Skip to content

About Us

Bob Luffel
Rocky Mountain Star Stare 1998

Alpine Astronomical was founded in 2001 out of our own love and interest in amateur astronomy, with the purpose of making unique high-end astronomical equipment visible and available to discriminating amateurs.  We truly hope that by offering this equipment we can bring unique capabilities to amateurs in N. America.  We've been active observers and imagers for over 40 years, and have developed a knowledge and sense for what works, and what doesn't.  The equipment that we promote and sell represents what we have found to be the most functional and high-quality of its type available.  These products have proven their usefulness and meet our own discriminating standards.  As dedicated users of this equipment, we are also uniquely suited to expertly support it, and to provide you with assistance and advice. 

Furthermore, we have been careful to partner with one of the most respected astronomical innovators and manufacturers in the world, Baader Planetarium of Germany.  Alpine Astronomical serves as the official North American distributor and service center for Baader.  Unlike grey-market imports, the Baader Planetarium products sold by us and our authorized dealers are fully supported by ourselves as well as the manufacturer. 

In 2007 Alpine Astronomical introduced the US market to the superb 10Micron mountings from Italy.  We are the only 10Micron dealer to also offer the full range of related Baader Planetarium accessories.  As a result, we're able to offer complete system packages that meet your needs and at the best pricing possible.

Please take some time to sift through the extensive information on our website.  You won't find a huge array of the same old products offered by bulk mail order houses.   As you can tell, we are a small, technically driven company.  We have attempted to provide a large amount of detail and suggested applications for each product.  We certainly appreciate any feedback you may have, and encourage you to email us with any comments or specific questions.  Our overriding philosophy on customer service is to treat you with the same honesty, transparency, and respect that we want to be treated with as customers ourselves.  Though some of our equipment can be considered 'high-end' we are more than happy to help amateurs who are just getting started as well as experienced amateurs in search of that certain item.  Chances are, if we don't have it, we can point you in the right direction.

Clear Skies,

Bob Luffel

Alpine Astronomical, LLC

Guest Blog Writers

 
John McVey

John McVey:

John McVey is a recently retired electrical engineer and R&D manager. He's been interested in astronomy since he received a 40mm Tasco Refractor for Christmas at age 10. Classically a visual observer, he has enjoyed many telescopes including a 6” APO Refractor and a 16” Dobsonian reflector. More recently he has focused on casual astrophotography of the planets and the deepsky.

Mike Allyn:

Mike Allyn is a retired electrical engineer & physicist who can finally observe the night sky without having to sleep at work the next day.  He has lived in Boise, Idaho for the past 39 years and with his wife Ann splits his free time between outdoor adventures involving skis, bikes, kayaks, backpacks and telescopes.  His first binocular sighting of M31 from the roof of a farm outbuilding in rural Iowa in 1977 is still fresh in his mind, and he still has those binoculars.  Now dabbling more in astrophotography, Mike is getting new looks at old friends in the sky.