The ASCENT 102mm F7 ED Doublet refractor has all the features you need for enjoyable visual observing and astro-imaging.
The ASCENT will deliver both planetary and lunar views, or wide field views of deepsky objects. Genuine broadband multi-coated ED optics give sharp, high contrast views only a refractor can deliver. Colour fringing is minimised, and the moderate F7 focal ratio is ideal for deepsky astro-photography. 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.
The ASCENT geared focuser is a delight to use, and the 1:10th ratio fine-focus knob is conveniently set into the larger course focus knob, making adjustment easy and intuitive for the sharpest image. The 2" pushfit adapter has 3x thumbscrews and a brass compression ring. Diagonal barrels aren't marred, accessories are firmly held and aligned. The focuser is tension adjustable and will carry heavy accessories like a large eyepieces, or a camera and filter wheel.
For astrophotography, you have two options of focal ratio to suit your target. You can choose to image at a faster F5.6 with the optional 0.8x focal reducer for extended objects such as nebulae, or at the normal F7 focal ratio, with the optional 1.0x field flattener for smaller objects such as globular clusters and galaxies.
What you get:
- Starwave 102mm F7 FPL51 ED Doublet Objective, with full multi-coatings on all surfaces in a collimatable lens cell with QC serial number. Guaranteed to arrive in perfect collimation.
- 2.5" Dual Speed Geared focuser with 1:10 ratio fine-focusing knob.
- Rear 2" pushfit adapter with 3x thumbscrews and inner compression ring.
- 2"-1.25" Push-Fit Adapter with non-marring brass compression ring.
- Optional 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).
- Front push-fit metal dust cap, rear plastic plug style dust cap.
- Genuine CNC machined tube rings, fully adjustable for balance and rotation.
- Metal dovetail plate so you can use the scope with just about any telescope mount including iOptron, Skywatcher.
- Metal dewshield 200mm length, 122mm diameter, retractable, can be unscrewed for lens cleaning.
- The optical tube is 73cm length and weighs about 4.2kg (including Rings and Vixen plate)
- Backfocus is 150mm from rear end of focuser to image plane.
What can I see?
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 102mm 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 easily show details within the planetary disc of Jupiter, the Great Red Spot, cloud bands of different sizes colours and textures, as well as the four largest Galilean moons and their shadows cast on Jupiter. Saturn's rings and the famous Cassini division are sharp and easy to see at higher magnifications. Mars shows surface features and polar caps easily. Thousands of craters are visible on the moon - enough for a lifetime of enjoyment!
Why an ASCENT refractor? Not only are the optics sharp, with high contrast, refractors are also versatile, convenient and intuitive to use. Refractors are the easiest form of telescope to set up for the beginner, with no adjustment (collimation) of the optics needed, and a tube sealed from the elements. Pointing the scope at an object in the sky is intuitive too, especially with the ASCENT 50mm finder scope which makes locating even faint objects easy. Refractors are virtually maintenance free aside from the usual yearly cleaning of the lens.
Mount 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.
Eyepiece choices for the ASCENT 102ED:
The magnification of a telescope is determined by dividing the telescope focal length in millimetres by the eyepiece focal length in millimetres.
For example the Starwave ASCENT 102ED has a 714mm focal length, which, when used with the Altair ULTRAFLAT 24mm eyepiece yields 30x magnification.
(E.g. 714mm divided by 24mm = 30x 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 60x.
Model: Focal Length: Magnification:
- AAUF30 30mm 24x
- AAUF18 24mm 30x
- AAUF18 18mm 40x
- AAUF15 15mm 48x
- AAUF10 10mm 71x
Finding 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 these optional finders for easier object location.
- Starwave ASCENT 50mm Finder & QRB (Product code: SWA50F-UNIFBR)
- RDF (Product code: SW-RDF-B1-UNIFBR)
Astro imaging with the ASCENT 102ED: The smooth dual speed 2.5" Geared focuser with tension adjustment, is able to carry a DSLR or CMOS camera such as the Altair Hypercam or GPCAM, and filter wheel.
For imaging with a DSLR or astro CMOS/CCD camera, we recommend the following accessories:
- An optional 70mm M48 Extension Tube to insert into the 2" focuser aperture, to occupy the space normally taken up by a star-diagonal. Product code: AEX70-2
- Optional 0.8x reducer flattener. Product code: RED-ASCENT-0.8X
- Appropriate spacers between camera and reducer (please contact us for advice).
- 2" Light Pollution Filter (depends on your local conditions, contact us for advice)
- Optional Altair 2" Magnetic Filter Holder (choice depending on the camera)
- Optional Altair Bahtinov Focusing Mask for Starwave 80ED (Product Code: BMASK-SWAS80ED)
Starwave ASCENT 102ED F7 technical specifications:
Optical Design: Fully Multicoated ED Doublet lens with one FPL51 ED element in a collimatable lens cell.
Aperture (mm): 102 mm (4").
Focal Length: 714 mm.
Focal Ratio: F7 (F5.6 with 0.8x reducer).
Optional Finderscope: 9x50 focusing objective (206.6mm focal length)
Optional Finderscope Eyepiece: 23mm focal length with laser etched reticule, focusing for eyeglass users.
Highest Useful Magnification: 200 x
Limiting Stellar Magnitude: 13
Resolution (Dawes): 1.14 arc seconds
Light Gathering Power (Compared to human eye): 212 x approx. (7mm pupil)Optical Tube Length: 100cm / I metre
Optical Tube Weight: 4kg Approx.
Vixen style bar to fit most mounts included.
CNC Machined split-style tube rings with M6 mounting holes included.