{"product_id":"altair-ascent-102mm-f11ed-refractor-geared-focuser","title":"Altair ASCENT 102mm F11ED Refractor Geared Focuser","description":"\u003cdiv\u003eThe ASCENT 102mm F11 ED Doublet refractor is optimised for visual observation and imaging of solar system objects. An evolution of the well respected \"Red Tube Classic\" Starwave 102 Achromat, now with ED optics and better mechanics!\u003c\/div\u003e\r\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\r\n\u003cdiv\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe result is improved colour correction and contrast. It a geared focuser replaces the original Crayford style focuser allowing for heavier accessories, and the tube can be broken down offering 270mm of backfocus for binoviewing, or your own custom modifications for solar viewing with a PST module.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe ASCENT 102mm F11 ED is particularly effective for visual observation of planets, the moon and double stars and it copes with turbulent air (seeing) extremely well due to it's long focal length. It is also a very capable solar imaging telescope (with the appropriate filter) for white light (with the Altair Solar Wedge), and of course Hydrogen Alpha. It is easy to focus due to the extended depth of field and gives extremely sharp images. The long focal ratio minimises eyepiece aberrations, resulting an extremely flat field of view. Binoviweing is easy - just detach the focuser and unscrew the mid-section, then screw the focuser back into the tube. No tools are required to break the scope down for travel!\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003c\/div\u003e\r\n\u003cdiv\u003e\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eED optics with geared focuser!\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e\r\n\u003cdiv\u003eThe machined and powdercoated aluminium tube can be broken down into two parts for easier transport, binoviewing or solar PST Mods which require a shorter tube.\u003c\/div\u003e\r\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eProper Dual Speed Geared focuser with micro focusing (essential for fine detail).\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eThe 2\" pushfit adapter has 3x thumbscrews and a brass compression ring. Diagonal barrels aren't marred, eyepieces and binoviewers or heavy Ha solar filters are firmly held and aligned.\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eFlat field and superbly high contrast with easy focusing make this an ideal visual telescope.\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eWhat you get:\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003c\/div\u003e\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eStarwave 102mm F11 ED Doublet Objective, with full multicoatings on all surfaces in a collimatable lens cell with QC serial number. Guaranteed to arrive in perfect collimation.\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e2.5\" Dual Speed Geared focuser with 1:10 ratio fine-focusing knob.\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eRear 2\" pushfit adapter with 3x thumbscrews and inner compression ring.\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e2\"-1.25\" Push-Fit Adapter with non-marring brass compression ring.\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eOptional 9x50 finder with metal body and front focusing lens. Metal mounting stalk is able to attach direct to the optical tube (screws provided) or with the Altair Universal Quick Release Finder Bracket (code: UNIFBR-QRB). High quality 23mm wide field eyepiece with laser etched, independently focusing reticule. (Not the usual fare on finder scopes).\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eFront push-fit metal dust cap, rear plastic plug style dust cap.\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eGenuine CNC machined tube rings, fully adjustable for balance and rotation.\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eMetal dovetail plate so you can use the scope with just about any telescope mount including iOptron, Skywatcher.\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eMetal dewshield 200mm length, 121mm diameter, retractable, can be unscrewed for lens cleaning.\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eThe optical tube is 100cm length and weighs about 4.6kg. \u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eThe removable Binoviewer section is 120mm length therefore total tube length is 88cm when removed.\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eBackfocus is 150mm from rear end of focuser to image plane. (270mm backfocus to the image plane if Binoviewer tube is removed).\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\r\n\u003cdiv\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe ED advantage. When compared to Achromatic refractors of similar size, length and focal ratio, the Starwave 102ED offers better geared mechanics for easier focusing, and truer colour rendition thanks to the ED optics. The Starwave 102 ED delivers a sharp \"contrasty\" image with good colour correction and tight star images. The 80mm aperture gathers about 63% more light than an 80mm refractor and the brighter image shows more detail. With a higher power eyepiece or Barlow lens, this telescope will show details withing the planetary disc of Jupiter, the Great Red Spot, cloud bands of different sizes and textures, as well as the four largest Galilean moons and their shadows cast on Jupiter. The contrast is very good enabling you to see a jovian moon against the brightly lit background of Jupiter. Saturn's rings and Cassini division are easy to see at higher magnifications and cloud bands are visible on Saturn as well as the polar caps. Mars shows surface features and polar caps easily. Thousands of craters are visible on the moon - enough for a lifetime of observation. Customers often reported the previous \"Classic Red\" Achromatic version of this telescope outperformed reflectors of 6 and 8\" on planets and the moon in contrast and suble detail. The ED version improves on the \"Classic Red\" version both optically and mechanically with a modest price increase.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003c\/div\u003e\r\n\u003cdiv\u003e \u003c\/div\u003e\r\n\u003cdiv\u003eThe convenience of a refractor. This is the perfect scope to take out and just observe with. It cools down fast thanks to the aluminium tube and long focal length doublet objective design. Unlike reflectors, the optics do not require frequent collimation (alignment) before use, so the product is virtually maintenance free aside from the usual yearly cleaning of the lens.\u003c\/div\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eDaytime viewing. By adding an optional image-erecting prism diagonal, the Starwave 80 ED becomes a real performer when it comes to terrestrial and nautical observation, offering performance in the same category as ED spotting scopes costing many times the price. Simply increase the brightness on the Red Dot Finder and you can use the scope with pinpoint accuracy during daytime.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eMount choices: We recommend the Skywatcher EQ5 with motor drive for solar system imaging as a minimum, but the manual version of the EQ5 mount is more than adequate for visual planetary observation and you can add a motor drive later. If you prefer an electronic gadget-free experience, the Altair Sabre mount for visual observing, which requires no power. Please contact us for recommendations based on your intended observing style.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eAstro imaging with the Starwave 102ED: A smooth dual speed \"non-slip\" 2.5\" Geared focuser is supplied, with tension adjustment, able to carry a DSLR or CMOS camera such as the Altair Hypercam or GPCAM, and filter wheel if required. The optics are compatible with the Lightwave 0.8x field flattener \/ reducer. These are positioned at approx. 55mm from the rear flat face of the reducer\/flattener to the camera sensor. The machined aluminium tube transmits heat to the optics, which benefits users of dew control systems. It also allows the optics to shed heat rapidly for fast cool-down to the ambient temperature - a must for best performance with any telescope.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eFinder scopes and auto-guiding: You can attach the optional finder scope to easily locate astronomical objects. There are two ways to attach it. Firstly by means of the two screws provided and secondly by means of the Universal Quick Release Bracket (see options when ordering). The Altair 60mm Deluxe RACI Finder Scope is also compatible, and attaches to the focuser using the Universal Quick Release Finder Bracket.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003c\/div\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eMagnification: The magnification of a telescope is determined by dividing the telescope focal length in mm by the eyepiece focal length in mm.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eFor example the Starwave ASCENT 102ED has a 1122mm focal length, which, when used with the Altair Ultraflat 24mm eyepiece yields 47x magnification. (E.g. 1122mm divided by 24mm = 47x magnification). If you use a Barlow lens (such as the Altair 2x Flat Field Barlow) just multiply the magnification by 2x. In this case, the result is 94x.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eHere's a table with Altair Ultraflat and Planetary eyepiece focal lengths, and the resulting magnifications with the Starwave 102EDF11:\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003ctable border=\"0\" width=\"523\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\"\u003e\n\u003ccolgroup\u003e\n\u003ccol\u003e\n\u003ccol span=\"8\"\u003e\n\u003c\/colgroup\u003e\r\n\u003ctbody\u003e\r\n\u003ctr\u003e\r\n\u003ctd height=\"22\"\u003eEyepiece focal length:\u003c\/td\u003e\r\n\u003ctd\u003e6mm\u003c\/td\u003e\r\n\u003ctd\u003e7mm\u003c\/td\u003e\r\n\u003ctd\u003e10mm\u003c\/td\u003e\r\n\u003ctd\u003e12.5mm\u003c\/td\u003e\r\n\u003ctd\u003e15mm\u003c\/td\u003e\r\n\u003ctd\u003e18mm\u003c\/td\u003e\r\n\u003ctd\u003e24mm\u003c\/td\u003e\r\n\u003ctd\u003e30mm\u003c\/td\u003e\r\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\r\n\u003ctr\u003e\r\n\u003ctd height=\"19\"\u003eMagnification:\u003c\/td\u003e\r\n\u003ctd\u003e187x\u003c\/td\u003e\r\n\u003ctd\u003e160x\u003c\/td\u003e\r\n\u003ctd\u003e112x\u003c\/td\u003e\r\n\u003ctd\u003e90x\u003c\/td\u003e\r\n\u003ctd\u003e75x\u003c\/td\u003e\r\n\u003ctd\u003e62x\u003c\/td\u003e\r\n\u003ctd\u003e47x\u003c\/td\u003e\r\n\u003ctd\u003e37.4\u003c\/td\u003e\r\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\r\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\r\n\u003c\/table\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eFinding objects in the telescope. Using a low power eyepiece at around 25x you can quite easily spot a bright or large object by sighting along the telescope, however fainter and smaller objects would benefit from the optional \"finder scope\" accessory. \u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eFor imaging with your DSLR, you'll need a 50mm M48 Extension Tube and M48 DSLR adapter to insert into the 2\" focuser aperture.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eFor imaging with the Altair Hypercam or GPCAM cameras, you can attach a camera or filter wheel by means of the rear 2\" \"push-fit\" visual back (which has 3x thumbscrews for extra tight grip and zero flex).\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eStarwave ASCENT 102ED F11 technical specifications:\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eOptical Design: Fully Multicoated ED Doublet lens in collimatable cell\u003cbr\u003eAperture (mm): 102 mm (4\")\u003cbr\u003eFocal Length: 1122 mm\u003cbr\u003eFocal Ratio: F11 (F8.8 with 0.8x reducer)\u003cbr\u003eOptional Finderscope: 9x50 focusing objective (206.6mm focal length). Finderscope Eyepiece: 23mm focal length with laser etched reticule, independent focusing for eyeglass users.\u003cbr\u003eHighest Useful Magnification: 200 x\u003cbr\u003eLimiting Stellar Magnitude: 13\u003cbr\u003eResolution (Dawes): 1.14 arc seconds\u003cbr\u003eLight Gathering Power (Compared to human eye): 212 x approx. (7mm pupil)\u003cbr\u003eOptical Tube Length: 100cm \/ I metre\u003cbr\u003eOptical Tube Weight: 4.6kg Approx.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Altair","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46718136516780,"sku":"SWAS102EDF11","price":855.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0602\/8073\/3868\/files\/29af9de5-793b-445a-b65f-5802aeb17ee3.webp?v=1783110708","url":"https:\/\/landseaskyco.com\/products\/altair-ascent-102mm-f11ed-refractor-geared-focuser","provider":"Land Sea \u0026 Sky","version":"1.0","type":"link"}