Like New, used only a few times since purchase in summer of 99.  Complete system includes 

Astro-Physics 155mm f7 Starfire EDF Apochromatic Refractor  Telescope, Model 900 GTO

Equatorial Mount with Pier, and other accessories and optics. Will accept Money Orders or 

Cashiers Checks. Buyer pays for shipping.

 

Email me for any questions :   mailto:Bobbyduckworth@cs.com

 

Click on pictures to expand

 

                                                                       

 

 

Descriptions and specifications (Material derived from Company Seven Website, distributor for Astro-Physics) :

I.    Astro-Physics 155mm f7 Starfire EDF Apochromatic Refractor  with 4" Focuser and 4" Field Flattner Lens

 

  

  

The objectives are APOCHROMATIC, meaning images are essentially free of false color, both  

photographically and visually. The selected Super ED is the heart of this optical design because

of its excellent light transmission and superior correction of all the monochromatic and 

polychromatic aberrations. Super ED is a more advanced glass than the more common varieties

used in commercialrefractors allowing Astro-Physics to use crown rather than flint for the outer

elements. Normal ED (FK01) and even Fluorite doublets use flint glasses as the leading element,

causing the color correction to be less than perfect, especially in the violet region of the spectrum.

These flints introduce false color that can be seen as purple halos around bright objects, or purple

fringing along the Lunar edge and at the edges of bright craters. This color error can cause brighter

stars to bloat on long exposure photographs. 

 

Their relatively compact arrangement makes the EDF series of telescopes truly one man manageable

 instruments; affording spectacular views unmatched by any other telescope systems in terms of field

of view, detail, color fidelity, contrast and clarity. One of the important advantages of a short focal

length is that the mounting can be relatively smaller, lighter and more compact than longer telescopes

 The result is a highly portable refractor system with superior imaging qualities, ideal for a wide 

variety of astronomical work from high-magnification lunar/planetary to deep sky astrophotography.

 

This 155mm f7 StarFire EDF (6.1" aperture) was designed to be the ultimate astrograph while

providing uncompromising visual performance. Outstanding photographs published in Sky & 

Telescope, Astronomy and various international astronomy magazines can only hint at the 

detail of the original prints and negatives. Photographic spot diameters measure 15-20 microns

over a 5 degree field (4" circle). The fast f7 focal ratio captures elusive and faint deep-sky objects

easily with incredible detail. This lens has outperformed mirror type astrographs twice its size, 

as we had predicted.

 

The EDF is superb as a visual instrument as well. It is easily capable of high-power observations of 

the moon and planets. Secondary spectrum is nearly absent at any power. Deep-sky views are 

equally impressive due to the very high transmission of the three glass types.In the astrographic 

configuration, the lens is a 5-element design in 2 groups (3 elements in front, 2 in rear). The heart

of the front triplet apochromatic lens is an ED glass and 2 crowns. This combination totally 

eliminates all secondary spectrum, coma and spherical aberration. The rear lens is a 2ement field

flattener that eliminates astigmatism and field curvature. In the visual configuration, the rear 

2-element lens is removed andreplaced with a standard visual adapter. This adapter allows all 

our usual accessories to be attached, as well as all standard 2" and 1.25" oculars.

 

The Astro-Physics giant 4" focuser is truly versatile, allowing coverage of medium format films with 

minimal vignetting. In the hands of knowledgeable astrophotographers, these instruments can 

produce superb, professional astrophotographs of all your favorite deep-sky objects. Images are

so sharp, it requires enlargements of up to 30" x 40" to resolve the finest details. The 4" ID of the

drawtube will allow maximum coverage of the Pentax 6 x 7 cm negative for medium format 

photography. The inside of the drawtube has a series of knife-edge baffles for maximum contrast.

When you wish to use your 35mm camera with the Astro-Physics telecompressor for even faster 

exposures (f5.2), you can attach the 2.7" reducer and you are ready to go. The 2" and 1.25" 

adapters (Included) will allow you to use all of our standard accessories to maximize your visual

and photographic applications.

 

Specifications of Refractor:

  

·         Clear aperture                              155mm (6.1")

·         Focal length:                                1085mm (43") efl

·         Color correction                          Less than 0.01% focus variation from 405nm to 706nm (r to h

       wavelengths)

·         Resolution:                                   0.74 arc second

·         Coatings:                                      Multi-layer, overall transmission greater than

                                                                       97% in peak visual wavelengths

·         Magnification range                   20x to 600x

·         Tube assembly:                           White, 6.5" aluminum tube, baffled, flat black interior

·         Focuser type:                               4.0" I.D. Astro-Physics rack & pinion focuser, 4.5" travel,

                                                                2.7", 2" and 1.25" adapters, 2.5" extension

·         Telescope length                        1041 mm (41 ") with dewcap fully retracted

·         Tube weight:                                27 lbs.

·         Field Flattener:                             4" diameter 2-element with multi-coatings

·         35mm Photographic field:          1.3 x 1.8 degrees @ f7 at Prime Focus

       1.7 x 2.4 degrees @ f5.2 with Telecompressor

                                                               0.6 x 0.9 degrees @ fl4 with 2x Barlow

·         6 x 7 cm Photographic field:      3.2 x 3.7 degrees @ f7 at Prime Focus

·         Maximum Photographic Field:  5 degrees, 4 inch circle

 

Options Included:

 

1.       Finder scope 8X50                                                                                                             

2.       Finder scope Mounting ring with quick release bracket

3.       Photo guide scope 80mm X 900mm

4.       SBIG ST-4 Auto-guide and imaging CCD                                                                     

5.       2 “” Diagonal Maxbright                                                                                  

6.       Barlow Lens/Convertible                                                                                                  

7.       Camera Adapter, Prime Focus & Eyepiece projection (Nikon Body)                       

8.       Gelatin Filter Holder for 4 inch Field Flattner  

9.     Foam-fitted, vinyl-covered plywood case, standard carryimg case for Telescope Tube Assembly                                                          

10.    Telecompressor, Photo-Visual for 2.7 and 4 inch focuser, Flat Field 0.75x for 35mm

 

       

 

 

 II.    Astro-Physics Model 900 GTO Equatorial Mount Head with Digital Sky Voice Software for PC/Windows

  

  

 

  

 

 

 

The 900 GTO Equatorial Mount is designed for solid stability under a variety of observing 

conditions. At the same time, the mount is truly portable so that it can be transported to your 

favorite dark-sky site and set up quickly and accurately. The mounting break down into 

manageable sizes, but when set up, is an extremely rugged and steady platforms. 

Astro-Physics has also developed a very accurate worm gear set and state of the art 

electronics technology to insure smooth, effortless tracking of celestial objects for all 

visual and photographic purposes, and a high degree of durability and reliability.

 

The basic mounting configuration was engineered with proper vibration and strength of 

materials criteria. As in a good building design, all loads are channeled into massive 

load-bearing cross sections to their final destination - the ground. This is engineered in 

a manner that minimizes mass and size while maximizing rigidity. For examples of this,

study the tension rods on the piers, and the thrust bearings on the polar and declination 

axes that transfer a tremendous amount of load in relation to their size. To these mechanics

is added a drive that is accurate and sophisticated enough for the most demanding 

application, featuring a custom-manufactured fine-pitch worm gears driven by a Servo 

motor with an advanced hand held controller. This makes the tracking of celestial objects

a snap, even for beginners.

 

 

Benefits of Servo Motors:

The input commands to the GTO system are entered either via a keypad or an optional

personal computer with the DigitalSky Voice control software. If the computer is equipped with

a speaker and microphone, all control functions can be performed by simply speaking the

commands, which are repeated by the computer to confirm your command.

 

Specifications of Equatorial Head :

 

·      R.A. worm wheel: 7.2 inch, 225 tooth aluminum

·      Declination worm wheel:     6 inch diameter, 225 tooth aluminum

·      Worm gear material              brass

·      Latitude range                      19 to 68 degrees with polar scope; low latitude wedge available

·      Setting circles                       Porter Slip Ring design

·      Declination Shaft:                1.75 inch Diameter

·      Declination Thrust Surface: 6.0 inch Diameter

·      Right Ascension Shaft        2.2 inch Diameter

·      R.A. Thrust Surface:            7.0 inch Diameter

·      Weight of equatorial head: 38 lbs. Disassembles into two manageable pieces:

Right Ascension Polar axis weight is 22 lbs.

Declination axis weight is 16 lbs. 

 

The GTO Mount basic functions that are included are:

·         Low current draw, reversible servo motor drive system on both the Right Ascension  and Declination

·         Contains a Telescope Interface Connector ("TIC") socket for CCD Star Tracker/Imaging Camera Systems

·         Drive Rates:                          King, Lunar, Sidereal, Solar

·         Guide/Slew rates: 0.25x, 0.5x, 1x, 8x, 64x Sidereal

·         Maximum Slew Rate:            5 Deg./Sec. (1200x Sidereal)

·         Periodic Error Memory correction; user programmable to correct for worm induced periodic errors.

·         Periodic Error Memory correction retains correction data - no need to reprogram each night out.

·         User selectable Declination Backlash control.

·         Adjustable voltage output for accessories such as a guiding eyepiece illuminator.

               

Specifications of the GTO keypad controller:   

·        low temperature display

·         Display Type:                       Red LED backlit alphanumeric

·         Display Screen:                    Vacuum Fluorescent Display (VFD)

·         Display Arrangement:         4 line, 20 character display

·         Directional N-S-E-W control buttons

 

 Features of Digital Sky Voice control software:

·         Extensive object database includes: Messier, IC, NGC, ADS (Aitkens Double Star) and planets.

·         Voice control as easy as saying "M1", or "Find the Cocoon Nebula".

·         Voice control preserves night vision by eliminating need to view a computer screen.

·         Guides you through polar alignment and all functions of the program.

·         Provides extensive information about the object you are viewing.

·         Timer: lets you know the time remaining during an exposure.

·         Advises when the object that you selected has reached the desired position in the sky.

·         Informs you of favorite objects that are visibe within constellations that have risen.

·         Easy two star polar alignment.

·         User can add objects to the database.

·         User can store up to three observing site locations in memory to facilitate future set up.

·         Will advise you when you ask to go to an object that is below the horizon.

·         Night Vision Mode display

·         Can use with Software Bisque astronomy planetarium program "The Sky" version 4.0 (not included).

 

Options included

 

1.       Polar Finder scope

2.       18 lb counterweight                                                                                                           

3.       10 lb counterweight

4.       15” Dovetail Plate                                                                                                              

5.       15” Slide bar

6.       Low Latitude Wedge

7.       Set of 6.5” Mounting rings

8.       8” X 54” Portable Pier

III.   Other Products included with this system

 

1.       Kendrick Power Pack (Battery 12v 33 amp hours)  

        LED state of charge indicator (voltage)

        Four Cigarette Lighter output power sockets 

        Outputs on individual breakers (two 10 amp & two 5 amp)

        Nominal Working Voltage 11.88 volts DC

        Weight of 32.5 lbs

        Includes Soft Shell carrying case

       

 

2.       Thtee Eyepieces   

        Tele Vue 9mm Nagler

        Tele Vue 5 mm Radian

        Tele Vue 22 mm Nagler Type 4 

       

 

3.       12 Volt Regulated Power Supply  

        Pyramid Model PS-14KX 

        Input 115 Volt AC 270 watt 

        Output 13.8 Volts DC 

        DC output 12 Amp Constant/14 Amp Surge

       

 

4.       Lumicon 2 " Premium Deep Sky Filter          

5.       Pentax 6 V DC Power Cord

       

7.       Float Charger for Power Pack  

        Deltran "Battery Tender"

        12 volt DC/6 amp  

        Charges fully discharged battery in 5 hours

        Storage trickle charge

       

 

               

Visit the following websites (Company Seven, distributor for Astro-Physics & Astro-Physiocs, manufacturer) 

for more complete details and specifications:

 

http://www.companyseven.com/astrophy/products.html

 

http:/www.astro-physics.com