My first Magazine Sky & Telescope - 04.2019 | Page 68

NEW PRODUCT SHOWCASE
u COOLED
CMOS
p IMAGING PLANNER
Skyhound, a purveyor of planning software for amateurs,
unveils SkyTools 4 Imaging (starting at $199.95). The program
helps to take the guesswork out of your imaging by calculat-
ing the exposure times necessary to adequately expose for a
given target using virtually any camera, telescope, and fi lter
combination. SkyTools 4 Imaging also helps you maximize
your effi ciency by informing you when your target is optimally
placed in the sky to image. It can also generate plans that can
be directly imported to the popular observatory control pro-
gram ACP, and it can also generate plans for iTelescope.net.
SkyTools 4 Imaging automatically keeps track of your progress
on astrophotography projects that span multiple nights, includ-
ing extensive mosaics.
Skyhound
P.O. Box 1182 Cloudcroft, NM 88317
575-446-1221; skyhound.com
QHYCCD announces a
new model in its COLD-
MOS camera series: The
QHY294C ($999) is a
14-bit, back-illuminated
CMOS camera for deep-
sky astrophotography.
The camera is designed
around the 4 / 3 -format
Sony color IMX294 BSI
CMOS sensor with a 4,164×2,796-pixel array (11.6
mp) measuring 19.28×12.95 mm with 4.63-micron-
square pixels. Its dual-stage thermoelectric cooling
is capable of stable temperatures of 35° below
ambient, producing low-noise images through its
USB 3.0 interface with additional proprietary QHY
amplifi er glow suppression. The unit is capable of
recording 16.5 full-resolution frames per second,
and more using on-chip region-of-interest. An
internal 256-megabyte DDRIII image buffer ensures
no frames are dropped during downloads. Each
camera comes with a 1-meter, 12V threaded power
cord, a 1.5-m USB 3.0 cable, and a 2-inch nose-
piece, plus a CD with camera drivers and control
software. Visit the manufacturer’s website for ad-
ditional details and accessories.
QHYCCD
qhyccd.com
u BUDGET ED REFRACTOR
Astro-Tech reintroduces a 4-inch doublet in its popular line
of ED doublet refractors. The AT102ED ($599) is a 4-inch f/7
refractor that incorporates one element of FK-61 extra-low-
dispersion (ED) glass to produce sharp, color-free views for
amateurs on a tight budget. The scope includes a dual-speed,
2-inch focuser an d 1¼-inch eyepiece adapter, both of which
utilizes brass compression rings that won’t mar the barrels
of your eyepieces or other accessories. All optical surfaces
are multicoated to virtually eliminate refl ections and provide
high-contrast views. Each scope includes a pair of hinged tube
rings, an 8-inch Vixen-style dovetail mounting plate, and a fi t-
ted lens cap.
Astro-Tech
Available from Astronomics
680 24th Ave. SW, Norman, OK 73069
800-422-7876; astronomics.com
New Product Showcase is a reader service featuring innovative equipment and software of interest to amateur astronomers. The descriptions are based largely on
information supplied by the manufacturers or distributors. Sky & Telescope assumes no responsibility for the accuracy of vendors’ statements. For further information
contact the manufacturer or distributor. Announcements should be sent to [e-mail]. Not all announcements can be listed.
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