Hubble Optics 5-Star Artificial Star for Testing and Collimating Telescopes

The star test is the ultimate method to test and collimate your telescopes. The most and very much the only difficult part of doing the star test is that you need a star. Sadly, a real star is not always available, and you really may not want to spend your precious observation time doing a star test even when it is available. Of course, you will also need a good tracking system for doing a star test with the moving star. After all the trouble, due to turbulence, the real star may not even reveal the true quality of your telescopes or give you perfect collimation.

An artificial star will provide you with an excellent alternative means to do the star test anytime and anywhere you want, without all the drawbacks of real stars. However, the problem with artificial star testing is that you really need different sizes of artificial stars for different telescopes of different apertures with different F/#, and even for the same telescopes but at different distances, and under different lighting conditions.

The innovative Hubble 5-star Artificial Star is a perfect solution to this problem. It has 6 bright white LEDs with 5 precision pinholes (50/100/150/200/250 microns). It will enable you to test practically all telescopes of different apertures with different F/#s, from any reasonable distances needed, and under different lighting conditions.

You can instantly find out which star is best for your particular telescope at that particular distance under that particular lighting environment by simply choosing the smallest possible star, but which still gives you a clear defocused image
You can even adjust the brightness of the stars by twisting the LED head.
You can mask out any 4 of the 5 stars with a provided magnetic mask.

With the Hubble Optics 5-star Artificial Star, telescopes are truly easy to test and collimate!

Please expose the mask only while star testing. Keep it clean to prevent the blockage of pinholes.
The unit should be kept in a clean Ziploc bag when not in use, separated from the magnetic mask.
3 AAA batteries are required and are not included.

Is this just a flashlight with holes poked in it?

Over the years, a number of customers have commented that this is simply a cheap flashlight with holes poked in it, implying that this would be something easy to replicate at a much lower cost. While this is indeed a very cheap flashlight and the magnetic mask might barely hold, the value of this item is not in the flashlight or the mask but entirely in the pinhole mask in which the precision pinholes are 0.05 to 0.25mm in diameter. You cannot simply take a pin and poke holes in a substrate to get anything remotely this small and accurate. We once had a US supplier provide us with a quote for the pinhole mask provided in this artificial star. The price they quoted was $80 for each single mask!

If you want something more robust, there are a couple of other offerings on the market costing over $100 each and having a single pinhole size.

Please note: It is common for the pinhole mask to have one or more scuff marks on its surface, as shown in the 3rd product photo above. This is purely cosmetic.

China

Note: Occasionally, the product you receive might have a slightly different cosmetic appearance or labeling than what is shown. This can often change from batch to batch according to the whims of the manufacturer. However, you will always receive a brand new, original product as described above.

A. Payment: You can pay via any payment method that eBay accepts.

B. Shipping Method: United States Postal Service (USPS) or United Parcel Service (UPS) at your choice and expense (our choice if the item has free shipping option). eBay orders for items over $1,500 can only ship via UPS.

C. Order Processing Time: Orders received by 12 noon Mon – Fri US Pacific Time generally ship on the same business day. Orders received after 12 noon PT or on weekends/holidays will ship by the next business day.

D. Checkout: Please pay for the item(s) within 3 days from your account on eBay or by using the link in the email you receive from eBay.

E. Shipping Discount: We offer combined shipping if you order multiple quantities/items and if items can be combined. eBay will automatically show you the correct combined/discounted shipping costs when you check-out.

F. Combining Purchases: You can combine shipping for items purchased from us on eBay within 3 days. Buy the items individually and check out together for all items. eBay will combine the shipping weights and show you the discounted shipping cost. You must check out for all items together via eBay for this. We cannot combine shipping costs if you check out individually for your purchases.

G. Sales Tax/VAT: Sales tax or VAT may be charged and collected by eBay as required by law based on your ship-to address and local tax/VAT rates. Please check with eBay.

A. Delivery Time:

USPS First Class shipments will generally take 3-5 business days to arrive after we ship it. Priority Mail shipments will generally take 2-3 business days. However, these delivery times are NOT guaranteed by the USPS. Delays of up to 2 (or sometimes even 3) weeks can occur in about 5% of the shipments due to Covid, operational, or other issues.
UPS shipments will generally take between 1 and 6 business days to be delivered depending on the method you select.

USPS and UPS do NOT offer any refunds for shipping/delivery delays for ANY reason (except for UPS Next Day Air service). Delays are out of our control once your order ships.

B. Tracking/Delivery Confirmation:eBay will update you once your order ships. You can see the order status or tracking information/link from your eBay account at any time.

C. USPS Tracking Limitations: Please note that is common for USPS tracking to show “Shipping Label Created, USPS Awaiting Item” or “Shipment Received, Package Acceptance Pending” even several days after your order ships. This does not mean that there is a problem with your order or that we have not handed over your package to USPS yet. This simply means that your package is en route without an outbound scan and tracking will not be updated until the package reaches a distribution center at your end several days later.

A. Shipping Cost: Click on the "Shipping and Payments" tab above and select your country to see your shipping choices and cost. If you need a shipping cost estimate for multiple items, please contact us.

B. Delivery Time:

Please note that eBay’s delivery estimates shown are generally too optimistic!

1. UPS (All Shipping Methods):

We strongly recommend the use of UPS for international orders due to issues related to the ongoing Covid situation. Delivery time usually varies between 3-7 business days depending on your country and the exact shipping method you select.

2. USPS First Class International:

First class packages will usually be carried by GlobalPost (a USPS international delivery partner) for most of the way. Delivery at your end will be handled by your local postal service.
Delivery generally takes about 3-4 weeks after we ship your package. This can frequently take 4-6 weeks or more for several countries (8 weeks for Italy, Argentina, and South Africa; 8-12 weeks for Brazil).
There is very limited tracking available for 1^st class shipments and there is no inquiry/tracing service. Once your package ships, we can do nothing but wait until your package arrives. Please do not become impatient and contact us in 2-3 weeks if your package has not arrived. If you don't receive the package in 6-8 weeks, contact us and we will work with you to resolve the issue.
If you don't want to take the risk of this delay or lack of tracking, DO NOT USE First Class mail - use Priority or Express shipping, or better still, UPS instead.
Packages are not considered lost unless 60 days have elapsed from the date of shipment.

3. USPS Priority Mail International: Delivery takes about 2 weeks to most countries after we ship your package. This can sometimes take 3-4 weeks to several countries. The USPS provides some basic tracking information for Priority shipping. Packages are not considered lost unless 60 days have elapsed from the date of shipment.

4. USPS Express Mail International: Delivery usually takes 5-10 business days after we ship your package. Packages are not considered lost unless 30 days have elapsed from the date of shipment.

Again, these delivery times are NOT guaranteed by the US Postal Service. The most common reason for delays is slow customs inspection and clearance in your country, and can be very long, even for Express mail packages. Upon shipping your order, delivery delays are beyond our control, so do not leave us negative feedback or file a claim if your package is delayed. Delays are quite common but losses are very rare, so your patience and understanding will be greatly appreciated.

C. Brokerage Fees, Customs and Duties:

You are responsible for any carrier brokerage fees and duties/taxes that may be levied in your country. These are not included in our item price or shipping cost. UPS brokerage fees can be quite hefty.
We have no control over these charges and cannot predict what they may be or if they will be levied upon delivery.
Customs policies vary widely from country to country (Some countries such as UK are strict about imposing hefty customs duties). It is your responsibility to check with your country's customs office to determine what these additional costs will be prior to buying.
Customs fees are normally charged by the delivery company or your country's postal service or collected when you pick the item up. These fees are NOT additional shipping charges.

A. US Orders: Returns must be shipped back within 30 days. All returned items must be in brand new, resalable condition with original manufacturer’s packaging. A minimum restocking fee of 10% will be deducted if there is any evidence of use or wear, dirt, scratches, missing packaging/parts, etc. We may levy a larger restocking fee if the condition warrants it, or even refuse returns entirely if returned in heavily used/abused condition. Shipping fees are non-refundable (for items with free or discounted fixed shipping, the actual outbound S&H cost we incurred will be deducted) and you are responsible for all return shipping costs. Please contact us first before returning an item.

B. International Orders: No returns/exchanges accepted unless the item we shipped is defective. Please research the product and ask us any questions BEFORE you purchase to make sure you are buying the correct item for your needs.

Click any image below to view hundreds of products in our eBay Store...