Starfront Observatories Mini Pier Package
A Unique Opportunity for Remote Astrophotography Under Bortle 1 Skies!
Looking for Something Different? Check Out the Other Starfront Observatories Affiliated Bundles We Offer at High Point Scientific!
This package has been specifically crafted as part of a unique opportunity to purchase a complete astrophotography rig that is compatible with the Starfront Observatories mini pier. What makes this package different from other telescope packages? Well, upon purchasing this package, you have the option to ship all of the bundle items directly to Starfront Observatories near Brady, Texas where there are world class Bortle 1 skies. From there, you can conduct remote astrophotography sessions from anywhere! If you have not yet joined the Starfront Observatories community, you can learn more about how to rent and reserve your spot within their advanced roll-off-roof facility by accessing the Starfront Observatories website.
Here at High Point Scientific, we have partnered with Starfront Observatories to offer you a complete astrophotography set up, curated by Starfront Observatories, that works perfectly with the Starfront mini pier option. This bundle has been assembled so users can push the upper limits of image quality while they take advantage of the clear Central Texas skies. This mini pier astrophotography bundles comes with the Apertura 75Q refractor, the ZWO AM3 Harmonic Mount Head, the ZWO ASI2600MC Pro Color Camera, the ZWO 174MINI Guide Cameras, the ZWO EAF, the ASIAIR Plus, the ZWO 30mm Mini Guide Scope, the Apertura AC5 Adapter, and the Apertura Premium Finder Scope Shoe Version II. Each of these components have been selected due to their high-quality performance and complementary nature. You have everything you'll need from optics to mounting to WiFi control. Once Starfront Observatories has received your pier reservation and the equipment purchased from us, whether you ship it to yourself and then to them or we ship it directly to the site in Texas, their team will install the remote system, and you will then have access to some of the darkest skies in the world!
Please Note:The cost of renting the mini pier is $149/month. You are required to rent the pier directly from Starfront Observatories. Purchasing this bundle will allow us to send the equipment directly to Starfront Observatories, but not reserve a pier at their location.
Want Us to Ship it Directly to Starfront Observatories?
If you want us to ship it directly to the team at Starfront Observatories, please enter the following shipping address at check out. Please ensure you enter your first and last name when filling out the shipping information. See example below. We will ship the equipment in factory sealed boxes.
Please Note: Starfront deliveries are not eligible to be split and shipped. If an item(s) is(are) not in stock, the order will be held until the entire order can ship together. Any “Arrives By” dates in order updates do not apply.
If you would like to ship the equipment yourself, then enter your personal shipping address, and then you can ship it to them at your leisure. Starfront Observatories highly suggests shipping your equipment using UPS or FedEx and recommend you utilize shipping insurance options in case of a rare scenario where the equipment gets damaged in transit. Please see Starfront Observatories' website for more information on their shipping policies.
[Your Name]
Starfront Observatories
1724 County Road 244
Rockwood, TX 76873
A Curated Package for the Starfront Observatories Mini Pier
This bundle can help you achieve a high-quality astrophotography session from anywhere! No matter what your seeing conditions or location, you can take advantage of the amazing, clear skies of Central Texas when you purchase this bundle. Each component has been thoughtfully chosen based on it's compatibility with the Starfront Observatories mini pier rental option and how the components complement each other. From the CMOS optimized Apertura 75Q refractor, to the reliable and popular ZWO Standard Electronic Automatic Focuser (EAF), this bundle will set you up for success! Continue reading to learn more about each item included in this bundle.
Apertura 75Q Refractor
Designed specially for astrophotography, this Apertura 75Q refractor is a wonderful choice for your remote observatory! The 75 mm aperture works to collect copious amounts of light, and five internal lens elements and premium HOYA FCD-100 glass provides superior color correction. Pair this with the Bortle 1 skies of the Starfront Observatories, and the results are sure to amaze! Well corrected for use with APS-C sensors and featuring a focal length of 405 mm, the resulting field of view when coupled with the ZWO ASI2600MC Pro is optimal for a wide variety of targets. The Apertura 75Q is EAF ready right out of the box, allowing seamless, automated focusing during your remote imaging sessions.
ZWO ASI2600MC Pro Color Camera
This high resolution cooled camera comes loaded with features! The backlit APS-C Sony IMX571 sensor offers a pixel array of 6248 x 4176, making this a 26 MP powerhouse. This allows you to capture an outstanding amount of detail under the dark, Bortle 1 skies of the Starfront Observatories. Not only this, but the ultra-high dynamic range of 14 stops provides rich color gradients and a wide span of signal collected. Assembled with careful circuitry, this camera produces zero amp glow, streamlining your remote observatory sessions by omitting the need for dark frames. Also, this camera includes an onboard dew heater to fight pesky dew from forming on the sensor window. ZWO has equipped this camera with a USB 3.0 interface for quick transmission speed, and features a USB 2.0 hub for the addition of accessories such as the ZWO EAF or the ZWO ASI174MM Mini (both included within this package).
ZWO AM3 Harmonic Drive EQ Mount
Providing high performance and dependability, two things vital for remote imaging, is this renowned ZWO AM3! The internal harmonic drive and synchronous belt deliver exceptionally high torque, zero backlash, and smooth, stable slewing. The 17.6 lb. payload capacity easily supports the weight of the components within this package, delivering pinpoint stars in each frame. Fully compatible with the included ASIAIR, operation of this mount is a breeze. Quickly slew to your target, effortlessly return to the home position, and even plate solve to ensure precise telescope positioning. With it’s small footprint and absence of counterweights, the swing diameter of this compact AM3 and the Apertura 75Q is optimized for the smallest and least expensive piers housed within the Starfront Observatories (the Mini Piers), keeping the monthly cost to an affordable minimum of $149/month!
ZWO ASI174MM Mini Monochrome Camera
In order to make the best out of the Bortle 1 skies provided by Starfront Observatories, guiding is a must. This is where the ZWO ASI174MM Mini steps in! The absence of a Bayer matrix allows this camera to soak up the incoming photons on each pixel well, delivering sharper resolution of available guide stars. Opposed to other guide cameras on the market, this ASI174MM is equipped with a larger 1/1.2” sensor for a wider field of view, helping to further increase the amount of guide stars available. The compact design adds minimal weight to the AM3, and seamlessly joins with the ZWO ASIAIR!
ZWO 30mm Mini Guide Scope
Of course, no autoguiding setup is complete without an autoguider! A perfect companion to the included ZWO ASI174MM is this ZWO 30 mm Guide Scope. Featuring a focal length of 120 mm and aperture of 30 mm, this guide scope helps clearly resolve the night sky for a wide selection of guide stars to guide upon. Focus is held in place from session to session with the focus lock thumb screws, and the included synta-style dovetail mounts effortlessly to the finder base found on the Apertura 75Q. This guide scope weighs only 1.1 lbs., adding minimal weight to your remote setup.
ZWO Standard EAF
Achieving sharp focus is a must when it comes to capitalizing on the brilliance of the Bortle 1 skies. With this ZWO EAF, each frame is sure to be brimming with clarity! How does it work? This electronic focuser takes a series of photos and creates what’s called a V-curve. This curve determines the exact focal point of your optics, and adjusts your telescope’s focuser accordingly. By relying on software, this focus routine can be performed periodically throughout your imaging session to ensure your focus remains pristine, even through drops in temperature. Weighing less than 1 lb. and featuring extensive compatibility, this ZWO EAF adds very little bulk to your remote set up, attaches seamlessly to the Apertura 75Q, and is fully operable with the ZWO ASIAIR.
ZWO ASIAIR Plus WiFi Controller
Operating as the brain center of your remote rig is this ZWO ASIair Plus! The ASIair Camera Controller technology allows full control of the ZWO equipment within this bundle: the ASI2600MC Pro, AM3, EAF, and the ASI174MM Mini. Frame up your targets, plan your imaging sessions ahead of time, cool your camera, the list goes on! Featuring 256 GB of internal eMMC storage (244 GB available), soak up an entire night of stunning Bortle 1 images without worry of storage limitations. With this also comes hasty transfer speeds. Enjoy an average of 120+ MB/s read speeds, and 95 MB/s write speeds. With the ASIair Plus, you also have the ability to monitor the working status of your gear with displays of voltage, WiFi connectivity, power consumption, and even real-time temperature. Thanks to the innovation from ZWO, this ASIair Plus has you set up for success!
Two Apertura 5A AC Adapters
Supplying power to your remote rig are two of the Apertura Universal 5 AMP AC Adapter. Compared to most other manufacturer’s 12V power supplies, this Apertura Universal AC Adapter offers increased resting voltage, resulting in a steadier, more accurate 12V of power when in use. This is especially important when utilizing gear with high amp requirements, such as the 3 amps required when cooling the ASI2600MC Pro. Included with each of these power adapters is a US AC power cable, as well as a 5.5 x 2.1 mm extension cable. With threading on both ends, there is no need to worry about the cables coming unplugged, giving you peace of mind during your remote imaging sessions!
Apertura Premium Finder Scope Shoe Version II
To streamline cable management and ensure your rig stays as snag-free as possible, an extra Synta-style mount point has been added with the Apertura Premium Finder Scope Shoe Version II. Its reinforced, solid, CNC machined aluminum build provides peace of mind that your gear will remain secure attached in its remote home!