The Explore Scientific FirstLight 102mm f/6.5 Achro Refractor Alt-Az Telescope combines power and simplicity to provide new users with a complete observational platform for viewing the moon and planets, and bright deep-sky objects. Outfitted with a large 4" aperture, it can gather enough light to easily reveal lunar details, pick out Martian icecaps and Saturnian rings, and resolve distant star clusters. Its sturdy rack-and-pinion focuser allows it to handle heavier or awkward loads such as DSLR imaging rigs or the included smartphone adapter, and a larger 40mm drawtube ensures full coverage of camera imaging sensors to avoid vignetting of the view.
The OTA easily attaches to the manual Twilight Nano mount via a Vixen-style dovetail and plate, and with a maximum payload capacity of 14 pounds, it can easily handle the OTA and accessories. Supporting the mount head and OTA is an adjustable-height stainless steel tripod that comes with a center tray to add stability and offers a convenient place to hold accessories such as eyepieces, filters, and adapters. To ensure users can start viewing right out of the box, Explore Scientific includes a 25mm eyepiece, a 90° star diagonal, and a red-dot finder.
- 102mm aperture
- f/6.5 focal ratio
- 660mm focal length
- Refractor-style optical design
- Achromatic lens configuration corrects for spherical and chromatic aberrations to reduce distortion, especially at the edges, and transmit accurate color rendition without halos or off-axis fringing
- Anti-reflection fully multi-coated optics improve light transmission through the optical path for improved color, clarity, and contrast
- Resolution (Dawes): 1.14 arc sec
- Larger 40mm drawtube helps to cover camera imaging sensors and avoid vignetting
- Sturdy rack-and-pinion focuser
- Vixen-style dovetail mounting plate
- FirstLight Twilight Nano:
- Manual alt-azimuth
- Control handle for easy movement with limited vibration
- Single fork-arm reduces weight and simplifies mounting system
- Standard Vixen-style dovetail saddle accepts most smaller OTAs
- 14-pound payload capacity
- Tripod:
- 1.25" diameter legs
- Stainless steel
- Adjustable height from 36" to 45"
- Center tray adds stability and offers a place for accessories such as eyepieces and filters
- Reducer adapter:
- 40mm to 1.25"
- Allows the use of 1.25" eyepieces and accessories
- Eyepiece:
- 1.25" diameter barrel
- Plössl lens design
- 25mm focal length yields 26x magnification
- Diagonal:
- 1.25" snout and eyepiece holder
- 90° angle puts head at a comfortable viewing angle, especially when OTA is pointed at or near the zenith
- Star configuration corrects image horizontally, but not vertically
- Viewfinder:
- Red-dot design
- Unlimited field of view makes alignment and star-hopping celestial navigation fast and easy
- Projects a red center aiming reticle that won't obscure small objects
- Smartphone Adapter:
- 1.25" diameter barrel
- Capture photos or video through telescope to text, email, share, and post immediately