SkyWatcher Dobsonian 8" Classic
SkyWatcher Dobsonian 8" Classic
The Sky-Watcher Classic Dobsonian Telescope 203mm/1200mm (8") has a "paraboloidal" primary mirror to eliminate spherical aberration and a four-arm, secondary- mirror bracket with fine supports (0.5mm thick), to reduce diffraction spikes and light loss. In addition, this model includes a 2" focuser with a 1.25" adapter, allowing the use of either eyepiece size. This model also includes the new feature-tension control handle.
- Affordable, large 200mm aperture delivers stunning viewing experience
- 78% brighter than 150mm model
- Patented tension control handle allows for precise slewing and maximum stability
- Parabolic primary mirror with Radiant™ Aluminum Quartz (RAQ™)
- Heavy-duty rocker box with Teflon™ bearings
- 2-inch Crayford-style focuser with 1.25-inch adapter allows for use of nearly any eyepiece
Description
Featuring large apertures and easy functionality, Sky-Watcher’s Classic Dobsonian is the ideal beginner scope. Often referred to as ‘light buckets’, Dobsonians provide users with the highest possible aperture for their money when compared to telescopes of a similar size, such as Schmidt-Cassegrains or refractors.
Developed in the 1970s, the Dobsonian-style telescope is an inexpensive solution for bright, detailed visual observing using a simple design. The name ‘Dobsonian’ comes from the telescope’s inventor, John Dobson, a Vedanta monk who popularized sidewalk astronomy and dedicated his life to astronomy outreach.
Dobson was well known for constructing large aperture reflecting telescopes capable of deep sky viewing, using low cost materials. These were often made with found materials, heavy cardboard tubes, recycled porthole glass, and plywood mounts. Dobson, who literally wrote the book on how and why to make amateur telescopes, encouraged other astronomers to assemble their own telescopes and taught workshops on telescope making.
The Classic Dobsonian uses a parabolic primary mirror design, constructed of borosilicate, then polished and coated with our proprietary Radiant™ Aluminum Quartz (RAQ™) producing a remarkable 94% reflectivity.
With an 8-inch aperture, the Classic 200P Dobsonian is 816 times brighter than the human eye! This simple yet effective design is perfect for visual observation of faint objects, such as nebulae, star clusters, and galaxies.
Supporting the Classic Dobsonian is more than just a simple rocker box. The base uses Teflon™ bearings for smooth, easy azimuth slewing and a patented tension control handle to lock the telescope in place. Once locked on an object, the telescope can support both 1.25-inch accessories as well as the heavier 2-inch eyepieces, allowing you to use virtually any eyepiece on the market.
As is customary with all Sky-Watcher products, everything is included with the telescope to get you up and running, including: two 1.25-inch eyepieces, a 1.25-inch adapter, a 2-inch eyepiece adapter, dust caps and a 9x50 finderscope.
At Sky-Watcher, we stay true to the traditional John Dobson design, using just two mirrors, a metal tube, and a simple rocker box. Although we love computerized telescopes, using a star chart to find objects by hand can be far more fulfilling and will improve your knowledge of the night sky.
Unplug your electronic devices, step outside, and become immersed in the wonders of the universe.
Specs
Optical Info Optical Design Newtonian Mirror Coatings Radiant Aluminum Quartz (RAQ)™ coatings with 94% reflectivity Glass Type Borosilicate True Aperture (mm) 257 Primary Aperture (mm) 203 F/Ratio 5.9 Focal Length (mm) 1200 Secondary Diameter 48mm Secondary Obstruction (by diameter) 24% Secondary Obstruction by Area 6% Observational Info Dawes Limit 0.57 Rayleigh Limit 0.69 Limiting Mag. 14 Minimum Magnification 29 Maximum Magnification 400 Light Gathering (compared to next size down) 78% General Info Focuser 2" Crayford OTA Length (Retract/Ext.) 43" OTA Outer Diameter 9.375" OTA Weight (with accessories) 20 Dob Base Weight 25 Dob Base Measurements 29"x20.5" Zenith Eyepiece Height 45" Accessories Included Finder 9x50 Finder Included Diagonal No Included Eyepieces 25/10 Super (modified Kellner) Magnification w/ Included Eyepieces 48x/120x Included Case No Corrector No Downloads
