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ScopeTrader September 2025This month's ScopeTrader invites you on a journey to the southern hemisphere, where writer Mark Johnston explores the legendary observatories of Chile's Atacama Desert. From the windswept domes of La Silla to the cutting-edge instruments at Cerro Tololo, he captures both the technical marvels and the human spirit behind these remote outposts of discovery. It's a story of dark skies, vast landscapes, and the unshakable drive to push deeper into the cosmos.Alongside this feature, we take a close look at some of the most intriguing new gear reshaping amateur astronomy. The Sky Rover 86MA impresses with its full-frame imaging circle and refined mechanics, while the Stellarvue SVX152T shows why large refractors still hold a special place in both visual observing and astrophotography. On the mount front, Dylan O'Donnell reviews the Sky-Watcher 100i Strain, proving that portability doesn't mean compromise, and we put the surprising Teseek 14 strain wave gear mount from AliExpress under the spotlight to see if its bargain price really delivers performance. Elsewhere in the issue, you'll find practical upgrades and clever solutions for the modern sky-watcher. We round up the top ten Seestar accessories that extend battery life and make observing easier, and we share a simple DIY flat panel project that automates calibration frames with inexpensive components. For visual astronomers, the new Hopper e-finder push-to solution blends real-time plate solving with simplicity, creating an effortless way to center deep-sky objects. We also step into the realm of remote and large-scale astronomy. The ZuluAlpha Observatory offers access to Bortle 1 skies and southern wonders like Omega Centauri without ever leaving home, while Starfront's new 24-inch f/3 Newtonian installation in Texas showcases what's possible when big glass meets dark skies. Add in the arrival of the ZWO AM3N harmonic equatorial mount, plus a thoughtful look back at how ZWO transformed amateur astronomy with its cameras and ASIAIR ecosystem, and you'll find this issue brimming with tools, stories, and perspectives that celebrate the ever-expanding frontier of stargazing. Get more issues of ScopeTrader
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