a full section to the rise of AI-powered, self-aligning telescopes with a mix of reporting, reviews, and debate.

Inside:

• The latest on the Seestar S30 Pro, including early specs, use-case ideas, and where it fits in the broader smart scope ecosystem
• A detailed smart telescope image processing tutorial using free and paid tools
• An opinionated but thoughtful piece: “Smart Telescopes Are on the Rise”, what they solve, what they risk, and how they’re shaping the future of amateur astronomy
   

It’s not all rosy hype, there’s real talk about limitations, data access, and how smart scopes affect the learning curve.

Software power without the price tag

Astrophotography doesn’t have to break the bank, especially when some of the best tools available are free. This month’s software section is a must-read for imagers at every level.

We cover:

• Siril and its recent updates for color calibration and stacking
• DeepSkyStacker tricks for noise reduction and comet alignment
• A practical workflow combining GIMP and StarNet++ for stunning, detail-rich nebula shots
   

Also featured: an introduction to Stellarium’s Origin Live View setup, which turns any laptop into a rich control panel for telescope slewing, framing, and target scouting.

Solar sscope news: The biggest one yet

Astronomy’s not just for the night. The world’s largest solar telescope has achieved first light, and we break down what that means for solar observers and scientists alike.

This article goes behind the scenes of this groundbreaking project:

• What makes this solar telescope different from anything before it
• How adaptive optics are used to sharpen live images of the sun’s surface
• The types of data it’s designed to gather, and what amateurs might see next
   

Also included: tips for getting started with solar observing, plus a few safety gear suggestions for visual-only sun watching.

Astronomy without autofocus: Why the eyepiece still matters

In a culture saturated with screens and sensors, we take a moment to celebrate the purest form of astronomy, looking through the eyepiece.

This reflective piece reminds us:

• What’s lost (and gained) when we ditch the camera
• How to optimize your visual experience, from dark adaptation to exit pupil matching
• Why no autofocus means full immersion
   

You’ll also find a bonus sidebar with a surprising astro fact about the human eye’s sensitivity in starlight, plus a nod to the observing techniques of William Herschel.

More to Explore: Events, Articles, and Questions That Keep Us Up at Night

Don’t miss:

• MSRAL 2025 registration news, why this regional event is gaining national attention
• A look inside the Blue Quartz Star Party, with a vibe unlike any other
• “Do Galaxies Spin?” the kind of question that seems simple… until it’s not
   

We also include short takes and quick guides on:

• Upgrading a MEADE Microfocuser to a stepper
• TEC’s brand-new website rollout
• How automatic tilt adapters work (and when they’re worth it)
   

Subscribe now, the sky’s just getting good

If you’ve made it this far and you’re not subscribed yet, now’s the time.

A subscription to ScopeTrader Magazine gets you:

• Full access to each new issue the moment it drops
• Exclusive coverage of gear you won’t find anywhere else
• Interviews and features with the makers, testers, and thinkers behind the telescopes
• Smart telescope analysis from a user-first, hands-on perspective
• DIY walkthroughs, project ideas, and reviews written by real observers, not PR departments
   

We don’t show the screenshots or layouts online, because the design, diagrams, and deep content inside each issue are part of what makes a ScopeTrader subscription so valuable. You’ve got to see it to believe it. The universe is expanding, and so is our coverage. Subscribe today and stay ahead of what’s next in the world of backyard astronomy.