itelescope/data/itelescope-telescopes.csv at telescope-review

Laurence 6555e774d9 Telescope review: all 23 active iTelescope systems

Adds TELESCOPES.md, a per-observatory review of every telescope on the
iTelescope.net network with a spec block and an assessment for each, a
'choosing a telescope' use-case table, and general observations (CCD to CMOS
migration, Bin2 software limits, elevation limits, network-side calibration).

Data sourcing:
- data/itelescope-telescopes.csv is a verbatim CSV export of iTelescope's
  maintained specs Google Sheet (24 rows: 23 active scopes + T74 placeholder).
- The support article (Freshdesk 247371) supplied observatory groupings and
  minimum elevation limits; it still lists T9/T19/T31/T69 which the sheet has
  dropped - the review follows the sheet and records the discrepancy.
- go.itelescope.net is an authenticated app shell; nothing was scraped from it.

Also fills in the remaining state/ files: TODO (pending: T74 specs, retired
scope reconciliation, periodic sheet refresh), DECISIONS (source-of-truth
choice, single-document structure, no launchpad scraping), NOTES (refresh
command, CSV quirks), ARCHITECTURE (repo layout), and README.

2026-07-17 14:20:49 +01:00

11 KiB

Raw Permalink Blame History

1	Telescope	Platform	Aperture (in)	Aperature (mm)	Focal Length (mm)	F-Ratio	Optical Tube Assembly	Optical Design	Camera	Sensor Type	CMOS Sensor Model	Sensor Size / Format (mm)	Camera Angle ("Up" = Deg. East of N)	FOV X (arcmins)	FOV Y (arcmins)	Pixel Size (µm)	Resolution (arcsec / pixel)	Sensor Megapixels	Array X	Array Y	Peak QE	Full Well	N/ABG	Recommended Max Exposure (seconds)	Guiding	Mount	Filters	Notes	Additional System Specifications (e.g. horizon limits, special notes)
2		Utah Desert Remote Observatory (MPC U94)								Note: Sensors generally have 16-bit ADCs unless other values are provided
3	T2	One Shot Color	5.9	150	1105.1	f/7.3	Takahashi TOA-150	Apochromatic Refractor	QHY268C	Color CMOS (RGGB Bayer)	Sony IMX571	23.5 x 15.7 (APS-C)	178.683º	72.6	48.6	3.76	0.69"	26.4	6280	4210	90%	51Ke	—	300	MOAG with Loadstar SX2	Paramount GTS	None	Large (26 MP, 16-bit) FITS files	Telescope System Information and Specs
4	T5	Medium Deep Space	9.8	250	850	f/3.4	Takahashi Epsilon 250	Hyperbolic Flat-Field	SBIG ST-10XME	CCD	—	14.9 x 10.0	177º	60.6	40.8	6.8	1.66"	3.2	2184	1472	85%	100Ke	NABG	300	External Guiding	Paramount PME	Red Green Blue, Ha, SII, OIII, Clear and Johnson's Cousin's Photometric B,V, and I filters.	Non Anti Bloom Gate (NABG) CCD. Bright stars will bloom or bleed in long exposures. Keep your exposures short if very bright stars are in your target FoV.	Telescope System Information and Specs
5	T11	Deep Space	20.1	510	2280 (0.66 reducer)	f/4.5	Planewave CDK20	Corrected Dall-Kirkham	FLI ProLine PL11002M	CCD	—	36 x 24 (Full Format)	186.9º	54.3	36.2	9	0.81"	10.7	4008	2672	51%	60Ke	ABG	600	Active Guiding Disabled	Planewave Ascension 200HR	AstroDon - Luminance, Red, Green, Blue. 3nm Ha3_50R, Sii3_50R, Oiii_50R. U, B, V, R, I	Optics more sensitive to stray light gradients (e.g. during full moon)	Telescope System Information and Specs
6	T14	Wide Field	4.2	106	530	f/5.0	Takahashi FSQ Fluorite	Petzval Apochromatic Refractor	SBIG STX-16803	CCD	—	36.8 x 36.8	90º	238.8	238.8	9	3.5"	16.8	4096	4096	60%	100Ke	ABG	600	Unguided	Paramount ME	LRGB, Ha (5nm), SII(5nm), OIII(5nm), V Filters	Dithering recommended	Telescope System Information and Specs
7	T20	Wide Field	4.2	106	530	f/5.0	Takahashi FSQ-ED	Petzval Apochromatic Refractor	ZWO ASI2400C	Color CMOS (14-bit ADC) (RGGB Bayer)	Sony IMX410	36 x 24 (Full Format)	358.4º	233.7	155.8	5.94	2.31"	24.5	6072	4042	>80%	50Ke	ABG	300	Unguided	Paramount ME	Optolong Lpro, Optolong LUltimate (Ha/OIII 3nm dual band), Astrodon Ha (3nm), SII (3nm) & OIII (5nm)	FoV Rotated 90° relative to T14 for different framing opportunities.	Telescope System Information and Specs
8	T21	Deep Space	17.0	431	1940 (0.66 reducer)	f/4.5	Planewave CDK17	Corrected Dall-Kirkham	FLI-PL6303E	CCD	—	27.6 x 18.4	359º	49.2	32.8	9	0.96"	6.3	3072	2048	68%	100Ke	NABG	600	Active Guiding Disabled	Planewave Ascension 200HR	Astrodon LRGB 50mm unmounted, Astrodon Ha, SII, OIII, 5nm, 50 mm unmounted, Astrodon UBVRI John/Cousins	Photometry and Imaging system. Sensitive NABG CCD - susceptible to blooming artifacts from bright subjects	Telescope System Information and Specs
9	T25	Deep Space	20.0	508	3454	f/6.8	Planewave CDK20	Corrected Dall-Kirkham	Player One Zeus 455M PRO	Mono CMOS	Sony IMX455	36 x 24 (Full Format)	251.9º	36.2	24.2	3.76	0.23"	61.2	9576	6388	91%	71.6Ke	—	600	None	Planewave L-500	Astrodon LRGB Gen2 I-Series Tru-Balance filters, Astrodon 3nm SII,Ha,OIII	Produces very large files	Telescope System Information and Specs
10	T26	Deep Space	20.0	508	1537	f/3.0	Planewave Delta Rho 500	Advanced Corrected Cassegrain Focus	ASI6200MM Pro (mono)	Mono CMOS	Sony IMX455	36 x 24 (Full Format)	181º	80.4	54	7.52 (Bin2)	1.01"	15.3	4788	3194	91%	51.4Ke	—	300	None	Planewave L-550 on Equatorial Wedge	Chroma Filters: Wideband: Luminance, Red, Green & Blue Narrowband: SII, Ha & OIII with a 3nm optimise passband	Bin2 only due to current software limitations Recommended Exposures: LRGB: 30s-180s. Narrowband: 180s-300s. 900s Available	Telescope System Information and Specs
11	T68	One Shot Color (30 min free / day)	11.0	279	620	f/2.2	Celestron RASA 11"	Rowe Ackerman Schmidt Astrograph	ZWO ASI2600 Color	Color CMOS (RGGB Bayer)	Sony IMX571	23.6 x 15.6 (APS-C)	277º	130.2	87	3.76	1.25"	26.1	6248	4176	>50%	—	—	240	Via Mount	Paramount ME II	None	Full-Time Free Telescope System Large (26 MP, 16-bit) FITS files	Telescope System Information and Specs
12		Sierra Remote Observatory (MPC U69)
13	T24	Deep Space	24.0	610	3962	f/6.5	Planewave CDK24	Corrected Dall-Kirkham	Player One Zeus 455M PRO	Mono CMOS	—	36 x 24	90.7º	31.6	21.1	7.52 (Bin2)	0.395"	15.3	4788	3194	91%	71.6Ke	—	600	External Guiding (300s+)	Planewave Ascension 200HR	Astrodon LRGB2-E50S Astrodon HA3_50S, OIII3_50S, SII3_50S.Astrodon V, I (V-50S, Ic-50S)	Best results on Bin1. Dithering highly recommended. Uses RBI Flush to prevent ghosting. Best to use 60, 120, 180, 300, 600 and 900s exposures to match with calibraiton data.	Telescope System Information and Specs
14		Siding Springs Observatory, Australia (MPC Q62)
15	T8	Wide Field	4.2	106	530	f/5.0	Takahashi FSQ ED	Petzval Apochromatic Refractor	FLI Microline 16803	CCD	—	36.8 x 36.8	358º	238.8	238.8	9	3.5"	16.8	4096	4096	60%	100Ke	ABG	600	External	Paramount PME	AstroDon Series 2 Luminance, Red, Green, Blue, EXO, Ha, SII, OIII, NIR Luminance	Northern view is restricted by observatory roof. N Horizon limit is 75°. Dithering is recommended because T8's CCD sometimes produces dark columns.	Telescope System Information and Specs
16	T17	Deep Field Astrophotography	17.0	432	2939	f/6.8	Planewave CDK17	Corrected Dall-Kirkham	ASI6200MM Pro (mono)	Mono CMOS	Sony IMX455	36 x 24 (Full Format)	84.2º	42.4	28.3	7.52 (Bin2)	0.531"	15.3	4788	3194	91% (475nm)	51.4Ke	—	240	Unguided	Paramount PME	Astrodon: Luminance, Clear Astrodon: Red-E. Green-E. Blue-E Astrodon: Ha 5nm, 5nm OIII, 5nm, SII	NEW CMOS Camera for astrophotography Bin2 only due to software limitations	Telescope System Information and Specs
17	T30	Deep Space	20.0	508	2262 (0.66 reducer)	f/4.4	Planewave CDK20	Corrected Dall-Kirkham	FLI-PL6303E	CCD	—	27.6 x 18.4	270º	41.6	27.8	9	0.81"	6.3	3072	2048	68%	100Ke	NABG	300	Active Guiding Disabled	Planewave Ascension 200HR	AstroDon Tru-Balance Gen 2 E series Luminance, Red, Green, Blue, 5nm Ha, 5nm SII, 5nm OIII, and AstroDon Johnson/Cousins UvBVRcIc	Very sensitive NABG CCD - susceptible to blooming artifacts from bright subjects	Telescope System Information and Specs
18	T32	Wide Deep Field	17.0	431	2912	f/6.8	Planewave CDK17	Corrected Dall-Kirkham	ASI6200MM Pro (mono)	Mono CMOS	Sony IMX455	36 x 24 (Full Format)	90º	42.4	28.3	7.52 (Bin2)	0.53"	15.3	4788	3194	91% (475nm)	51.4Ke	—	300	Active Guiding Disabled	Planewave Ascension 200HR	Astrodon E-Series Luminance Red, Green, Blue Astrodon 5nm Ha, SII, OIII Astrodon Johnson/Couisins V, Ic	NEW CMOS Camera for astrophotography Bin2 only due to software limitations	Telescope System Information and Specs
19	T33	Narrow Deep Field (30 min free / day)	12.6	320	2885	f/9.0	Star Instruments 12.5" RCOS	Ritchey-Chrétien - Closed Carbon Tube	Apogee Alta U16	CCD	—	36.8 x 36.8	359º	37	37	9	0.54"	16.8	4096	4096	69%	100Ke	NABG	300	External Guiding	Paramount ME	Astrodon Series II: Luminance, Red, Green, Blue Astrodon Ha (5nm), SII, OIII (3nm)	Full-Time Free Telescope System North Horizon limit is 45° Rec. exposures: LRGB at 300s. Narrowband at 300s Bin2, or 600s Bin1 on calm nights.	Telescope System Information and Specs
20	T59	Wide Deep Field	20.1	510	3411	f/6.8	Planewave CDK20	Corrected Dall-Kirkham	FLI Proline 16803	CCD	—	36.8 x 36.8	90º	37.2	37.2	9	0.54"	16.8	4096	4096	60%	> 100X Saturation Exposure	ABG	900	Active Guiding Disabled	Planewave Ascension 200HR	Astrodon E-Series Luminance Red, Green, Blue Astrodon 5nm Ha, SII, OIII Astrodon Johnson/Couisins, IcZ	Capable of very long (15 min) exposures	Telescope System Information and Specs
21		Deep Sky Chile (MPC X07)
22	T70	Super Wide Field	2.6	65	129	f/3.5	Samyang 135 mm @ f/3.5	Camera Lens	ASI2600MM Pro (mono)	Mono CMOS	Sony IMX571	23.5 x 15.7 (APS-C)	314º	469.8	355.2	3.76	4.51"	26.1	6248	4176	60%	50Ke	—	300	ZWO 30 F/4 guidescope with Loadstar SX2	Paramount ME	Astrodon Gen 2 E-Series LRGB, Ha, OIII, SII	Note: Camera lens. Some residual coma occurs in the corners, and bright stars develop halos. This is normal and expected on this system.	Telescope System Information and Specs
23	T71	Wide Field Astrophotography	7.1	180	500	f/2.8	Takahashi Epsilon 180ED	Hyperbolic Corrected Newtonian Astrograph	ASI2600MM Pro (mono)	Mono CMOS	Sony IMX571	23.5 x 15.7 (APS-C)	342.5º	161.4	108	3.76	1.55"	26.1	6248	4176	60%	50Ke	—	600	QHY miniguidescope f4.3 with Loadstar Pro	Paramount MyT	Astrodon Gen 2 I-Series LRGB, Ha (5nm), OIII (5nm), SII (5nm)	Electronic shutter. No user dark frames can be taken. Calibrated data available for 10, 30, 60, 120 180, 300, 600s. Generates very large (26 MP, 101 MiB) FITS files	Telescope System Information and Specs
24	T72	Deep Space	20.1	510	3411	F/6.8	Planewave CDK20	Corrected Dall-Kirkham	FLI ML-16200	CCD	—	27 x 21.6	176º	26.93	21.53	6	0.359"	16.2	4500	3600	60%	39Ke	ABG	600	None	PlaneWave L-500	L,R,G,B,SII,Ha,OIII,U,V,B,R,I filters	Raw calibration frames can be found at data.itelescope.net. (Bias Bin1 & Bin2 and Darks 900s Bin1 & 2 are scaled with high precision for photometry calibrated image data from 0 to 900 seconds).	Telescope System Information and Specs
25	T73	Deep Field Astrophotography	14.0	356	2563	f/7.2	Planewave CDK14	Corrected Dall-Kirkham	ASI2600MM Pro (mono)	Mono CMOS	Sony IMX571	23.5 x 15.7 (APS-C)	179.6º	31.8	21	3.76	0.31"	26.1	6248	4176	60%	50Ke	—	240	WO Guide Star 61 f5.9 guide scope with Starlight Xpress Ultrastar Pro (mono) guide camera	Paramount MEII	Chroma LRGB, Chroma 3nm Ha, OIII, SII	(the ASI2600MM has an extremely low dark current making darks virtually redundant)	Telescope System Information and Specs
26	T74
27	T75	Medium Deep Space	9.8	250	950	f/3.8	ASA N250	Newtownian Astrograph	ASI6200MM Pro (mono)	Mono CMOS	Sony IMX455	36 x 24 (Full Format)	88.3º	137.4	91.8	7.52 (Bin2)	1.722"	15.3	4788	3194	91%	50Ke	—	600	ZWO 30 F/4 guide scope with ASI290MM mini	Paramount MyT	Chroma LRGB, Chroma 3nm Ha, OIII, SII	Bin2 only due to current software limitations.	Telescope System Information and Specs
28		AstroCamp Observatory, Spain (MPC I89)
29	T18	Medium Deep Space	12.5	318	1683	f/5.3	Planewave CDK12	Corrected Dall-Kirkham	QHY600M-PH-US Mono	Mono CMOS	Sony IMX455	36 x 24 (Full Format)	150º	73.6	49.1	7.52 (Bin2)	0.92" (Bin2)	15.3	4788	3194	87%	> 38Ke	—	300	External via Lodestar SX and 300mm guidescope	Paramount PME	Astrodon Series E LRGB. Astrodon 5nm Ha, SII, OIII. Photometric V (Custom Scientific Bessell) and Ic (Astrodon John/Cousins)	Bin2 only due to current software limitations. SONY Full Frame BSI CMOS Sensor IMX455	Telescope System Information and Specs
30		Entre Encinas y Estrellas, Spain
31	T80	Super Wide Field	2.6	65	129	f/3.5	Samyang 135 mm @ f/3.5	Camera Lens	ASI2600MM Pro P25 (mono)	Mono CMOS	Sony IMX571	23.5 x 15.7 (APS-C)	268º	622.2	415.8	3.76	5.98"	26.1	6248	4176	60%	50Ke	—	300	ZWO 30 F/4 guidescope with Loadstar SX2	Paramount MyT	Astrodon Gen 2 E-Series LRGB, Ha, OIII, SII	Note: Camera lens. Some residual coma occurs in the corners	Telescope System Information and Specs

11 KiB Raw Permalink Blame History

11 KiB

Raw Permalink Blame History