The SkyWatcher StarQuest 102/500 refractor is the perfect choice if you want a telescope that can be used for daytime scanning of the surrounding landscape in addition to night sky photography. The light weight of the instrument ensures easy portability, making it a first-class hiking binocular.
With a lens diameter of 10 cm, it collects 62% more light than its 8 cm counterpart and has a higher resolution. It is recommended for astronomical observations up to a magnification of about 120x. A bright (f/5) telescope, its large field of view and considerable objective diameter reveal a wealth of sparkling open or globular star clusters and conspicuous galaxies. On your first night you'll see more of the wonders of the night sky than Galileo ever did in his lifetime!
Thanks to its 2" (50.8 mm) mount, it can also be used with a 2" zenith mirror. With wide-angle eyepieces, you can achieve a huge field of view - 8x larger than the full moon - making it even more spectacular and enjoyable to observe large clusters and nebulae. The telescope can also be used as a telephoto lens for SLR cameras.
In addition to a zenith mirror, the package includes 25 mm and 10 mm Super Barium eyepieces that provide magnifications of 20x and 50x. For even higher magnifications, a 2x Barlow lens is a good solution. The basic package also includes a Starpointer for easier target alignment.
The new StarQuest equatorial mechanism is lightweight at just 1.2 kg, yet strong enough to move telescopic tubes weighing under 3 kg. Its large 122-tooth worm gear allows unobstructed fine movement through 360° on both axes. The telescopic tripod, which can be adjusted to your body height, adds significantly to its stability, as does the eyepiece holder tray, which can be used to conveniently store your sighting accessories. Although the mechanism is designed for equatorial use, it can also be used in azimuthal mode, if necessary, by placing it in a horizontal position. It is also excellent for viewing the surrounding landscape, even at twilight.
