LightBuckets today announced a new addition to the LightBuckets Telescope Network. The new imaging platform features an RC Optical Systems .4m Ritchey-Chrétien carbon truss telescope with ion-milled optics, an Apogee Alta U9000 camera, on a Software Bisque Paramount ME. This new instrument, designated LB-0005, adds another choice in focal length and field of view for LightBuckets customers. It is located at the Southern Galactic Site One at the Cobaw Plataeu region in Victoria Australia.

“We are excited to partner with Southern Galactic to bring this world-class instrument under southern hemisphere skies to our customers,” said Steve Cullen, President and CEO of LightBuckets. “As the leading provider of online telescopes, we are always looking for unique instruments to add to the LightBuckets Telescope Network, this is just one step of many more to come.”

This new telescope will carry a base usage rate of 80 points per hour with one LightBuckets point equaling roughly $1.00US. As part of a limited time promotion called the “Astronomer’s Stimulus Program”, the current telescope rate is 40 points per hour. During this time all of LightBuckets telescopes are available at more than 50% off the standard rental rates.

The LightBuckets Telescope Network currently consists of four deep space instruments including a .61m Ritchey-Chrétien and a .32m Ritchey-Chrétien based in Rodeo, NM and a .37m Ritchey-Chrétien located in Pingelly, Western Australia and now a .41m Ritchey-Chrétien at the Cobaw Plateau, Victoria Australia.

We expect LB-0005 to be online and available for rent around June 1st, 2009. Keep checking back here for more information.