Meade's Lunar Planetary Imager. Image Credit: Secret Studio
Cameras for planetary imaging continue to improve, while also becoming more affordable for beginners who are just dipping their toes into the minefield that is astrophotography.
By the plethora of great images we now see on social media, Solar System imaging is clearly just as popular as deep-sky imaging.
And for those who like to capture planetary, lunar and indeed even solar images, Meade’s LPI-G camera might just be the ticket.
With this camera, there is no need for long exposures or cooling of sensors, all of which can add to a camera’s overall cost.
Martin Lewis explores the capabilities of the Meade LPI-G in his review in the July issue of BBC Sky at Night Magazine.
One has to wonder whether the ‘G’ for guider is really needed nowadays with so many other sensitive and cheap cameras on the market to fulfil that role.
This issue we also feature another refractor from PrimaLuce Lab, the AIRY ED100 Apochromatic Doublet.
Tim Jardine takes on the task of seeing what it can do for both visual and imaging purposes, especially as it is quite light at just 5kg (ideal for portability if that is a priority for you).
It is also nice to see a good quality case included in the price to help with that portability.
Meanwhile I get to grips with a mount; this time an upgraded Celestron CGEM II EQ Mount.
No matter how good the telescope, if you don’t have a rock solid and capable mount then you can’t achieve much with the optics.
We were pleased to see the CGEM II gave a good performance and is a reliable mount.
For this month’s reviews, plus our 17-page Sky Guide to the month ahead, pick up the July issue of BBC Sky at Night Magazine, out 22 June!
