We also measure the Power with our systems which is essentially the error from the reference sphere to the test optic. The reference sphere we use on our system is a very high quality sphere so the closer to zero the Power, the less error between the 2 elements thus ensuring a higher quality optical surface.

The manual’s language and descriptions could have been worded better, but it suffices to help you through the setup process. Other measurements such as the PV and RMS are important too. With these measurements, the lower the number the better as it shows less curvature on the lens. The flatter an optical lens, the better it will perform. The PV rating (Peak To Valley) is a measurement from the highest point (Peak) to the lowest point (Valley). From this we get the RMS (Root, Mean, Square). This is a similar figure to the PV and measured exactly the same way. The RMS is basically an average height difference from the PV so again, the lower the better. As you can see form the example below, we measured an RMS of just 0.027 wave which is a very good value. Counterweight: Due to the telescope’s weight, the Sky-Watcher Explorer 130 comes with a counterweight to keep it balanced while you use it. The counterweight weighs as much as the telescope, about 3.6 kg or 8 lbs. It also means you can add any accessory with reasonable weight without losing balance.All lenses and mirrors display images that are inverted upside down, left to right or rotated. This includes lenses in cameras, our eyes and telescopes. So don’t worry if you are getting an upside down image; your telescope is working fine. If you want to flip the image the right way, use a star diagonal or an erecting prism. 2. What is telescope aperture? Takeaway: The Sky-Watcher Explorer 130m telescope is the perfect choice for any budding astronomer on a budget I have an Explorer 130M. Due to disability I started using a 102mm Maksutov just over a year ago as setting the Explorer up was difficult. I've made sufficient progress in physiotherapy for me to use it more now. Although I've recently acquired a bigger SCT it's proving a challenge to transport to the end of my garden and I'm getting a bigger garden trolley especially to transport the SCT. GoTo or computerised telescopes are the new generation of stargazing, and if you are into your gadgetry then you will definitely want to get one! The best one we have found is the Orion 27191 Starblast IntelliScope Reflector. Although it uses manual controls rather than computerised spotting, this does not detract from the overall performance. It is compact and light, making it a great choice to take out and about on stargazing trips, or even just a camping stay where you want to get some great shots of the night sky. What I like about it: If you have decided that a Dobsonian telescope is the one for you, then you should look no further than the Skyliner 200 P Parabolic Skywatcher. It’s perfect for those who are looking for a more detailed view of the deep dark sky, as it is able to gather as much light as possible from its surroundings. It’s not a computerised telescope, making it ideal for those with a purist bent. The detail shown by this scope is truly breathtaking; you can even see colour differentiation between the A and B rings of Saturn, and a clear view of the Cassini Division. What I like about it:

The main question is: what can you see with it? What can you see in the night sky with the Sky-Watcher Explorer 130m? Are you looking for a telescope to get started with? When you want to get into stargazing, one of the most important – if not THE most important bit of kit is a telescope. Without a telescope you might just be gazing dreamily at the stars out of your bedroom window! The mount is just as important as the telescope and Sky-Watcher supplied the new, dual-mode AZ-EQ Avant mount with the Explorer-130PS so we were keen to see how it performed. Finderscope – Red dot finder: It also comes with a basic 6 x 24 red dot finder. I’ve heard some astronomers talk about the fit of the finderscope with the barrel.

A Newtonian reflector that is versatile, affordable and optically impressive with an equatorial mount to view solar system objects, double stars and deep sky targets.

We enjoyed some excellent views of M27, the Dumbbell Nebula, and M15 in Pegasus very early in the evening, then the Pleiades and the Hyades star clusters and M42 later during the night. This design requires collimation to align the two mirrors accurately with one another and the eyepiece.But, to make life easier for beginners, a large chunk of this potentially perplexing process has been removed. For the price being asked, we think the Explorer 130 is a good value telescope capable of some impressive views of the moon, planets and bright deep sky objects. Its EQ mount may make it seem a little complicated. However, it's not too difficult to master and it's worth it for the ease of moving the telescope and keeping it trained on planets and the moon. However, that EQ mount and its manual design means some knowledge of the night sky — and the willingness to learn about RA/Dec sky coordinates — is required, while the Explorer 130's weight makes it a telescope to use in one place. If the Sky-Watcher Explorer 130 EQ2 telescope isn't for you Patience is a virtue, in this hobby and in general life. It's something I've learned (and am still learning in astronomy and elsewhere in life).

The Explorer 130 EQ2 scope has a maximum useful magnification or highest practical power of 260X. It simply means there’s no significant optical performance to gain beyond this magnification.The Celestron AstroMaster 130EQ could be a great alternative to the Sky-Watcher Explorer 130M as it shares many similarities, such as a 130mm aperture and an equatorial mount. I had that exact setup not too long ago. The scope itself will show you a lot- it's the skies you use it under that impose the greatest limitations. Our most popular beginners telescope ideal for older children and adults. The large 130mm aperture will show some nice detail in bright deep sky objects, plus the long 900mm focal length is ideal for close up views of the moon and will resolve some planetary detail too.

Then the optical quality lives up to the billing, at least judging it based on the context of its affordable price. What telescope is similar to the Sky-Watcher Explorer 130m and a good alternative to consider? For its price, the Sky-Watcher Explorer 130m motorized telescope provides incredible value. On top of that, the scope comes with an equatorial mount, which is uncommon among telescopes in this price range. The Skywatcher Evostar-90 AZ3 is a great refractor telescope, suitable for a wide range of abilities and budgets. This scope comes with two different lenses to observe sky objects at different depths. It has a long focal length, and can gather 65% more light than a standard 70mm model, which will give you clear images. It’s ideal for detailed views of the moon, as well as other objects in the solar system. An Alt-Azimuth mount is included, which is high quality and offers stability and strength for good viewing. What I like about it: At Rother Valley Optics, one thing we pride ourselves on is customer service and quality of our equipment. When we test your telescope, we will ensure that it is of the highest quality otherwise, we will reject the scope under our strict quality control and test another model for your peace of mind. One of the main values to look at when testing a refractor is the Strehl ratio. The higher this number, the higher quality lens you have. At Rother Valley Optics, we will guarantee the highest possible Strehl ratio for your telescope. We will aim to provide 0.95 Strehl or higher on Takahashi, RVO Horizon, William Optics and many more! Generally, the higher the Strehl ratio, the lower the Astigmatism and Coma meaning a better image quality from your instrument. mm eyepieces, x2 Barlow Lens, Red-Dot Finder, EQ2 Mount and Tripod, R.A. Motor Drive (D.C.) with Multi-Speed Handset

Astrophotography combines looking at beautiful imagery millions of miles away, with creating lasting records of those striking images. If you are looking into astrophotography, you will be looking into the best piece of kit that you can possibly find – and you have found it! The Explore Scientific Apochromatic Refractor AP 80/480 Ed Aluminium OTA is what you have been searching for. The air spaced, triple optical design and diffraction limited optics gives you the sharpest shots you could wish for, and the high quality images produced reflect the quality of the scope. What I like about it: It uses a Newtonian reflector design that employs a parabolic primary mirror to collect and focus the light, and a flat secondary mirror to reflect it to the eyepiece. I talked about the telescope’s high obstruction earlier. Consequently, you’ll particularly observe reduced contrast and brighter diffraction rings when observing the planets.