My observing equipment 4

Binoculars Miyauchi Bj-100iBF
These are fluorite 10cm binoculars with interchangeable eyepieces. I have eyepieces to give 20 and 37 magnifications. Because some aberrations are noticeable in the 20x eyepiece, I usually use the 37x eyepiece. I use it a lot for viewing nebulae and clusters as well as comets.

Equatorial mounting: Kenko Skymemo
I bought this equatorial to use for observing at remote sites. Spaceboy is excellent for that purpose, but my endless desire for better equipment made me add Skymemo to my collection of equipment. Polar alignment with this equatorial is very simple. I was able to use it without any problem in the southern hemisphere once I had become familiar with it.

Binoculars Nikon 8x42D CF
These binoculars are very portable. There is some distortion near the edge of the field, but the image near the center is sharp. It would be still better if it was a little lighter.

Digital cameras:　Canon EOS 40D (modified) and EOS 7D　
Lenses: Sigma 8mm, 15mm, 28mm Canon EF 85mmf/1.8, EF 70-200 f/2.8 USM
Eyepieces: TeleVue　Panoptic 35mm and 15mm　Nagler　9mm Type4, 17mm, 24mm

My observing equipment 3

TAKAHASHI FS-60C

refractor For visual observing and prime focus photography

Its optics are f/6, on a little faster side. This is also a fluorite refractor. It gives you superb views of the heavens. This compact telescope is my favorite. Recently, I have been using it as a guide-scope more frequently. With a Panoptic 35mm eyepiece you can get a magnification of 10x. You can enjoy the night sky at a magnification typical of binoculars.

Equatorial mounting: Takahashi Spaceboy
This is a portable equatorial mounting. This is a memorable equatorial that I purchased at the time of my return to astronomy. In spite of its light-weight construction, it is quite capable. I use this equatorial with my FS60C or SKY90 for visual observing and prime focus photography.

My observing equipment 2

TAKAHASHI SKY90

refractor for visual observing and photography
Focal length: 500mm f/5.6　(f=407mm f/4.5)

I bought this telescope as handy visual observing equipment. It is compact and light-weight with superb performance. I wasn't expecting the excellent star image in this fast optics (f/5.5), but to my surprise it displayed a pinpoint star image to the edge of the field. By the use of 4x Power-mate it delivers the near-perfect image of the planets at high powers. However, in the end I have come to use it exclusively for photography with a digital camera. Until then, I had used Pentax SDUF II with a digital camera. I eventually sold it because of its annoying chromatic aberration. A combination of a Sky80 and digital camera is perfect for simple, carefree photography.

My observing equipment 1

Takahashi FS-128

refractor for visual observing and photography
Focal length: 1040mm f/8 (f=775mm f/6)　

My first fluorite refractor was an FS102. The crisp image it delivers cannot be matched by any other refractors I know of. I immediately fell in love with it. Later, I wanted more light-gathering power and upgraded to FS128. Although it gathers more light, FS102 is superior in terms of performance. I regret parting with FS102.

Equatorial mounting: Takahashi EM200USD
This is my main equatorial. I use it for visual observing as well as photography. With this equatorial it is possible to make unguided exposures up to 5 minutes with a 400mm lens. But in recent years I have begun to feel it rather heavy and the borrowed EM10 has become my favorite, instead.

1st time

I was born on December 22 in 1954 in Kagoshima prefecture.
I became interested in astronomy in the latter half of my elementary school years. My association with telescopes began when I made a single-lens refractor. Later, I bought a 4cm f/10(?) Newtonian and was impressed with the optics free from chromatic aberration.

In junior high school days, I purchased Carton Optics's equatorial comet seeker (6cm f/6?) refractor and started astrophotography, too. Around that time, Kumamoto Astronomical Society was founded and I joined them right away. Soon after, I built a 10cm f/6 Newtonian. I also joined Hoshino-hiroba, a national organization of comet observers.

Graduating from senior high school, I entered university and my interest in astronomy waned. But, at the apparition of Halley's Comet, once again I became an astronomy enthusiast overnight. A colleague bought a 15cm reflector to observe the comet and we lugged it to Hiraodai in northern Kyushu. We had a "grand" star party with scores of people joining us.

I was inspired by Comet Hyakutake in 1996 and regained passion for astronomy. Anticipating the close approach of Comet Hale-Bopp, I purchased, through the Internet, Takahashi's equatorial telescope (Space Boy) which I had long been dreaming about. Needless to say, I was completely engrossed in astronomy.

In September 2000, I was able to get to know many people by the establishment of this website. Later, I transferred my homepage to a rental server, when the visitor counter reached 200,000.

My occupation involves looking into micro- and nano-worlds. Both my work and hobby of astronomy happen to make me peek into the worlds of mystery.