Advice for First Time Telescope Buyers - These pages will answer some basic questions consumers often have when purchasing (or contemplating the purchase of) a first telescope. Also see Telescope Basics from Celestron, Eye Pieces, Image Intensified Optical System (Some Messier Objects), and Calculator 1 2,   Minimum Aperture Needed The Backyard Astronomer's Guide Astrophotography by Anthony Ayiomamitis Astrophotography by Robert Gendler Astrophotography by Tony & Daphne Hallas Artists of the night sky SkyView - Virtual Observatory Astro-Physics has been at the forefront of optical design for more than a decade. In the early 1980s, Mr. Roland Christen, founder and president of Astro-Physics, introduced the first high performance affordable apochromats to the amateur market. These early Astro-Physics refractors were quite revolutionary and were a major influence in the rebirth of refractors. Also see Roland's 10" F14.6 High-Resolution Maksutov-Cassegrain and Images and Joe Bergeron's Astro-Physics Page. Optical Mechanics, Inc (OMI) - is in business to design and manufacture high-precision optics, opto-mechanical assemblies, and high precision optical instruments such as Lidar optical assemblies and telescopes. o They fabricate high-precision Newtonian and Cassegrain optics. o They have extensive experience designing and manufacturing Lidar optical assemblies, collimators, optical tube assemblies, and other opto-mechanical systems. o They offer the Nighthawk line of Classical and Ritchie-Chretien Cassegrain robotic telescopes and custom design telescopes.         The Telescopes in Education program brings the opportunity to use a remotely controlled telescope and charge-coupled device (CCD) camera in a real-time, hands-on, interactive environment to students around the world. TIE enables students to increase their knowledge of astronomy, astrophysics, and mathematics; improve their computer literacy; and strengthen their critical thinking skills. Telescopes In Education is a program sponsored by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and developed through the efforts of numerous volunteers, businesses, and supporting organizations including the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) of the California Institute of Technology (Caltech). Whole Earth Telescope Robotic Telescope Projects The World's Largest Optical Telescopes Orbital Telescopes - Since the early years of spaceflight, the advantages of astronomical observing above the Earth's atmosphere were recognized, and led to the introduction of astronomical instruments on spacecraft, i.e., astronomical observatories in space (in most cases, in Earth's orbit). Please note that this list is not complete in specific Solar research satellites, and does not include planetary probes. Telescope Observing Schedules (includes Radio) University of Iowa Automated Telescope Facility Dept. of Physics and Astronomy, U. Iowa, Iowa City, IA, US UI's automated telescope facility allows students to obtain and analyse their own CCD images. This document describes the equipment, laboratory curriculum, and analysis procedures. Sampled images, several examples of lab reports, and research papers written by undergraduates are available. MINOS Far Detector : Latest Event © Copyright 2008 - Samuel J. Wormley   by swormley1@mchsi.com