Observer's Corner for the Holidays
By Professor Hal Jandorf
Report: Skywatcher 72 Evostar Refracting Telescope
This observing report is about a new portable telescope. A few months ago, I purchase a new small refractor. It is a Skywatcher 72 EvoStar.The objective is a 72mm Apochromatic doublet with a focal length of 420mm, making a fast f/5.8 astrograph if you need it. But my purpose was to use it as a “grab ‘n’ go” portable telescope that fits between a binocular and large telescope. Also for travel. Besides, I have an obsession for small, well-made refractors! I own an oldTelevue Pronto (70 mm).
It fits in a nice aluminum case and comes with mounting rings and a Vixen
mounting plate so it’s easy to mount it on a sturdy tripod.
I use a Bogen Tripod and a simple alt-az mount with Teflon surfaces so the
smooth motions do not need slow motions.
Plus the wide angle views do not need fine tuning for motions.
I use 1.25” eyepieces although I use a 2” star diagonal. My favorite
eyepieces to use with this telescope are all Televues: 24mmwide Angle, 18mm
Delight and 8-24mm zoom.
Pleiades
In the case is a green laser pointer and finder mount, small red flashlight and a pocket star atlas from Sky publishing (my favorite). The views through this telescopic gem are sharp and good contrast, as good refactors can do. The chromatic aberration is minimal as it is at is an apochromatic lens.
North American Nebula
North American Nebula
But what excels in this telescope are wide field star clusters: Pleiades,
Double cluster, NGC 7789, Stock…and many others!
As for an astrograph, here are images of North America Nebula in Cygnus and
M-24 Star Cloud in Sagittarius. In this case, all on an equatorial mount.
Notice the sharpness of the star images and the fine detail of the faint
star clusters in the frame. The spurious light on the North America Nebula
image is from the bright star Deneb close by.
$465 OTA, mounting rings and case from High Point Optics online.
M24
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