What type of equatorial mount is required for the Askar SQA106?
With a gross weight of 8.12kg for the OTA, rings, and dovetail, plus the weight of your camera and guide scope, the total imaging payload will likely be around 10-12kg. A mount with a payload capacity of at least 18kg (40 lbs), such as a Celestron CGEM II or Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro, is recommended for stable, long-exposure astrophotography.
Does the Askar SQA106 need a separate field flattener?
No. The SQA106 features a Quintuplet Petzval APO optical design, which has the field-flattening elements built directly into the telescope. This provides a corrected, flat field across its 55mm image circle without any additional accessories.
How do I set the correct back focus for my camera with the SQA106?
The Askar SQA106 supports a back focus range from 48mm to 78mm from the base of the M48 adapter threads. The recommended back focus is 55mm, which is standard for most DSLRs with a T-ring and many dedicated astronomy cameras. Simply add spacers as needed to place your camera's sensor at this distance.
What is the advantage of the SQA106's 55mm image circle for a full-frame (44mm) camera?
Using a sensor smaller than the maximum corrected image circle provides significant benefits. With a 44mm full-frame sensor inside the SQA106's 55mm image circle, you are imaging with the best-corrected central part of the field. This results in tighter star shapes, more even illumination, and minimal optical aberrations at the extreme corners of your images.
How will the Askar SQA106 perform on a large target like the Andromeda Galaxy (M31)?
The SQA106 is exceptionally well-suited for targets like the Andromeda Galaxy (M31). At a 509mm focal length, it can frame the entire galaxy, including its faint outer arms, on a full-frame sensor. The fast f/4.8 focal ratio will help capture the faint dust lanes and star-forming regions with shorter total integration time.
What does "Quintuplet APO with two SD glass elements" mean for my images?
This describes the optical design. "Quintuplet" means there are five lenses. "APO" (Apochromatic) means it's highly corrected for color fringing. The "two SD glass elements" are the specific type of low-dispersion glass used to achieve that color correction. The result is high-contrast images with sharp, natural-colored stars without distracting purple or blue halos.
