Astronomy Technology Today

ContentsCover StoryTimothy Cann, creator of the new Chronosharmonic drive gearing mount system, standswith a Chronos HD32 carrying two OTAs. TheChronos HD32 has a carry capacity of 250pounds, breaks down into two 45-pound components,is capable of slews of 5 degrees persecond, and requires no counterweights. Thecover image was provided by Adam Felde andthe background image of M27 was captured byTim using Chronos.Editor’s Note8 Something Bigger Than You and Me...ASTRONOMYTECHNOLOGY TODAYYour Complete Guide to Astronomical EquipmentHOTS 2007 • BUILDING A PERSONAL OBSERVATORY • THE ZEKE SEATOPTIMIZING THE ORION 100MM F/6 ACHRO • BUILDING A PERSONAL OBSERVATORYRevolutionary Harmonic Drive Gearing Mount SystemVolume 1 • Issue 6November 2007 $4.00 USReader Profile68 Stephanie HansonPAGE27Industry News11 ASTROPHOTO INSIGHTMAGAZINE2007 Astro-ImagingSoftware Survey12 SIERRA STARS OBSERVATORYBill Dillon Images DawnSpacecraft Using Sierra StarsObservatory12 THE RIVERSIDE TELESCOPEMAKERS CONFERENCEAnnounces PACS TelescopeShow 2008Features37 HOTS 2007Solar Enthusiasts from Across theCountry Gathered at MeadeInstruments for Unique Hands-onInteractive Activities, Presentationsand Tours.By Penny Distasio14 SPRINGER PUBLISHINGSetting Up a Small Observatory15 ADIRONDACK VIDEOASTRONOMYFlat Fielder Panels Are Back42 The Zeke SeatA Comfy Observing Chairfor ObservingBy Erik Wilcox44 Optimizing the Orion 100mm,F/6 AchroIn Defense of the Small Refractor -How to Hot Rod your AchromatBy Mike Gilmer50 Building a Personal ObservatoryIf You are Looking for a BackyardObservatory, There are ManyOptions Today, at Various PricePoints, to Meet Your Needs. TheKey for Determining Which Style ofObservatory is Best for You is toMap Out Your Current and FutureObserving Needs.By Dave Miller60 Wishing Star ObservatoryIt Represents the Accumulation ofMy Lifetime of Stargazing andWonder. The More One Learns,the More One Sees, the Greaterthe Awe.by Pete Peterson15 THE ART OF ASTROIMAGINGA Web Compendium byPaul Van Slyke16 ASTRO PHYSICS140mm F/7.5 StarFire EDF17 CATSEYE/WOOD WONDERSUpdate on Field Cases17 TELE VUEAnnounces Limited Time SaleAstronomy TECHNOLOGY TODAY 5

Contributing WritersPenny Distasio rode into the world of amateur astronomy on the coattails of Halley'sComet in 1985, and has been hooked ever since. Once upon a time, Penny worked forMeade Instruments as a dealer support rep, and even did a stint at the McDonaldObservatory Visitor's Center in Fort Davis, Texas, but her main connection in the worldof astronomy continues to be Oceanside Photo & Telescope, where she has worked forthe past twenty years. Penny also writes articles for the Oceanside Photo & TelescopeAstronomical Society's quarterly newsletter, Arc Minutes. She lives with her husband,Tony, and their two cats, Abbey & Pippin, in Vista, California.ContentsNew Products18 MEADE INSTRUMENTSAnnounces Deep Sky Imager III21 JMIMore New StuffMike Gilmer grew up in Florida and eventually settled in Houma, Louisiana.An avid amateur astronomer, he started the Bayou Region StargazersNetwork to encourage astronomers in his area to meet and help supportlocal outreach events. He also started an online petition to persuadeLouisiana to consider dark sky legislation.Dave Miller decided after 25 year of computer software consulting andeCommerce sales, to follow his passion for astronomy. Dave now ownsDurango Skies and has the opportunity to work with observatories and equipmentevery day.Pete Peterson is the owner of Peterson Engineering. It’s astronomy divisiondesigns, manufactures and distributes astronomy products worldwide. He ison the board of the Astronomical Society of Southern New England where hecurrently serves as treasurer. He has made numerous scholarly presentationsto the American Association of Physics, MIT and other organizations on subjectsincluding supernova theory.21 ASTRO SKY TELESCOPESIntroduces NewLightweight Dob22 RIGEL SYSTEMSBattery Pack for QuickFinder22 SBIGAnnounces ST 4000XCM23 BAADER PLANETARIUMNew 24-mm HyperionErik Wilcox works for a natural foods distributor in South San Francisco,California, and is a long-time moderator on the popular astronomy forum,“Cloudy Nights.” He enjoys star parties and public outreach and, in addition toamateur astronomy, he spends his time playing in a rock band.Subscribe Now!Pay Only $18 Per Year andGet 12 Issues Covering the Latest in Technologywww.astronomytechnologytoday.com23 SHROUDS BY HEATHERNow Available For AnyTruss-Dob24 PROCYON SYSTEMSSky Sentinel Drive25 TETON TELESCOPESOffers Astrograph Options25 VIXEN OPTICSReintroduces the NeoAchro1406 Astronomy TECHNOLOGY TODAY