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Orion Optics AG Advanced Astrographs
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Dedicated Deep Sky Astrographs
To order this item, please contact us first.
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- Aperture: 200mm (8"), 250mm (10"), 300mm (12"), 350mm (14"), 400mm (16").
- Mirrors hand figured to Lambda / 8 or better
- Hilux reflective coatings giving up to 25% brighter images than conventional coatings
- 3" Crayford focuser with 10:1 reduction
- Carbon fibre and CNC construction
- Simple collimation mechanics
- Includes cradles and dovetail
- Optional electronic focus control
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Outline
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All are based on the same optical design and all have a focal ratio of f3.8.
The tube is constructed from Carbon Fibre sandwich design - very, very strong
to avoid flexing and, zero expansion to ensure the focal plane does not change
over long photographic exposures.
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To assist cool down of the telescope, each model is fitted with three fans, all
positioned behind the primary mirror.
Precise focusing is achieved by the application of the new 3" Crayford focuser on
all models. Large bearings are placed in optimum positions to spread the load of
the drawtube / corrector and, any camera which will be fitted.
A 10:1 reduction drive is included as standard and, as an option, we can include the
electronic drive system with variable speed focusing control.
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Cooling down fans.
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To produce the remarkably flat photographic field, Orion Optics has designed and built
a Corrected Field Flattener (CFF). This design is based on the Wynne Corrector,
often used in similar telescopes. Orion Optics has taken this design a leap forward and
increased the performance over a wider field. Spot sizes are incredibly small and regular
across a very wide field (see Specification list for details). The use of specialised
ED glass types ensure both colour correction, coma and spherical aberration are optimised
to achieve almost a perfect photographic, very wide field. 70mm of back focus allows
virtually 100% of modern CCD cameras to be used with auxiliary equipment. The CFF is
coated with low loss, multi layer anti reflection coatings to maintain brighter images.
CNC machined mono construction secondary spider and trim ensures stability in collimation.
The unique collimation adjustment system enables perfect collimation of the secondary mirror
to be achieved, quickly and reliably.
The main mirror is held in a newly introduced, computer optimised, nine point suspension cell.
This balances the mass of the mirror over a much larger area and provides sharper, better
defined images.
The AG Astrographs are exceptional performers on deep sky. Quality in optical and engineering
design and, stringent quality control measures, assures the imaging process is capable of
producing some of the finest images ever taken with amateur equipment.
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Orion Optics AG8.
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Carbon Fibre Composite Tubes
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Orion Optics is always striving to improve their products and, the recent introduction
of Carbon Fibre Tubes has added a new dimension to our product ranges. Incredibly strong,
resistant to damage, virtually zero expansion characteristics, made with military
specification materials, they offer an excellent material for the manufacture of high
end telescope tubes.
Carbon Fibre Composite tubes are made by a combination of complex processes involving
many operations and the use of tremendously expensive mandrels (moulds) to ensure
regularity of size and thickness. The process, briefly, requires several layers of
carbon fibre composite material, impregnated with clear epoxy resin, to be ‘rolled’
around the mandrel mould. The CFC is then put under pressure by applying a shrink on
tape and then, placed in a special vacuum bag, which, when evacuated, exerts a further
14lbs per square inch on the outer surface of the CFC. The whole combination is then
put into an autoclave (oven) and heat gradually applied whilst the CFC is still under vacuum.
During this process two major things happen:
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The mandrel expands through normal metal expansion under heat and the shrink tape also contracts.
With the added pressure of the vacuum, the CFC is being squeezed from the inside and the outside.
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Heat allows the epoxy to run into the vast majority of the woven carbon fibre fabric whilst at
the same time, it begins to harden. When removed from the oven, the whole combination is allowed
to cool. The aluminium mandrel cools and contracts significantly enough to allow the CFC tube to
be slid off the mandrel and the shrink tape removed.
The resultant tube finish, typical of this and similar procedures, after the ends are trimmed
square and to length, is used by many telescope manufacturers. The finish is quite rough and
uncomfortable to touch and use. It also has many, many small pinholes on the surface where the
epoxy resin has not flowed completely to ‘fill’ the weave. These pin prick holes are impossible
to avoid completely but, Orion Optics takes the process much further for both functionality and
appearance. The tubes from the CFC manufacturing plant are sent to a finishing plant where they
are sanded down to remove all of the roughness of the outer surface and, to have most of the pin
prick holes removed. They are then given three coats of epoxy lacquer and then, finally, a full
polish to achieve a high gloss, almost perfect surface. Even with the amount of care taken in
both plants, it is not possible to ensure zero pin holes and any you find are just cosmetic and
a fraction of a millimetre deep.
Cleaning the tube couldn’t be easier. Just wipe with a water moist cloth and then buff with a dry,
lint free one. Avoid the use of any solvents or polishes as they can contaminate parts of the
telescope.
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AG Advanced Astrograph Models
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| Specification |
AG8 |
AG10 |
AG12 |
AG14 |
AG16 |
| Aperture |
200mm |
250mm |
300mm |
350mm |
400mm |
| Focal Length |
760mm |
950mm |
1140mm |
1330mm |
1520mm |
| Focal Ratio |
f3.8 |
f3.8 |
f3.8 |
f3.8 |
f3.8 |
| Focus Distance to image plane |
79mm |
79mm |
79mm |
79mm |
79mm |
| Tube Weight |
6kg (approx) |
12kg (approx) |
16kg (approx) |
19kg (approx) |
23kg (approx) |
| Tube Diameter |
250mm |
300mm |
350mm |
400mm |
450mm |
| Tube Length |
800mm (approx) |
950mm (approx) |
1150mm (approx) |
1350mm (approx) |
1550mm (approx) |
| Tube Material |
Carbon fibre sandwitch |
Carbon fibre sandwitch |
Carbon fibre sandwitch |
Carbon fibre sandwitch |
Carbon fibre sandwitch |
| Secondary Size |
90mm |
100mm |
110mm |
120mm |
130mm |
| Mirror Cell |
CNC Machined alum. 9 point suspension |
CNC Machined alum. 9 point suspension |
CNC Machined alum. 9 point suspension |
CNC Machined alum. 9 point suspension |
CNC Machined alum. 9 point suspension |
| Focuser* |
3" Crayford with 10:1 reduction |
3" Crayford with 10:1 reduction |
3" Crayford with 10:1 reduction |
3" Crayford with 10:1 reduction |
3" Crayford with 10:1 reduction |
| Corrector Design |
4 lens ED |
4 lens ED |
4 lens ED |
4 lens ED |
4 lens ED |
| Flat Field Size |
50mm |
50mm |
>50mm |
>50mm |
>50mm |
| Spot Size on Axis |
3.6µ |
2.4µ |
2.3µ |
4.6µ |
4.9µ |
| Spot Size at Field Edge |
4.7µ |
5.6µ |
4.2µ |
5.2µ |
5.2µ |
| Mirror / Tube Cooling |
3 Controllable fans. Heaters optional |
3 Controllable fans. Heaters optional |
3 Controllable fans. Heaters optional |
3 Controllable fans. Heaters optional |
3 Controllable fans. Heaters optional |
| Attachment Method |
CNC machined alum. Cradles and Dovetail |
CNC machined alum. Cradles and Dovetail |
CNC machined alum. Cradles and Dovetail |
CNC machined alum. Cradles and Dovetail |
CNC machined alum. Cradles and Dovetail |
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* If Electronic focus control is purchased - 10:1 Focuser not supplied.
All technical data on this page has been kindly provided by Orion Optics.
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Notice
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We are constantly checking the accuracy of the technical data. We are prepared
to provide more detailed information on request. Technical data is subject to
change without notice.
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Opticstar News
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New Opening Hours
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updated: 4th August 2010
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Day Opening Hours
Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm
Saturday 10am - 2pm
Sunday CLOSED
We are closed on Sundays and public holidays.
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Sample Images
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Opticstar DS-335C ICE
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updated: 20th August 2010
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The M42 nebula shot by Nick Witte Vermeulen with the Opticstar DS-335C ICE.
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Sample Images
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Opticstar PL-130M CoolAir
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posted: 10th February 2009
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An impressive 9.4 megapixel mosaic of the Moon by Herwig Sulzbacher with
the Opticstar PL-130M.
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Articles
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Centroid Noise And Precision Photometry
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Centroiding noise is a random error, or "noise" component...
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A&M 152mm f/8 Review
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"Fantastic Performance" "Beauty of a Ferrari"
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updated: 25th March 2009
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Read the latest review about the A&M 152mm f/8 A&M/TMB on
Cloudy Nights.
According to the review this telescope combines the "beauty of a Ferrari" with
"fantastic performance". The review also states that "the manufacturer's claims are valid".
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Willmann Bell
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Books for Astronomy
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posted: 29th August 2008
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Acclaimed books from Willmann Bell...
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Feedback
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We want to hear your comments.
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