Takahashi Epsilon-180 tube complete

The Epsilon series of astrographs are specifically designed for exceptional astrophotography.  Takahashi’s proprietary optical design features a hyperbolic, concave primary mirror with a 2 element ED corrector lens to eliminate spherical aberration and coma.  Compared to the conventional Schmidt camera design, the chromatic aberration is reduced by half, even out to large viewing angles.

Compact and lightweight astrograph, 180mm aperture, F/2.8, 44 mm corrected field.

The ε-180 was introduced by Takahashi as the first of the new Epsilon flat–field hyperbolic astrographs since the 1980’s. The ε-180 was designed to be a very fast f/2.8 imaging system.

This fast field photo visual astrograph is perfect for digital SLR's and CCD cameras.  The f/2.8 speed will enable the imager to record faint nebulosity not visible in slower instruments.  In addition, the appreciably shorter exposure times reduce tracking error and will produce pin point stars. The ε-180 will produce 10 micron stars across the entire 44 mm diagmer flat 5 degree field.

The focuser has been improved to allow more precise focusing. Each has a metal insert with a special non-cold flow material to allow for correct focus.

The Epsilon series of astrographs are specifically designed for exceptional astrophotography.  Takahashi’s proprietary optical design features a hyperbolic, concave primary mirror with a 2 element ED corrector lens to eliminate spherical aberration and coma.  Compared to the conventional Schmidt camera design, the chromatic aberration is reduced by half, even out to large viewing angles.

The ε-180 was introduced by Takahashi as the first of the new Epsilon flat–field hyperbolic astrographs since the 1980’s. The ε-180 was designed to be a very fast f/2.8 imaging system.

This fast field photo visual astrograph is perfect for digital SLR's and CCD cameras.  The f/2.8 speed will enable the imager to record faint nebulosity not visible in slower instruments.  In addition, the appreciably shorter exposure times reduce tracking error and will produce pin point stars. The ε-180 will produce 10 micron stars across the entire 44 mm diagmer flat 5 degree field.

The focuser has been improved to allow more precise focusing. Each has a metal insert with a special non-cold flow material to allow for correct focus.

The catadioptric telescopes of the Epsilon series are wide-field astrographs with an hyperbolic primary mirror. A corrector is integrated in the rack-and-pinion focuser and offers a flat field with stars less than 10μm at the edge of the 44mm image circle.

The Epsilon-180D has a focal ratio of f/2.8. Its very short focal length of 500 mm offers a field of view of 5° and is therefore ideal for imaging large areas of stars and nebulae. Its secondary mirror is mounted on a reinforced spider to avoid any flexion. The rack-and-pinion focuser is equipped with a CAA (Camera Angle Adjuster) for photographic framing.

The primary mirror cell is equipped with 3 double-action adjusting screws (push/pull) with lock nut for pressure adjustment to minimise stress.

The collimation of the Epsilon-180ED is very easy because it does not need to be done on a star. The optical axis is represented by markings on the 2 mirrors. Takahashi has designed a simple collimation eyepiece system particularly adapted to the Epsilon allowing the adjustment of the mirrors in daylight, a big advantage compared to a classical telescope.

Regardless of its photographic qualities, the Epsilon is a first-rate wide-field observation telescope. The observation of star clusters and galaxies will give you intense pleasure due to the fineness of the stars. It proves to be a fabulous instrument for the deep sky and the search for comets. The observation of the Lagoon and Trifide nebulae in the same field is extraordinary and striking.

Characteristics

Takahashi Epsilon-180ED reflector