The WandererAstro White Dwarf is a handheld light panel designed to capture calibration images known as flats. Available in five light diameters, it is held in the hand in front of the instrument’s aperture. Its openwork handle makes it easy to grip, while its construction combines carbon fiber and aluminum alloy. It allows you to prepare your flats using a dedicated panel, whether in a fixed setup or during a mobile observing session.
Price range: CHF 141.19 through CHF 416.15
The WandererAstro White Dwarf is a handheld light panel designed to capture calibration images known as flats. Available in five light diameters, it is held in the hand in front of the instrument’s aperture. Its openwork handle makes it easy to grip, while its construction combines carbon fiber and aluminum alloy. It allows you to prepare your flats using a dedicated panel, whether in a fixed setup or during a mobile observing session.
Flat frames are used to characterize variations in response across the image, particularly those related to field illumination and dust in the optical path. They are then used during the calibration of astronomical images. To ensure they match the images to be processed, you must take into account the configuration used, particularly the filter and the camera’s position. The panel serves as the light source for this operation; image processing is performed separately in your usual software.
The White Dwarf comes with a manual dimmer. It combines two voltage levels with a continuous adjustment knob. WandererAstro specifies a range of approximately ten f-stops. This adjustment allows you to tailor the brightness to your camera, the selected filter, and the desired exposure time, without relying on software controls to adjust the light.
The manufacturer states that the panel does not flicker and that it can provide sufficient brightness for an exposure of less than one second with a 3-nm H-alpha filter on an instrument open at f/7. This specification describes a specific scenario: the actual exposure time will depend on your camera, filter, telescope, and the settings you choose. Check the signal level of your own images before starting your series of flats.
The panel is available with a light-emitting diameter of 150, 200, 250, 350, or 400 mm. Choose the size based on the aperture to be covered and the outer diameter of the dew shield or the front of the tube, rather than relying solely on the telescope’s optical diameter. WandererAstro generally recommends a light-gathering diameter that is at least as large as—or larger than—that of the dew shield. Measure your equipment before making a choice, especially if an accessory alters its outer diameter.
The White Dwarf is a panel that must be positioned and adjusted manually. It is not a motorized cover; therefore, you must place it in front of the instrument when taking flats. The different versions operate on the same principle, but their outer diameters and weights vary. The table below will help you select the size that fits your setup and estimate the panel’s footprint.
The panel has a DC5521 power input. The voltage range specified by WandererAstro is 8 to 12 V. The kit includes the panel in the selected diameter, a controller, and a 1-meter DC5521 cable. The power supply must be purchased separately: it is not included in the contents shown by the manufacturer. The telescope, camera, and other components of the setup are not included.
| Type | Manual flat panel |
|---|---|
| Luminous diameters | 150, 200, 250, 350, or 400 mm, depending on the version |
| Materials | Carbon fiber and aluminum alloy |
| Brightness Adjustment | Two voltage levels and a continuously adjustable dial, with a stated range of approximately 10 f-stops |
| Power Input | DC5521, 8 to 12 V |
| Contents | Panel, driver, and 1-meter DC5521 cable |
| Luminous diameter | Outer diameter | Weight as specified by the manufacturer |
|---|---|---|
| 150 mm | 190 mm | 224 g |
| 200 mm | 240 mm | 341 g |
| 250 mm | 290 mm | 485 g |
| 350 mm | 390 mm | To be confirmed |
| 400 mm | 440 mm | 1,050 g |
