8" achro

[borispider]

Did a search on YouTube and found this.

[spyke]

That lucky observer had excellent seeing and a sturdy mount! Any further info on the person or their setup?

[borispider]

No. It was the 1st, and only relevant, result in my 'Istar telescope' search on YouTube.

[jamesling1000]

Hi All.

I am the one who posted this video clip in u tube. This video was shot using the Istar-optical 8" F8.8 refractor mounted on the CG11 losmandy mount.
I used the canon 550D to take this video together with the 2X barlow.
This video shot is taken together with another 3 photo shots and is posted in ISTAR-OPTICAL website.
There is another video posted by my friend, when I received the new scope and doing the 1st setup.

[astrosean]

That scopes looks great, James! What kind of observing did you buy that scope for? Did it match your expectations?
Sean

[jamesling1000]

Hi Sean Cunneen and all.

I have a number of celestron scopes ranging from the small 80mm F4 refractor, to the C14.
When celestron introduce the C6R about 10years ago, I bought the 6" F8 refractor to do a comparsion with my ultima C8.
And surprising its quality is comparable or better in term of contrast except the brightness is only near to my current C6 with XLT coating.

While wondering for many years to get an 6" APO, this year in Astronomy magazine, I saw the advertisement from ISTAR-OPTICAL, which feature their 8" F8.8 achromatic scope.

So I made a query to ISTAR-OPTICAL, and from Ales, I purchase this scope to do another comparison with those astronomical friends in our region, which they have the 5" and 6" APO .

The 1st light from this scope is exactly what is shown in the U tube video clip , whereby the one beside it is actually having an AP lens cell purchased and the owner self build it with his another optical tube.

That night , which Jupiter appears in a clear night, 3 scopes were put side by side for comparison, that's the ISTAR 8" , an 6" APO, and a classical C8.

It is pity I did not have the contrast booster filter at that time, and Jupiter although is showing a lot of detail in the ISTAR scope, but the violet colour at the edges of Jupiter sphere is visible, and that make the 6" APO stand out as the Jupiter outer sphere is very distinct. Even the shadow of the moon on Jupiter surface is much darker (contrast), as seen from the ISTAR.
All 3 scopes shows great details on the view of Jupiter.

Also I did not prepare a cover to reduce the aperture from 8" to 6", so that the F8.8 become F12, otherwise the contrast will definitely improves. I did this in Punggai star gazing trip, with the guy, although this time he did not bring his 6" APO, the contrast is better as compared to using the filter I specially prepared for.

During the last November Punggai trip, whereby the sky condition was good, but the place is not very dark, as we're doing star glazing at a chalet open parking space, with street lamps at the stretch of road .
Although I've brought along the canon 550D, I was not able to take photo and video shot of Jupiter, which could be my very first time doing astro photography, I forgot many many things....., from not bringing the lap top to use it as live preview, instead of the 3" LCD screen, which cannot be seen properly when the scope is in a vertical position, to forgotten to use the contrast booster and the UV/IR cut filter.......
I use the diagonal instead, for the photo shot of the moon, which is shown in the u tube video and 3 photos in ISTAR-OPTICAL website.

Visually, the deep sky from this scope is great, especially like M42, Omega Century...... Andromeda galaxy at Punggai is shown with a very bright centre core, almost rival my C14.........

On this 7th January 2011, we will plan another trip to Punggai for star glazing, hopefully the weather will be good, as this period in South East Asia is still facing the monsoon rain.

I hope the introduction of this massive scope in our region, will create and generate interest in Astronomy........

Regards

James Ling

[jamesling1000]

Hi All.

I would like to share my yahoo Flicker with all of you....

www.flickr.com/photos/james_ling/

There are photos that are related to the ISTAR-OPTICAL telescope that I upload it into my flicker.

REgards

James Ling

[Watcher3]

Very nice! Thank you James.

[jamesling1000]

Hi all.

This ISTAR-OPTICAL 8" scope is definitely worth considering , for that type of pricing, if you have the mount that takes minimum 60 lbs, and the best is mount permanently.

I still find the losmandy mount not suitable for this massive scope, unless I do an upgrade by changing the 3 legs to a motorized plier type that is able to extend and retract with a touch of a button.

The view from the ISTAR scope , for deep sky definitely rivals any 8" cat or mirror type of scope.
I have seen M42 with this scope , and when compared to my C14 and the 10" Newlon, is closely match to my C14 , and is showing better contrast of the nebula clouds than my Newlon....

For the price of the ISTAR which is only half of my 10" Newlon, I am a bit disappointed with the Newlon's performance. except it's very portable.

The ISTAR is really very difficult to handle if you are alone or even have one more person around to assist., as the CG is towards one end, unless you have a very strong guy. who can lift 50 lbs.

And if you're someone who like to dismantle and assemble the scope and transport it around like me, then you have to wait for Ales's newer design, which is much easier to handle.

I dismantle the scope after testing it on the 1st night, to compare with 6" APO and Celestron C8.
Then I transported it to Punggai for star gazing, then do the assembly of the scope.
And I learn from my trial attempt, and the experience tells me, better don't do it again, as it is quite tedious, when aligning the parts together and tighten them with the 5 long screws, simply his design is having very little play for assembly. (There are 4 parts to align and assemble together with the 5 long screws, not what you think is only assemble the front and rear together)

Initially I am a bit worried whether the collimation will be out, after dismantle and asm the scope, but as long as the collimated lens cell is not disturbed, when I do a de-focusing of the star, it shows the concentric rings.....

As I am on full time oversea assignment, I could not be like most of the other astronomers have every weekend to enjoy star gazing. I need to apply annual leave , so that I can participate some astro activites.

I hope the above simple write out can give those who has never handle such a massive scope to consider before making their decision to acquire one. THIS SCOPE IS MUCH MORE DIFFICULT TO HANDLE THAN THE C14......

Regards

James Ling

[rat]

I would like to get an 8" but really not too excited about the balance point of the OTA. I'm assuming sliding the tube forward at least a foot or two would require maybe ten pounds added to rear. Just wish I had a larger mount than my G11.

[jamesling1000]

I'm assuming sliding the tube forward at least a foot or two would require maybe ten pounds added to rear


Yes. you are right, perhaps to move the tube forward, should add a smaller scope at the rear.

Is very difficult to observe with the G11 losmandy mount, even with extended legs, when the OTA is elevated above 70 deg.
I am even considering to mount back my 3" castor wheels to increase the height...Or even to add another half pier.

Regards

james Ling

[jamesling1000]

Hi All.

Ever since I've acquired this 8" refractor, then I start doing astro photography.
Although my 1st attempt on the 8 days old moon is showing some promising result, but for planets, is still very difficult to take good single shot photo , even with a 2X barlow.
I hope my next attempt with saturn using my newly acquired TV 5X barlow will able to give good result ,when it is near opposition.


Regards

james Ling

[jamesling1000]

Dec 29, 2010 12:02:04 GMT -5 rat said:

I would like to get an 8" but really not too excited about the balance point of the OTA. I'm assuming sliding the tube forward at least a foot or two would require maybe ten pounds added to rear. Just wish I had a larger mount than my G11.

Hi Brother.

I remember in cloudynights you asked about the tube ring size for this 8" refractor, and I just have the reply from Ales, and is 200mm in diameter.

REgards

james Ling

[jamesling1000]

Hi All.

I would like to share with all of you on our last weekend stargazing at Malaysia, Johor, Punggai Chalet.

A total of 54 participants went for this star gazing which mainly comprises university students.

I have attached this photo showing the star gazing place and 2 students looking through the 8" Istar optical telescope. And the 1st quarter moon is visible around 6pm.


REgards

James Ling

Attachments:

[jimcurry]

Lotsa girls around that scope, James. It looks like a babe magnet. ;D

Mar 15, 2011 4:44:34 GMT -5 jamesling1000 said:

Hi All.

I would like to share with all of you on our last weekend stargazing at Malaysia, Johor, Punggai Chalet.

A total of 54 participants went for this star gazing which mainly comprises university students.

I have attached this photo showing the star gazing place and 2 students looking through the 8" Istar optical telescope. And the 1st quarter moon is visible around 6pm.


REgards

James Ling