Telescope Skywatcher 90/900 AZ3 with slow motion controls

Telescope Skywatcher 90/900 AZ3 with slow motion controls

Product Description:

The Skywatcher AC 90/900 EvoStar AZ-3 telescope is equipped with a 90/900 optic with achromatic objective. Due to the proper combination of two lenses inside the objective, most color aberrations can be corrected. The aperture ratio of 1:10 has an additional positive effect.

The Skywatcher AZ-3 is a practical altazimuth mount, easy to use and provides good stability.

It can serve as a base for terrestrial or astronomical observation and is compatible with telescopes up to a maximum weight of 5 kg (refractors up to 120 mm aperture and reflectors up to 150 mm diameter).

The AZ-3 has a horizontal quick adjustment plus a locking screw and a vertical quick adjustment with a sliding clutch. Fine adjustment with flexible slow movements is available on both axes. The tracking is absolutely smooth and allows fine adjustment even at high magnification.

The vertical angle can be adjusted so that it allows viewing from the horizon to near zenith and a 360° panoramic view. The AZ-3 mount is therefore equally suitable for terrestrial and astronomical observation. The telescope is mounted via tube ring clamps.

The AZ-3 mount is suitable for both terrestrial and astronomical observation:

1. Terrestrial observation

For terrestrial observation, simply place the telescope on the AZ-3 in a horizontal position. Slightly loosen the tube ring clamps and push the OTA slightly forward or backward so that the tube is balanced and does not tilt forward or backward. Then retighten the clamps.

2. Astronomical observation.

Loosen the large side screw and position the OTA pointing upward at an angle of approximately 45°.

Slightly loosen the tube ring clamps and slide the OTA forward or backward until optimum balance is achieved. It should not tilt forward or backward; then place the OTA in a horizontal position and tighten the locking screw to prevent the instrument from tilting forward. This ensures optimal load distribution on the stand.

Technical specifications:

Optics

• Type: Achromatic refractor
• Aperture (mm): 90
• Focal length (mm): 900
• Aperture ratio (f /): 10
• Resolution capability ("): 1.28
• Magnification limit: 11.6
• Light gathering capacity: 170
• Max. useful magnification: 180

Focuser

• Construction type: Rack and pinion
• Connection (to eyepiece): 1.25" (1.25")

Mount

• Altazimuthal mount allowing 360° panning and adjustable from horizon to near zenith
• Quick vertical adjustment with sliding clutch
• Fine adjustment by flexible slow movements
• Type of mount: azimuthal AZ-3
• GoTo control: no
• Tracking: no

Tripod

• Aluminum tripod adjustable from 70 cm to 123 cm
• Tripod material: aluminum

Accessories included

• Eyepieces 1.25 '' 25 mm, 10 mm
• 6x30 finder
• Amici prism, 1.25", 45°, 45°
• Slow motion controls (2 pcs.)

General Characteristics

• Total weight (kg): 11.7
• Series: EvoStar

Areas of application

• Astrophotography: not recommended
• Moon and planets: yes
• Nebulae and galaxies: yes
• Sun: no (only with appropriate solar filter)
• Nature observation: yes

Recommended for

• Beginners: yes
• Advanced: no
• Observatories: no

OUR EXPERT'S COMMENT:

This telescope, is a good telescope if we are only going to want to dedicate to the observation of Moon and planets. With its 90mm diameter and a focal length of 900mm, it is not bright enough to observe deep sky objects. Therefore, we would not recommend it if you want a versatile telescope.

On the other hand, the tripod is very correct and the long movement knobs are appreciated. However, its optics, being an achromatic lens, presents severe CHROMATIC ABERRATIONS that make the observation of bright objects (Moon and planets) poor. The chromatism causes a loss of sharpness and contrast, which is a pity because for the rest the equipment would be a good choice as a starter kit. In this sense, the MAKSUTOV-CASSERGRAIN tubes will offer us a much higher performance in planetary. They have no chromatic aberrations and have a lot of magnification power and very good contrast. The same can be said, but with higher brightness, in the case of newton reflectors.

In short, the 90/900 AZ3 is a good entry level telescope but with some limitations in terms of sharpness, contrast and brightness that make it not very versatile and only suitable for cases in which one wants to dedicate only to the observation of star clusters.

Telescope Skywatcher 90/900 AZ3 with slow motion controls