HI Friend
It’s getting to that time of year in Toronto where the sun sets before dinner and the nights are properly crisp. While the cold can be a deterrent, early darkness is usually a gift for us astronomers.
But let’s be honest: standing in a parka in the backyard, squinting to find a faint fuzzy blob through the city's light pollution, can sometimes feel more like an endurance sport than a hobby.
If you’ve visited the shop recently, you’ve probably heard us buzzing about the Smart Telescope Revolution. Some purists jokingly call it "cheating," but if "cheating" means seeing the spiral arms of the Whirlpool Galaxy from a balcony in North York while sipping hot cocoa, then count me in!
Here is why these little robots are changing the game—and why they are suddenly more affordable than ever.
The End of "Lost in Space" (Plate Solving)
(Danger! Danger! Will Robinson)
Remember the frustration of the "star hop"? You find a bright star, hop to a dimmer one, hop again... and then realize you took a wrong turn at Andromeda and have to start over.
Smart telescopes solve this using a piece of tech called Plate Solving.
Think of it as facial recognition, but for constellations.
The telescope takes a quick photo of the sky.
It compares the pattern of stars in that photo against a massive internal database (often 100,000+ objects).
It triangulates exactly where it is pointing—down to the pixel—and automatically centers your target.
Why They See What You Can't (Live Stacking)
The biggest game-changer is how these scopes collect light compared to your biology.
Your eye has a "refresh rate" of about 0.2 seconds. You can't "save up" light. But a smart telescope (like the popular ZWO Seestar S50) uses Live Stacking to take short exposures and digitally layer them on top of one another in real-time.
The longer you watch your screen, the more detail "pops" out. This allows these small telescopes to cut through city light pollution and reveal colours and structures that are biologically impossible for our eyes to process directly.
NEW ARRIVALS: Breaking the Price Barrier
Usually, this kind of "wizardry" comes with a scary price tag. But we just received a shipment from Spectrum Optical Instruments that is completely changing the entry point for smart astronomy.
We have two brand-new models IN STOCK and available here that are perfect for getting into the hobby without breaking the bank.
1. The "Budget Hero": ES Astro 53 Pro
If you’ve been scared off by the price of smart scopes, this is the one for you.
The Price: Only $419 CAD. (Yes, really.)
The Tech: It uses a Sony IMX662 Sensor—a fantastic, high-sensitivity modern sensor that is great for low-light capture.
The Glass: It’s a 53mm ED Refractor, meaning you get sharp, crisp views with minimal colour fringing.
The Smarts: Full WiFi control with in-app Live Stacking and a GoTo mount with a massive database.
2. The "Powerhouse": MirroSky Smart Telescope (SP127 Mak)
For those who want a bit more aperture and versatility, the brand new MirroSky is a beast.
The Optics: It features a 127mm Maksutov-Cassegrain design. "Maks" are legendary for their contrast and ability to show planetary detail (like Jupiter's bands or Saturn's rings).
The Hybrid Design: It comes with a 53mm ED Guider/Imager scope attached.
Future Proof: Unlike many smart scopes where the camera is built-in forever, this includes a removable IMX662 Camera, giving you flexibility down the road.
Ready to join the revolution?
Whether you want the incredible value of the ES Astro 53 Pro, the optical muscle of the MirroSky, or the proven performance of the ZWO AM5 Mounts (also on sale for Black Friday!), these units are on our shelves and ready to go.
Come by the shop on Dufferin Street—we’d love to show you how easy it is to set these up.Or give us a call, or just hit reply, and email.
You could be capturing the Rosette Nebula (just like on the MirroSky app screen!) this very weekend.
Clear Skies,
Ray & the Khanscope Team
(P.S. As always, ask us about flexible financing options. We want to help you get the gear of your dreams without the stress!)
