New Products At Astro-Physics

Other What's New! sections:
Notification Update
New Updates, Firmware and Everything Else at the Astro-Physics Website
Technical Support - Check this section for updates on our instructions and manuals. All entries are dated so you can easily see what's new and if your original manual has been updated.

• February 1, 2012. Astro-Physics now has the latest edition of Massimo Riccardi's ATMOS Optical Design and Analysis Software, version 8.7 (ATMOS87) available. Special pricing is available for original, registered owners of previous ATMOS versions. If you are interested in optical design, this is a great way to learn more during dreary cloudy nights.

• May 25, 2011.  We have a very exciting upgrade for the owners of Mach1GTO mounts. Our new Precision-Adjust Rotating Pier Base / Hi-Res Azimuth Adjuster Upgrade Kit offers the same smooth and precise rotation as experienced when using the precision-adjust rotating pier adapters with our larger mounts. Regardless of the mount’s load, hi-res adjustments can be made in azimuth with no lockdown needed.

  Additionally, we are now offering CNC machined knobs for Mach1GTO owners. The ¼-20 Machined Knob Kit will add both strength and elegance when replacing the existing plastic knobs. They can also be used with the 400, 600, 600E mounts, the Eagle pier and several other accessories. Follow the link to see their many uses.

  Last, but not least, we are offering a shorter case for the 130 ’Gran Turismo’ scope. The new case no longer includes a separate compartment for the covers that are used when disassembling the scope for airline shipping. These covers are now stored in a separate, foam-lined box also being offered in our ever-expanding product line.

• March 8, 2011. We are offering another opportunity for those interested in upgrading their older 900 Mounts with a 900 Declination Upgrade. Please visit the upgrades pages page for further information. Contact us if you would like to send it in so we can confirm your mount is eligible and has not been upgraded already.

• January 13, 2011.  Owners of Quantum Scientific Imaging’s 500 series WSG Cameras will be very pleased to learn that we have added two new adapters to our product list. The new A3512 adapter connects our 2.7” and 4” Prime Focus Field Flatteners directly to the 2.156” threaded adapter plate of the QSI 500 series WSG cameras. Similarly, the new A3513 adapter connects our 160 Field Flattener and 160/155/140 Telecompressor Correctors to the above cameras.

• December 17, 2010. We are excited to be able to offer a new finder and bracket to replace our discontinued 8 x 50 finder. The new finder, a 10 x 60 Baader Planetarium Vario-Finder with a newly designed Astro-Physics Quick Release Finder Bracket (Vario-Finder with Bracket Assembly - 1060VQ), is an erect-image finder that uses a 45° prism.
  
  
• December 10, 2010. We have several new mounting plate and accessory options for your consideration:
  16" Easy-Balance Dovetail Saddle Plate for the D-Series Style Plate - 900, 1200, 3600GTO, Mach1GTO (DOVELM162) - This popular saddle plate now has 3 clamps, which allows you to use shorter D-Series Style Dovetail Plates such as our 12" version (SBD12).
  
  16" Versatile Dovetail Plate for D-Series Style Saddle Plate (SBD16) - This dovetail plate sets a new standard with its universal appeal for Takahashi, StellarVue, TMB, APM, AstroTech, TeleVue, Astro-Physics and other telescopes.
  
  Astro-Physics Adapter Blocks for the 16" Versatile Dovetail Plate, set of 2 (SBDAPB) - For those of you who would like to mount a guidescope on a second pair of "floating" rings, the SBD16 coupled with this set of adapter blocks is the ideal solution.
  
  Takahashi Adapter Blocks for the 16" Versatile Dovetail Plate, set of 2 (SBDTB) - If you have a Takahashi Mewlon, BRC or FRC scope that you wish to use on a D-Series Dovetail, use these blocks on the SBD16 Saddle Plate described above.
  
  16.5" Dovetail Saddle Plate for PlaneWave 7.625" Dovetail Plates (DOVEPW) - 3600GTO and 1200GTO - This saddle plate is a must if you plan to mount a PlaneWave Instruments 20" or 24" CDK on the 3600GTO mount or the 17" CDK on any of our 1200 mounts. The 4-clampdown knobs and robust construction of this plate will provide a solid base for these instruments.
  
  Our new 27" Dovetail Plate (SB3627) for the 3600GTO is similar to the 22" version (SB3622), however the additional 5" of length makes it a great choice for extra-long instruments or side-by-side configurations.
  
  If you use your Fluorite Flatfield Converter (BPFFC) or 2" Convertible Photo-Visual Barlow (BARCON), support your imaging train more securely with the Threaded 2.7" Extension with Internal T-thread (A3511). The internal T-thread on this extension allows you to attach your BPFFC, BARCON or other accessory with male T-threads INSIDE the 2.7" extension tube. In this way, the camera, filter wheel, off-axis guider, and/or other accessories are all supported by the much more robust and rigid 2.7" tube system, and the Barlow only needs to support its own weight inside the extension tube.

3.5" Focuser to SBIG STL Camera Adapter (ADA35STL) - This adapter was designed for the 3.5" focuser that is provided on our 305mm RH Astrograph.


• August 2, 2010. The new products just keeping rolling off the production line at Astro-Physics! If you have ever wished to keep your polar alignment scope stored in your mount, you will be interested in our Polar Alignment Scope Covers for 400, 900, and 1200 mounts (Q9700, Q12700).
  
  We are also introducing a batch of covers for 2.7” drawtubes, field flatteners, and various accessories. Although the Felted Cover (A1226F) and the Threaded Cover (A1225) for Astro-Physics 2.7” Field Flatteners have been shipping with all newly purchased flatteners since summer 2009, we are pleased to offer them as a set (CSET27FF) for those of you who had previously purchased a flattener before then. These covers are also sold individually as replacements for those that have been lost or damaged.
  
  Another cover recently made available is the Threaded Cover for AP 2.7” Drawtubes, Adapters and Accessories with Female Threads (A1005). This cover can thread directly into any part which has the Astro-Physics’ standard 2.7” female thread, including all versions of our 2.7” and Traveler focusers. For a list of compatible accessories, please review our Accessory Reference Chart for 2.7” Threaded Covers.
  
  We now also have the R.A. Sight Hole Covers for 400, 900 and 1200 mounts (M12666 or M9403) available for purchase on our website for anyone who might need a replacement. Be sure to review the specifications on the product page to insure you get the right part!
  
  
• June 7, 2010. It’s a beautiful, clear night, and you have a dilemma: what scope to use? The Gran Turismo? The 140? Your 10” Mak-Cass? Well now you can mount two scopes at one time! Astro-Physics is happy to introduce our two Side-by-Side Plates for the D-Series Saddle (SBD13SS, SBD16SS). Available in both 13” and 16” lengths, these plates allow you to mount a variety of instruments at the same time.
  
  If you have asked us what is available for your instrument with a Vixen-style bar, we have a solution for you too. We are pleased to now offer a 12” Vixen Dovetail Coverter for D-Series Saddle Plates (SBD2V). With a D-Series dovetail on the bottom and dual clamp Vixen-Style dovetail channel on the top, this plate expands your instrument options on the top of our equatorial mounts.



• March 2, 2010. We have now added the Icron USB 2.0 Ranger® 2104 to our line of computer connectivity products. This high-speed USB extender provides 4 USB ports at the mount, true high-speed USB 2.0 data transfer (up to 480 Mb/s), isochronous data transfer (for SBIG and other CCD cameras), and a range of up to 100 meters (330 feet). Unlike many other solutions, these units will NOT slow down image download speeds significantly, and they will NOT introduce timing errors into guider software commands.
  
  
  
• February 26, 2010. For those of you who have been waiting for our reconfigured polar alignment scopes, you'll be happy to know that they are here! The Polar Alignment Scope with LED Illuminator (PASILL4L) is now available for shipment. Check out the differences between this and previous versions by reading this page. If you need a replacement LED for an earlier version of the polar alignment scope, take a look at our new LED Cable for Polar Alignment Scope (CABLED). Be sure to also check out the optional AstroElectric Polar Scope Dimmer Controller (AEDIM). This handy battery pack is convenient for those instances when you don't want to illuminate the reticle from the mount and has a built-in dimmer function.



• January 29, 2010. Astro-Physics now has the latest edition of Massimo Riccardi's ATMOS Optical Design and Analysis Software, version 8.5 (ATMOS85) available. Special pricing is available for original, registered owners of previous ATMOS versions. If you are interested in optical design, this is a great way to learn more during dreary cloudy nights.



• December 8, 2009. Tony Hallas' 3-disc E-Z CCD DVD Instructional Video set (EZCCD) is an invaluable asset in the astro-imagers tool box. Learn from an astrophotography pioneer his tricks and techniques on how to get the most from your CCD data. What better way to beat the winter blahs than by finally finding time to process all those images from summer!



• October 22, 2009. We have added a few products to our Special Deals webpage. Here's an opportunity to get perfectly usable Astro-Physics accessories that just didn't pass our merciless quality control inspectors. And at a discount, no less! Hurry, these products are only available in limited quantities and when they are gone....



• July 8, 2009. We are pleased to announce the availability of an Adapter to use our 2.7" focuser (A1025-B). For more information about the appropriate applications for this product, please click here.



• May 8, 2009. Astro-Physics is pleased to announce the release of the highly versatile adapter for larger Celestron Schmidt-Cassegrains. The 2.7" Adapter that Threads onto larger Celestron SCT's with 3.25" rear cell (ADASCTLC27), like its sister adapter for the larger Meades, allows Celestron owners to reduce their 3.25" visual back to use smaller accessories. Virtually any accessory from 2.7” diameter on down in size can be used with this adapter.
  
  
• February 26, 2009. If your interests lean toward higher powers and closer images with your film or DSLR camera, then you will be interested in our new Eyepiece Projection Camera Adapter (EPCT). This two piece unit accepts eyepieces up to 1.5" in outer diameter. Available with or without a specific camera T-ring.



• February 17, 2009. We are pleased to introduce a new design to an already versatile product: the 16" Easy-Balance Dovetail Saddle Plate for the 900, 1200, and Mach1GTO Mounts and Losmandy D Series Plate (DOVELM162). This saddle plate provides for eight possible offset positions, allowing you to find the "best possible" orientation for typically heavy and difficult-to-balance instruments (like the C14) or setups with weighty imaging packages. Smaller, wrench-locked knobs make this plate able to be attached in tandem to our 22" Dovetail Sliding Bar for the 3600GTO (SB3622) mount as well without interference. So if your setup is getting bigger and harder to balance, this might just be the plate for you!



• December 15, 2008. The SLR Camera Adapter with Large 1.875" Diameter Canon EOS Bayonet (35mm and digital) for use with 160 Field Flattener and 160 and 155 Telecompressor Correctors (ADATCCEOS) is now available. This adapter allows those of you with the 160 Field Flattener (160FF) and the 160 and 155 Telecompressor Corrector (160TCC & 155TCC) to take full advantage of the large sensor chips in the latest Canon DSLR's and to fully cover 35 mm film. This adapter provides the ideal spacing that these optics require.
  
  
• September 2, 2008. Our product line continues to grow as we introduce several items to our customers today. The first is the 2.7" to 6x7 Outer Bayonet Adapter (ADA2767). Increase the versatility of your set-up by connecting your SBIG STL camera or other full-frame DSLR directly to your 2.7" focuser or any accessory having the female Astro-Physics 2.7" thread, including the Photographic-Visual Telecompressor (27TVPH).
  
  Similarly, two new adapters to attach SBIG STL series CCD cameras to the Astro-Physics 2.7" and 4" Field Flatteners (ADA671 - for cameras with the 8 position filter wheel, and ADA672 - for the standard color filter wheel) are now available. Designed to reduce vignetting and permit easy framing of your images, these adapters can be used in a number of different applications. Be sure to review the various technical documents linked in the adapter's product description.
  
  
• August 29, 2008. We are pleased to announce we've expanding our offering of Kendrick dew removal products. You now have your choice of three different controllers: the DigiFire7 (KDRDF7), the Premier Controller Package (KDRPCP), and the Premier Deluxe Controller Package (KDRPCPDX). There are some splendid accessories available for these units, including Remote Control Software (KDRPCPS) and a variety of temperature sensors. We are also carrying the bino-heater for eyepieces 1.5" and larger (KDRB20).
  



• August 27, 2008. Production of the 3600GTO German Equatorial is in full swing as well as the new accessories designed to complement the mount. These include:
  Limit Switch System for the 3600GTO (36LSS)
  Precision Encoder System for the 3600GTO (36PES)
  30 lb. (13.6 kg) Counterweight for the 3600GTO (30SCWT)
  22" Dovetail Saddle Plate for the 3600GTO (DOVE3622)
  22" Dovetail Sliding Bar (SB3622)
  Flat Surface Adapter for the 3600GTO (3600FSA)
  11.5" Counterweight Shaft Extension for the 3600GTO (M3655)



• August 13, 2008. We have added some filters to the line of Baader Planetarium filters that we carry. Astute Astro-Physics website watchers may have already noticed these on our pricelist for several days, but we now have the full descriptions and technical information up on our website. Included in our new filter offerings are a set of 2" color filters and special filters for narrowband imaging. The narrowband filters are available in 50.8 mm round unmounted configuration for a variety of color filter wheels including those for the SBIG STL series of CCD cameras.
  
  
• August 7, 2008. And they are gone! Our anticipated allotment of the Zeiss Abbe II Eyepiece Sets have all been spoken for at this time. If you didn't get your order in and are still interested in these oculars, please give us a call. We will maintain a short list of individuals wishing to purchase in the event of a cancellation or additional supply.
  
  
• August 6, 2008. For those of you who have been anxiously anticipating the release of the Zeiss Abbe II Eyepiece Set, the end is in sight - crystal clear sight! This extraordinary, four-piece set is now available for pre-order in extremely limited quantities. Produced by Carl Zeiss Jena in a small run exclusively for Baader Planetarium, we are pleased to offer these prized oculars to our customers. What a wonderful addition to your eyepiece collection.
  
  Also available is the new Carl Zeiss 2x Abbe Barlow lens. When paired with the new oculars, this lens effectively doubles the telescope focal length.
  
  If you are considering using these eyepieces with a binoviewer, plan on purchasing two sets right away. We don't anticipate they'll be in stock for very long!
  
  
• July 31, 2008. For those of you considering a TeleVue telescope with an Astro-Physics mount, you'll be glad to know that we now have a TV friendly sliding bar! The newly redesigned 10" Sliding Bar (SB1000) now has an additional countersunk hole and adjustable slot for the NP-127is, as well as other scopes that might use a similar ring spacing.
  
  
• June 17, 2008. We are pleased to report that the Tele Vue 8mm Ethos eyepieces have arrived. The smaller sibling of the highly praised 13mm Ethos are waiting for you to show them first light. In addition to matching the performance standards of the 13mm, the new version is also parfocal in 1¼" focusers with a number of the other Tele Vue eyepiece series. Its smaller diameter also makes it a natural for bino-viewing.
  
  
• June 16, 2008. Soft-sided carrying cases (C0031) for the EAGLE6 pier are available. Lightweight, sturdy - these handsome cases are a convenient way to transport and store your pier.
  
  
• June 5, 2008. Many of you who visited us at the North East Astronomy Forum (NEAF) this past April saw that we were controlling both the 3600GTO "El Capitan" and the Mach1GTO at the same time from a single laptop computer with NO built in serial ports. The Keyspan USB / Serial products that we were using couldn't quite compete with the 305mm f12.5 Maksutov Cassegrain with Carbon Fiber Tube for sheer WOW factor, but many visitors to our booth were still very impressed with the performance of these little electronic gems. Because of the positive response, we are now offering several Keyspan products for sale including two USB to Serial Adapters (USB1P & USB4P) and a USB Server (USB1S4P) as well as a 15 foot straight-through serial cable that will work with our mounts.
  
  
• May 30, 2008. We are happy to introduce two new accessories geared towards increasing the versatiliy of your set-up. The first is the Base for the Quick Release Bracket, Small Radius (QRBASES). While it sounds like its sister product, the QRBASE, this base is sized for telescopes with smaller mounting surfaces diameters (like the new 130mm f6.3 Gran Turismo). The availability of another size base has required us to rename some of our visual accessories. We invite you to carefully review this page for more detailed information.
  
  Our second product is the 12" Sliding Bar for the Losmandy D Series Style Plates (SBD12). This plate fits the channel of the Losmandy dovetails while providing a built-in spacer bar for added clearance of dew shields. Initially designed for the Gran Turismo, we also made it compatible with our other smaller refractors, including the 130mm f6 StarFire EDFS, the 105mm Traveler, 92mm f7 Stowaway and even the 90mm f/5 Stowaway, as well as a variety of other manufacturers' telescopes.
  
  
• April 26, 2008. Those of you who were at this year's NorthEast Astronomy Forum (NEAF) in New York were able get a sneak peek at the new prototype 305mm Maksutov Cassegrain that Roland unveiled. Mounted on the new 3600GTO "el Capitan" mount, these two items seem made for each other! In addition to visiting with Marj, Roland, and Howard, attendees got to hear Roland speak on optical design. Stay tuned for more pictures and information about this event.
  
  
• January 29, 2008. We are introducing two new adapters for customers who wish to mix Astro-Physics and Losmandy mounting products. We have an adapter that allows an Astro-Physics 400, 600, Mach1GTO or 900 to be used on the popular Losmandy HD series tripods as well as on the Losmandy MA Meade Field Tripod adapter (LT2APM). We also have an adapter so that owners of the Losmandy G11 mount can use Astro-Physics Tripods, 6" Portable Piers or the 6" Eagle Adjustable Folding Pier (LM2APT). To complete the picture, we also now offer the Losmandy Knob Set (LTKS).
  



• October 26, 2007. With the opening of the Advanced Imaging Conference in San Jose today, we are delighted to announce the unveiling of a truly impressive new German Equatorial Mounting: the 3600GTO, nicknamed "el Capitan" for its solid, rock-like stability. The 3600GTO will be the new flagship of our mount lineup, with almost double the capacity of the 1200 series mounts! This mount is sure to become a favorite of imagers and observers wielding large astronomical instruments for truly critical work. The prototype 3600GTO mount will soon be taking its place in Dome C in Antarctica (follow the link and scroll down to "Astro-Physics place) where it will carry on in the research begun with several of our 900 and 1200 mounts. Full scale production will begin soon and will depend to a large extent on the response from the astronomical community at large.
  
  
• October 5, 2007. We are pleased to announce that a selection of Tele Vue products are now available to order through our website. You can visit the Tele Vue Eyepiece and Accessories page to view the items that we currently offer.
  
  For many years, Astro-Physics has made Tele Vue's fine oculars and finders available for our customers on request. With the introduction of the new 13mm Ethos eyepiece and the 13/13 celebration under way, we decided now was the right time to give them their own page. For 13 weeks, from October 1st through December 28th, all TeleVue eyepieces (except the Ethos, of course) are available for 13% off our regular list price. And don’t forget that the cost of insured, standard shipping is included in our prices.
  
  Our first shipment of the Ethos eyepieces sold out shortly after we announced that we would be offering them! Now is a great time to get these highly praised oculars ordered or on your holiday wish list.
  
  
• September 6, 2007. Those of you who saw our NEAF 2007 report (also see below) know that the next telescope in the Astro-Physics production pipeline is the 140mm f7.5 StarFire EDF. This instrument has been listed on our products page as a "prototype," but we are thrilled to announce that it is a mere prototype no longer! An expanded webpage is now available with more product details and sample images, and the optional 4" Field Flattener (S155EDFFF) has been added to the website as well. Please link to the notification update page for details on the notification process for these telescopes.
  
  
• August 1, 2007. We are thrilled to announce that for the first time in recent memory, 1200GTO German Equatorial Mounts are now available for immediate ordering WITHOUT going onto the notification list. The plant expansion, investment in new equipment and the hiring of some outstanding craftsmen in both our machining and assembly departments have made this possible. The few remaining available units will probably sell out pretty quickly, but just having made it this far is reason for celebration. Now, if we could only find another Roland or two . . .
  
  
• July 26, 2007. A new version of Massimo Riccardi's wonderful telescope design software, ATMOS 8.0, is now available. Roland has spent the last week giving his favorite optical software a thorough test drive, and like the previous version, ATMOS 8.0 is a winner! If you ever wanted to become an optical wizard, or if you just want to play around and learn something in the process, ATMOS 8.0 is perfect for you, and it's amazingly affordable for such a powerful and highly specialized piece of software.
  
  
• July 2, 2007. Two new adapters have entered the Astro-Physics product line. First is an SLR Camera Adapter with Large 1.875” Diameter Canon EOS Bayonet (67RLEOS). This SLR Camera Adapter for Canon auto-focus 35mm and digital EOS SLR cameras with its large 1.875" (47.6 mm) inside-diameter EOS bayonet minimizes vignetting on full frame chips and on 35 mm film by eliminating the restrictive 1.5” (38 mm) diameter standard T-thread interface. It is designed exclusively for use with the Astro-Physics Prime Focus 2.7" and 4" Field Flatteners (except for the 160FF). The second item is a 2.7” Adapter that threads onto the 3.25” back of 10” and larger Meade SCT’s (ADASCTLM27). This 2.7” threaded back allows the use of Astro-Physics 2.7” accessories with the big Meade SCT’s. The accessory back was designed primarily to accept the popular 0.75x, 2.7” Photo-Visual Telecompressor (27TVPH), but it will accept many other 2.7" accessories as well.
  
  
• June 19, 2007. Our new Counterweight Shafts Options page is now up on the website. The page details the newer style 1.875" diameter shafts that all use the Counterweight Shaft Safety Stop (M12676) with its machined, one-piece, washerless design. These shafts can also take advantage of the 9.25" extension (M12675) to accommodate heavier loads. Of particular interest to many is the optional 10.7" shaft for the Mach1GTO (M1053-A). This shaft can be stowed inside the mount's declination axis for a compact travel package.
  In addition to the shafts outlined above, the page also lists all of the other shaft options currently available for Astro-Physics mounts, including the current and older style 1.125" diameter shafts. All of these shafts require a Safety Knob and Washer, and these parts are also featured on the page.
  Finally, we have also added the new 5 lb. Counterweight for 1.875" diameter shafts (5SCWT) to our lineup. Although this counterweight was envisioned to be used with the Mach1GTO (with the optional 10.7" shaft), it can be used with any mount with a 1.875" diameter shaft to balance lighter loads - perfect for those times that you pop a small instrument on your 900 or 1200 series mount.
  
  
• June 2, 2007. We had some delays, but we are now ready to offer the 6" Pier / Tripod accessories that many of you have been waiting for. The accessories include:
  * Control Box Adapter (CBAPT) for fastening a GTOCP2 or GTOCP3 control box directly to your pier or tripod. (This adapter cannot be used with a GTOCP1.)
  * Single-Level Support Bar (TRAYSB1) for all of our accessory trays. This support bar allows trays to be used (some limitations apply) with our 6" Astro-Physics Portable Piers, our Adjustable Aluminum Tripod (SDS400) and our Adjustable Wood Tripod (AWT000) and provides a wealth of mounting options for the 6" Eagle Adjustable Folding Pier (EAGLE6). The Single-Level Support Bar can also be used with our 8" and 10" Portable Piers and with the ATS line of piers.
  * 6" Accessory Tray (TRAY06) with solid flat bottom and raised sides so that small items won't roll off in the dark
  * 6" Eyepiece Accessory Tray (TRAY06H) with cutouts for two 2" eyepieces and three 1.25" eyepieces.
  
  In addition to the sections on each individual item linked above, we have prepared a Guidelines Page that details the various options and restrictions that apply to the accessories with different tripod / pier and mount configurations and an Examples Page with some pictures of some "dream setups" with a Mach1GTO mount and a 6" Eagle Adjustable Folding Pier set up at each of its possible heights. Take a look and explore the possibilities!
  
  
• May 4, 2007. Check out our NEAF report and photos of our new 130 mm f6.3 StarFire EDF and 140 mm f7.5 StarFire EDF triplet refractors.
  
  
• April 30, 2007. Those of you who were at this year's NorthEast Astronomy Forum (NEAF) in New York were not only able to visit with Marj and Roland, you also got a first look at two new prototype telescopes that Roland was "officially" unveiling. The first to be made available is the 140 mm f7.5 StarFire EDF which we expect to have out this summer. The second instrument, due out in late 2007 or early 2008 is the 130 mm f6.3 StarFire EDF which comes apart for packing into an overhead compartment sized case. More information will be posted as it becomes available.
  
  
• March 17, 2007. Original 160 f7.5 StarFire EDF owners will know that two of these three products aren't quite brand new, but we are now offering them to all 160 owners as well as the third item, which is brand new. These are CCD Imaging Optics for the 160 f7.5 StarFire EDF and the 155 f7 StarFire EDF (with the 4" Giant Focuser). First is the 160 f7.7 Prime Focus Field Flattener (160FF). This superb optic continues the tradition of dedicated instrument-specific field flatteners that we have produced for our large fast focal ratio refractors with the 4" Giant Focuser. One difference is that this Field Flattener was specifically designed with the newer large format CCD chips in mind (rather than 6x7 film cameras). Next are two Telecompressor Correctors: The 160 f5.7 Telecompressor Corrector (160TCC) was developed first, and was so impressive that a modified version was also created for the 155 - the 155 f5.3 Telecompressor Corrector (155TCC). All three of these optics use special adapters created to provide the critical optic / CCD chip distance when used with SBIG's most popular imaging cameras. At present, only the SBIG cameras listed on the linked page are supported.
  
  
• March 8, 2007. It's Official! The premier of the Astro-Physics segment on John Ratzenberger's Made in America television show will be on Tuesday, March 13, 2007 at 8 pm central time (9 pm et / pt) on the Travel Channel. Details are available by clicking the link above and by clicking the following link to the Made in America Website.
  
  
• February 9, 2007. We have added the 900 Hi-Lo Latitude Wedge Assembly (900WDGA) to our product line. The Wedge by itself (900WDG) has been available for many years, but we are now offering it complete with Pier Knobs, hardened washers, center pivot screw and Azimuth Adjuster Block. Like the Wedge by itself, the 900 Wedge Assembly includes the six mounting screws and washers. I think I hear Tahiti calling ...
  
  
• February 7, 2007. A little late for the wicked cold spell of the past few days, but we are now offering Astro-Physics Embroidered Knit Caps (APCAPW) to keep you warm while out observing on these cold winter nights. These caps are stylish, comfortable, warm and a great value!
  
  
• February 6, 2007. We have expanded the Accessory Tray lineup for our Astro-Physics Portable Piers by adding two new Eyepiece Accessory Trays, one for 8" piers (TRAY08H) and one for 10" piers (TRAY10H). The 8" version features four 2" and three 1.25" eyepice holes, while the 10" version has five 2" and six 1.25" eyepiece holes. Like their solid siblings, these trays are beautifully machined out of a solid block of aluminum and black anodized for a rich and durable finish. We have also streamlined the Tray Support Bar (TRAYSB) to make it more versatile, especially when used with the 6" Eagle Adjustable Folding Pier. There will also be two new 6" trays (TRAY06) and (TRAY06H) and a short single level support bar (TRAYSB1) available this month as well as a mounting bracket for the GTOCP2 or GTOCP3 control boxes, making this a truly versatile system.
  
  
• January 10, 2007. 1200 owners (all vintages) who wish to use their mounts in the tropics or in the extreme polar regions can now purchase either the 1200 Hi-Lo Latitude Wedge (1200WDG) or the complete Wedge Assembly (1200WDGA). This heavy duty accessory allows 1200 mounts to be polar aligned at any latitude from 0 to 22 or from 68 to 90 degrees. Observers between +/- 22 degrees latitude will use the wedge in its low configuration while intrepid polar observers can convert it to the high position in a matter of a minute or two. By adding a 1200 Flat Surface Adapter (1200FSA) on top, this versatile wedge can also be used with the 1200 Precision Adjust Rotating Pier Adapter (1200RPA) for simplified polar alignment in the field. The Wedge Assembly comes complete with 4 Lock Knobs with washers, an Azimuth Adjuster Block, and Center Pivot Screw. Both the Wedge alone and the Wedge Assembly come with the six mounting screws with washers. Why, it's enough to make a person want to move to Barbados!
  
  
• January 2, 2007. HAPPY NEW YEAR! The 6" Eagle Adjustable Folding Pier (EAGLE6) is now being made available to the general public. This beautifully machined work of art was designed with the travelling imager in mind and is the perfect companion to the Mach1GTO. The 6" Eagle will, of course, also support the 400, 600 and 600E mounts in grand style. The pier is adjustable from 24" to 44" in height (with the optional 8" Extension (EAGLE6E8)) and allows leveling the mount over a grade of about 6 1/2 degrees. It folds into a package 32" long and 12" in diameter for easy transport.
  
  
• December 20, 2006. Our new Astro-Physics Embroidered Ballcaps with our custom stitched logo are the first of several forthcoming clothing and accessoriy items to be offered. Keep an eye on the new Clothing and Personal Accessories Page for future developments!
  
  
• December 7, 2006. All eyepieces are now sold out. We do not have any information regarding future shipments at this time and we are not accepting additional orders until another shipment is received. Thank you for your interest.



• December 6, 2006. We have a limited quantity of 6mm, 8mm 10mm and 12mm Super Planetary Eyepieces available. Limit one per person. You must call to order, they are not available online. We do not have any 4mm or 5mm eyepieces in stock and are not accepting new orders at this time.



• November 3, 2006. The heavy duty 15 volt power supply (PS15V10AC) that customers have been requesting is now available. This unit is custom-made for Astro-Physics and converts standard 120 volt 60 Hz AC household current to 15 volts (+/- 0.05 volts) DC at 10 amps. This rugged supply is a solid state electronically regulated power source with built in protection circuitry that safeguards both the power supply and the connected equipment. Its ripple spec is less than 5 mV peak to peak at full load. It is especially adept at handling less than ideal input voltage from your household wiring. The power supply comes with an adapter cable that provides a cigarette lighter receptacle for your mount's power cord.



• July 19, 2006. Astro-Physics is proud to announce the addition of two Premium Binoculars for Astronomical Observing to our product line. Roland's search for the ideal astronomical binoculars is finally over. We are currently offering two models of 70mm instruments: a 10.5 X 70 (PB105X70) and a 15 X 70 (PB15X70). These rugged, military-spec binoculars have the optical performance that our discriminating customers have come to expect. From the high-tech multicoatings to the oversize BAK4 prisms, no corners were cut on these quality instruments. A locking case, objective and eyepiece lens caps, a sturdy strap, and a heavy duty tripod adapter are all included, and at a price that is remarkably affordable for such feature-rich, high-quality binoculars.
  
  
• July 1, 2006. You've been asking for it. The new Astro-Physics Optical Cleaning System (OPTCS) is here, and it is turning into a really hot item! Optical cleaning is one of those things that we all want to avoid, if possible. But if we must clean our precious optics, we want to do the delicate job right. The Optical Cleaning System consists of three parts: Baader Optical Wonder™ Fineoptical Cleaning Fluid, Purosol™ Enzyme Optical Molecular Lens Cleaner and Lint-Free Professional Optical Cleaning Wipes. Detailed instructions are included to help you with this critical task.
  
  New software has also been added to the Astro-Physics product line. AtmosFRINGE Interferogram Analysis Software is another wonderful program from Massimo Riccardi, an Italian amateur astronomer and telescope maker. It is a perfect complement to his powerful ATMOS 7.5 Optical Design and Analysis Software. (New version 7.5 was also just released - see original v.7.0 product announcement from March, 2004 below) Now you can not only design the perfect astronomical instrument, you can do a complete data analysis of your optics after testing them with a laser interferometer.
  
  
• June 22, 2006. A new Counterweight Shaft System for 900 and 1200 mounts is the latest addition to the Astro-Physics product line. The new 19.5" Counterweight Shaft (M12601-C), 9" Counterweight Shaft Extension (M12675) and one-piece washerless Safety Stop (M12676) add a new level of convenience and versatility to the weighty subject of balancing your 900 or 1200 mount. A 14" shaft for the 900 will also be produced



• April 10, 2006. New PEMPro release! Ray Graylak of Sirius Imaging and the good folks at CCDWare announce the release of PEMPro v.1.6. This is a significant release for PEMPro as it adds support for many new mounts and provides a host of new features and improvements. This is the full version and is a free upgrade for registered users of PEMPro 1.x.
  
  In addition, Ray is making a beta version of the PEMPro AP Special Edition v.1.6 available to owners of newer AP 900GTO and 1200GTO mounts that had the original PEMPro AP SE included. IMPORTANT: Before you download, remember that this version is ONLY for those who have received a new AP1200GTO or AP900GTO with a PEMPro AP SE license key. It is also a beta release - not yet fully tested. However it is based on the exact same code base as the full version of PEMPro so we anticipate that it will work beautifully.



• January 14, 2006. Rumors have been flying faster than a comet at perihelion about our new mount that will replace the 400GTO and 600EGTO. The new mount has now reached the stage where it is time to make the announcement official. We would therefore like to introduce the Mach1GTO! This mount is a beauty and is the perfect "little brother" to our 900GTO and 1200GTO. It may be smaller, but it is every bit as sophisticated. It uses the same GTOCP3 Servo Control Box as its bigger siblings and is driven by the same superb Swiss servo motors. Design goals emphasized compactness, light weight, rigidity and precision. We are delighted with the way these goals were met. We will be using the notification lists for the 400GTO and 600EGTO to offer these mounts for sale when they are produced. People on those lists will soon be receiving a form in the mail to fill out and return if they are interested in the Mach1GTO. Production is scheduled to begin in February with the first deliveries in the summer of this year. We will be posting more information and pictures as they become available.



• December 14, 2005. Along with the current production run of 900GTO mounts and the upcoming production run of 1200GTO mounts, there have been some improvements made to the adapters that attach each mount to the pier or tripod being used. The most significant of these are the Precision-Adjust Rotating Pier Adapters: 900RPA for the 900GTO and 1200RPA for the 1200GTO. These Precision-Adjust Rotating Pier Adapters allow easy azimuth adjustment without ever loosening the Pier Adapter Knobs. (They rotate through the mount's azimuth adjustment range - they don't spin in circles!) The Precision-Adjust Rotating Adapters are especially suited to portable setups as they reduce polar alignment frustration by several orders of magnitude! Since the Precision-Adjust Rotating Pier Adapters cannot be mounted to a flat surface by themselves, we also developed a Flat Surface Adapter for each to allow using the Precision-Adjust Rotating Pier Adapters in custom installations: 900FSA and 1200FSA. Both Flat Surface Adapters can also be used with their respective Standard Pier Adapter (900SPA or 1200SPA)to give a more finished look to your setup. As an added bonus, the 900FSA will also allow the use of the 900 Hi-Lo Latitude Wedge (900WDG) in custom installations.
  
  
• September 27, 2005. The Feather Touch Micro Dual-Speed Upgrade (4FTMU) is now available for our 4" Focuser. Please read the information carefully to determine if yours can be upgraded. If not, we offer several configurations of our 4" Giant Focuser and associated adapters and extension:
  4FTMU - Feather Touch Micro Upgrade for Astro-Physics 4" Focusers
  4FOC3E - Astro-Physics 4" Focuser
  4FOC3E-FT - Astro-Physics 4"Focuser with Feather Touch Micro 9:1 Dual-Speed
  S4FOC3E-FT - Astro-Physics 4"Focuser with Feather Touch Micro 9:1 Dual-Speed, without Adapters
  S4FOC3E - Astro-Physics 4"Focuser without Adapters
  A1024 - 2.7" Adapter for 4" Focuser
  A1024-A - Short 2.7" Adapter for 4" Focuser
  4FOCEXT - Extension with Brass Locking Ring for 4" Focuser



• August 19, 2005. The first redesigned 900GTO German Equatorial Mounts of the current production run are nearly completed and we expect to begin shipping them in September. These mounts have a number of updated features similar to the advancements we made to the 1200GTO in 2004 in addition to improvements in the declination axis and other refinements. It will also include the newest GTOCP3 Control box and be shipped with PulseGuide and PEMPro software CDs, written by Ray Gralak. We are pleased that many of the new mechanical features of this mount are also available as upgrades to previous models of the 900GTO. Check out our new 900 Mount Upgrades and Spare Parts for these items.



• December 6, 2004. PEMPro, the most advanced periodic correction software, is now available for all Astro-Physics mounts with PEM (Permanent Error Memory). This includes all GTO mounts, as well as QMD mounts featuring the Quartz Micro-Drive Controller. PEMPro is short for Periodic Error Management Professional. It is a Windows software application that makes it very easy to characterize and reduce the periodic error of your mount. We will include PEMPro with the current production run of 1200GTO mounts and all future 1200GTO and 900GTO mounts. In addition, we will provide an evaluation copy to all of the people who received their 1200GTO earlier this year and all people who purchased the GTOCP3 control box. PEMPro was written by Ray Gralak of Sirius-Imaging, a dedicated 1200GTO user and talanted CCD imager, and is distributed through CCDWare.



• October 27, 2004. Every few years, we update our various telescope models with new features, taking advantage of advancements in technology. The first of our redesigned refractors is our new 160mm f7.5 StarFire EDF. This new refractor is a multi-coated triplet, air-spaced apochromat that uses the latest in multi-coating technology with the highest grade of optical glass to achieve exceptional image brightness and color correction. Mechanical enhancements include a 4" greaseless focuser with Rotating Collar (FeatherTouch dual-speed knobs available as an option) and sliding dewcap with baffle to prevent dew and block stray light. A 4" Prime Focus Field Flattener and Flat-Field Telecompressor at f5.75 will be available. These new accessories were designed specifically for this scope for maximum performance whether your interest is medium format or 35mm film photograpy or CCD imaging with the latest camera.



• April 26, 2004. The 2.7" and Traveler focusers are now available in the Feather Touch Micro edition. This focuser offers a greaseless focuser drawtube and 9:1 dual-speed focuser knobs. Several different versions are available:
  27FOC3E-FT   To upgrade Astro-Physics refractors. This version is engraved with Astro-Physics.
  27FOC3N-FT   This unengraved version is available for telescope makers.
  TFOC3E-FT     Upgrade your Traveler with this engraved focuser.
  
  If you prefer the standard knobs, but wish to upgrade your Traveler to the greaseless focuser design, consider our part # TFOC3N.



• April 2, 2004. The Feather Touch Micro Upgrade (27FTMU) is available for refractors and 2.7" focusers shipped since July 1, 2001. Please review the information at the link above to be sure that your focuser can be upgraded.



• March 27, 2004. Italian amateur Riccardo Massimo has developed an easy to use optical design program, ATMOS (ATMOS7), loaded with powerful routines and analysis windows to design and evaluate the most advanced optical systems. It is aimed at amateurs who like to dabble in telescope design or who just like to explore the world of optics. Starting routines for the most common and favorite telescope systems makes it easy to design the basic system in minutes with just a few parameters. A powerful optimization routine can then be used to vary any number of surfaces to get the most ideal result.
  
  The program comes on a CD and the original purchasers of the software will be allowed to download upgrades from our website when they become available. A perfect way to pass the time (and learn something about optics) on those cold dreary rainy nights.



• March 18, 2004. Astro-Physics is accepting orders for its new line of Super Planetary Eyepieces available in six focal lengths: 4mm, 5mm, 6mm, 8mm, 10mm and 12mm. These superb eyepieces feature a 42 degree field with a field size of 3.9mm. The broadband multi-layer coatings on each surface are so efficient that the glass seems to disappear.



• March 17, 2004. The Feather Touch Micro Upgrade (27FTMU) is available for the 155mm StarFire EDFS refractors shipped since October 2002. Upgrades for other refractors and focusers will be available soon.



• February 10, 2004. The new 2004 model of the 1200GTO German Equatorial is officially introduced today with new information and photos. If you are interested specifically in the improvements, you can skip to the 2004 Improvements section. We are pleased that many of the new mechanical features of this mount are also available as upgrades to previous models of the 1200GTO. Check out our new 1200 Mount Upgrades and Spare Parts for these items. In the future, we will prepare a similar page for other mounts. All mount owners can review the new Electronics - Control Box, Keypad, Controllers and Cables section. At this time, most of the items pertain to the GTO and SMD mounts, however the section will be expanded to include components from previous mounts. Check back now and then. Since many of the new sections above refer to previous models of the 1200 mount, we prepared a Brief History of the 1200 Mount as a reference. Owners of other mounts, may be able to gain some insight into their own mounts as well. The letter designations at the end of the mount part numbers indicate the drive system.



• February 7, 2004. We are pleased to offer the custom 2" Desiccant Dust Cap (PWDDC2) from Particle Wave Technologies with Astro-Physics engraved on the cover. If you live in an area with high humidity, you may wish to consider this item to absorb excess moisture in your telescope tube when you are not using it. A flat cover profile was specified so that when the cap is in place, the scope will fit into the case without adding extra length or damaging the foam. We provide 6 refills of the desiccant and indicator packs. As an added benefit, the PWDDC2 is a whole lot classier than our standard red plug. Will fit any standard 2" opening on any telescope. Consider one for your diagonal, as well.



• December 22, 2003. We offered and sold out a limited quantity of our new 5mm Super Planetary Eyepiece (SPL050) from the first production run to the first people who responded to the posting on the ap-ug user group and website. We expect additional eyepieces to be available in March. We are not planning to maintain a notification list at this time.



• October 06, 2003. The RoboBracket provides a solid, secure means of attaching your Robo-Focus remote focus driver from Technical Innovations. Since it was designed to fit the Astro-Physics 2.7" and 4" focusers and finished in a quality manner, it retains the classy appearance of your focuser.



• July 23, 2003. After many months of eager anticipation, we are very pleased to introduce the new Mark V Binocular Viewer from Baader Planetarium (BPMARKVS). The new ClickLock eyepiece clamps and high-transmission coatings are excellent updates to this exceptional binocular viewer.



• July 17, 2003. Our new compact 0.67x CCD Telecompressor (CCDT67) was designed for telescopes with a focal length of f7 to f18 including Maksutov-Cassegrains, Schmidt-Cassegrains, Ritchey-Cretiens, and refractors. It threads onto the nosepiece of your SBIG CCD imaging camera and will effectively compress your instrument by 0.67x when a color filter wheel is used. For instance, your f10 instrument will operate at f6.7, thus significantly reducing your exposure time. The compression is approximately 0.75x without a Color Filter Wheel. Order yours now for $148.



• July 17, 2003. The product descriptions of the new 16" Dovetail Mounting Plates. DOVELM16 (for the 1200) and DOVELM16S (for the 900) have been improved. Contrary to earlier statements, the 13.5" Losmandy D series dovetail plates can be used with our 16" plate. This is particularly useful if you have one scope that uses a 17.25" Losmandy plate (like a C-11) and a second scope that uses a 13.5" plates (such as our 130 StarFire). You can use both of these Losmandy plates with the DOVELM16 or DOVELM16S.



• June 12, 2003. Astro-Physics 2.7” Focuser with Starlight Instruments Feather Touch Micro. We are very pleased to offer this dual-speed option as an upgrade (S27FOCFPU) to all focusers shipped since July 2001 and eventually offer the entire 2.7" and 4" focuser to all by the end of the year.


• May 22, 2003. Heavy-Duty Azimuth Adjustors are now available as an update for all 1200 mount models 12AZKIT. This new one-piece assembly with graduated adjustor knobs will help you to tweak your precise polar alignment quicker and easier.



• May 13, 2003. If you have a 1200 or 900 mount and use the Losmandy D Series plates, you will appreciate our new 16" dovetail mounting plates. DOVELM16 (for the 1200) and DOVELM16S (for the 900) provide a solid base of support for larger scopes that use the Losmandy plates that are 17.25" or longer. We have also improved the entire mounting plates section with new photos, expanded information and instruction sheets.



• May 23, 2002. We have added lots of new photos of the 105 f6 Traveler EDFS, 130 f6 StarFire EDFS and 155 f7 StarFire EDFS showing these scopes in action with a wide variety of accessories.



• May 8, 2002. We are offering two new limited production refractors in this production run cycle. The 92mm f7 Stowaway is a longer cousin to the f5 version that we offered several years ago. At 6.5 lbs, it is a real gem. We are also bringing back the 130mm f8.35 StarFire EDT for those who favor a longer focal length. As usual, we will be contacting people who have been on the notification list for these scopes. See the Notification Update for further information.



• May 7, 2002. The products section has been reorganized a bit to improve navigation. We also added a few more photos and updated information. Several new products have been added that will be of particular interest to CCD imagers. These include a 2" adapter with brass locking ring and three large thumbscrews (ADA2003), and several adapters to use our 2.7" and 4" Field Flatteners with several popular CCD cameras (A1260, A1261, A1262).



• May 2, 2002. Check out a few new Special Deals, especially if you own an 800 mount.



• April 5, 2002. The Advanced Telescope Systems (ATS) Portable Piers are now available from Astro-Physics. These piers have been very popular with astrophographers and imagers on the west coast for a number of years because they offer a very solid platform for your mount.
  If you have two piers for your 1200 or 900 mounts, perhaps one permanent and one portable, you may wish to purchase an extra Mount Base/Pier Adapter. This will allow you to quickly switch your mount from one pier to the other.
  
  The 900 Wedge for 0-20 Degrees (part# 900WDG) will allow the 900 mount to be used from 0-20 degrees latitude - perfect for someone living on or traveling to the Big Island of Hawaii or other warm and wonderful place. This item has been on our price list for awhile, but has not been described or pictured. It is suitable for the 900GTO and all prior 900 models.



• March 14, 2002. Our new Special Deals section launches today. Check this new link on the side bar (also shown as our Featured Product on the home page today) to see what overstock, discontinued or unique products are available as special discount prices. Quantities are limited.



• February 18, 2002. Introducing a new product, part # AP16, 2"/T2 Nosepiece with smooth 2" barrel. This part will allow the Giant Binocular Viewer from Baader Planetarium to seat properly in the focusers of the TMB and Borg refractors or with any components that have compression/locking rings. Refer to the Price List for further information.



• September 10, 2001. Software Bisque released version 5.00.014 update with a much improved driver for the AP GTO mounts. Upgrade your Level IV, Version 5 copy of TheSky at the support section of their website. Refer to TheSky version 5.00.014 Windows Update - AP Driver Features for more information.



• June 23, 2001. We are pleased to offer many new products from Baader Planetarium including the Fluorite Flatfield Converter Barlow (FFC) and additional components of the FFC System, 1.25" Colored Filter Set (6 filters, polished optically flat), and the Moon & Skyglowfilters (1.25" and 48mm sizes). The filters are on the way from Germany and will be ready to ship sometime next week. The FFC and related components are due to arrive in mid-July.



• April 5, 2001. Software Bisque recently announced version 5.00.012 Windows update which includes a driver for the Astro-Physics GTO mount. If you already own version 5 of TheSky, you can download this upgrade from the support section of the Software Bisque website. New features include higher-resolution RA, motion control, set tracking rates, park (parking available only for GTO Control Box chips dated 11-13-00 or later). Refer to TheSky version 5.00.012 Windows Update - AP Driver Features for more information.



• January 17, 2001. A Polar Alignment Scope (PASILL3) has been added to our product line once again. Over the last few years, we have maintained an in-house notification list (not available as a choice on the web pulldown notification list) for people who were interested in polar scopes. Today, we contacted the people on the list and expect to sell all of the scopes received in our recent shipment. However, we have placed another order with our supplier which we hope to receive in the next few months.



• January 11, 2001. Kendrick Astro Instruments is now offering completed, ready-to-use solar filters for commonly used telescopes on the market today. These filters feature the Baader AstroSolar safety film mounted in felt-lined, aluminum cells with three nylon thumbscrews. We are very pleased that Jim is offering these completed filters for the convenience and safety of our customers. The white-light views are remarkable showing fine, filamentary detail in the high-contrast images. Since we are experiencing solar maximum in the sunspot cycle, now is the time to enjoy solar astronomy too!



• November 15, 2000. Baader Planetarium AstroSolar Film was selected as one of Sky & Telescope's 25 Hot Products of 2000. You can either purchase the sheets from us to make your own filters or, better yet, order complete filters for all popular telescopes from Kendrick Astro Instruments. We will offer these filters soon on our website.



• July 19, 2000. Sky & Telescope declared that the Baader Planetarium AstroSolar Film is now "The New Standard in Solar Filters." Read all about it in the September 2000 issue, p. 63-64. Our customers have been very excited about this solar filter material since we introduced it to the U.S. market one year ago.



• February 18, 2000. Sky & Telescope Review of DigitalSky Voice. Originally published in the December 1999 issue, you can now read it on-line.



• October 22, 1999. DigitalSky Voice™ software is selected as one of the 25 Hot Products of 1999 by the editors of Sky & Telescope magazine. Don't forget to vote for DSV as your favorite product introduced in 1999.  Hint Hint ; )   Cast your ballot by visiting www.skypub.com.



• October 22, 1999. DigitalSky Voice™ software is reviewed by Sky & Telescope magazine, December issue, pages 66-69. It highlights the "excellent voice recognition right out of the box" and describes many of the key features. It's a great review. We couldn't have said it better ourselves.



• September 20, 1999.Products goes on-line at last. More features coming.



• July 1, 1999. Introduce BAADER AstroSolar™ white-light solar filter material.
  


• May 21, 1999. Shipping DigitalSky Voice™ software.

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