Stellar Shot of the Month! | |
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Nicola Beltraminelli captured this striking image of the Pacman Nebula (NGC281) using his SVX180T. This emission nebula, located in the constellation Cassiopeia is nearly 10,000 lightyears away and 48 lightyears in diameter. Included within its expanse is open star cluster IC 1590, which gives the dust in this nebula its impressive glow.
According to Nicola, "I was fascinated by this beautiful nebula since quite long time and generated a first version 3 years ago with my previous RASA scope (not published). Although the result was reasonably well defined, I was frustrated by the limited focal length of the scope (620mm), thus I decided to wait to receive my super-refractor of 180mm (1280mm focal length) before to publish it. My objective was to generate a highly resolved version of the nebula by keeping smooth color transitions, not too saturated and sharp contrasts. I thus shooted the nebula during 15 nights. As the SII emission is particularly dense of fantastic structures, I generated many subs to maximize its sharpness, thus enabling me to better highlight the color transitions. For the Ha subs, I only selected the sharpest ones. During the processing I immediately noticed that I had a lot of signal, thus requiring only a very minimal denoising (020). the starting sharpness of the Ha layer was actually quite high and the use of BXT almost insignificantly contributed to the end result."
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We had relocated our polishing room and testing equipment a little over a year ago. This was before we realized that the guy next door to our offices was going to retire. He finally did so three months ago. We took advantage of this over the past two months to relocate (again!) the figuring and testing lab. Now the lab, the clean room, the machine shop, the wood shop, the offices, assembly and shipping areas are all together in two adjacent spaces. To make this happen we had to spend the last two months moving the majority of our machines and equipment. The move was hard but it went without a hitch. Having both spaces side by side has many advantages in terms of efficiency. The testing room in this new space is much better insulated which will allow us to spend more hours perfecting optics. Good things happen for those who wait.... and work very hard. | |
Stellarvue Users Forum Returns | |
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The new Stellarvue Users Forum is now live. A few years ago, Yahoo discontinued sponsoring its online forums. We have wanted to bring back our forum for years and now it is up and running. While we have just started, dozens have already signed up and we are off to a great start. Much more will be added, lots of content, articles, videos and discussions. Be patient as our forum gathers speed as more users sign up, ask questions, and share their knowledge.
To join the forum, visit our forum page on our website.
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“I'm still fascinated that I can look through a telescope
and see things with my own eyes.”
-Preston Smith
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This month’s “Stellar People” story features Preston Smith, an amateur astronomer with a passion for astro-imaging and visual use. Preston shared his inspiring story with us and highlighted his experiences viewing the night sky and how Stellarvue has enhanced these endeavors. Here is Preston’s own story. Enjoy! | | | |
Preston with his SV115T. In regard to letting neighbors and friends look through his telescope, Preston joked, “I wish I had a dollar every time someone has said “Oh my God” while looking through my scope. Then I could buy a much larger SV scope! Lol….” | |
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“My father was my greatest influence when it comes to my love for visual astronomy. He was extremely involved with amateur astronomy, was a member of several astronomy groups and was a fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society. He had a 4” Unitron refractor and would often show me the many wonders of the night sky.
When I went into the U.S. Air Force after high school, astronomy took a back burner for many years, but I finally started to get the “itch” again and bought a used Mead ETX90. While looking for a refractor back in 2005, I became aware of Stellarvue and was intrigued by the little F50 “Sparrowhawk” finder and bought one. I was so impressed that I actually wrote a detailed review of it on Cloudy nights. It can still be found here:
https://www.cloudynights.com/articles/cat/user-reviews/telescopes/60mm-78mm-refractors/stellarvue-f50-finder-scope-r1285
Vic Maris and Stellarvue have always been extremely supportive of military members. When I deployed to Baghdad in 2006, Stellarvue sent a complete refractor system with me so I could set it up for the troops to look at the heavens. Here’s a pic I took through my night vision goggles….
|  | Preston's fellow soldiers looking through an SV Refractor while on deployment in Baghdad, 2006. | | | |
After purchasing several smaller Stellarvue scopes, I decided to get an SV115T binoview model, so I could easily break it down and travel with it. What a great scope! | |
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Back in 1976, my father had donated his Unitron to a local University. In 2007, I contacted the university. The once young professor who had accepted the scope back then was still teaching but was about to retire. I asked him if my father’s scope was still being used. He said it was, but it was very big and took a long time to set it up. So, I offered to donate a Stellarvue 102mm and a computer mount to the university, if they would return my father’s scope to me. The school quickly agreed!
Preston's father donating his Unitron refractor back in 1976
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2007 picture with the same professor and Preston's father's Unitron - now back in his possession. | | | |
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I had the Unitron for quite a few years and would enjoy setting it up for public stargazing.
Over the years, I have continued with visual observing. Even though there are so many (amazing) Astrophotography pics available on the internet, I’m still fascinated that I can look through a telescope and see things with my eyes. I especially enjoy Deep Space Objects and you will often see my refactor pointed towards the constellation Sagittarius where so many DSOs are easily found. And I love doing “Sidewalk Astronomy” where I set up my scope near the house and invite neighbors or friends to come and take a look at the heavens. I wish I had a dollar every time someone has said “Oh my God” while looking through my scope. Then I could buy a much larger SV scope! Lol….
Today, it is extremely easy to start into visual astronomy. Smartphone apps can quickly identify and guide you on where to point your telescope or binoculars. I also recommend Sue French’s books, “Celestial Sampler” and “Deep Sky Wonders.” So, if you haven’t already, get a Stellarvue Refractor and invite your family and friends over for an evening of visual astronomy!”
We are truly lucky to have people like Preston among our community members, as they give tremendous meaning and fulfillment to the work we do. We hope the rest of you enjoyed his story as much as we did and look forward to sharing more like it in the future.
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Tell us your story! Email mail@stellarvue.com. Include an image of you
and your set-up and what led you to choosing a Stellarvue. We want to hear your entire story as we help others make their first choice the right one.
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Message From
The President &
Vice President
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This month we are featuring Preston Smith, a long time customer and friend. Preston has often volunteered at our NEAF booth and has attended many Dark Sky Star Parties.
Here at Stellarvue a lot is happening. We moved our lab, machine shop, wood shop and 60% of our inventory again! We are now occupying two adjacent spaces. It only took 20 years to make this happen.
We also realized how much we missed our popular chat room so we have resurrected the Stellarvue Users Forum. Please join in with the conversation.
The adventure continues!
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The mission of Stellarvue is to inspire a healthy interest in science and astronomy by handcrafting precision telescopes. | |
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Stellarvue Telescope | 11802 Kemper Rd. | Auburn, CA 95603
www.stellarvue.com | 530.823.7796
Open 9 - 5 Pacific Time; Mon - Fri
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