Explore FirstLight 80mm Refractor

• • Optical tube assembly only ready for daytime solar or nighttime stellar use, for visual or astroimaging applications. 
  • 80mm aperture will reveal impressive lunar details ranging from craters to rilles, planetary features like Saturn’s ring structure or Jupiter’s cloud belts; and bright deep sky treasures like galaxies, nebulae and clusters.
  • Telescope comes with an over-the-lens professional-grade solar filter, for studies of sunspot activity, observations of partial phases of an eclipse, or transits. 
  • Adapter included allowing connecting a DSLR using a T2 ring specific to each brand of camera.
  • Precision 25mm Plössl eyepiece, a 90° diagonal for more comfortable viewing and a red dot viewfinder to aid in object location.
  • Built-in dew shield slows moisture build-up on the objective lens and reduces interference from stray light.
  • Included adapter helps observers use their smart device to capture and share images.
  • Rugged metal tube construction with black carbon fiber look.
  • Telescope mounts to all of Explore Scientific mounts and other popular altazimuth and equatorial mounts.

  NOTE: The Solar Filter material being used is the new advanced ‘Solarlite’ Film manufactured by world-famous Thousand Oaks Optical through years of research and development. ‘Solarlite’ a new solar film that has the optical quality of glass with the advantages of impregnated polymer -- perfect for the solar astrophotographer!

  The solar film used with this telescope is the same material used in Explore Scientific Eclipse Glasses which is rated ISO12312–2, tested and approved by ICS Labs for Direct Observation of the Sun. In addition, Explore Scientific Eclipse Glasses are meant to be used by anyone from adult to children under 14 years of age, which requires stringent ASTM testing and compliancy. ASTM is a mandatory set of safety rules and regulations under ASTM F963 – Standard Consumer Safety Specification for addressing safety requirements for any object designed, manufactured or marketed for children under 14 years of age. In addition we are recognized by the American Astronomical Association as a supplier of safe eclipse glasses.

iEXOS-100 PMC-Eight Equatorial Tracker System

• Integrated Explore Scientific PMC-Eight™ system that transcends the industry standard single processor by utilizing eight CPUs that operate independently of one another to focus on defined functions, which results in superior responsiveness, efficiency, reliability and astoundingly fast timing intervals.
• Clutched dual-axis worm gears with quiet precision stepper motor belt drives
• Intuitive ExploreStars app, which is available for Apple, Android and Windows tablets, that makes it simple to operate the GOTO system. Through it, users can quickly align their telescope, navigate the stars and learn specifics about tens of thousands of celestial objects
• Clutched RA and Declination axis are smooth and allow for precise balancing which makes the process of repositioning your telescope efficient
• Polar alignment sight hole through the RA axis and precise altitude control for fast alignment without polar scope.
• Battery pack powering the PMC-Eight™ system uses 8 C batteries and is secured in a bracket on one of the tripod legs when in use
• Two 1 kg counterweights included
• Glow-in-the-dark markings on mount and tripod

Whether you're eager to explore the intricacies of the Sun, delve into the breathtaking beauty of Saturn's Ring Structure, document the dynamic changes in Mars' ice caps, or embark on a mesmerizing journey through the vastness of time and space to discover deep sky wonders, the versatile Explore FirstLight 80mm CF Optical Tube Assembly with Solar Filter provides an observation package tailored to your specific needs. This telescope comes equipped with essential tools for solar exploration, featuring a lightweight telescope, a professional-grade over-the-lens solar filter, a smartphone camera adapter, eyepiece, and a fully-adjustable red dot viewfinder.

The FirstLight AR80mm showcases a 640mm focal length, f/8 telescope with a precision fully-coated optical Crown-and-Flint main objective lens. Notable features include an oversize 40mm draw tube focuser for optimal field illumination, especially for smartphone astroimaging. The package also includes a Solar Filter, a 1.25" O.D. 90° Diagonal, a 1.25" O.D. 4-element fully-coated 25mm Plossl eyepiece (25.6 X; 1.95 Deg True FOV), an adapter to connect a DSLR using a T2 ring specific to each brand of camera, a Red-dot Finder, and a Smartphone Camera adapter.

iEXOS-100 PMC-Eight

The mount assembly weighs 9.45 pounds (4.29 kg), and the tripod and accessory tray weigh 5.5 pounds (2.5 kg). The tripod, when collapsed is 27.25 inches (69.21 cm) tall.

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Download ExploreStars Software Here

Find inserts to your PMC-Eight Questions on our Knowledge Base

Download the Instruction Manual