SharpStar 94EDPH f/5.5 Triplet APO

94mm f/5.5 Triplet APO: Dual ED Glass for Aberration-Free Images

At the heart of the 94EDPH is an air-spaced triplet objective incorporating two pieces of extra-low dispersion (ED) glass. This design aggressively corrects chromatic aberration, eliminating the color fringing around bright stars that can soften images from lesser optics. The result is a sharp, high-contrast view with pinpoint stars across the field.

The native f/5.5 focal ratio is fast enough for efficient deep-sky imaging, reducing required exposure times to capture faint details. This optical system is engineered to produce images where the only limit is the seeing conditions, resolving fine structures down to 1.28 arc-seconds.

Field-Ready at 3.3KG: A Compact Grab-and-Go Astrograph

Weighing only 3.3KG and measuring just 468mm in length, the SharpStar 94EDPH is built for portability. Its low weight and compact size allow it to be carried securely by a wide range of mid-sized equatorial mounts, reducing the need for a heavy, observatory-class setup. This makes it an ideal choice for traveling to dark-sky sites.

The telescope includes a robust set of mounting hardware right out of the box. A pair of CNC-machined tube rings, a Vixen-style dovetail plate, and a sturdy carrying handle ensure the optical tube is secure and easy to manage, both on and off the mount.

517mm Focal Length: Framing Nebulae and Galaxies at f/5.5

The 517mm focal length provides a versatile field of view that is perfectly suited for many of the most popular deep-sky targets. With a modern APS-C or Micro Four Thirds sensor, you can easily frame large objects like the Andromeda Galaxy (M31) or the entire North American Nebula (NGC 7000) in a single shot.

For imagers seeking an even wider and faster system, an optional dedicated reducer brings the focal ratio down to f/4.4. This accessory transforms the 94EDPH into an exceptionally fast astrograph capable of illuminating full-frame sensors, making it possible to capture vast nebulae complexes and star fields with significantly shorter exposure times.

SharpStar 94EDPH vs. 80mm APOs: The Impact of 94mm Aperture

While 80mm refractors are a popular starting point, the 94mm aperture of the 94EDPH offers a significant step up in light-gathering power and resolution. This directly translates to brighter images, shorter sub-exposure times, and the ability to resolve finer details in galactic dust lanes and planetary nebulae.

• Higher Resolution: The 94EDPH resolves down to 1.28 arc-seconds, a noticeable improvement over the ~1.45 arc-second limit of a typical 80mm refractor, revealing more intricate structures in your targets.
• Greater Light Grasp: The larger 94mm objective collects substantially more photons per second than an 80mm lens. This allows you to capture faint, extended objects with better signal-to-noise ratio in the same amount of imaging time.
• Maintained Portability: Despite its larger aperture, the 94EDPH remains highly portable at just 3.3KG, occupying a similar weight class to many fully-equipped 80mm imaging setups.