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IMPORTANT: Our store is located in Canada. All orders that include products manufactured outside of Canada or USA will be subject to tariffs and duties, regardless of the order value. US customers are responsible for all applicable duties and tariffs, and those will be billed by the carrier, except for the Lacerta upgrade kit, for which we collect them at checkout.
IMPORTANT: Our store is located in Canada. All orders that include products manufactured outside of Canada or USA will be subject to tariffs and duties, regardless of the order value. US customers are responsible for all applicable duties and tariffs, and those will be billed by the carrier, except for the Lacerta upgrade kit, for which we collect them at checkout.
Daystar 80mm f/6 Achromatic Refractor
Daystar 80mm f/6 Achromatic Refractor
Daystar 80mm f/6 Achromatic Refractor

Daystar 80mm f/6 Achromatic Refractor

by Daystar Filters
SKU DAY-480EUD
$499.00 - $499.00
$499.00
$499.00 - $499.00
$499.00
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  • 80mm Aperture
  • f/6 Focal Ratio
  • 480mm Focal Length
  • Achromatic Refractor Design
  • Rack & Pinion Focuser
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Simulate the exact field of view of the Daystar 80mm f/6 Achromatic Refractor with your specific telescope.

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Framing Simulator Instant FOV Preview

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Simulate the exact field of view of the Daystar 80mm f/6 Achromatic Refractor with your specific telescope.

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  • Description
  • FAQ
  • Specifications
  • In the Box
  • Downloads
  • Warranty

  • Daystar 80mm f/6 Achromatic Refractor

    The Daystar 480 refractor combines an 80mm achromatic objective with a fast f/6 focal ratio, delivering a 480mm focal length in a compact optical tube assembly. This design prioritizes wide, rich fields of view, making it an ideal instrument for scanning the Milky Way or framing large deep-sky objects.

    80mm f/6 Achromat: A 480mm Window on the Milky Way

    With its 480mm focal length, the Daystar 480 provides expansive views of the night sky, easily fitting large targets like the Andromeda Galaxy (M31) or the Pleiades (M45) into a single field. The f/6 focal ratio delivers bright images, making it well-suited for observing extended nebulae and large open star clusters.

    As an achromatic refractor, this telescope offers excellent value and utility for its intended purpose. However, the design will exhibit some chromatic aberration, or "false color," on extremely bright targets like Jupiter, Venus, and the lunar limb. This is an inherent trade-off for its wide-field capability and portability.

    The Daystar 480: A Functional Grab-and-Go and Guide Scope

    The 80mm aperture and short focal length make the Daystar 480 an excellent "grab-and-go" telescope for spontaneous observing sessions where setting up a larger instrument is impractical. Its simple, robust construction is built for utility, whether mounted on a light alt-azimuth mount for visual use or used as a guide scope for a larger imaging system.

    The scope includes a rack-and-pinion focuser, a reliable and straightforward mechanism for achieving sharp focus with standard eyepieces or a lightweight guide camera. This combination of features makes the Daystar 480 a versatile optical tube for observers who need a wide-field instrument or a dependable autoguiding platform.

  • What is the focal length of the Daystar 480 refractor?

    The Daystar 480 has a focal length of 480mm. This is calculated from its 80mm aperture and f/6 focal ratio (80 x 6 = 480).

    Will I see color fringing with the Daystar 480's f/6 achromatic optics?

    Yes, some color fringing (chromatic aberration) is expected, especially on very bright objects like the Moon, Venus, and Jupiter. The Daystar 480 is an achromatic refractor, and this is a known characteristic of the design, particularly at a fast f/6 focal ratio. It is designed for low-to-medium power, wide-field views where this effect is less noticeable.

    What celestial objects are best suited for the Daystar 480's wide field of view?

    The Daystar 480 excels at viewing large deep-sky objects that require a wide field to be seen in their entirety. Excellent targets include:

    • The Andromeda Galaxy (M31)
    • The Pleiades star cluster (M45)
    • The Orion Nebula (M42)
    • Large open clusters like the Beehive Cluster (M44)
    • Rich-field sweeping of the Milky Way

    Can the Daystar 480 be used for astrophotography?

    The Daystar 480 is primarily intended for visual observation and as a guide scope. While you can take images of the Moon or wide star fields, its achromatic optics are not ideal for serious deep-sky imaging, which requires apochromatic (APO) or ED glass to prevent color fringing around stars.

    How would the Daystar 480 perform as a guide scope for an 8" SCT imaging the Andromeda Galaxy (M31)?

    The Daystar 480 is an excellent choice for this scenario. Its 480mm focal length provides a wide field of view, making it easy to find suitable guide stars. It is a good match for the typical ~2000mm focal length of an 8" SCT, providing precise guiding corrections without being overly sensitive to atmospheric seeing.

    Is the Daystar 480 suitable for high-magnification views of planets like Jupiter?

    While you can see Jupiter and its moons with the Daystar 480, it is not optimized for high-power planetary viewing. The fast f/6 achromatic optics will show noticeable chromatic aberration at high magnifications, which can soften fine details in cloud bands. An apochromatic refractor or a longer focal ratio reflector would be a better choice for dedicated planetary observation.

  • Aperture 80mm
    Focal Ratio f/6
    Focal Length 480mm
    Optical Design Achromatic Refractor
    Focuser Rack & Pinion

    • Daystar 480 80mm Refractor OTA

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  • Daystar Filters Warranty