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Customer comments/photos.
updated 2/27/24
 

Upgrade!


6" imaging Newtonian
extended back end.
GSO - Apertura - TPO

Includes imrpoved mirror cell,
eliminates mirror clip flares
.
 

ATM Altitude and Azimuth
Bearing Parts

Bearing Works: get everything.
Or buy individual items:
Laminate rings and strips.
Teflon pads.
Azimuth bolt assembly kits
.
    

Sharpening Masks

Visual
Primary:Fix Turned Down Edge.
Aperture: Eliminate spider spikes.
 
Imaging

Primary: Remove mirror clip flare.
Spider: Remove diffraction spikes.
 

Clamshell & Rotating Rings

For Dobsonian mounts
.
For Equatorial mounts
.
 


 Custom Work

If you are looking for something not offered on our web-site, I am interested in hearing from you. I've been designing and manufacturing parts for telescopes has been an over 20 year endeavor. Send a sketch or dimensioned drawing, or just describe your need and if feasible you'll receive a price and delivery quote based on time and materials.

Thank you,          
        
Mark Wagner     
AstroGoods       
  
  

Who Am I?

I've been involved in amateur astronomy for over 40 years. I bring my experience designing and manufacturing telescope parts for customers and friends, and introducing newcomers to the hobby through public outreach.

I am most proud of spending hobby time with my daughter, seeing her interest in astronomy grow and how it gave her a curious mind. Always with her hands on a telescope she became widely known when my report of her as The Messier Monster appeared on Sky and Telescope's September 2000 magazine cover. By age 10 she was pushing me off my 20" telescope so she could "play with the big kids." She wanted increasingly larger telescopes - "an inch a year" - which continued to age 18. Now she's raising Ellie, her own Messier Monster.

I now new moon weekends at dark sites with an 18" telescope, and use the 10" (on Streetlight Baffles) from home near San Francisco California.

I've been a member of numerous astronomy clubs, and current member of the Fremont Peak Observatory Association. I've been on club's boards of directors, and club president.

With the help of friends I began two regional star parties in California during the 1990's: the Golden State Star Party, and our little "under the radar" biannual event CalStar. Both star parties continue and are hosted by our now incorporated mailing list, which I began in 1993. The list became California-wide "The Astronomy Connection" (TAC), which still lives "on the mountain tops"

I am very fortunate to have friends with big telescopes in very dark skies away from California's big city light domes. I also get to spend time at Lick Observatory, both as an employee and volunteer for their programs. Astronomy continues to be my most passionate hobby.

Aside from TAC, I am involved in Adventures In Deep Space. My favorite astro-trip was in 2005, taking my 10" telescope to Chile. Observing there was documented by Ray Cash. The other great trip was to West Texas, to visit the McDonald Observatory and tour it with the chief astronomer, arranged by Jimi Lowrey and Steve Gottlieb.

Finally, I enjoy being able to write astronomy content, specifically what to observe, for a major astronomy manufacturer and worldwide distributor. I consider myself lucky.

Astronomy is a wonderful life long interest. Making parts for others is the cherry on top!

- Mark