Askar 140APO Triplet Refractor

Askar 140APO Triplet Refractor

TECHNICAL DATA SHEET

• Aperture: 140 mm

• Focal length: 980 mm

• Native focal ratio: f/7

• Limiting magnitude: 12.5

• Optical design: air-spaced APO triplet

• Optical element: one low-dispersion glass element

• ED glass for chromatic aberration reduction

• Integrated retractable rear optical tube

• Minimum length: 735 mm

• Total length with dew shield extended: 870 mm

• Retractable rear tube length: 125 mm

• Optical tube weight: 9.2 kg

• Total weight with handle, tube rings and dovetail: 10.9 kg

• Retractable dew shield with large locking screws

• Tube ring weight: 1.7 kg

• 220 mm carrying handle with finder slot

• Losmandy-type dovetail plate

• Dovetail length: 300 mm

• Multiple mounting points for mount balancing

• Helm-type locking ring on the retractable tube

• Binoviewer compatibility when retracted

• Imaging compatibility with 1x flattener or 0.8x reducer

• Visual observation compatibility with diagonal and eyepieces

• 3.5-inch rack-and-pinion focuser with fine reduction

• Compatible with most electronic focus motors

• Focuser travel: 100 mm with high-precision scale

• CNC-machined focuser with internal anti-reflection treatment and matte paint

• Two finder bases on each side of the focuser

• Rear precision 360-degree rotator with engraved scale

• Large locking screw for secure hold under heavy load

• Rear visual adapters 1.25 inch and 2 inch included

• Fully CNC-machined optical tube

• Anodized and painted surface finish

• Optional accessory: 1x flattener with 2-inch filter thread

• Optional accessory: 0.8x reducer with field correction

• Standard package contents: optical tube, pair of tube rings, handle, Askar 300 mm Losmandy dovetail plate, Oxford cloth case, manual

The Askar 140APO is an optical tube with a 140 mm aperture, a 980 mm focal length and a native focal ratio of f/7.

The 140 mm aperture gives it a natural advantage in light-gathering ability, resolution, brightness and contrast, allowing the photographer to capture more light and reveal more detail as well as brighter objects. With more light entering the telescope, the limiting magnitude can reach 12.5.

The Askar 140APO adopts an air-spaced triplet design including one element made of low-dispersion glass.

The Askar APO series uses specialised optical designs and multiple elements to correct chromatic aberration, naturally providing better detail definition and improved colour accuracy.

In a refractor, increasing the number of elements and designing specific combinations effectively improves chromatic correction, but it also increases production cost and complexity.

Low-dispersion glass is an optical material specifically designed to reduce chromatic aberration.

As a large-aperture, long focal length refractor, the Askar 140APO was designed with portability in mind. Its minimum overall length is only 735 mm, its net weight is 9.2 kg, and its total weight reaches 10.9 kg including the handle, tube rings and dovetail plate.

Each Askar 140APO unit is equipped with a unique identification ring.

The retractable dew shield combined with large locking screws makes handling easier. It protects the lens from internal or external light sources.

The Askar 140APO features a lightweight design for its tube rings, with a total weight of 1.7 kg. Thumb screws allow easy opening and locking, while the raised base provides additional space.

The handle of the Askar 140APO includes a special slot that can also serve as a base for a finder. It measures 220 mm in length.

The dovetail plate of the Askar 140APO is the Losmandy type, compatible with most equatorial mounts and bases on the market. Its length has been increased to 300 mm with additional screw positions, making balancing easier on mounts. Thanks to the slotted handle, the spacing between the rings can be adjusted as needed.

It is worth noting that the rear tube of the Askar 140APO has an integrated retractable mechanism. This reinforces overall stability and ensures that the optical axis is not affected when the tube is extended, thus preserving image quality. The moving section also features a rudder-type locking ring for easy tightening and loosening.

When the tube is retracted, the Askar 140APO can be used with a binoviewer for visual observation. When the tube is extended, the 140APO can be equipped with a specific reducer or flattener for imaging, or with a diagonal and eyepiece for observing.

For visual observation, it easily reaches focus when used with 1.25" or 2" diagonals as well as various eyepieces. Thanks to its retractable optical tube, it can also be used with a binoviewer for visual observing.

Regarding focusing, the Askar 140APO is equipped with a rigid 3.5-inch rack-and-pinion dual-speed focuser, compatible with most motorised focusers on the market. A high-precision scale is engraved along its 10 cm travel. The focuser barrel is CNC-machined with an internal anti-reflection treatment and matte coating to reduce stray light.

There are two finder bases on both sides of the focuser, eliminating the need for dismantling when changing the finder’s position and providing additional mounting points for other accessories.

The rear of the focuser features a large 360° rotator with precise graduations allowing easy adjustment and memorisation of rotation angles. A large locking screw ensures secure holding even under heavy loads.

The rear interface of the telescope is supplied with a 1.25"/2" adapter.

The entire tube of the Askar 140APO is manufactured using high-quality CNC machining, with anodising and surface paint treatment. The orange accents on the ivory-white tube add an attractive and elegant touch.

The Askar 140APO offers two optional accessories: a 1x field flattener and a 0.8x reducer. Both accessories include a 2" filter thread for direct installation. The 0.8x reducer is supplied with M54/M48 adapters, while the 1x flattener comes with M68/M54/M48 adapters to make connections easier.

The 1x flattener does not change the telescope’s focal ratio. Once installed, the Askar 140APO maintains a ratio of f/7. It corrects field curvature and coma, offering flatter field edges and finer stars.

The 0.8x reducer lowers the Askar 140APO’s focal ratio to f/5.6. It is a standard reducer that also provides field correction. A shorter focal ratio gives a wider field and faster exposure times, making it suitable for imaging large nebulae, star clusters or faint or fast-moving objects.

Whether you are an amateur astronomer, an experienced astrophotographer, or simply someone curious about the universe, the 140APO will meet your expectations. No more sacrificing quality to fit the budget — start your journey to the stars with the Askar 140APO!

Specifications

• Aperture: 140 mm

• Focal length: 980 mm

• Focal ratio: 7

• Objective: air-spaced triplet including one low-dispersion glass element

• Total length: 735 mm with dew shield retracted
870 mm with dew shield extended

• Rear retractable tube length: 125 mm

• Tube weight: 9.2 kg

• Total weight including tube rings and dovetail: 10.9 kg

• Rear thread type: 2" and 1.25" visual adapters

• Standard package contents: 140APO tube, pair of tube rings, handle, Askar 300 mm Losmandy dovetail plate, Oxford cloth case and manual