ASTRO-PHYSICS
175 mm f/8 Starfire EDF (175EDF)
with 4" Focuser and CCD Field Flattener
The 175mm f/8 StarFire EDF is not available to purchase and we do not have any plans to produce additional scopes with these exact specifications. This information is presented for present owners and those who are curious about its history.
175 mm f/8 StarFire EDF and 1600GTO German Equatorial Mount
Astro-Physics proudly introduces the new 175 StarFire EDF - our latest superb visual and imaging instrument! In keeping with the Astro-Physics tradition of offering the very finest of optics, Roland Christen has once again designed and produced this new air-spaced apochromatic triplet that is sure to be highly sought after in years to come.
After extensive testing on the bench using interferometers and autocollimation and nights of visual observing and CCD imaging, Roland sums up his impressions:
| "I am happy to say that this scope performs up to my full expectations. The design is topnotch using the best glasses available polished to a high degree of perfection. The lenses will be coated with very low reflection multi-layers - less than 0.2% average reflection per surface. The design is broad spectrum correction, for both visual and CCD imaging. The glass is ultra-clear BK7 crown mated to Ohara FPL53 premium ED glass. The result is magic." |
Roland chose the 1400 mm (f/8) focal length because he felt it was a sweet spot for lifetime enjoyment of visual and imaging pursuits. The planets and double stars are sharply defined, even in less-than-ideal seeing conditions. Regarding the astrographic capabilities, Roland shares his experience:
| "The acid test was, of course, imaging and for that I added the dedicated field flattener and my STL1100 CCD camera. The results were everything I had hoped for. All the colors came to the same exact focus - no focus tweek required for any of them. Stars showed similar size and full width half max resolution with all 8 filter positions (RGB, L, H-alpha, OII and SII). No color halos and, most important of all, no reflection halos from the lens itself or from the, as yet uncoated, field flattener optics. Stars are perfectly round across the 35 mm format (largest I had), lacking any spikes or flares even when stretched to the limits." |
Roland Christen polishing the FPL53 of the 175 mm f/8 StarFire EDF lenses
Photographs Taken with the 175mm f/8 StarFire EDF
| Click the links below to view Roland Christen's images taken with the 175mm f/8 StarFire EDF | ||||
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| M37 at Half Size | Saturn with Titan lower right - May 29, 2012 | Mars - May 22, 2012 | ||
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| M57 - Ring Nebula at Half Size | M57 - Closeup Crop of Ring Nebula | |||
| Color correction | Less than +/ - 0.005% focus variation from 405 nm to 706 nm (r to h wavelengths) |
| Clear aperture | 175 mm (6.9") |
| Focal length | 1400 mm (55.1") |
| Photographic speed | f/8 |
| Theoretical resolution | 0.65 arc seconds |
| Coatings | Multi-layer, broadband, overall transmission greater than 97% in peak visual wavelengths |
| Magnification range | 25x to 700x |
| Tube assembly | Cream white, 8.0" CNC machined aluminum tube, baffled, flat-black interior, push-pull lens cell, engraved retaining ring |
| Focuser type | 4.0" I.D. Astro-Physics rack & pinion focuser, 4.15" travel; 2.7", 2" and 1.25" adapters; 4" extension; rotating collar; numerical scale |
| Telescope length | 51.25" (1302mm) w/ dewcap fully retracted |
| Diameter of dewcap | 8.875" (225.5mm) O.D. including paint thickness |
| Weight with dewcap | 43 lbs. (19.5 kg) |
| Carrying-case type | Wood case with grey vinyl covering and foam-lined interior |
| Focal length | 1452.5 mm @ f/8.3 |
| Fully illuminated circle | 3.0 degrees, 76 mm image circle |
| Back distance | Maximum 114.9mm (4.5") from rear of housing (when extension piece is removed) to the focal plane; plenty of room for rotators, filter wheels, etc. |
| Focal length | 1064 mm @ f/6.1 |
| Fully illuminated circle | 2.8 degrees, 53 mm image circle |
| Back distance | 80.8 mm (3.18" from rear of Telecompressor Corrector housing) |
Support
We have prepared some pertinent support documents relating to this scope and many of our other products on our Technical Support page. Please check there first to find the information that you need.
Upgrades and Spare Parts
Check out our Astro-Physics.com website to find accessories, replacement parts or learn about possible upgrades for your scope.
Copyright © 2012-2109, Astro-Physics,
Inc. - All Rights Reserved
This page was last modified:
March 11, 2019
Astro-Physics, Inc.
11250 Forest Hills Road, Machesney Park, IL 61115, U.S.A.
Phone: 815-282-1513 Fax: 815-282-9847