The new Astro-Tech AT150EDL from Astronomics is the largest in the company’s EDL doublet refractor series which includes the Astro-Tech AT102EDL and the Astro-Tech AT125EDL.
The Astro-Tech AT150EDL offers 150mm aperture, 1200mm focal length and f/8 focal ratio. The air-spaced doublet lens uses premium FCD-100 ED (Extra-low Dispersion glass) with a Lanthanum mating element to reduce spurious color halos and fringing to low levels with a .95 Strehl ratio minimum guarantee. The objective lens has the latest state-of-the-art broadband antireflection multicoatings on all four air-to-glass surfaces for high light transmission and excellent contrast.
There are multiple contrast-enhancing knife edge baffles inside the optical tube, and micro baffles running the full length of the focuser drawtube, for truly dark sky backgrounds and high terrestrial contrast. In addition, the edges of the objective lens are blackened to eliminate contrast-reducing stray internal reflections. A self-storing retractable dew shield slows the formation of dew on the lens in cold weather to extend observing time.
The Astro-Tech AT150EDL comes with a dual-speed precision-made 3.2” focuser. There are two coarse focusing knobs and the right knob also has a smaller concentric knob with 10:1 ratio reduction gear microfine focusing. This provides precise image control during high power visual observing or DSLR or CCD imaging. The focus knobs have knurled gripping surfaces so they are easy to operate, even while wearing gloves or mittens in cold weather. The focuser drawtube has a scale marked in 1mm increments so you can note individual focuser positions for easy return to the correct focus when switching between visual use and photography. A lock knob under the focuser lets you lock in your photographic focus.
The focuser drawtube terminates in a 2” compression ring accessory holder to accept a 2” star diagonal and 2” photo accessories. The supplied 1.25” accessory adapter slips onto the 2” accessory holder and uses a soft brass compression ring to hold 1.25” star diagonals and photo/visual accessories in place. The 1.25” and 2” compression rings won’t scratch the barrels of your star diagonal or accessories as an ordinary thumbscrew can.
The optical tube is finished in the company’s popular white with Aston Martin Grey anodized metal pieces. The Astro-Tech AT150EDL comes standard with a hard carry case to protect your telescope. A slip-on metal dust cap is standard, as well as a CNC carry handle. The scope also comes with a Vixen finder shoe on the focuser body.
You can learn more about the Astro-Tech AT150EDL here.
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