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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 80mm Refractor with Twilight Nano Mount - Discontinued
Explore Scientific FirstLight 80mm Refractor with Twilight Nano Mount - Discontinued

Explore Scientific FirstLight 80mm Refractor with Twilight Nano Mount - Discontinued

by Explore Scientific
SKU ES-FL-AR80640TN
Sold out
$159.99 - $159.99
$159.99
$159.99 - $159.99
$159.99
Price Match Policy!
  • 80mm Achromatic Refractor
  • 640mm Focal Length (f/8)
  • Twilight Nano Alt-Azimuth Mount
  • Includes Plössl Eyepiece and Smartphone Adapter
  • Full-Size Tripod with Accessory Tray
Out of stock
Qualifies for FREE Shipping in CONUS on orders over $350.
  • Description
  • FAQ
  • Specifications
  • In the Box
  • Downloads
  • Warranty

  • Explore Scientific FirstLight 80mm Refractor with Twilight Nano Mount

    The Explore Scientific FirstLight 80mm Refractor combines an 80mm achromatic objective with a 640mm focal length for a versatile and portable viewing experience. Its f/8 optical system is paired with the manual Twilight Nano Mount, a simple alt-azimuth platform capable of supporting setups up to 15 lbs, making it an ideal introductory package for exploring the solar system.

    80mm f/8 Refractor: Your Gateway to the Moon and Planets

    The heart of this telescope is its 80mm air-spaced doublet objective lens. With fully-coated optics, it delivers bright, high-contrast images of the Moon's craters, the rings of Saturn, and the cloud belts of Jupiter. The 640mm focal length provides enough magnification to resolve planetary detail while remaining wide enough to frame bright deep-sky targets like the Orion Nebula (M42).

    While its primary strength is solar system observation, the 80mm aperture is also capable of revealing dozens of star clusters and brighter galaxies. The built-in dew shield helps prevent moisture from forming on the objective lens during long nights and blocks stray light to improve image contrast.

    Twilight Nano Mount: A 15 lb Capacity Grab-and-Go Platform

    Designed for simplicity and portability, the Twilight Nano is a manual alt-azimuth mount that you can set up in minutes. You simply point the telescope where you want to look, guided by a smooth panhandle control for both altitude and azimuth adjustments. This intuitive system makes it easy for beginners to start navigating the sky without a complex alignment process.

    The mount connects to a full-size, adjustable steel tripod that provides a stable foundation, minimizing vibrations for sharper views. Despite its lightweight design, the head can support up to 15 lbs, offering room to grow with heavier eyepieces or a larger optical tube in the future. An included accessory tray keeps your eyepiece and filters organized and within reach.

    Ready for Viewing: Complete with Eyepiece, Finder, and Smartphone Adapter

    This FirstLight package includes everything you need to start observing right out of the box. It comes with a quality Plössl eyepiece, a 90-degree diagonal for comfortable viewing, and a red-dot finder to help you locate and center celestial objects. This setup ensures you can go from unboxing to observing in a single evening.

    A key feature for the modern astronomer is the included smartphone adapter. This device clamps onto the eyepiece, allowing you to capture and share images of the Moon and bright planets using your phone's camera. It's a simple and effective way to begin your journey into astrophotography.

  • What can I see with the Explore Scientific FirstLight 80mm Refractor?

    The FirstLight 80mm is excellent for detailed views of the Moon's craters and seas, the rings of Saturn, Jupiter's four Galilean moons, and the phases of Venus. It can also show you brighter deep-sky objects like the Andromeda Galaxy (M31), the Orion Nebula (M42), and large open star clusters like the Pleiades (M45).

    Is the Twilight Nano mount difficult for a beginner to use?

    No, the Twilight Nano is one of the easiest mounts to use. It is a manual alt-azimuth mount, which means you simply move it up-down and left-right. There is no complicated polar alignment or electronic setup required, making it a true "grab-and-go" system perfect for beginners.

    How does the FirstLight 80mm Refractor perform on Jupiter?

    With the FirstLight 80mm, you can clearly see Jupiter as a distinct disk, resolve its two main equatorial cloud belts, and track the four bright Galilean moons as they orbit the planet. On nights of steady seeing, you may even glimpse the Great Red Spot. For best results, using a higher-power eyepiece (sold separately) will enhance these details.

    Can I use other eyepieces with this 80mm telescope?

    Yes. The telescope includes a standard 1.25" focuser and diagonal, making it compatible with the vast majority of astronomical eyepieces on the market. You can easily expand your collection with higher-magnification eyepieces for planetary viewing or wider-field eyepieces for deep-sky objects.

    What kind of smartphone astrophotography is possible with the FirstLight 80mm?

    The included smartphone adapter allows you to capture surprisingly good images of the Moon and bright planets like Jupiter and Saturn. Because the mount is manual, it's not suitable for long exposures of faint nebulae. However, it's a fantastic tool for sharing your solar system observations with friends and family.

    Is the FirstLight 80mm telescope portable enough for travel?

    Absolutely. The entire system is lightweight and breaks down into three manageable components: the optical tube, the mount head, and the tripod. It can easily fit into the trunk of a small car, making it an excellent choice for taking to dark-sky sites or on camping trips.

  • Aperture 80mm
    Focal Length 640mm
    Focal Ratio f/8
    Optical Design Achromatic Refractor
    Optics Fully Coated
    Mount Type Twilight Nano Alt-Azimuth
    Mount Capacity Up to 15 lbs
    GTIN 8122570180172

    • FirstLight 80mm Refractor OTA

      × 1

    • Twilight Nano Alt-Azimuth Mount

      × 1

    • Full-Size Tripod

      × 1

    • Accessory Tray

      × 1

    • Plössl Eyepiece

      × 1

    • 90° Diagonal

      × 1

    • Red-Dot Finder

      × 1

    • Smartphone Adapter

      × 1

  • No manual or software downloads are available for this product at this time.

  • Explore Scientific Warranty