Check out these images utilizing the Tele Vue-NP127fli astrograph. The strength of this scope is wide-field imaging and the work in this area is exemplary.
For instance, the NP127fli was able to perfectly frame and capture the spirit of the NGC 869 and NGC 884 in Perseus as twin clusters of sparkling blue-white diamonds, with a smattering of glowing red-rubies, punctuating the black velvet sky background. The Double Cluster never looked so good!
What is a Tele Vue-NP127fli?
The NP127fli is a 127mm / 5-inch, f/5.3, APO (Nagler-Petzval) astrograph with an optical arrangement of 5-elements in 3-groups. Its sole purpose is to create wide-field images — 4.3-degrees on the diagonal of the 52mm diameter image circle. From the image below you’ll note that this scope lacks a traditional focuser. This astrograph is designed to operate with the Finger Lakes Instrumentation (FLI) Atlas electronic focuser – hence the “fli” designation. The NP127fli is specifically designed so when the Atlas is at the center of its focus travel, the combined path-length of FLI focuser, filter-wheel and camera puts the CCD sensor at the focal plane of the telescope’s optics. In order to achieve this, the NP127fli’s “Large Field Corrector” lens (visible in the photo) physically sits inside the Atlas. The benefits of the Atlas over a typical manual rack & pinion focuser are: 85 nm/step size, ability to handle 25-lbs of equipment, and FLI’s Zero Tilt Adapter system.
The NP127fli is a 127mm / 5-inch, f/5.3, APO (Nagler-Petzval) astrograph with an optical arrangement of 5-elements in 3-groups. Its sole purpose is to create wide-field images — 4.3-degrees on the diagonal of the 52mm diameter image circle. From the image below you’ll note that this scope lacks a traditional focuser. This astrograph is designed to operate with the Finger Lakes Instrumentation (FLI) Atlas electronic focuser – hence the “fli” designation. The NP127fli is specifically designed so when the Atlas is at the center of its focus travel, the combined path-length of FLI focuser, filter-wheel and camera puts the CCD sensor at the focal plane of the telescope’s optics. In order to achieve this, the NP127fli’s “Large Field Corrector” lens (visible in the photo) physically sits inside the Atlas. The benefits of the Atlas over a typical manual rack & pinion focuser are: 85 nm/step size, ability to handle 25-lbs of equipment, and FLI’s Zero Tilt Adapter system.
The telescope is usable out of the box. No collimation necessary and wonderfully corrected. Due to the compact design and the direct attachment of the image train, the telescope is very stiff. The short focal length is also ideal for dark nebulae.
