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25 custom astronomy news items found


Turning-discarded-astrophotography-data-into-discoveries-with-SpacePixels

Turning discarded astrophotography data into discoveries with SpacePixels


Thursday, March 26, 2026 by

As astrophotographers, we spend so much time using rejection algorithms during stacking to perfectly erase anything that moves across our frames. But I started thinking about all the dynamic data we are throwing away, like faint asteroids, satellites, comets, streaks and other slow moving objects that happen to drift through our target fields. It turns out those so call...


Vaonis-Hyperia-telescope-re-launches-with-a-$99,000-starting-price-tag

Vaonis Hyperia telescope re-launches with a $99,000 starting price tag


Wednesday, February 4, 2026 by

Vaonis just announced Hyperia, positioned as an all-in-one "smart observatory" aimed more at institutions/outreach than typical consumer smart telescopes. As the smart telescope war heats up, with ZWO pretty clearly leading the charge on pure value proposition, Vaonis has stepped forward with an insanely priced “smart” telescope they're posi...


MLAstro-SAL-33-harmonic-mount-setup-and-safety-guide

MLAstro SAL-33 harmonic mount setup and safety guide


Saturday, December 13, 2025 by

The MLAstro SAL-33 harmonic drive mount is still new on the scene, arriving in small production batches and just beginning to find its way into the hands of early adopters. Even so, it has already sparked interest among mobile astrophotographers looking for a budget friendly harmonic drive mount that does not feel like a compromise. On paper and in early field use, it c...


New-astronomy-online-store-from-OMI-Astro-launches

New astronomy online store from OMI Astro launches


Thursday, December 4, 2025 by

OMI Astro has introduced an online storefront that brings together its mirrors, telescope components, and accessories into a unified, structured retail catalog. According to the public announcement shared with the astronomy community, the store is now the central place where customers can browse product details, review specifications, and make purchases directly through...


High-end-refractor-telescope-sale:-APQ-fluorite-discounts

High end refractor telescope sale: APQ fluorite discounts


Wednesday, December 3, 2025 by

APQ has adjusted pricing on its line of fluorite polychromat refractors, covering six models with apertures from 100 mm to 200 mm. The series spans compact wide-field instruments to larger refractors built for detailed visual and imaging applications. Each model uses an oil-spaced, multi-lens objective incorporating fluorite and specialized optical glass to support broa...


Retractable-LED-flat-field-panel-FlatMaster-Neo-120-launches

Retractable LED flat-field panel FlatMaster Neo 120 launches


Thursday, November 13, 2025 by

Automatic flat panels are a must for any serious imaging rig, especially for fully automated remote setups. That’s why the release of the FlatMaster Neo 120 from Pegasus Astro is worth checking out. It’s a retractable flat-field panel designed to improve calibration accuracy, featuring adjustable LED brightness, a retractable lid with customizable angles, bu...


OMI-Astro-remote-telescopes-are-ready-for-new-astrophotography-season

OMI Astro remote telescopes are ready for new astrophotography season


Monday, November 10, 2025 by

OMI Astro remote telescopes offer astronomers and astrophotography enthusiasts the opportunity to conduct imaging sessions using professional-grade telescopes without traveling to observatories. The service provides users with online access to equipment located in optimal viewing locations, allowing for clear and precise celestial observations. Accessing profession...


ZuluAlpha-remote-observatory-phase-1-reservation-now-open

ZuluAlpha remote observatory phase 1 reservation now open


Monday, October 20, 2025 by

The newly launched ZuluAlpha remote observatory near Sutherland, South Africa, is now accepting reservations for Phase 1 of its remote hosting facility. Built on a high plateau under some of the darkest skies on Earth, the observatory allows astronomers, astrophotographers, and research institutions to operate telescopes and instruments remotely. The site has been desig...


JTW-special-offer-for-introducing-the-Trident-GT

JTW special offer for introducing the Trident GT


Wednesday, October 15, 2025 by

The JTW Astronomy workshop has unveiled a new pricing and customization program for its Trident GT telescope mount, part of the company’s well-known Trident series. Designed for astrophotographers who demand both precision and affordability, the latest offer makes it easier for users to configure a mount that fits their technical needs and budget, while maintainin...


Astronomy-LED-flashlight:-A-brief-history-of-Rigel-Systems

Astronomy LED flashlight: A brief history of Rigel Systems


Monday, September 22, 2025 by

Astronomy Magazine has included the Rigel Systems Skylite Mini Customizable Astronomy Flashlight in their infamous Annual Star Products Guide for 2025 - which will appear in the October 2025 issue. Astronomy LED flashlight: A brief history of Rigel Systems In the early 1980s, the preferred choice for professional astronomers was the Sanyo rechargeable flashli...


New-harmonic-drive-mount-from-MLAstro:-The-SAL-33

New harmonic drive mount from MLAstro: The SAL-33


Wednesday, September 17, 2025 by

Astrophotography gear often comes from familiar big-name brands, so a new mount from a small solar-imaging company might raise some eyebrows. MLAstro, a Vietnam-based startup known for its cutting-edge spectroheliograph (narrowband solar imaging device), has taken a bold leap from capturing sunspots to tracking the entire night sky - I have one and it's am...


The-end-of-servocat

The end of servocat


Tuesday, September 16, 2025 by

BRC Astro, LLC, which acquired the ServoCAT product line from RXDesign in 2023, has announced the winding down of its support and sales operations. Beginning October 1, 2025, the company will no longer accept support or repair requests for ServoCAT units outside of warranty, directing customers instead to the Groups.IO message board for community-based assistance. One m...


Universal-binocular-mount:-Parallogram-at-Farpoint

Universal binocular mount: Parallogram at Farpoint


Saturday, September 13, 2025 by

Farpoint introduces the latest manufacturing batch of its renowned Universal Binocular Mount (Parallelogram), offering bincular astronomy enthusiasts a better stargazing experience. Proudly made in the USA, their products come with no tariff surcharges or surprise duties, ensuring a smooth delivery process for our customers. Universal Binocular Mount: Parallelogram a...


Astro-image-processing-software-update-Tria-Image-Pro-4-released

Astro image processing software update Tria Image Pro 4 released


Thursday, September 4, 2025 by

Quarktet has announced the release of Tria Image Pro Version 4.0, the latest iteration of its image processing and analysis software. Known for its robust set of tools and unique blind deconvolution technology, Tria continues to carve out a niche for both professional and amateur users working with complex image data. The new version builds on a long history of enhancem...


FITS-image-file-software-AstroFiler-updates

FITS image file software AstroFiler updates


Wednesday, September 3, 2025 by

How many of you have external hard drives with countless astro projects on them? It can be dizzing trying to deal with hundreds (and often thousands) of FITS subs from astro cameras. Good news though, the Astrofiler 1.1 update has just been released, and it promises to make managing your FITS image files a whole lot easier. Whether you're a seasoned sky observer or ...


Starfront-Observatories-installs-Custom-24-Inch-F3-telescope

Starfront Observatories installs Custom 24-Inch F3 telescope


Saturday, August 23, 2025 by

Starfront Observatories in Rockwood, Texas has installed its largest telescope yet. A custom-built 24 inch f/3 Newtonian astrograph now rides atop a wedge-mounted PlaneWave L-600, marking a significant leap forward in the observatory’s growing array of customer hosted telescopes. This instrument was handcrafted in Italy by Marco Guidi of Doc Telescopes, a name tha...


Stellarvue-SVX152T-Apo-triplet-refractor

Stellarvue SVX152T Apo triplet refractor


Monday, August 18, 2025 by

The Stellarvue SVX152T is a 6-inch apochromatic triplet refractor telescope designed for both visual observing and astrophotography. Built around a precision 152 mm objective lens, the SVX152T is the result of years of refinement at Stellarvue. It's hand-figured and tested using interferometry to achieve a Strehl ratio of .97 to .98 in red light, making it one of th...


2025-Tele-Vue-product-anniversaries

2025 Tele Vue product anniversaries


Saturday, August 16, 2025 by

Tele Vue products are so expertly designed and finely crafted that they only replace them with new models when they can make a meaningful improvement in performance. Therefore, many products that find their way into our customer’s hands have an ancestry dating back decades. Here they list some anniversaries for products that are still on the market today. 2025 ...


DIY-flat-panel

DIY flat panel


Thursday, August 14, 2025 by

Astrophotographers are constantly innovating to improve their imaging workflows, often creating custom tools that rival commercial products at a fraction of the cost. One clever example comes from a maker who modified a standard LED tracing panel to function as an ASCOM Alpaca-compatible flat panel calibrator. The result is a low-cost, smart device that can automate fla...


ZuluAlpha-remote-observatory

ZuluAlpha remote observatory


Wednesday, August 13, 2025 by

A new opportunity has emerged for astrophotographers and research institutions seeking unparalleled views of the southern celestial hemisphere. ZuluAlpha Remote Observatory, a newly developed facility near Sutherland, South Africa, offers a unique fusion of pristine skies, flexible hosting infrastructure, and turn-key access to the deep-sky wonders visible only from bel...


Sigma-17-40mm-art-lens-put-to-the-test

Sigma 17-40mm art lens put to the test


Tuesday, August 12, 2025 by

Sigma’s latest addition to its Art lens lineup, the 17–40mm F1.8 DC Art, brings an ambitious combination of high-speed aperture, weather-sealed construction, and extended focal range tailored for APS-C mirrorless systems. As the successor to the much-loved Sigma 18–35mm F1.8 for DSLRs, this mirrorless-native zoom seeks to reclaim its position as the br...


Hopper-e-finder-push-to-solution

Hopper e-finder push to solution


Thursday, August 7, 2025 by

The Hopper e-finder is a lightweight, high-performance push-to navigation device designed for amateur astronomers looking to maximize efficiency during observing sessions. At just 80 grams, the Hopper attaches directly to your telescope via a standard Synta/Vixen-style finder dovetail and integrates seamlessly with your existing setup. Despite its compact design, Hopper...


Sky-Rover-86MA-overview

Sky Rover 86MA overview


Wednesday, August 6, 2025 by

The Sky Rover 86MA is a multi-purpose apochromatic refractor built for astrophotographers seeking high-quality imaging performance without paying a premium brand tax. Emerging from a manufacturer more commonly known for binoculars and spotting scopes, this telescope marks a significant step for Sky Rover into deep-sky imaging territory. Despite its relatively recent app...


All-Sky-Map

All Sky Map


Monday, August 4, 2025 by

Sky charts have always been a cornerstone of amateur and professional astronomy. From books like Turn Left at Orion to iconic maps by Wil Tirion, they provide orientation and inspiration under the stars. Continuing in that tradition but innovating for real-world usability, Steve Berardi has released the All Sky Map, a rugged, full-sky reference chart designed to be take...


Houdini-12-coma-correcting-eyepiece

Houdini 12 coma-correcting eyepiece


Friday, August 1, 2025 by

Following the successful debut of the Houdini 20, Houdini Telescopes has announced the next in its series of high-performance coma-correcting eyepieces: the Houdini 12 mm 86° Coma-Correcting Eyepiece. Designed to deliver exceptional sharpness, immersive fields of view, and unmatched coma correction in Newtonian reflectors, the Houdini 12 is already shaping up to be ...



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Welcome to the Lockwood Custom Optics, Inc. View more about Lockwood Custom Optics, Inc

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Our business began in 1990 as research astronomers came to us to obtain high-performance, high-precision  telescope filters and optics. View more about Custom Scientific



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AM7 Mount Replaces CGX-L



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Astronomy Picture of the Day

2026-04-07
IC 4592: The Blue Horsehead Reflection Nebula
IC 4592: The Blue Horsehead Reflection Nebula - 2026-04-07 - Image by Rabeea Alkuwari (NASA Astronomy Picture of the Day)
Image Credit: Rabeea Alkuwari
Do you see the horse's head? What you are seeing is not the famous Horsehead nebula toward Orion, but rather a fainter nebula that only takes on a familiar form with deeper imaging. The main part of the here-imaged molecular cloud complex is reflection nebula IC 4592. Reflection nebulas are made up of very fine dust that normally appears dark but can look quite blue when reflecting the visible light of energetic nearby stars. In this case, the source of much of the reflected light is a star at the eye of the horse. That star is part of Nu Scorpii, one of the brighter star systems toward the constellation of the Scorpion (Scorpius). A second reflection nebula dubbed IC 4601 is visible surrounding two stars just below the image center. The featured picture was taken from Sawda Natheel in Qatar. Jigsaw Nebula: Astronomy Puzzle of the Day

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