Telescope-Astrographs-Apertura CarbonStar 150 Imaging Newtonian

Heavy-Duty, Lightweight, Construction
Bold and sleek, the new look of this 6” Apertura Newtonian includes eye-catching red hardware and a carbon fiber tube. These are more than just visual upgrades however, this aesthetic design pushes the performance of this imaging Newtonian further than its predecessor. Machined from solid CNC aluminum, the rings, front bezel/spider vane, and primary mirror cell are smooth, durable, and strong. The benefits of this approach are most apparent in the secondary mirror hub. The single-piece construction provides a rock-solid base for the secondary mirror; say goodbye to concerns of twisting spider vanes! In terms of changes to the optical tube, the carbon fiber keeps the weight of the telescope down while still providing the strength seen in more common steel tubes. There is a reason Apertura chose to incorporate this material into the CarbonStar name. Carbon fiber has a low thermal expansion coefficient which helps protect against focus shift. This provides an advantage over metal tube OTAs where thermal expansion can be a concern.

Linear Bearing EAF-Ready Focuser
Whether you plan on focusing manually or electronically, using a streamlined camera-only setup, or adding heavy accessories like a filter wheel, no matter how you intend to build your imaging train the CarbonStar focuser has you covered! This focuser features a linear bearing design, which, while closely resembling the Crayford-style focuser, utilizes a flat rail running on dozens of ball bearings. These hard ball bearings provide more points of contact for a strong and fluid focusing mechanism capable of smoothly moving all types of imaging equipment. For those primarily interested in manual focus, Apertura has updated the coarse and dual speed knobs with larger texturing for better manual manipulation. Those seeking a more automated form of focus are in luck as well. Many popular electronically assisted focuser (EAF) accessories are now supported out of the box! With consideration for these popular accessories factored heavily into the redesign and a detailed installation guide included in the digital manual, Apertura has ensured that adding bracket-style electronic focusers to your CarbonStar is a quick and seamless process.

Stray Light Protection
Light pollution isn’t limited just to the atmosphere: bright sources of light can also reach your optics more directly through the front of your telescope. While the lack of a front objective lens or glass corrector does shield Newtonians to some degree, they are not immune. Stray light can still reflect off the interior surfaces and reach the optics, ruining the contrast of your images. However, with the Apertura CarbonStar you can worry less about internal reflections and focus more on imaging. Nine knife-edge baffles catch and contain internal reflections before they can hit your optics, providing enhanced stray light control in challenging environments. For additional stray light protection, Apertura has also included a primary mirror cell shield which can be installed to cover the rear ‘port-hole’ opening and further guard against image degrading light sources. If you’re looking for the ultimate in light control, be sure to check out the Apertura CarbonStar 150 Primary Mirror Mask which removes the mirror clip diffraction pattern and makes post processing easier!

Collimation Concerns Covered
If you’re changing from a refractor to a reflector or are looking to buy your first telescope, you’ve likely come across ‘collimation’ as a key difference between refractors and reflectors. This may seem like a complex process and a barrier to entry into the world of reflectors, but the reality is with the right tool and just a bit of practice, most will find achieving great collimation with a Newtonian a breeze. The CarbonStar takes this a step further with its CNC spider vane design which eliminates flex/twisting seen on other designs. In the detailed manual (see the Product Attachments tab), Apertura provides simple collimation instructions for both laser collimators and the Apertura CCE tool (collimation tools sold separately). For its value, straightforward usage, and stellar results, it is hard to argue that the CCE isn’t a great complement to this excellent imaging Newtonian package. For more information on just how simple collimation can be and debunk the complicated collimation myth, be sure to check out our guide on Collimating a Newtonian Telescope with the Apertura Cheshire Collimating Eyepiece!

Comes with the Apertura Absolute Warranty
The Apertura Absolute Warranty provides two years of coverage against product defects. After the initial two-year warranty expires, this product qualifies for Apertura’s Three-Year Accident Replacement Program. In addition, the Apertura Absolute Warranty is transferable! Download a copy of the Apertura Absolute Warranty for more information on this program, how to make a claim, and why it is important to keep your original receipt and the product’s original boxes and packaging!