Telescopes
From 2002 through 2004, the main telescope was the model AP155EDFS by
Astro-Physics , a 155 mm
(6.1") f/7.2 apochromatic refractor with as second telescope its smaller
brother: the Traveler, a 105 mm (4") f/6 apo.
In November 2002 experiments were started with a model
MN106 Maksutov-Newton telescope made by Intes Micro (Moscow). It has a
254mm (10") aperture and 1408 mm focal length (f/5.5).
In August 2003 a 14.5" Ritchey-Chretien
telescope was put in use. Manufactured by RCOS
this instrument features dual f/9 and F/15 ion-milled optics by Aries
(Ukraine). A 130 mm f/6 Astro-Physics apochromatic refractor rides
piggyback.
Then, in 2006 the TEC APO200FL, a 200 mm f/8
apochromatic refractor by TEC
Telescope Engineering Company was added to
the line-up.
Mount
Astro-Physics' AP1200GTO mount carries the smaller refractor telescopes with
grace and ease and achieves an impressive sub-arcsecond guiding performance.
An 18" flat plate carries the rings for the AP155 .
A dovetail bar allows the Traveler to ride the main refractor and permits
easy balancing in declination. A smaller dovetail bar on top of the Traveler can
carry a piggyback camera or other accessories.
When needed, this combination can be quickly exchanged
for the 8" TEC refractor.
The
MN106 Mak-Newt has recently been moved to an ALT ADN-5 mount controlled by
FS-2 electronics.
The RCOS RC telescope is mounted on an Astro-Physics AP1200GTO mount
and is housed in a separate 12 foot clamshell dome by Astro-Haven.
Imaging equipment
SBIG ST-10XE NABG CCD camera with CFW-8 colour filter wheel.
SBIG STL-11000 ABG large format CCD camera
LRGB filter sets and narrowband filters by Custom
Scientific, Astronomik and Tru-Balance.
Field flatteners and focal reducers by Astro-Physics,
RCOS and TEC.
Philips Toucam PCVC 740K webcam for solar system imaging.
Optec TCF-S, Robofocus and Starlight Instruments electronic
focusers.
Pentax 67 (medium format) and Pentax Spotmatic (35 mm) for
film.