Featuring genuine ED optics, the Starwave ASCENT 80mm F7 ED Doublet refractor boasts an 80mm objective lens, making it a versatile telescope suitable for both visual observation and wide-field imaging.
- The use of ED optics ensures enhanced colour correction, resulting in a higher-contrast image, all within a compact and portable telescope tube.
- This product is entirely constructed from metal, with no plastic components, except for the rear dust cap.
- Equipped with a proper dual-speed geared focuser with micro-focusing capability, essential for capturing fine details, the ASCENT 80mm refractor stands out for its robust design.
- The imaging-capable focuser features a rear 2" push-fit adaptor with three thumbscrews and a brass compression ring, ensuring secure and aligned attachment for cameras without marring diagonal barrels.
- With a fast focal ratio of F5.6, this telescope is well-suited for imaging, especially when combined with the optional 0.8x field flattener/reducer, resulting in a flat field and facilitating astrophotography.
What's Included
- Starwave 80mm F7 ED / Lanthanum Doublet Objective, with full multi-coatings on all surfaces in a collimatable lens cell with QC serial number.
- 2.5" Dual Speed Geared focuser with 1:10 ratio fine-focusing knob.
- 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). A high quality 23mm wide field eyepiece with laser etched, independently focusing reticule.
- 2"-1.25" Push-Fit Adapter with non-marring brass compression ring.
- 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.
- Retractable Metal dewshield 103mm Outer Diameter 15cm length.
- The optical tube is 54cm length and weighs about 2.8kg.(including tube rings and Vixen plate)
For visual observing accessories: explore Altair's Product Code "VISKIT1" a comprehensive kit containing all essential components for embarking on celestial observations. This includes quality eyepieces, a diagonal, and a finder.
The ED Advantage
In comparison to small Achromatic refractors of similar size, length, and focal ratio, the Starwave 80ED stands out with superior mechanics, facilitating easier focusing, and more accurate colour rendition, courtesy of its ED optics. The telescope provides a sharp and contrasty image, exhibiting good colour correction and producing tight star images.
With an 80mm aperture that gathers about 131 times more light than the human eye, this telescope enhances the enjoyment of observing star clouds and larger extended celestial objects, especially in dark-sky locations. Using a higher-power eyepiece or Barlow lens, the telescope reveals impressive details such as the planetary disc of Jupiter, showcasing the Great Red Spot and distinct cloud bands as irregular stripes across the disc. Additionally, the four largest Galilean moons and their movements can be observed from hour to hour. Saturn's rings and the Cassini division are easily discernible at higher magnifications, providing a captivating viewing experience.
The Convenience Of A Refractor
The Starwave 80 ED is the ideal telescope for introducing yourself, your family, and friends to the wonders of the night sky or starting your journey into astrophotography. What sets it apart from most beginner telescopes is its exceptional optical and mechanical quality, both of which are prioritised. We firmly believe in delivering high-quality optics in a beginner's telescope at an affordable price, ensuring an enjoyable user experience.
As an excellent choice for astrophotography, especially with your DSLR or Altair camera, the Starwave 80 ED surpasses many starter telescopes. Its design, featuring a smaller tube, makes it easier to mount and maintain stability compared to bulkier Newtonian reflectors. Additionally, unlike reflectors, the optics of the Starwave 80 ED do not necessitate frequent collimation (alignment) before use, making it virtually maintenance-free apart from the standard yearly lens cleaning.
For visual observation, the Starwave 80 ED is compatible with nearly any telescope mount. If you have specific preferences or intended observing styles, please don't hesitate to contact us for personalised recommendations.
Daytime Viewing
Enhancing its versatility, the Starwave 80 ED becomes an outstanding performer in terrestrial and nautical observation by incorporating an optional image-erecting prism diagonal. This addition elevates its capabilities to rival those of ED spotting scopes that are significantly more expensive. With a simple adjustment to increase brightness on the Red Dot Finder, the telescope can be utilised with pinpoint accuracy for daytime observations, providing a remarkable and cost-effective solution for various applications.
Mount Choices
As a minimum mount size, we recommend the Skywatcher EQM35, EQ5 and similar capacity mounts. Contact us for options.
Magnification
The magnification of a telescope is calculated by dividing the telescope's focal length in millimetres by the eyepiece's focal length in millimetres. For instance, the Starwave ASCENT 80ED, with a focal length of 560mm, when paired with the Altair Ultra-flat 24mm eyepiece, yields a magnification of 23x (560mm divided by 24mm equals 23x magnification).
When incorporating a Barlow lens, such as the Altair 2x Flat Field Barlow, the magnification is simply multiplied by the Barlow's factor. In this case, the result is 46x (23x magnification multiplied by 2x from the Barlow).
Eyepiece focal length: 5mm 6mm 7mm 10mm 15mm 18mm 24mm 30mm
Magnification: 112x 93x 80x 56x 37x 31x 23x 23x
Finding Objects In The Telescope
When using a low-power eyepiece, approximately around 25x, it's relatively straightforward to locate bright or large celestial objects by simply sighting along the telescope. However, for fainter and smaller objects, the inclusion of optional finders becomes highly beneficial, facilitating a much easier process of locating and observing these celestial targets.
- Starwave ASCENT 50mm Finder & QRB (Product code: SWA50F-UNIFBR)
- RDF (Product code: SW-RDF-B1-UNIFBR)
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