Skywatcher Telescope AC 70/500 Mercury AZ-3

The AC 70 telescope:

With its 70mm aperture, this telescope gathers 100X more light than the naked eye and significantly more light than the slightly smaller 60mm aperture typical of a beginner’s telescope. This means it also has a higher resolution and, with its maximum magnification of 140X, can show you detail on the large planets Saturn, Jupiter, and Mars. The cratered landscape of the Moon is also well worth observing, and you can watch this changing with the different lighting conditions arising from the different phases. Fascinating nature watching during daylight hours is also made possible by adding an erecting lens or an Amici prism. Focusing is carried out by means of an adjustment knob on the rack and pinion focuser. This allows the focusing sharpness to be always precisely set and for it to remain fixed during observing.

This is also a useful acquisition for advanced astronomers or when changing to a more powerful system as the optics are well suited for use as a guide scope which can be mounted on top of a larger telescope and used to take pictures or to guide with.

The Skywatcher AZ-3 is a practical altazimuth mount, easy-to-use and providing good stability.

It can serve as a base for terrestrial or astronomical observing and support telescopes or spotting scopes up to a maximum weight of 5kg (refractors of up to 120mm aperture and reflectors of up to 150mm diameter).

The AZ-3 has horizontal quick adjustment plus a locking screw, and vertical quick adjustment with a slipper clutch. There is fine adjustment with flexible slow motions available on both axes. The tracking is absolutely smooth and sensitive adjustment and allows fine adjustment even at high magnification.

The vertical angle can be adjusted between 50 and 90 degrees, allowing viewing from the horizon up to nearly the zenith and panning 360°. The AZ-3 mount is hence equally suited for terrestrial and astronomical observing. The telescope/spotting scope is mounted via tube ring clamps.

Technical data:

• altazimuth mount allowing 360° panning and adjustable from the horizon to almost the zenith
• vertical rapid adjustment with slipper clutch
• fine adjustment via flexible slow motions
• aluminium tripod – infinitely adjustable from 70cm to 123cm
• entire weight only approx. 3.9kg, including tripod

Included in delivery:

• AZ-3 altazimuth mount
• height-adjustable tripod

It is not only important which telescope you buy, but also where you buy it.

We provide extra help:

• We are a leading telescope dealer and know these instruments like the back of our hands.
• We are always very happy to offer our assistance after your purchase, should you encounter any problems with your telescope’s setup or operation.
• Our ‘Telescope Basics’ booklet – an 80-page beginner’s guide for our telescopes – is provided free of charge with every telescope we sell.