Harmonic drive (strain wave) mounts represent a massive leap forward for portable astrophotography. Instead of relying on heavy traditional gears and bulky counterweights, they utilize compact, high-torque robotic gears that pack incredible lifting power into featherweight bodies under 5 kg (11 lbs). With these next-gen … Continue readingBest Harmonic Drive Mounts for Astrophotography in 2026
By Wido Oerlemans | Last updated: June 2026 If you are hunting for the ideal beginner astrophotography mount, you have likely realized that the 8–15 kg payload range is the ultimate sweet spot for deep-sky imaging. If you’re in the market for a cutting-edge strain … Continue readingBest Beginner Telescope Mounts for Astrophotography (2026 Guide)
What advanced telescope mount is best suited to carry heavy, long focal length telescopes with reliable, sub-arcsecond tracking? If you decide to go with a time-tested classic equatorial mount, the Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro is still one of the best and most affordable options available. The … Continue readingBest Advanced Telescope Mounts for Astrophotography (2026 guide)
By: Wido Oerlemans | June 27, 2026 It sounds like the ultimate too-good-to-be-true internet ad: A lightweight, dual-axis strain wave (harmonic drive) telescope mount with massive payload capacity, zero backlash, and a price tag that shatters mainstream retail. If you have spent any time browsing … Continue readingA Sub-$1,000 Strain Wave Mount?: Comparing the budget Teseek & Juwei 14/17 to the mainstream ZWO AM3N/AM5N
By Wido Oerlemans June 17, 2026 If you were watching the live streams today, you saw history happen. At 13:53 CEST (08:53 local time in Kourou), Arianespace pulled off flight VA269. The heavy-lift Ariane 64 configuration blasted off using its brand-new, upgraded P160C solid rocket … Continue readingWhat the New Amazon LEO Mega-Constellation Means for Amateur and Professional Astronomy
There is a specific moment in every astrophotographer’s journey that changes everything. You’ve spent months, maybe years, shooting wide nebula fields with a crisp triplet refractor. You’ve mastered the Orion Nebula, tracked the Pleiades, and captured the vast tendrils of the Veil. But then, late … Continue readingThe Ultimate Celestron EdgeHD Buying & Astrophotography Guide
Few pieces of equipment have completely reshaped the landscape of modern astrophotography quite like the William Optics RedCat 51. When it first launched, it shattered the unwritten rule that serious deep-sky astrophotography required a massive, frustratingly complex, multi-thousand-dollar optical system. Instead, the community was handed … Continue readingThe Ultimate William Optics RedCat 51 Guide: Every Version Explained, Real-World Pros & Cons, and Buying Guide
If you’ve ever wanted to see a piece of the most famous comet in history with your own eyes, tonight is your chance. The Eta Aquariid meteor shower is peaking over the next 48 hours (May 5–6, 2026). While Halley’s Comet won’t return to our … Continue readingHalley’s Comet Returns (Kind Of): How to Watch the Eta Aquariid Meteor Shower Tonight
Field Report: April 15, 2026 Comet C/2025 R3 (PANSTARRS) By Wido Oerlemans | Utrecht, NL Individual frames (45x60s) showing local sky conditions Session Snapshot (04:30 – 05:30 AM) Distance at Capture 110M km Approx. 0.73 AU Velocity 64 km/s ~230,400 km/h Peak Altitude 20° Morning … Continue readingComet C/2025 R3 (PANSTARRS) Captured!
In this comparison, I take a deep dive into two of the leading entry-level smart telescopes on the market in 2026: Dwarflab’s DWARF Mini and ZWO’s Seestar S30. I’ll be breaking down the technical specifications, the overall value proposition, and the real-world ease of use … Continue readingSeestar S30 vs. DWARF Mini Smart Telescope: Which Should You Buy?