Please note that this product is back-ordered at Explore Scientific for an extended period of time
This is a Generation II telescope.
No telescope type has changed the hobby quite as much as the Dobsonian Telescope. Before the popularization of John Dobson's alt-azimuth mount design with low center of gravity combined with a Newtonian optical assembly, the vast majority of amateur telescopes consisted of small telescopes with small mounts - which made them difficult to use for serious deep sky observations by beginners. Large commercial telescopes could certainly do the job but were relatively expensive.
The ingenious combination of simple yet effective mechanisms with big-aperture Newtonian optics gives the Dobsonian Telescope worldwide popularity, and this telescope design typically offers the largest aperture per dollar of any telescope type.
Disassembly of the scope without tools ensures a trouble-free transport of this great scope even in very small cars. The entire structure has been optimized for maximum stiffness with minimal weight. The combination of large altitude bearings with optimized metal structural design allows fine and smooth adjustment, even at higher magnifications.
The ideal workhorse for the deep sky observers. A 254mm aperture mirror collects more than 1,500 times as much light as the naked eye. Details on planets and deep sky objects will be visible even for inexperienced observers. Many star clusters are resolved to the core, spiral structure in distant galaxies is visible, and the complex matrix of bright and dark nebulae are an unforgettable experience.
Oversize altitude (16.5-inch with adjustable clutch) and azimuth (13-inch) bearings allow for smooth operation. Easy-to-adjust collimation mechanisms for primary and secondary mirrors require no additional tools and only one person is a unique feature of this design.
Includes: Two-Speed 2-inch Rack & Pinion Focuser with 1.25-inch Adapter; LED Red Dot Finder, Collimation Assist Tool; Flexible Light Weight Light Baffle; Two Primary Mirror Fans with Battery Pack; Instructions
Specifications
| Item Number | DOB1045–00 |
| Coatings | Aluminum with Quartz Overcoat |
| Primary Mirror Diameter | 254mm |
| Secondary Mirror Diameter (M.A.) | 67mm |
| Focal Length | 1270mm |
| Focal Ratio | f/5 |
| Resolving Power | 0.456 arc-sec |
| Limiting Magnitude | 14.7 |
| Primary Mirror Weight | 44.5 lbs |
| Rocker Box Weight | 14.8 lbs. |
| Total Weight | 59.3 lbs |