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Askar
Askar FMA180 Pro
A premium flat-field refractor that excels at wide-field nebula imaging without compromise.
40mm aperture180mm focal lengthf/4.5RefractorIntermediate
Top targets reported by owners
What you'll see
Sharpless objects (Sh 2-221, Sh 2-232, Sh 2-235, Sh 2-276)
reveals large nebular fields and dark lanes with H-alpha filter; user noted 'FMA180+ASI294 combinati…
Nebula
Monkey Head Nebula (Sh 2-252)
shows embedded open clusters and dark hollows; 'clouds flowing outward in arcs separated by dark lan…
Galaxy
M31 Andromeda
captures nebulosity and 3D spiral structure; described as 'one to be proud of'
Nebula
M42 Orion Nebula
core region shows tight detail; works well with proper exposure balancing
Frequently asked
Questions from owners
Sourced from Cloudy Nights discussions.
- How well does the FMA180 Pro perform for narrowband nebula imaging?
- Multiple users report excellent results with the FMA180 paired with narrowband filters (H-alpha, OIII, SII) for imaging Sharpless objects and emission nebulae. Members consistently use it with the ASI294MM-Pro camera and Optolong filters, noting that the wide field of view and flat field make it well-suited for large nebulae, though integration times of 16+ hours are typically needed for faint objects from Bortle 6/7 skies.
- What camera should I pair with the FMA180 Pro?
- The ASI294MM-Pro is the most frequently mentioned pairing in the forum, used by multiple users for both EAA observation and narrowband imaging projects. The ASI533MC-Pro is also mentioned as a secondary option for closer looks at objects, suggesting the FMA180 works well across different sensor sizes and types.
- Does the FMA180 Pro need flats for processing?
- At least one experienced user reports being able to get by without flats due to the optical design, though they noted dark edges suggesting vignetting still occurs. The lack of consistent reports about flats requirements suggests this may vary by individual setup and processing approach.
- How large of a field does the FMA180 Pro cover?
- Users report the FMA180 is well-suited for large Sharpless objects and wide-field nebula imaging, with one observer noting it can image targets 30+ arcminutes in extent. The wide field of view is cited as a specific advantage for this telescope model in EAA work.
- Can I use the FMA180 Pro for both visual observing and imaging?
- While the forum discussions focus heavily on imaging applications, one user paired it on a co-mounted system with a separate imaging camera, suggesting it can serve dual purposes. However, there are no detailed accounts of visual observing experiences with this specific model in these threads.
Full Specifications
Optics
| Aperture | 40mm |
| Focal Length | 180mm |
| Focal Ratio | f/4.5 |
| Optical Design | Refractor |
| Lens Elements | 3-element |
| Coatings | Fully multi-coated ED triplet |
Mount & Tracking
| GoTo (Computerised) | No |
| Tracking | No |
Focuser
| Focuser Size | 1.25" |
| Focuser Type | Helical focuser |
Physical
| OTA Weight | 0.38kg |
| Tube Length | 115mm |
| Tube Material | Aluminium |
Included Accessories
| Diagonal | No |