7" Astro-Physics Starfire

This telescope was manufactured in 1989 and I've owned it since 1992.  The Astro-Physics refractors are considered to be some of the finest quality amateur astronomy instruments ever produced and I feel very fortunate to have one.  Due to the design, materials and extremely close tolerance manufacturing techniques, this type of instrument excels in showing high-resolution low contrast features.  These assets make it an exceptional instrument for viewing the subtle features of Mars, Jupiter, Saturn and our Moon. 

For daytime observing, I've equipped the scope with a .2 angstrom Solar Spectrum hydrogen alpha filter for viewing prominences and disk features on the Sun. 

Most of the astrophotos on my website were taken using this instrument.
Originally blue metallic, I've repainted the scope with an acrylic urethane basecoat/clearcoat using a '74 Lincoln cream and sunset pearl.  The focuser has also been replaced with the current Feathertouch model.  This scope has accompanied me to Stellafane, Riverside, Astrofest and to several Winter Star Parties and the number of people who have viewed through it literally numbers in the thousands.

           
   Planetary imaging               Solar observing                 Ha Solar Filter            Energy Rejection Filter