Losmandy StarLapse System

Advanced Telescope Supplies

Finally!

A truly portable astro-tracking and time-lapse photography mount brilliantly engineered not to require counterweights, that can easily pack into a small camera bag, case or back-pack.

Want to photograph the night sky from exotic locations but don't want a logistics/excess baggage nightmare?

Losmandy's StarLapse is an Airline friendly solution for remote location Astrophotography (particularly Solar and Lunar Eclipses) and variable panning rate time-lapse photography.

It will easily handle long focal length lenses and compact refractors, and unlike some competing platforms, has no limit on tracking time (other than battery life!).

The StarLapse is a truly unique product that with optional components can create a fully computer controlled equatorial mount or complex motion time lapse system. Combining StarLapse heads makes it possible to create linear motion or linear plus pan, at a price point significantly lower than similarly capable systems.

Astronomical & Terrestrial Camera Motion System

Designed for the astronomer as well as the serious videographer, the StarLapse system will accurately track your camera or telescope for celestial observation.

Using the same worm-gear drive system as the time-tested Losmandy GM-8 German equatorial mount (but without the declination portion) the StarLapse will maintain accurate tracking at both sidereal and solar rates for razor-sharp astro-photographs.

In addition to sky viewing, the StarLapse can add dynamics to time-lapse videography by permitting camera motion during the duration of the shot. The camera can be set up to pan or tilt at nine different speeds from 7.5° to 240° per hour to provide smooth camera motion at any frame rate.

Designed for portability, the StarLapse system packs up small and light — less than 8 3/4 pounds (4 kg). Mount it on any tripod and use its tilt and pan to adjust for polar alignment. The Losmandy dovetail mount system makes balancing your camera quick and simple, with no counterweights or tools required — a big plus in cold weather. Just loosen the large knurled clutch knob to aim the scope/camera at any point in the sky.

The StarLapse is a true worm gear drive mechanism using brass and anodized aluminum. It can rotate 360° continuously in either direction for astronomical use in both the northern and southern hemisphere. Accurate timing is provided by a crystal-based microprocessor in an easy-to-use controller. Select any one of the nine speeds, the north/south direction, and press start to activate the stepper motor.

Power consumption is very low, especially when using a celestial mode. More than 60 hours of operation can be obtained from a pack of eight AA alkaline batteries. Based on the famous Losmandy GM-8 German Equatorial Mount used by serious astronomers world-wide, the StarLapse is constructed from machined aluminum and stainless steel, and can handle a payload of up to 30 pounds (13.5 Kg) allowing the use of larger or multiple cameras, or heavier telescopes when placed on a heavy-duty tripod or pedestal mount.

StarLapse from Losmandy is the perfect system for astronomers and videographers who don’t want to carry lots of heavy equipment when traveling to make astronomical images or time-lapse motion pictures. All components can easily fit in a backpack or small case with room to spare for your camera, a battery pack, and accessories.

Speeds are sequentially illuminated as you press the RATE button making selection easy in the dark. The center “30” flashes each time the motor is pulsed to indicate proper operation. Use with any 12 volt DC supply or battery pack at 250mA or higher and center positive 2.1mm plug.

2011 Lunar Eclipse, Uluru National Park, Australia. StarLapse System, Canon 5D MkII, 14mm 2.8 Photo by Peter Ward

Time Lapse Operation

When used with a camera and a shutter triggered by an intervalometer the StarLapse can add smooth panning to time-lapse movies. For example, you are shooting one frame every minute and the StarLapse is set for SOLAR (15°/HR). If playback is 30 frames per second the effective panning speed would be 7.5° per second. The camera can be mounted to tilt instead of pan enabling you to make shots such as moving up a tree or skyscraper while taking the time-lapse exposures. StarLapse will move at 7.5, 15, 20, 30, 40, 60, 120 and 240 degrees per hour. All speeds operate in continuous 360° rotation with never any need to reset to a starting position.

StarLapse for basic time-lapse, with Canon 7D DSLR.
(System as shown without camera: $575.00)

Example Video (14 MB .mp4)

Video taken with the StarLapse System of the National Radio Astronomy Observatory dish, located near the McDonald Observatory near Fort Davis, Tx. There are two passes on the video. The first is a mild CU, and the second pass is the full dome image.

Video courtesy of:

Ron DiIulio
Planetarium and Astronomy Program Director
Physics Department
University of North Texas


The sliding dovetails permit quick and easy balancing without the need for any counter-weights, even when using a long lens.		Optional multiple camera set-up on the StarLapse system.

StarLapse System with Declination Axis Module By adding the declination axis module (SL–DEC) the StarLapse becomes a complete German Equatorial Mount functionally equivalent to the Losmandy GM 8 including autoguiding capability. Module includes GM 8 electronics with hand controller: *$A895.00** (Does not include the 1969 Celestron Pacific 6” ƒ8 Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope, optional VWS counterweight or tripod.)

Dimensions:

Main assembly 4” diam. x 8”
Beam 1.625” x 12”;
Camera Mount 5” x 8” x 3”
Weight: 8.75 lbs. (4 kg.)

Components:

Gear Drive Assembly and Controller: $*A895.00
Camera Mount Assembly: $*A195.00
12” Beam: $*A65.00
System List Price: $*995.00 (Includes above three pieces)
Optional Battery Pack (8xAA) $*A25.00
Optional Polar Scope (PS) $*A260.00
Optional Declination Module (SL-DEC) $*A895.00

DETAILED SPECIFICATIONS:

All machined aluminum and stainless steel, black anodized.
All stainless steel hardware.
One 2.100" diameter needle thrust bearing.
One 2.000" diameter needle thrust bearing.
Two 1.500" diameter needle bearings.
2.812" diameter, 7075 aluminum worm gear, 180 tooth.
Dual supported, ball bearing housed ground brass worm.
Variable slip clutch. One knob design.
1.250" diameter aluminum shaft.
3.500" diameter laser engraved setting circle
Northern and Southern direction marker.
Porter slip ring design.
160 oz/in stepper motor, 1.0 arc sec. per step.
Split Dovetail mount accepts "V" series dovetail plates.
Through the axis polar scope, works in Northern and Southern hemisphere.
Polar scope optional.
Instrument weight capacity 30 lbs.

NOTE:

The StarLapse System is completely compatible with all GM 8 and Gemini 2 electronics and accessories for complete astronomical capability. Full German equatorial function is possible with the addition of the DEC axis assembly.

* Prices Subject to change without notice. $A price may vary with $A to $USD