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THE EDMUND ASTROSCAN 2001
The ORIGINAL Edmund Scientific Astroscan (first called Astroscan 2001) was an inexpensive,
high-performance telescope that is easy-to-use, maintenance-free and
completely portable. Its wide field of view, beautiful images and ease
of use make it an excellent telescope for beginner and expert
stargazers alike.
The heart of the Astroscan is its 1/8 wave, Edmund USA over coated primary parabolic mirror. (ground, polished and over coated in U.S.A. Edmund Optics Facility to it's optical limit) Where other telescopes use an inexpensive spherical mirror, the Astroscan's parabolic mirror has a deeper, more complex figure that focuses all incoming light rays to the same point. This results in crisp, clear images without any of distorting effects of spherical mirror aberration.
The Astroscan is a Newtonian Rich-Field reflector that provides a breathtaking 3 degrees (or six full moons) of field, literally making this instrument an open window to the universe. The wide field-of-view makes finding astronomical objects far easier than with other telescopes and allows for the best views of deep sky objects, or groups of objects, that won't even fit into the fields of other telescopes.
With the optional Barlow Lens (available separately or included in the Deluxe Package), you can view Saturn's rings and the Cloud bands of Jupiter. The Astroscan really excels, though, when you turn it to deep sky objects like galaxies, nebulae and star clusters...the Pleiades are truly stunning! At higher magnifications, the Astroscan's images are crisp, clear and powerful.
The Astroscan has a unique design that won it the 1976 Industrial Design Award. Its creative design has eliminated the cumbersome and complicated mounts typical of most telescopes. Simply place its padded base on any firm, flat surface and you are immediately ready to observe. Its motions are positive and natural, with nothing to tighten or adjust. It's simple enough for a child to use the first time out.
In 2000 Edmund Scientific was purchased by Science Kit and Boreal Laboratories, a western New York based science supply company. Science Kit and Boreal Laboratories is part of a group of companies that provide science supplies to elementary, middle, and high schools as well as colleges and universities. This group falls under the unofficial umbrella "VWR Education" and are owned by VWR International, a multi-national conglomerate with offices in India, China, Europe, Canada and the United States. They are no longer affliated with Edmund Optics Inc. As of 2007, online sales now make up the bulk of Edmund Scientific's revenues. The company still sells telescopes, microscopes, surplus optics, magnets and fresnel lenses, but the emphasis is on science-themed toys, novelty items, gifts, and gadgets.
The Astroscans were made in the US or Japan up until about 2 years ago when they started being built in China. Unfortunately, its not built by one of the better Chinese optics companies and there may be some consistency problems. (from an ex employee of Edmund)
Plossl Lenses Made in Asia vrs. RKE® Rank UK Eyepieces
The first change was replacing the RKE® eyepeices by Plossl eyepieces made exclusively for Edmund Scientific. RKE® are still sold by Edmund Optic. The RKE® line of eyepieces is one of their most popular designs. Originally produced for telescope use by Rank Co. of the UK, over time they have proven useful in a wide variety of industrial and medical applications. These were sold with the Astroscan.
Their must be some difference in US, Japan and China Astroscans because the Astroscan was original Edmund Scientific/Optics Co. signature product. With mirrors ground in the US plant to high quality standards the Astroscan was seen along side of the best telescopes.
Bushnell made an entry with the Voyager 78210, it was probably the end of the US Astroscan.
TAKE NOTE WHEN BUYING AN ASTROSCAN, LOOK ON THE FRONT OF THE SCOPE, THE LOGO HAS MADE IN JAPAN OR CHINA. ON THE US MODELS NOTHING IS WRITTEN ON THE FRONT LOGO BUT THEY HAVE A BLACK & SILVER ES STICKER ON THE SIDE OF THE SCOPE OR THE BIG STICKER SHOWN BELOW.
The heart of the Astroscan is its 1/8 wave, Edmund USA over coated primary parabolic mirror. (ground, polished and over coated in U.S.A. Edmund Optics Facility to it's optical limit) Where other telescopes use an inexpensive spherical mirror, the Astroscan's parabolic mirror has a deeper, more complex figure that focuses all incoming light rays to the same point. This results in crisp, clear images without any of distorting effects of spherical mirror aberration.
The Astroscan is a Newtonian Rich-Field reflector that provides a breathtaking 3 degrees (or six full moons) of field, literally making this instrument an open window to the universe. The wide field-of-view makes finding astronomical objects far easier than with other telescopes and allows for the best views of deep sky objects, or groups of objects, that won't even fit into the fields of other telescopes.
With the optional Barlow Lens (available separately or included in the Deluxe Package), you can view Saturn's rings and the Cloud bands of Jupiter. The Astroscan really excels, though, when you turn it to deep sky objects like galaxies, nebulae and star clusters...the Pleiades are truly stunning! At higher magnifications, the Astroscan's images are crisp, clear and powerful.
The Astroscan has a unique design that won it the 1976 Industrial Design Award. Its creative design has eliminated the cumbersome and complicated mounts typical of most telescopes. Simply place its padded base on any firm, flat surface and you are immediately ready to observe. Its motions are positive and natural, with nothing to tighten or adjust. It's simple enough for a child to use the first time out.
In 2000 Edmund Scientific was purchased by Science Kit and Boreal Laboratories, a western New York based science supply company. Science Kit and Boreal Laboratories is part of a group of companies that provide science supplies to elementary, middle, and high schools as well as colleges and universities. This group falls under the unofficial umbrella "VWR Education" and are owned by VWR International, a multi-national conglomerate with offices in India, China, Europe, Canada and the United States. They are no longer affliated with Edmund Optics Inc. As of 2007, online sales now make up the bulk of Edmund Scientific's revenues. The company still sells telescopes, microscopes, surplus optics, magnets and fresnel lenses, but the emphasis is on science-themed toys, novelty items, gifts, and gadgets.
The Astroscans were made in the US or Japan up until about 2 years ago when they started being built in China. Unfortunately, its not built by one of the better Chinese optics companies and there may be some consistency problems. (from an ex employee of Edmund)
Plossl Lenses Made in Asia vrs. RKE® Rank UK Eyepieces
The first change was replacing the RKE® eyepeices by Plossl eyepieces made exclusively for Edmund Scientific. RKE® are still sold by Edmund Optic. The RKE® line of eyepieces is one of their most popular designs. Originally produced for telescope use by Rank Co. of the UK, over time they have proven useful in a wide variety of industrial and medical applications. These were sold with the Astroscan.
Their must be some difference in US, Japan and China Astroscans because the Astroscan was original Edmund Scientific/Optics Co. signature product. With mirrors ground in the US plant to high quality standards the Astroscan was seen along side of the best telescopes.
Bushnell made an entry with the Voyager 78210, it was probably the end of the US Astroscan.
TAKE NOTE WHEN BUYING AN ASTROSCAN, LOOK ON THE FRONT OF THE SCOPE, THE LOGO HAS MADE IN JAPAN OR CHINA. ON THE US MODELS NOTHING IS WRITTEN ON THE FRONT LOGO BUT THEY HAVE A BLACK & SILVER ES STICKER ON THE SIDE OF THE SCOPE OR THE BIG STICKER SHOWN BELOW.
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Guide created: 12/04/07 (updated 08/24/08)
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