Sky-Watcher Telescope Mercury 70/700 AZ2

Sky-Watcher Mercury 70/700 AZ2 – Telescope for Beginners

Sky-Watcher Mercury 70/700 AZ2 (SK707AZ2) is an achromatic refractor telescope with a 70 mm objective lens, designed for beginners who want to observe the Moon, Jupiter, Saturn and brighter objects in the night sky. Its simple manual AZ2 mount, two eyepieces, Barlow lens and 5x24 finderscope make it a practical first telescope for adults, families or children under adult supervision.

It is also a good choice as a gift for a child, teenager or adult who wants to discover astronomy. The telescope is primarily designed for visual observation and has no GoTo navigation, motorised tracking or electronic controls.

70/700 mm Optics

The objective lens diameter, also known as the aperture, is 70 mm. Aperture determines how much light the telescope can collect, and this model provides enough for observing larger features on the Moon, bright planets, double stars and several well-known deep-sky objects.

The 700 mm focal length provides useful magnifications for observing the Moon and planets. The f/10 focal ratio suits the model’s intended use as a straightforward beginner telescope for visual astronomy.

The Mercury 70/700 uses an achromatic objective lens. A slight coloured fringe may therefore appear around very bright objects such as the Moon, Venus or Jupiter, which is a normal characteristic of this type of optics.

Sky-Watcher Mercury 70/700 AZ2 Technical Specifications

Package Contents

• Mercury 70/700 optical tube
• AZ2 alt-azimuth mount
• Height-adjustable aluminium tripod
• Super 25 mm eyepiece, 1.25″
• Super 10 mm eyepiece, 1.25″
• 5x24 optical finderscope
• 90° mirror diagonal, 1.25″
• 2x Barlow lens

What Can You See?

The Moon

The Moon is the main observing target for this telescope. Through the Mercury 70/700, you can see larger craters, dark lunar maria, mountain ranges and relief along the terminator—the boundary between the illuminated and dark portions of the Moon.

The 25 mm eyepiece provides 28x magnification and shows the entire lunar disc. The 10 mm eyepiece provides 70x magnification and offers a better view of larger craters and other recognisable features.

Planets

Jupiter appears as a small disc accompanied by its four brightest moons. When the atmosphere is steady and the planet is sufficiently high above the horizon, its two main darker atmospheric bands may be visible.

Saturn’s rings can be clearly distinguished from the planet’s disc, while Titan may appear as a faint point of light near the planet under favourable conditions. The phases of Venus can be observed, while Mars generally appears as a small orange-red disc.

Planets will look considerably smaller and less colourful through the eyepiece than they do in processed astronomical photographs. Uranus and Neptune can be located, but their small apparent size means that they will not reveal much detail.

Stars and Deep Sky

Under darker skies, you can observe the Pleiades and other brighter open star clusters, selected double stars, the Orion Nebula and the brighter central region of the Andromeda Galaxy. Galaxies and nebulae will appear as faint, mostly grey structures without the colours and details visible in astrophotographs.

If you are looking primarily for a telescope to observe galaxies, faint nebulae and globular clusters, the 70 mm aperture will be limiting. For more serious deep-sky observation, a Newtonian or Dobsonian telescope with an aperture of 130 mm or more will be a better choice.

Magnification in Practice

The highest magnification available with the included accessories is approximately 140x. In practice, 70x will often be more useful for obtaining a stable and sharp planetary image, especially when the atmosphere is not completely steady.

It is best to begin observing with the 25 mm eyepiece. Once you have located and centred the object, you can switch to the 10 mm eyepiece or try the Barlow lens.

AZ2 Mount

The AZ2 is an alt-azimuth mount that allows the telescope to be moved manually from left to right and up and down. It requires neither polar alignment nor electrical power, making it practical for complete beginners.

The mount has no GoTo system or automatic tracking. Because of the Earth’s rotation, the object will gradually move across the field of view, so it will need to be manually returned to the centre during observation.

To begin using the telescope, place the tripod on a firm surface, attach the optical tube and align the 5x24 finderscope with the main telescope. The 25 mm eyepiece is recommended for initially locating an object because it provides lower magnification and a wider field of view.

Observing from the City

If you are looking for a telescope for observing from the city, the Mercury 70/700 is particularly suitable for the Moon, Venus, Jupiter, Saturn and bright double stars. Urban lighting has less effect on these bright objects than it does on galaxies and nebulae.

From a darker location outside the city, more star clusters and brighter deep-sky objects will become visible. The complete setup weighs 8 kg, allowing it to be transported by car and occasionally moved between the house, terrace and garden, but it is not an ultralight tabletop or travel telescope.

Astrophotography

The Sky-Watcher Mercury 70/700 AZ2 is primarily a telescope for visual astronomy. The manual mount has no motorised tracking, so it is unsuitable for photographing galaxies and nebulae with long exposures.

With a suitable smartphone adapter, it is possible to take basic photographs of the Moon through the eyepiece. If serious night-sky astrophotography is your main goal, a telescope on a stable motorised equatorial mount will be a better choice.

Why Choose a 70/700 Refractor?

A refractor telescope is easy to use and does not require mirror collimation, making it particularly practical for beginners. The Sky-Watcher Mercury 70/700 is a good choice for users who want their first telescope primarily for observing the Moon, Jupiter, Saturn and brighter stellar objects.

Newtonian and Dobsonian telescopes with larger apertures collect more light and are better suited to more serious observations of galaxies and nebulae. The Mercury 70/700 has an advantage when straightforward operation, quick setup and observing without electronic controls are important.

Who Is It For?

This telescope is a good choice for:

• A complete beginner buying their first telescope
• Observing the Moon, Jupiter and Saturn
• Family observations from the garden or terrace
• A child using the telescope under adult supervision
• A gift for a child, teenager or adult beginner
• Users who want a manual telescope without electronics
• Observing bright objects from the city
• Occasional transport by car to a darker location

It Is Not the Best Choice If

• You primarily want to observe faint galaxies and nebulae
• You need GoTo navigation or automatic tracking
• You are planning serious astrophotography
• You are looking for an ultralight tabletop or travel telescope
• You expect highly detailed views of planets at high magnifications

Why Choose This Model?

The Sky-Watcher Mercury 70/700 AZ2 is designed for beginners who want a straightforward first telescope for the Moon and bright planets. Its 70 mm objective lens, two eyepieces, Barlow lens and manual AZ2 mount allow users to begin visual observation with a simple setup and no need for electronic controls.

Professional Optics offers an expertly selected range of telescopes and accessories for different experience levels. At Professional Optics, you can receive expert assistance in choosing a telescope based on the objects you want to observe and where you plan to use it, with collection available from the store in Split or delivery throughout Croatia and Europe.