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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.
Explore Scientific FirstLight 127mm Mak-Cassegrain with Twilight Nano Mount - Discontinued
Explore Scientific FirstLight 127mm Mak-Cassegrain with Twilight Nano Mount - Discontinued

Explore Scientific FirstLight 127mm Mak-Cassegrain with Twilight Nano Mount - Discontinued

by Explore Scientific
SKU ES-FL-MC1271900TN
Sold out
$499.99 - $499.99
$499.99
$499.99 - $499.99
$499.99
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  • 127mm (5") Maksutov-Cassegrain Optical Tube
  • 1900mm Focal Length (f/15)
  • Twilight Nano Alt-Azimuth Mount
  • 25mm Plössl Eyepiece and Red-Dot Finder
  • Includes Smartphone Adapter for Basic Astrophotography
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  • Description
  • FAQ
  • Specifications
  • In the Box
  • Warranty

  • Explore Scientific FirstLight 127mm Mak-Cassegrain with Twilight Nano Mount

    The Explore Scientific FirstLight 127mm Mak-Cassegrain telescope combines a high-power, long focal length optical system with the simple, intuitive Twilight Nano alt-azimuth mount. This design uses a 1900mm focal length (f/15) to produce sharp, high-contrast views, making it an ideal instrument for detailed observation of the Moon's craters, the rings of Saturn, and Jupiter's cloud belts. The fully multi-coated optics ensure maximum image brightness from its 127mm aperture, delivering performance that excels on solar system targets from a compact and highly portable package.

    High-Contrast Maksutov-Cassegrain Optical Design

    The Maksutov-Cassegrain design is renowned for delivering sharp, refractor-like images in a short, manageable optical tube. By using a combination of mirrors and a corrector lens, it achieves a long 1900mm focal length that provides high magnification with standard eyepieces. This optical configuration minimizes chromatic aberration, resulting in crisp, high-contrast views that are essential for resolving fine details on planetary surfaces.

    • Planetary and Lunar Specialist: The long f/15 focal ratio is optimized for high-magnification views of bright objects like the Moon, Jupiter, Saturn, and Mars.
    • Compact Form Factor: Despite its powerful focal length, the optical tube is compact and lightweight, making it easy to transport and set up.
    • Fully Multi-Coated Optics: All optical surfaces are coated to maximize light transmission and contrast, ensuring the brightest possible images of your target.

    Twilight Nano Alt-Azimuth Mount for Grab-and-Go Observing

    This telescope includes the lightweight Twilight Nano Alt-Azimuth mount, designed for simplicity and portability. Its intuitive up-down, left-right motion allows you to point the telescope and track celestial objects smoothly with manual slow-motion controls. This "grab-and-go" setup is perfect for quick backyard sessions or for taking the telescope to a dark-sky site without the complexity of an equatorial mount.

    • Intuitive Manual Control: Simply point the telescope towards your target and track it with easy-to-use control knobs.
    • Stable and Lightweight: The mount provides a solid foundation for the 127mm optical tube while remaining light enough for easy transport and quick setup.
    • Vixen-Style Dovetail: The mount head accepts standard Vixen-style dovetails, allowing you to use it with other compatible telescope tubes.

    Complete FirstLight Kit for Immediate Use

    The Explore Scientific FirstLight 127mm Mak-Cassegrain comes with everything you need to start observing right out of the box. The package includes a quality 25mm Plössl eyepiece for wide-field views, a red-dot finder to help you locate objects, and a smartphone adapter for capturing and sharing your observations. This comprehensive kit removes the guesswork for beginners and provides a capable foundation for any observer.

    • 25mm Plössl Eyepiece: A versatile, all-purpose eyepiece that provides a bright, wide view for locating objects and observing larger star clusters.
    • Red-Dot Finder: Projects a small red dot onto a non-magnified window, allowing you to easily aim the telescope at your desired target in the night sky.
    • Smartphone Adapter: Securely mounts your smartphone to the eyepiece, enabling you to take pictures and videos of the Moon and bright planets.

  • What celestial objects can I see with the FirstLight 127mm Mak-Cassegrain?

    This telescope excels at high-magnification views of solar system objects. You can expect to see detailed craters and mountains on the Moon, the rings of Saturn, the primary cloud belts and four Galilean moons of Jupiter, and the polar ice caps on Mars when it is near opposition. It can also resolve brighter deep-sky objects like the Orion Nebula (M42) and the Hercules Cluster (M13).

    Is the Twilight Nano mount on the FirstLight 127mm good for a beginner?

    Absolutely. The Twilight Nano is an alt-azimuth mount, which moves in simple up-down and left-right directions. This is very intuitive and makes it easy for beginners to point and track objects without a complex alignment process. It's a "grab-and-go" system designed for quick, hassle-free observing sessions.

    How does the included smartphone adapter work with the FirstLight telescope?

    The adapter clamps securely onto the included 25mm Plössl eyepiece. You then place your smartphone into the adapter's holder and align its camera with the eyepiece lens. This allows you to perform basic astrophotography, capturing images of the Moon and bright planets directly through the telescope.

    What are the trade-offs of the FirstLight Maksutov-Cassegrain design?

    The primary trade-off is its narrow field of view. The long f/15 focal ratio that makes it excellent for planets means it's less suited for viewing very large, expansive deep-sky objects like the Andromeda Galaxy (M31) or the North American Nebula (NGC 7000) in a single frame. It's a specialized instrument for high-power viewing rather than wide-field sweeping.

    Can I use different eyepieces with the FirstLight 127mm Mak-Cassegrain?

    Yes. The telescope uses a standard 1.25" focuser, making it compatible with the vast majority of eyepieces on the market. You can purchase additional 1.25" eyepieces with different focal lengths to achieve higher or lower magnifications, expanding the versatility of your telescope.

    How portable is the FirstLight 127mm Mak-Cassegrain for travel or backyard use?

    It's extremely portable. The optical tube is short and lightweight, and the Twilight Nano mount and tripod are designed to be compact and easy to carry. The entire system can be assembled or disassembled in just a few minutes, making it an excellent "grab-and-go" telescope for spontaneous observing sessions or for travel to darker locations.

  • GTIN 812257018048
    Optical Design Maksutov-Cassegrain
    Aperture 127mm (5")
    Focal Length 1900mm
    Focal Ratio f/15
    Optics Fully multi-coated
    Mount Type Twilight Nano Alt-Azimuth
    Eyepiece Included 25mm Plössl (1.25")
    Finder Scope Red-Dot Finder

    • FirstLight 127mm Maksutov-Cassegrain OTA

    • Twilight Nano Alt-Azimuth Mount

    • Tripod

    • 25mm Plössl Eyepiece

    • Red-Dot Finder

    • Smartphone Adapter

    • 1.25" Diagonal

  • Explore Scientific Warranty