The Farpoint Bahtinov Mask is an ingenious new way to easily focus a telescope. Pavel Bahtinov, a Russian amateur telescope maker and astronomer, created this simple, very intuitive method and the device has universally been named after him: The Bahtinov Mask.
Center a fairly bright star and achieve rough focus. Then place the mask over the front aperture of your telescope and take a short exposure. The image of the star will show diffraction spikes. The “center” set will most likely be shifted to one side or the other. This is showing the defocus.
Adjust the focus of the telescope and re-expose the star, once again showing the diffraction spike pattern. Iterate the process until the central diffraction spike is centered against the star and the other spikes. When a symmetrical pattern is achieved, the best possible focus is then reached. Simply remove the mask, center the target object and take amazing, sharp images!
Our Bahtinov MAsk Pro system for your ZWO Seestar 50 telescope is a specially designed holder that attaches to the front of your Seestar 50 telescope. The holder then receives the included Bahtinov mask for precise focusing of your images. Then, after your telescope is focused remove the mask from the holder and take images as you normally do. You may choose to add one of the 7 bonus diffraction spike masks to add an aesthetic look to the bright stars in your images.
Included in our kit:
- 1ea Mask Holder
- 1ea Bahtinov Mask Slide
-
3ea Diffraction Spike Masks with different patterns
- 4x Diffraction Spike Mask
- 6x Diffraction Spike Mask
- 8x Diffraction Spike Mask
Please remember to always remove the Bahtinov Mask Pro Holder prior to powering down your telescope.
About Bahtinov Masks
Pavel Bahtinov, a Russian amateur telescope maker and astronomer, created this simple, very intuitive method and the device has universally been named after him: The Bahtinov Mask.
Attach a camera to the telescope, center a fairly bright star and achieve rough focus. Then place the mask over the front aperture of your telescope by “hanging” it on the plastic screws from the front dew shield (Custom fit masks for specific telescopes are also available). Take a short exposure. The image of the star will show diffraction spikes. The “center” spike will most likely be shifted to one side or the other. This is showing the defocus.
Adjust the focus of the telescope and re-expose the star, once again showing the diffraction spike pattern. Iterate the process until the central diffraction spike is centered against the star and the other spikes. When a symmetrical pattern is achieved, the best possible focus has been obtained. Simply remove the mask, center the target object and take amazing, sharp images!
Farpoint manufactures this "lifesaving" astrophotography tool out of virtually indestructible ABS plastic, which comes in three major types and in a range of sizes. In addition to Bahtinov masks for telescopes, Farpoint also makes Bahtinov masks for DSLR camera lenses.
Tri-Bahtinov mask can be used for collimation of your telescope.Star in focus via a Bahtinov mask
The diffraction spike pattern from a bright star using a Bahtinov mask
As you adjust the focuser of your telescope, the central spike will move across tthe X-pattern created by the mask. Adjust the focus of the telescope so the center spike becomes centered and symmetrical with the other diffraction spikes. This is very intuitive and quick.
Bahtinov masks work equally well with DSLR cameras.