The JWST amazes again - first images of a planet outside the Solar System

Celestron NexStar Evolution 5

- ideal serious beginner's telescope, now with free telescope bag.

BINTEL Coloured Planetary filters

Why is a Dob called a Dob?

**THE BINTEL retail showroom will close on 22/9 for the National Day of Mourning for Queen Elizabeth II**

Another post by to the BINTEL Society Facebook group by Chi Cheung Chan. He captured the Helix Nebula also called NGC 7292.  He used a Celestron EdgeHD 9.25" telescope and a ZWO ASI071MC Pro Camera

Another James Webb Space Telescope first - the first direct image of a planet outside the Solar System

Exoplanet HIP 65426 b shown in different infrared wavelengths captured by the James Webb Space Telescope

Some of the first images taken by the JWST showing a planet outside the Solar System. 

The search for planets orbiting other stars has long fascinated astronomers. Is the Solar System with its collection of gas giants and rocky planets common in the Milky Way, rare, or is it unique?  

The first confirmation of a planet outside the Solar System or "exoplanet" actually occurred back in 1917,  but wasn't recognised as such for nearly another 100 years.  The discovery of the first exoplanets was announced early in 1992.  Since then, there's been well over 5,000 planets discovered orbiting other stars in the Milky Way (and some even in other galaxies). These have been found using a variety of techniques including measuring light dips in the star they orbit as they cross in front of it and even how much planets cause the host star to "wobble" during their orbits.  From these and other methods we've been able to work out the size, type, and orbit of many of these exoplanets

In yet another remarkable "first", the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has taken the first direct image of a planet outside the Solar System during one of its early attempts at observing exoplanets.  

Read more via the link below about the first exoplanet  images, some of the history of discovering exoplanets and what JWST might unveil.  (Hint - we're not totally sure - though we think there's some cool stuff on the way!)

Celestron NexStar Evolution 5 in stock  - $199 Celestron Telescope Bag included at no cost 

Celestron NexStar Evolution 5 telescope - now $2499

We're commonly asked what's a good telescope option for serious beginners or those folks who've enjoyed learning about the night and now want to upgrade to something more powerful.  Or possibly even experienced astronomers looking for a powerful, portable telescope package. 

The Celestron NexStar Evolution 5 SCT ticks all these boxes. This is an upgraded version of the popular Celestron NexStar 5SE.  

It's a full GOTO telescope, which means it will automatically move to a star, planet or deep-sky object and then track it for you.  The built in Wi-Fi lets you control the telescope via your phone, tablet or PC. Internal rechargeable batteries power the telescope all night.  

For a limited time, BINTEL are also including a Celestron 40" Telescope bag, normally worth $199, for free when you purchase a Celestron NextStar Evolution 5 from us. 

Visual imaging filters. What are they for and do I need them? 

"Do I need coloured filters for my telescope?"

The answer is yes, but there are some things you should know first. 

All optical filters work the same way - they block some wavelengths (or colours) of light and allow others to pass. No matter what filter you use, the total amount of light coming through them will be reduced. They don't make certain features brighter, they simply block out some light from nearby making them easier to see. 

Coloured filters for visual use are probably handiest for viewing planets. As  Saturn and Jupiter are bright in the sky at the moment - with Mars to follow in coming months - it's not a bad time to go over these.  The $59 BINTEL kit includes all four of these filters that screw into the end of any 1.25" eyepiece:

#12 Yellow Contrasts strongly with blue-coloured features on Jupiter and Saturn, while enhancing red and orange features. Lightens red and orange features of Mars.

#21 Orange Lightens the orange deserts on Mars and also helps show off polar ice caps when visible. A good filter for Mars in 6” –16” telescopes.

#56 Green Can help locating GRS (Great Red Spot) on Jupiter, offer great contrast to Polar caps, low clouds and dust storms on Mars.

#80A Blue Turns Saturn more Grey /Whitish. On Jupiter it enhances contrast between the bright areas and cloud boundaries and is also very good for the GRS. 

PS: Handy info - the numbers you see on the BINTEL filters are "Wratten" numbers, after a system of coloured photographic developed by photographic pioneer Frank Wratten.

Happy Birthday John Dobson and what exactly is a Dobsonian telescope?

John Dobson with BINTEL's Don Whiteman in Sydney in 1995.

You might have seen a lot of posts on social media this week wishing John Dobson a happy birthday.  

John was famous for bringing large, affordable reflector telescopes to the world. His name will always be linked to the simple but sturdy telescope mount called the "Dobsonian Mount" or more simply a "Dob".  This reduces the costs of a telescope and was something that could be produced by many people with even basic woodworking skills. John's legacy went beyond just the Dob mount. He also promoted mirror making and public outreach, setting up telescopes on busy street corners, especially in San Francisco.

He visited BINTEL many times during several trips to Australia. We can tell you he hated the term "Dobsonian" and preferred "long focal length altazimuth telescope".   

When you hear the term "Dob" - think of simple, powerful telescopes.

Macquarie University Astronomy Open Night -  BINTEL's big Celestron PowerSeeker telescope giveaway

Some of the BINTEL team will be at the return of the Macquarie University Astronomy Open Night - the first since 2019!

To celebrate this event, BINTEL are giving away approx. fifty Celestron PowerSeeker beginner's telescopes!

If you're attending the event, please swing by the BINTEL stand and say g'day. 

We'll have some great space activities for the kids and a massive lucky dip giveaway of nearly fifty Celestron beginner's telescopes.  This popular event has officially sold out, but if you have tickets event details are below.

Artemis I Next Launch Attempt - is....28th Sep at 1.37am Sydney time.

Will you be awake at 1.37am Sydney time on Wednesday 28th Sept?  

If so, you'll be able to watch NASA's third attempt at launching the SLS rocket carrying the Artemis-1 Mission.  The hydrogen fuel leaks that cause the previous two attempts to be abandoned have been fixed. (Fingers crossed!)

If the launch on this date doesn't happen, then there are other launch dates available on the 2nd or 3rd of Oct.  

We'll keep you updated. (Again...)

BINTEL Open Box Bargains - Remember these change from week to week

There's always something new in this area.

From time to time, we have products that have been opened and used for product photography or other reasons.  We then check them out, repack them and re-box them.

Then we drop the price. There have been some great bargains in the last few weeks.

There's not a lot of products in this area, but each one has the same warranty and support as a "factory fresh" item.  Keep an eye on this area as it's always changing.   

Next time....connecting cameras to telescopes.