Discovering the Night Sky: The Sky-Watcher Evostar 72ED

For amateur astronomers and budding astrophotographers, finding the right telescope can be a pivotal moment in their stargazing journey. The Sky-Watcher Evostar 72ED is one such telescope that has captured the hearts of many sky enthusiasts. Compact, versatile, and delivering exceptional optical performance, the Evostar 72ED is an instrument that promises to transform your nights under the stars into unforgettable experiences.

Introduction to the Evostar 72ED

The Sky-Watcher Evostar 72ED is a refractor telescope designed with both portability and performance in mind. With a 72mm aperture and a focal length of 420mm, it strikes a perfect balance, making it ideal for a wide range of astronomical observations and astrophotography projects. Its apochromatic doublet design, featuring Extra-low Dispersion (ED) glass, ensures sharp, high-contrast images with minimal chromatic aberration.

Specifications at a Glance

Here are some of the key specifications of the Sky-Watcher Evostar 72ED:

  • Aperture: 72mm (2.8 inches)
  • Focal Length: 420mm
  • Focal Ratio: f/5.8
  • Optical Design: Apochromatic Doublet Refractor
  • Lens Coatings: Fully multi-coated
  • Focuser: Dual-speed 2-inch Crayford focuser
  • Weight: Approximately 1.8 kg (4 pounds)
  • Length: Approximately 40cm (16 inches)
  • Dew Shield: Retractable
  • Included Accessories: Vixen-style dovetail plate, tube rings, carrying case

The Beauty of Apochromatic Optics

At the heart of the Evostar 72ED lies its apochromatic optics. Traditional achromatic refractors often suffer from chromatic aberration, where different wavelengths of light fail to converge at the same point, resulting in color fringing around bright objects. The Evostar 72ED’s ED glass significantly reduces this effect, delivering images with true-to-life color and superb sharpness.

This high level of optical performance makes the Evostar 72ED not only a great choice for visual observations but also a powerful tool for astrophotography. Whether you’re capturing the delicate details of lunar craters or the vibrant colors of nebulae, this telescope ensures your images are sharp and free from unwanted color artifacts.

Built for Portability

One of the joys of the Evostar 72ED is its portability. Weighing just over 1.8 Kilos and measuring around 40 centimeters in length, this telescope is easy to transport and set up, making it perfect for impromptu stargazing sessions or trips to dark sky locations. Its compact size means it can be mounted on a variety of tripods and mounts, providing flexibility for different observing and photographing scenarios.

Astrophotography with the Evostar 72ED

For those looking to venture into astrophotography, the Evostar 72ED is an excellent starting point. Its relatively short focal length of 420mm allows for wide-field imaging, capturing large swathes of the night sky in a single frame. When paired with a DSLR or or even a dedicated astronomy camera such as the ZWO ASI 533MC Pro, this telescope becomes a potent tool for capturing stunning images of celestial objects. Such as the Elephant Trunk Nebula or even galaxies like M33 or Andromeda!

The telescope’s dual-speed 2-inch Crayford focuser ensures precise and smooth focusing, which is critical for obtaining sharp astrophotographs. Additionally, the Evostar 72ED is compatible with a range of accessories, such as field flatteners and focal reducers, allowing you to further enhance your imaging setup.

A field flattener is an optical accessory used in astrophotography to correct field curvature inherent in many telescope designs. It ensures that stars appear sharp and in focus across the entire image frame, from the center to the edges.

A 0.85x reducer is a lens accessory that decreases the effective focal length of a telescope by 0.85 times, resulting in a wider field of view and faster exposure times. This allows for capturing larger areas of the sky and more detailed images with shorter exposures.

Practical Considerations

Sky-Watcher has thoughtfully designed the Evostar 72ED with practical features that enhance the user experience. The retractable dew shield helps prevent moisture build-up on the lens, ensuring clear views during long observing sessions. The telescope also comes with a robust case, providing protection and ease of transport.

For visual observers, pairing the Evostar 72ED with a high-quality diagonal and a selection of eyepieces can further enhance the viewing experience. With the right accessories, this telescope can deliver breathtaking views that rival those of much larger and more expensive instruments.

Conclusion

The Sky-Watcher Evostar 72ED is a testament to the idea that good things come in small packages. Its combination of high-quality optics, portability, and versatility makes it an excellent choice for both visual observers and astrophotographers. Whether you’re a seasoned astronomer or just beginning your journey into the night sky, the Evostar 72ED offers a gateway to the cosmos that is both accessible and deeply rewarding.

Investing in the Evostar 72ED means investing in countless nights of exploration and discovery. From the craters of the moon to the distant realms of deep space, this telescope brings the wonders of the universe into sharp focus, inviting you to look up, explore, and dream.

Telescope: Sky-Watcher Evostar 72ed
Camera: ZWO ASI 533MC Pro
ASI AIR Plus

I hope you enjoyed this blog and images about Sky-Watcher Evostar 72ed

Happy stargazing! – Jimmy Keetman