Explore the universe with Altair Starwave ASCENT 102ED F7 Refractor Geared Focuser. Discover celestial wonders in stunning clarity and precision. Perfect for astronomy enthusiasts and astrophotographers. Elevate your stargazing experience today!

The ASCENT 102mm F7 ED Doublet refractor has all the features you need for enjoyable visual observing and astro-imaging.

The ASCENT 102 ED Refractor is a very versatile telescope, delivering sharp detailed high power planetary and lunar views, and low power wide field views of deep-sky objects. Genuine broadband multi-coated ED optics give higher contrast images only a refractor can deliver. Colour fringing is minimised by the Lanthanum / ED glass elements, and the moderate F7 focal ratio enables astro-photography of deep-sky or solar system objects. The optional 0.8x photo reducer gives a fast focal ratio of F5.6. The machined aluminium tube transmits heat to the optics, which benefits users of the Altair DewZapper heating bands. Aluminium allows the optics to shed heat quickly, and fast cool-down gives improved performance.

For visual observing accessories: Check out Altair Product code "VISKIT1" with everything you need to get started observing the heavens, including quality eyepiece, diagonal and finder.

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" push-fit adaptor has 3x thumbscrews and a brass compression ring for a firm, yet non-marring hold on accessories. A 2" to 1.25" adaptor is also included with the telescope. The focuser rack gear is tension adjustable by means of a thumbscrew on the underside of the focuser, and will easily support heavy accessories like large eyepieces, or cameras and and filter wheel without slipping.

For astrophotography, you have two options of focal ratio to suit your target. For extended deepsky objects such as nebula, you can choose to image at a faster F5.6 (571mm focal length) with the optional 0.8x focal reducer. For smaller objects such as globular clusters and galaxies, we recommend the optional 1.0x field flattener, for imaging at the normal 714mm focal length (F7).

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)

Specifications

Optical Design: Fully Multicoated ED Doublet lens with ED / Lanthanum elements in a collimatable lens cell.
Aperture (mm): 102 mm (4").
Focal Length: 714 mm.
Focal Ratio: F7 (F5.6 with optional 0.8x reducer).
Optional Finderscope: 9x50 focusing objective (206.6mm focal length)
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 dovetail bar to fit most mounts included.
CNC Machined split-style tube rings with M6 mounting holes included.

What's in the box?

• Starwave 102mm F7 Lanthanum / FCD100 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" push-fit adaptor with 3x thumbscrews and inner compression ring.
• 2"-1.25" Push-Fit Adaptor with non-marring brass compression ring.
• Optional 9x50 finder with metal body, front focusing lens and all-metal mounting stalk.
• 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 dew shield 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)
• Back focus is 150mm from rear end of focuser to image plane, to allow for a star diagonal. For imaging straight-through with a Barlow lens, we recommend the Altair Deluxe 70mm extension tube.