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Explore Scientific ED102-FCD100 Series Air-Spaced Triplet Telescope in Carbon Fiber - FCD100–10207-CF-01

Regular price   $2,699.99 Sale price   $2,499.99 Save 7%

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- Olivia 

This lightweight and high-performance telescope exceeded my expectations, delivering stunning views of celestial objects with exceptional clarity and contrast, making every stargazing session an unforgettable experience. .| Verified Purchase"

Main Benefits:

  • Aperture & Focal Length: Aperture: 102mm (4") - Offers a good balance between light gathering and portability, suitable for observing planets, deep-sky objects, and the Moon. Focal Length: 714mm (f/7) - Provides moderate magnification for detailed views of planets and lunar features while offering a wider field of view for deep-sky observations compared to longer focal lengths.
  • Mount type: Not included: Requires a compatible equatorial mount (sold separately) for stable viewing and tracking objects across the night sky.
  • Optics: HOYA FCD100 ED glass: Highly regarded ED glass for exceptional chromatic aberration correction. Multi-coated optics: Improve light transmission and reduce glare for brighter and higher contrast views.

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Description

The Explore Scientific ED102-FCD100 Series Air-Spaced Triplet Telescope in Carbon Fiber, has the advantages for astrophotographers and visual astronomers found in our metal-tube ED102 models, but with the advantage of making the instrument much lighter, and a lighter weight telescope performs better on any mount that it is used on. 

This telescope includes genuine HOYA  FCD100 ED glass which is very similar in characteristics as OHARA’s FPL-53. Relying on technological innovation, we have successfully launched the mass production of high-performance optical glass at the apex of the FCD family. Combining it with optical glass of high refractive index allows us to achieve unprecedented advanced chromatic aberration correction. HOYA FCD100 is considered one of the premier ED glass types available.

Having a true diffraction-limited optical design and sized to encourage spontaneous stargazing sessions, this high-quality telescope is a perfect grab-and-go instrument for exploring the skies. Featuring an air-spaced triplet optical design that virtually eliminates chromatic aberrations, this telescope generates brilliant high-contrast images by combining genuine HOYA FCD100 extra-low dispersion (ED) glass and proprietary EMD enhanced multi-layer coatings on all optical surfaces.

This amazing scope includes a 2.5" Hexagonal focuser with very rigid design and strong support. Up to 10 lbs of gear can be loaded onto this focuser.

ED102 Carbon Fiber f/7 Air Spaced Triplet with HOYA FCD100 optics and Integrated Dew Shield; 714mm focal length; 2.5" HEX Focuser with 2 extension tubes; Cradle Ring with Handle and Vixen-Style Dovetail Plate; Explore Scientific 2N1 Finder Scope Base installed on scope; 99% Reflective 2" Diagonal. Weighs 9.3lbs. with cradle (Case and Finder Scope NOT Included)

Specification

Item Number FCD100–10207-CF-01
Focal Length 714mm
Focal Ratio f/7
Weight 9.5 lb; 4.3 kg
Dovetail Plate 45mm Wide with Cone-Angle Adjustments (Vixen-style)

Warranty

Limited Warranty is one year, which converts to the Explore STAR Transferable Extended Life of the Product Warranty when product is registered within 60 days of purchase.

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Explore Scientific ED102-FCD100 Series Air-Spaced Triplet Telescope in Carbon Fiber - FCD100–10207-CF

Additional Features

Lightweight carbon fiber tube: Weighs only 9.5 lbs with cradle, ideal for grab-and-go observing.

2.5" Hexagonal focuser: Strong support for astrophotography equipment (up to 10 lbs).

Explore Scientific 2N1 Finder Scope Base (finder scope sold separately).

99% reflective 2" diagonal: Delivers bright and high-contrast views.

Explore Scientific ED102-FCD100 Series Air-Spaced Triplet Telescope in Carbon Fiber - FCD100–10207-CF

Versatility for Astrophotography & Visual Observations

Carbon Fiber Advantage: Enjoy the stability of a metal tube telescope with the incredible weight reduction of carbon fiber, making it easier to mount and handle, improving performance.

Astrophoto Ready: The sturdy 2.5" HEX focuser supports heavy astrophotography gear (up to 10 lbs), allowing you to capture stunning celestial images.

Grab-and-Go Convenience: Compact and lightweight, this telescope is perfect for spontaneous stargazing sessions, whether you're exploring from your backyard or venturing under darker skies.

Explore Scientific ED102-FCD100 Series Air-Spaced Triplet Telescope in Carbon Fiber - FCD100–10207-CF-01

Investment in Quality & Future Exploration

Durable Design: Built with high-quality carbon fiber and metal components, this telescope is built to last, ensuring years of reliable exploration.

Upgradable Potential: The Vixen-style dovetail plate allows compatibility with various mounts, so you can upgrade as your astrophotography needs evolve.

A Gateway to Deeper Discovery: With its powerful optics and versatility, this telescope ignites your passion for astronomy and empowers you to unlock even more celestial secrets in the future.


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All orders will be delivered during 2-5 business days.

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If for any reason you are not completely satisfied with your purchase, within 30 days of placing your order, we will refund you for your purchase with no questions asked.

Aperture size is the diameter of the main lens or mirror in a telescope, and it is the most important factor in determining how much light the telescope can gather. More light means brighter and more detailed images. Generally, larger apertures are better, but they also tend to be more expensive and bulkier.

Magnification is important for making objects appear larger, but it does not create more detail. Aperture is more important for determining the overall quality of the image, including its brightness, resolution, and contrast. However, magnification can still be useful for getting a closer look at specific features of an object that you can already see with lower magnification.

All telescopes are affected by light pollution to some extent, but Dobsonians and reflectors are generally less affected than refractors. This is because refractors have more internal surfaces where light can bounce around and cause glare. If you live in an area with a lot of light pollution, you may want to consider a Dobsonian or reflector, or find a dark observing location.

The essential accessories for your telescope will depend on your specific needs and interests. However, some common recommendations include:
Extra eyepieces: This will allow you to change the magnification of your telescope to suit different observing conditions and objects.
A finder scope: This is a small, low-power telescope that helps you aim the main telescope at the correct area of the sky.
A collimation kit: This is used to adjust the alignment of the mirrors in a reflector telescope.
A star chart or planisphere: This will help you identify objects in the night sky.

Dobsonian telescopes are generally the easiest to set up, as they typically only require placing them on the ground and aligning the finder scope. Refractors and reflectors may require more assembly and alignment, but the process is not overly complicated. Many telescopes come with instructions and online resources can also be helpful.

You may need a few basic tools, such as a screwdriver or Allen wrench, to assemble some telescopes. However, you do not need any special knowledge to get started. There are many resources available to help you learn how to use your telescope, such as online tutorials, books, and astronomy clubs.

Here is a general guide to what you can expect to see under typical observing conditions with different telescope apertures:

50mm-70mm: You can see the phases of Venus, the moons of Jupiter, and some brighter deep sky objects like the Andromeda Galaxy and the Orion Nebula.
70mm-100mm: You can see more detail in the planets, including the rings of Saturn and the cloud bands on Jupiter. You can also see more faint deep sky objects.
100mm+: You can start to see more challenging deep sky objects, such as galaxies, nebulae, and star clusters. You can also see more detail in fainter objects like comets and asteroids.

We are often advised that you are able to see them through any small telescope, or even binoculars. But you really need a telescope with at least 40 times magnification to clearly see the detail of the rings as separate from the planet. And the bigger the telescope, the better.

For Galactic Observations: A reflecting telescope with a larger aperture (150mm-250mm) and a moderate focal length (750mm-1250mm) is ideal for capturing distant galaxies. Telescopes such as the Orion XT8 or the Celestron Advanced VX 8" offer excellent light-gathering capabilities and versatility.

Optical telescopes, for example, can see objects up to billions of light-years away, while radio telescopes can detect signals from even further distances. However, when it comes to observing the universe's earliest moments, telescopes can only see so far.

In general, a top-quality 4-inch refractor shows deep-sky objects about as well as a 5-inch reflector or catadioptric, and might even do a bit better on the planets. Most telescopes with apertures of 80 mm or less are refractors.

Refractor Telescopes: Refractors use lenses to gather and focus light, offering crisp and clear images. They are excellent for planetary observation due to their ability to provide high contrast and detailed views.

Some of the most newly detected objects may be over 13 billion light years away, as derived from a standard model of the Universe. However, a powerful new generation of telescopes, like the James Webb Space Telescope, will be needed to confirm the suspected distances of these objects.

The most important aspect of any telescope is its aperture, the diameter of its main optical component, which can be either a lens or a mirror. A scope's aperture determines both its light-gathering ability (how bright the image appears) and its resolving power (how sharp the image appears).

The telescope you want has two essentials: high-quality optics and a steady, smoothly working mount. And all other things being equal, big scopes show more and are easier to use than small ones, as we'll see below. But don't overlook portability and convenience — the best scope for you is the one you'll actually use.

With just a small or medium-sized telescope, skygazers can easily observe planets. You'll be surprised how much of our solar system you can see! And you don't need a dark sky to view all of our solar system's planets; even under city lights, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn can be easy to see with a telescope.

In summary: Refractors generally have the edge over reflectors for a quality image, both from the standpoint of lens/mirror quality and precision optical mountings, and lack of central obscurations.


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