Remembering the last human on the Moon - 50 years since Apollo 17

Celestron Telescopes for Mars and more 

Vespera is almost here - a few still available for sale

Olympus Binoculars @ BINTEL

Reminder BINTEL Xmas Trading Hours and Shipping info

Alex posted his amazing image of the Small Magellanic Cloud to the BINTEL Discord Server.  He used a Celestron EdgeHD 9.25 with Hyperstar and a QHY 268M camera.  BINTEL has multiple electronic platforms and social media sites.  Full details here.

50 Years since we went to the Moon - Remembering Apollo 17 and why haven't we gone back?

Apollo 17 Commander Eugene Cernan and the U.S. flag on the lunar surface. (NASA image). 

December 2022 marks 50 years since NASA's last crewed mission to the Moon - Apollo 17.  

As NASA's Artemis program prepares in the coming years to make a return to the Moon and then push out further into the Solar System, we look back on the major achievements of the Apollo program and why has there been a more than half a century delay before we headed back to the Moon.

Mars and beyond - Celestron Telescopes for viewing the Red Planet at its best.

Mars is at its best on the 9th of December and spectacular in the night sky all summer. 

We've touched on the upcoming opposition of Mars in previous newsletters. This is when Mars and Earth are at their closest points during their respective orbits, and this happens around the 9th of December.  It's not a "rush out and see it or you'll miss it" type of astronomical event.  Mars will be excellent viewing this summer.

Two great telescopes for looking at Mars and other members of the Solar System such as Saturn and Jupiter plus exploring deep-space are the Celestron StarSense Explorer 5" DX and 6" DX. 

These start at $1299 for the Celestron StarSense Explorer 5" DX and larger 6" DX retails for $1699.  The advantage of the larger telescope is that collects around 460 times more light than your eyes compared to around 345 times for the 5" DX.  More light means brighter and clearer views.  You basically get to see more - the reason why astronomers are always after larger and large telescopes. 

The entire StarSense Explorer range makes discovering the Universe simple and fun by using your mobile phone to show you where exactly to point your telescope. If you can use your car's on-screen maps, you will be able to use the StarSense Explorer system to explore the night sky. 

For a limited time, you will also receive a free Celestron telescope bag with both the Celestron StarSense Explorer 5" DX and 6" DX telescopes.

The Vespera Observation Station is almost here- a small number are still available. 

Vaonis Vespera Observation Station

The most anticipated new telescope for 2022 - the Vaonis Vespera Observation Station - is about to ship from the factory in France and will be at BINTEL before the end of the year.

The Vespera is a fully computerised astrophotography system. Turn it on, connect to your phone, tablet or PC via Wi-Fi and then select what astro object you would like to photograph.  It removes the hassle of taking images of the night sky and opens up the Universe to everyone. 

Most of BINTEL's first shipment of Vespera telescopes are already pre-sold.  There are a few still available. If you would like to secure a Vespera before the end of the year, you can order from the link below or call BINTEL on 02 9518 7255 to put a deposit on one.  

Olympus Binoculars now at BINTEL- from just $69

Binoculars from famed optics company, Olympus, are now in stock at BINTEL.

We have been impressed by their excellent performance and value for money.

One especially cool model is the Olympus 8x21RC II WP binocular. These tiny binos are waterproof and fogproof. They fold up so they're even more pocket sized and come in a range colours. An ideal Christmas gift for nature and sports fans or to keep in the car. 

Celestron and Sky-Watcher - price rises on the way.

Sadly, the Australian importer of Celestron and Sky-Watcher raised their wholesale prices on the 1st of December to telescope dealers around the country.

BINTEL can absorb some of these costs but not all of them. You will see price rises for Celestron and Sky-Watcher products at BINTEL in the coming weeks as we replenish stock. 

BINTEL Extended Xmas Trading Hours  

The BINTEL retail showroom will open these extended hours leading up to Christmas:

• Thursday 8th December - 9.30am to 7.00pm
• Thursday 15th December - 9.30am to 7.00pm
• Thursday 22nd December - 9.30am to 7.00pm
• Sunday 18th December - 10am to 4.00pm

During extended trading hours, we won't be answering phone enquiries to let us concentrate on helping in-store shoppers. 

Christmas Eve:

• Saturday 24th December - 10.00am to 2.00pm

Outside of these extended hours, BINTEL will be open 9.30am to 5.30pm Monday to Friday and 9.30am to 4.00pm on Saturdays. 

We will be closed on NSW public holidays over the Christmas/New Year period plus the 31st of December due to Sydney Harbour foreshore crowds gathering for the New Year's Eve celebration and fireworks.  

We will be closed:

• Monday 26th December 
• Tuesday 27th December 
• Saturday 31st December
• Monday 2nd January

Xmas Shipping Dates Order before these dates to make sure Santa delivers

These are the last dates for shipping orders from BINTEL for items we have in stock to make sure they arrive in time for Christmas 2022.

Orders must be received by 12pm Sydney time on these dates to ensure shipment.

• NSW:  19th December
• ACT:    16th December
• QLD:   16th December
• SA:      16th December
• WA:     8th December - **Please note change due to flooding!**
• TAS:    16th December
• NT:      9th December 

We will keep sending out orders placed after these cut off dates, but we cannot promise delivery by Christmas for them.

Artemis 1 on the way back from Moon - Shaun the Sheep is coming home!

The Orion spacecraft has started the journey home.

After a much delayed launch, the entire Artemis 1 mission has been highly successful.  At time of writing, Orion has left its distant lunar orbit and is on its return journey home. 

Shaun the Sheep's family and friends looking up, eagerly waiting for his return. Image via European Space Agency. (Seriously!)

Next time....buying a telescope as a Christmas gift. What are some summer astro highlights.