The Explore Scientific AR Series telescopes are classic air-spaced, crown-and-flint, doublet achromatic f/6.5 refractors with a superior-class optical figure.
Designed to handle the rigors of public star parties and educational outreach, the Explore Scientific AR Series telescopes come with heavy-duty, high quality components, including a 2" dual-speed Crayford-style focuser, a one-piece 2" diagonal with 99% dielectric coatings, an 8 X 50 non-illuminated straight -thru finderscope and quick release bracket, and a cradle ring assembly with Vixen-style dovetail mount. Just add a few eyepieces and the alt-azimuth or equatorial mount of your choice and you'll be ready to discover the Universe!
The AR102 102mm Achromatic Refractor Telescope from Explore Scientific features a doublet achromatic lens system which virtually eliminates chromatic and spherical aberrations. This translates to a distortion-free viewing experience with true color rendition across the entire field of view.
The scope uses a heavy-duty 2" Crayford-style focuser. Unlike a traditional rack-and-pinion focuser, a Crayford-style uses a steel rod held tightly against the focus tube. This toothless friction system eliminates backlash and enables ultra-fine precision focusing. The combination of aberration-free optics, precision focusing and a fast f/6.5 focal ratio make this telescope ideally suited for wide-field astrophotography and astroimaging.
A mounting cradle-ring clamps over optical tube assembly (OTA). This lets the user adjust the orientation and position of the scope relative to the mount to optimize viewing comfort and balancing, while avoiding interference with other equipment. The scope is offered without a mount or tripod, but a Vixen-style dovetail plate makes it compatible with any alt-az or equatorial mount with a Vixen-style saddle.
Assembling the Explore Scientific AR102 teleescope
Introducing iOptron’s new compact next-generation center-balance equatorial mounts the CEM26!
iOptron CEM26 quiet slewing at MAX speed of 6º/sec:
Like their predecessors, the CEM26 is designed with portability in mind, weighing in at only 10 lbs it can support up to a 26lb payload an incredible 2.6 mount weight to payload ratio. The key to enable such ratios is the CEM design focuses the mount and payload weight directly on the center of the tripod rendering “natural stability”.
Building on the legacy of earlier CEM models we have added features for convenience and functionality. A positive lock gear engagement system (easy to use even when wearing gloves), Built-in Wi-Fi enabling unparallel connectivity and recordable permanent periodic error correction (PPEC) to repeat optimal PEC training sessions. Regarding functionality the CEM26 delivers precise pointing and accurate tracking. The CEM26 sets the new standard for compact equatorial mounts.
The center-balanced design mount puts the weight of the payload at the center of gravity allowing for greater natural stability. Other features include an adjustable counterweight bar to prevent obstruction with the tripod. And polar aligning is quick and accessible all the time since the polar scope is not blocked by the declination shaft.
The CEM26 is equipped with the latest advanced GOTONOVA® GOTO technology, making it one of the most powerful and accurate GOTO mounts available. Its database includes over 212,000+ objects. The Go2Nova® Hand Controller is intuitive to use and its large 4-line LCD screen simplifies the process of setting telescopes and locating objects.
The CEM26 mount either has an AccuAlignTM optical polar scope or an integrated electronic polar finder scope known as the iPolar (depending on option). iPolar ensures the accurate alignment of a telescope, even when the pole star is obscured.
iOptron iPolarTM - the smart electronic polarscope for everyone (Optional)
Fast and easy to use
High precision (30 arcsec)
No need to see the Pole Star
No need to rotate the mount during alignment
Unique imaging enhancement technique
Smart plate solving
On screen instruction during alignment
Capable under poor sky visibility condition
Shows polar alignment without seeing Polaris using iOptron iPolar:
The ES AR102 is a good telescope for astrophotography:
The Newtonian Telescope is ready for astrophotography with many good features for beautiful astrophotos.
2" Dual-speed Crayford focuser with precise movement also suitable for heavy cameras
Combination of aberration-free optics, precision focusing and a fast f/6.5 focal ratio
Suitable for both planetary (including Solar) and Deep Sky Objects
Actual astrophotos taken from the ES AR102:
Credit: Astrobin
Other included accessories:
One 25mm (1.25") eyepiece, 2" diagonal with 99% dielectric coatings, 8 X 50 non-illuminated straight -thru finderscope and quick release bracket, and a cradle ring assembly with Vixen-style dovetail mount. Can be expanded by adding more accessories (eyepieces, filters, barlows, astrophotography adapters, etc.). Can be expanded by adding more accessories (eyepieces, filters, barlows, astrophotography adapters, extension tubes, etc.)
Explore Scientific AR102 OTA SPECIFICATIONS
Best for viewing
Brighter deep sky
Best for imaging
Planetary & brighter deep sky objects
User level
Beginner/Imtermediate
Optical design
Refractor
Optical diameter
102mm (4")
Focal length
663mm
Focal ratio
f/6.5
Optics type
Air-spaced, crown-and-flint, doublet achromatic
Eyepieces
25mm (1.25") eyepiece
Magnification with included eyepieces
27x (with provided eyepiece)
Resolving power
1.14arc*sec
Limiting stellar magnitude
12.5
Finder scope
8x50 with quick release bracket
Focuser
2" Dual-speed Precision Crayford
Optical Tube Length with Dew Shield
25.5 in. (698mm)
Weight, optical tube
10.4 lbs. (4.7kg)
CEM26 MOUNT SPECIFICATIONS
Mount
Center-Balanced Equatorial Mount
Payload *
26 lbs (12kg), exclude counterweight
Mount weight
10 lbs (4.5kg)
Payload/Mount weight
2.6
Structure Material
All metal, Casting + CNC machined
Exterior Finish
Powder coating
Periodic error (PE) **
<±10 arcsec
PEC
Yes, Permanent PEC
Worm period
600 sec
Right Ascension worm wheel
Φ88mm, 144 teeth aluminum
Declination worm wheel
Φ88mm, 144 teeth aluminum
Right Ascension axis shaft
Φ35mm steel
Declination axis shaft
Φ35mm steel
Right Ascension bearing
Φ55mm ball bearing
Declination bearing
Φ55mm ball bearing
Worm gears
Φ15.2mm, Brass
Motor drive
1.8º stepper motor, 128X microdivision
Resolution
0.17 arc seconds
Transmission
Synchronous belt
Latitude adjustment range
0º ~ 60º
Azimuth adjustment range
± 6º
Polar Scope
AccuAlignTM optical polar scope or iPolar (depends on option)
Level indicator
Level bubble
Hand Controller
Go2Nova® 8409 with ~212,000 objects database
Tracking
Automatic
Slew speed
1×,2×,8×,16×,64×,128×,256×,512×,MAX(6º/sec)
Power consumption
0.5A(Tracking), 0.8A(GOTO)
Power requiremention
12V DC, 5A
AC adapter
100V ~ 240V (included)
Power-down memory
Yes
Wi-Fi
Built-in
Communication port
Yes (Wi-Fi and USB)
Autoguide port
Yes (ST-4 compatible)
Firmware upgrade
Yes
PC computer control
Yes (ASCOM)
Counterweight shaft
Φ20X306mm (M16), Stainless Steel
Counterweight
10 lbs (4.5kg)
Tripod
1.5" (5kg) or LiteRoc 1.75" (7.5kg) heavy duty stainless steel
Dovetail saddle
3.8" Vixen-style, center adjustable
GPS
Optional external 32-channel GPS
Autoguiding
Optional external iGuider 1
Operation temperature
-10ºC ~ 40ºC
Warranty
Two year limited
* OTA size and length dependent ** Measured with encoder, 10 minutes
The Levenhuk T500 PLUS Digital Camera is your guide to the world of astrophotography. This small accessory will allow you to capture the beauty of the starry sky and share it with your friends. The camera is mounted directly into the focuser of the telescope and transfers the image from the telescope to a computer screen in real time.
Suitable for Skywatcher EQ3, EQ3-2, EQM-35 and Celestron CG4 mounts.
Improved version with screw connection to mount
Precise polar lignment of the mount (for e.g. astrophotography) within a few minutes.
For using the polar scope you need an unobstructed view of Polaris.
This new version supports the Kochab method, which can easily found in the internet, for showing the correct position of Polaris on the reticle.
This polar scope also works on the Southern Hemisphere, by using the position of sigma Octantis
The Sky-Watcher Polar axis finder scope speeds up and refines the polar alignment procedure so the observer can spend more valuable time observing, rather than setting up.