Hubble Optics 5-star artificial stars
Revolutionary telescope testing solution
The Hubble Optics 5-star artificial stars represents a revolution in telescope testing technology. This innovative tool offers astronomers the ability to perform precise star tests anytime and anywhere, without dependence on meteorological conditions or night sky quality. While traditional testing requires clear skies and suitable stars, the artificial star allows you to diagnose your telescope's optics during the day or under cloudy skies.
Precision engineering and design
The device features five high-quality LED diodes that produce brilliant white light with a neutral spectrum. Each diode is positioned behind precisely manufactured apertures with defined dimensions: 50, 100, 150, 200, and 250 microns. This manufacturing precision ensures that the light point truly simulates a distant star and provides reliable results during optical testing.
The construction allows brightness regulation of each LED diode using rotary caps, which is a key feature for adapting to various lighting conditions and the sensitivity of specific telescopes. The included magnetic mask allows you to cover four of the five stars, enabling testing with a single artificial star as needed.
Solving traditional testing challenges
The main problem with traditional star testing lies in the necessity of having many different sizes of artificial stars for various telescope types. Each telescope with different focal ratios, objective diameters, or eyepiece configurations requires different test star sizes. Additionally, requirements change depending on testing distance and ambient lighting conditions.
The Hubble 5-star artificial stars elegantly solves these problems by offering five different sizes in one compact device. You can immediately determine which star size is most suitable for your specific telescope at a given distance and lighting environment. Simply select the smallest possible star that still provides a clear and sufficiently defocused image for reliable testing.
Practical application and usage
During practical use, position the artificial star at an appropriate distance from the telescope - typically 30-100 meters depending on telescope type and testing requirements. Turn on the appropriate LED diode and focus the telescope on the artificial star. You can then perform standard star tests - observe diffraction rings inside and outside focus, evaluate spherical aberration correction quality, coma, and other optical defects.
Telescope testing with artificial stars is particularly useful after telescope transport, mechanical adjustments, when suspecting optical miscalibration, or during regular maintenance. You can also compare different eyepieces, test the quality of various optical accessories, or verify collimation accuracy.
Key testing applications
- Post-transport optical verification
- Collimation accuracy testing
- Spherical aberration evaluation
- Coma and astigmatism detection
- Eyepiece comparison and evaluation
- Regular maintenance diagnostics
User-friendly operation
The device is designed for simple operation without complex setup procedures. After inserting batteries, you can immediately begin testing. It's recommended to start with the largest aperture (250 microns) and gradually reduce the size until you find the optimal combination for your telescope and testing conditions.
The magnetic mask enables quick switching between single-star testing and comparing multiple stars simultaneously. This flexibility is particularly useful when testing different parts of the field of view or comparing the performance of various optical configurations.
Maintenance and durability
The artificial star requires no special maintenance beyond standard electronic device care. It's recommended to remove batteries during long-term storage and protect the device from mechanical damage and moisture. LED diodes have long lifespans and provide thousands of hours of reliable operation.
Portability and convenience
Compact dimensions and low weight make this tool an ideal companion for astronomers who travel with their telescopes or need to perform testing at various locations. The device transports easily and can be quickly deployed at any suitable location.
Technical specifications
| Feature |
Specification |
| Aperture sizes |
50, 100, 150, 200, 250 microns |
| LED type |
High-quality white LEDs with neutral spectrum |
| Brightness control |
Individual rotary caps for each LED |
| Accessories included |
Magnetic mask for selective star blocking |
| Power source |
Battery powered (batteries not included) |
| Recommended testing distance |
30-100 meters (varies by telescope type) |
What's included
- Hubble Optics 5-star artificial star device
- Magnetic mask for selective aperture blocking
- User manual with testing guidelines
