Designed and built for beginners, the Explore Scientific FirstLight 102mm f/9.8 Alt-Az Refractor Telescope offers a complete observation rig for viewing the Moon, planets, meteor showers, and bright deep-sky objects. The optics are fully multi-coated with anti-reflection coatings to reduce light loss and produce brighter and clearer images with more accurate colors versus non-coated systems.

The scope features a manual alt-azimuth mount with dual-axis control cables that allow users to track objects as they move across the night sky. Its stainless steel tripod provides a stable observation platform, and its adjustable height from 38.5 to 55.5" allows for comfortable viewing by most users. Explore Scientific includes several observational accessories including a 25mm eyepiece that yields 40x, a 90° star diagonal to put the user's head in a comfortable viewing angle, a universal smartphone eyepiece adapter for easy astrophotography, and a wide-field unmagnified red-dot finderscope.

102mm Refractor OTA    1000mm Focal Length, f/9.8 Focal Ratio    Fully Multi-Coated Optics    Hexagonal Rack-and-Pinion Focuser    2" 90° Diagonal, 25mm Eyepiece    Twilight 1 Manual Alt-Az Mount    Dual-Axis Slow Motion Cables    Red-Dot Finderscope    Smartphone Eyepiece Adapter    Adjustable-Height Steel Tripod

• 102mm (4") aperture
• f/9.8 focal ratio
• 1000mm focal length
• Refractor optical design
• Anti-reflection fully multi-coated optics
• 2.5" hexagonal rack-and-pinion focuser drawtube is capable of holding heavier imaging rigs without flexing
• 2" eyepiece holder on the drawtube allows the use of larger eyepieces, and allows the exiting light to completely cover larger imaging sensors

• Manual alt-azimuth single-arm fork mount
• Dual-axis slow motion tracking cables
• Cables terminate in easy-to-manipulate knurled knobs
• Quick-detach Vixen-style dovetail saddle

• Three stainless steel leg sections with thumbscrew locks
• Adjustment range with head: 38.5 - 55.5"
• Fully-collapsed with head: 42"
• Fully-collapsed without head: 29.5"
• Accessory tray doubles as leg stabilizer for additional rigidity and vibration-reduction

• 1.25" 25mm eyepiece yields 40x magnification
• 2" 90° diagonal places head in comfortable viewing position when aimed at or near the zenith
• Reducer adapters for drawtube allows use of smaller eyepieces and accessories
• 2"-to-1.25" reducer adapter allows the use of the included eyepiece plus a wide array of other optional eyepieces and accessories
• Universal smartphone adapter attaches over eyepiece for astrophotography
• Unmagnified red-dot finderscope allows for fast subject acquisition and star-hopping techniques

Related Questions and Answers

Q: 1. how can I use my nikon DSLR camera with this telescope?

A: There are different ways to attach your Nikon camera to the Explore Scientific FirstLight 102mm f/9.8 Alt-Az Refractor Telescope BH #EXFLAR102RT1 • MFR #FL-AR1021000MAZ01 the most secure way would be to attach the Tele Vue SLR Prime Focus Camera Adapter for 2" Focusers BH #TE2CA • MFR #ACM-2000 to the rear of the scope. Attach a T-mount ring to your camera body and those (2) pieces will screw together. The T-mount or ring is specific to the make and model of your camera.

Q: 2. hello, what size is the focusser,?

A: It is a 2 Focuser.

Q: 3. What parts do I need to mount my Nikon Z mirrorless to this scope?

A: You would need this T mount adaopter to connect the Nikon Z camera to a T mount slipped into the eyepiece mount of the telescope: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1494991-REG/vivitar_hf_t2_nik_z_t_mount_to_nikon_z_mount.html Then you will need to get the actual T mount : https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/202135-REG/Celestron_93625_SLR_35mm_OR_Digital.html

Q: 4. Will this work as a travel scope?

A: The image will be backwards so it is not recommend to use as a terrestrial scope. But you could adapt it using an erect image diagonal such as this Celestron: https://bhpho.to/2eMF3WV

Q: 5. Does "package weight" mean total optical tube weight with included diagonal and finder scope?

A: The " Package weight" for the Explore Scientific FirstLight 152mm f/12.5 Maksutov-Cassegrain Telescope includes the items listed " In the Box" the telescope's OTA, the Eyepiece, the Red-Dot Finder, the 2" 90° Star Diagonal with Reducer Adapter, the Universal Smartphone Digiscoping Adapter, and the Cradle Ring Assembly.

Q: 6. What is the max magnification this scope can use?

A: For maximum magnification I would not use an eyepiece lower than 5mm. I comes with a wide view of 25mm

Q: 7. Is the ED glass FPL-51 or FPL-53?

A: That information is not provided by the manufacture

Q: 8. What is the total weight with accessories?

A: 20 lbs.

Q: 9. How tall is the tripod ?

A: Sorry that information is not specified by Explore Scientific.

Q: 10. Can this be mounted to an eq mount?

A: Unfortunately no. It uses a proprietary yoke mount so it cannot be used on a different mount such as an EQ.