The Virtual Telescope - Bellatrix Astronomical Observatory


	The Virtual Telescope introduces a new amazing instrument and launches a very special offer! Work in progress... preparing the basement for the column NB: Introducing the new telescope! The Virtual Telescope staff is very proud to announce that by Jan 2011 a new, amazing astronomical instrument has beenintroduced, becoming the main telescope available as part of our project. Over the last weeks, we have installed a prestigious Corrected Dall-Kirkham (CDK) 17" telescope by PlaneWave Instruments (432mm / 17" of diameter), offering amazing optical performances, exceeding those of the well-known Ritchey-Chrétien design. This telescope is hosted on a Paramount ME robotic mount by Software Bisque, the best hardware of its kind currently available, while a large-format, STL-6303E CCD camera by Santa Barbara Instrument Group is used as imaging device. These are the specifications of the new system, as always fully, remotely accessible: Optics - Scheme: Corrected Dall-Kirkham; aperture: 432mm (17"); focal length: 2939 mm (focal ratio: f/6.8); optical performances: 6.5 micron rms at 21mm and 9.6 micron at 26mm off-axis. Mechanics - mount: Paramount ME robotic mount; scheme: equatorial mount; periodic error : less than 3 ", peak-to-peak, without PEC; pointing accuracy: within 30"; control: full robotic. Detector - sensor: Kodak KAF-6303E ( 3072 x 2048 pixel @ 9 micron), NABG; QE at peak: 68%; Full Well Capacity: 100.000 electrons; scale: 0.63"/pixel; field-of-view: 32' x 22'. Filters - Filter wheel : SBIG FW8-STL (8 position, 50mm); LRGB: Baader Anti-reflective RGB round, dielettrics; H-alpha: Baader 7nm, round; SII: Baader 7nm, round; OIII: Baader 8.5nm, 50.8mm). This exceptional telescope adds to the important one already available, strengthening further the amazing stature of the Virtual Telescope Project, still unique on the international stage. Since it started in 2006, the Virtual Telescope has shown the Universe to more than 800 thousands of individuals from more than 190 Countries: a true record. To celebrate this important achievement, coming with the 4th anniversary of the Virtual Telescope, we are pleased to offer the new telescope for one hour of observing time, at the introductory rate of only 35 Euros. This offer is valid up to 31 Jan. 2011 and after that date the full rate will apply (no less than 60 Euros per hour). This introductory rate includes full assistance by our staff during the observing session. The telescope will be indicatively available for observing from Feb. 1, 2011. This introductory observing time must be used within July 31, 2011. Only one application per user is allowed Payments by credit card and PayPal are accepted here. Technologies at Virtual Telescope are supported by : - Unitron Italia Instruments - Software Bisque - Baader Planetarium - Santa Barbara Instrument Group - PlaneWave Instruments The staff is available for info and details. The Virtual Telescope - 26 Jan 2011

The Virtual Telescope introduces a new amazing instrument
and launches a very special offer!

Work in progress... preparing the basement for the column

The Virtual Telescope staff is very proud to announce that by Jan 2011 a new, amazing astronomical instrument has beenintroduced, becoming the main telescope available as part of our project.

Over the last weeks, we have installed a prestigious Corrected Dall-Kirkham (CDK) 17" telescope by PlaneWave Instruments (432mm / 17" of diameter), offering amazing optical performances, exceeding those of the well-known Ritchey-Chrétien design. This telescope is hosted on a Paramount ME robotic mount by Software Bisque, the best hardware of its kind currently available, while a large-format, STL-6303E CCD camera by Santa Barbara Instrument Group is used as imaging device.

These are the specifications of the new system, as always fully, remotely accessible:

Optics - Scheme: Corrected Dall-Kirkham; aperture: 432mm (17"); focal length: 2939 mm (focal ratio: f/6.8); optical performances: 6.5 micron rms at 21mm and 9.6 micron at 26mm off-axis.

Mechanics - mount: Paramount ME robotic mount; scheme: equatorial mount; periodic error : less than 3 ", peak-to-peak, without PEC; pointing accuracy: within 30"; control: full robotic.

Detector - sensor: Kodak KAF-6303E ( 3072 x 2048 pixel @ 9 micron), NABG; QE at peak: 68%; Full Well Capacity: 100.000 electrons; scale: 0.63"/pixel; field-of-view: 32' x 22'.

Filters - Filter wheel : SBIG FW8-STL (8 position, 50mm); LRGB: Baader Anti-reflective RGB round, dielettrics; H-alpha: Baader 7nm, round; SII: Baader 7nm, round; OIII: Baader 8.5nm, 50.8mm).

This exceptional telescope adds to the important one already available, strengthening further the amazing stature of the Virtual Telescope Project, still unique on the international stage. Since it started in 2006, the Virtual Telescope has shown the Universe to more than 800 thousands of individuals from more than 190 Countries: a true record.

To celebrate this important achievement, coming with the 4th anniversary of the Virtual Telescope, we are pleased to offer the new telescope for one hour of observing time, at the introductory rate of only 35 Euros. This offer is valid up to 31 Jan. 2011 and after that date the full rate will apply (no less than 60 Euros per hour).

This introductory rate includes full assistance by our staff during the observing session. The telescope will be indicatively available for observing from Feb. 1, 2011. This introductory observing time must be used within July 31, 2011. Only one application per user is allowed

Payments by credit card and PayPal are accepted here.

Technologies at Virtual Telescope are supported by :

- Unitron Italia Instruments
- Software Bisque
- Baader Planetarium
- Santa Barbara Instrument Group
- PlaneWave Instruments

The staff is available for info and details.

The Virtual Telescope - 26 Jan 2011