and the galaxies mean
that we see everything in space in the past,
some as they were before the Earth came to be.
Telescopes are time machines.
— Carl Sagan
Northeast Astronomy Forum (NEAF) 2018 — Astronomy & Space Expo (New York)
NEAF is one of the largest astronomy and space expos in the U.S., bringing together telescope manufacturers, accessory makers, publishers, astrophotographers, and astronomy clubs for two packed days of hands-on gear and inspiration. NEAF is hosted at Rockland Community College (SUNY) in Suffern, New York.
Below is a photo walk-through from NEAF 2018 — booths, classic instruments, solar observing equipment, new mounts, and the little accessories that make a big difference in the field.
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| NEAF 2018 |
One of the best parts of NEAF is that you can compare equipment side-by-side — from beginner-friendly setups to serious premium instruments — and talk directly with the people who design and use them.
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| Sky and Telescope Astronomy Tours NEAF 2018 |
The Sky & Telescope Astronomy Tours booth was especially interesting. For anyone passionate about astrophotography, organized dark-sky tours can open access to locations that are otherwise difficult to reach — high-altitude deserts, southern hemisphere skies, and carefully selected Bortle Class 1 sites.
Walking past the booth naturally makes you think: what would it be like to photograph the Milky Way under truly pristine skies, with logistics already handled and experienced observers guiding the way? For astrophotographers seeking new horizons, it is an intriguing idea.
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| America the Beatiful at Night NEAF 2018 |
NEAF isn’t only about hardware — it’s also about ideas and inspiration. Seeing the Astropics.com booth featuring Wally Pacholka’s “America the Beautiful at Night” project is a reminder that astronomy is not just about equipment, but about storytelling through light. Large-format nightscape prints from national parks show what is possible when technique, patience, and dark skies come together.
For any astrophotographer, walking through NEAF becomes more than shopping for gear — it becomes creative motivation. It connects the technical side of optics and mounts with the artistic side of capturing the night sky, something that continues to influence my own astrophotography work.
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| Classic Telescopes NEAF 2018 |
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| Explore Scientific Telescope NEAF2018 |
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| Solar Filters DayStar NEAF 2018 |
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| Binocular NEAF 2018 |
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| New iOptron SkyTracker NEAF 2018 |
This is the newer version of the iOptron SkyTracker. I have been using an older model for my wide-field astrophotography, and it has served me very well. However, seeing the updated design at NEAF naturally makes me think about a future upgrade — especially for travel and lightweight dark-sky trips.
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| Glatter Parallizer NEAF 2018 |
It’s easy to focus on large telescopes, but NEAF also highlights the importance of precision accessories. The Howie Glatter Parallizer is a cleverly engineered 1.25" to 2" eyepiece adapter designed to ensure precise parallel alignment between the focuser drawtube and the eyepiece. By keeping the optics square, it helps prevent angular misalignment that can degrade image quality during visual observing, imaging, and collimation.
In this display, the adapters were arranged in a small pyramidal structure — a simple presentation that made a technical component visually interesting. Sometimes the smallest mechanical improvements have a significant impact on optical performance.
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| Diffraction Spikes Telescopes NEAF 2018 |
These are William Optics Zenithstar 81 refractors shown in multiple color finishes. The telescopes include integrated Bahtinov-style diffraction spike caps, combining practical focusing assistance with distinctive aesthetic design. Unlike simple accessories, these are complete optical tubes — compact, high-quality refractors often used for wide-field astrophotography.
I personally use a Bahtinov focus mask with my Celestron 4SE, and it has been an extremely useful tool for achieving precise focus in astrophotography. You can read about my experience here: Bahtinov Focus Mask — Astrophotography .
That is why it was especially interesting to see the William Optics Zenithstar 81 telescopes with integrated Bahtinov-style diffraction spike caps already included as part of the optical design. It shows how focusing accuracy has become an essential element of modern astrophotography — so essential that some manufacturers now build it directly into the telescope itself.
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| Coronado Telescope NEAF 2018 |
This is my Coronado SolarMax II 60 H-alpha solar telescope. At NEAF it was presented with an added branded ring around the objective, but optically it is the same instrument I use for solar imaging.
Using this telescope together with my Canon 40D, I have captured detailed solar prominences and surface activity. You can see example images here: Solar Prominences — Coronado SolarMax II 60 + Canon 40D .
Solar observing is always a crowd magnet at NEAF — from safe white-light filters to narrowband H-alpha systems that reveal dramatic prominences and fine chromospheric structure when the Sun is active.
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| Telescope NEAF 2018 |
The final image shows an impressive outdoor solar setup — a massive 7" f/15 RF Royce refractor mounted in a Parallax Instruments tube. Seeing a solar telescope of this size in person is rare. The long focal ratio and large aperture make it a serious instrument for high-resolution solar observation.
With visitors gathered around, the scale of the telescope becomes clear. It is not every day that you see such a large dedicated solar refractor — a true highlight of the daytime observing at NEAF.
NEAF is not just a marketplace of optics and mounts — it is a reminder of why we look up in the first place. Between precision mechanics, handcrafted refractors, and stories of dark-sky expeditions, the event reconnects technology with wonder. You leave not only thinking about upgrades, but about the next sky you want to stand under.
Photographing NEAF using Astrophotography Lenses
An interesting observation from NEAF 2018 is how astrophotography lenses themselves become ideal tools for photographing the expo. The same optical principles we use under the night sky apply perfectly inside a large exhibition hall.
A wide-field lens allows for dynamic overview images — capturing the scale of the show, the arrangement of booths, and the atmosphere of the event. The very first photo was taken from the upper (second) floor, giving a broad perspective of the entire NEAF exhibition space. This approach mirrors wide-field Milky Way photography: context, environment, and scale.
In contrast, a telephoto lens transforms individual astronomical devices into almost studio-like portraits. For example, the Binocular NEAF 2018 image was taken using a longer focal length. The binoculars remain sharply in focus while the background smoothly falls out of focus, creating separation and directing attention precisely where it belongs. This shallow depth of field effect isolates the subject — just like isolating a galaxy against the star field.
In many ways, NEAF becomes its own kind of “astronomical landscape” — wide views for scale, tight optics for detail — the same visual language we use when photographing the night sky.
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