Please note: The SkyWatcher Explorer 200/1000P Newtonian is recommended for those who are seriously interested in amateur astronomy!
.. and the world of deep sky objects opens up
We have found that, under dark skies, celestial objects start to "open up" at this diameter: the spiral structure of some galaxies can be seen, many globular clusters can be broken down into hundreds of stars, while details of interstellar nebulae can be observed. In the right stillness, their precisely machined (diffraction-limited) parabolas reveal many details of the surface of planets and the Moon: Jupiter's Great Red Spot and many vortices in its atmosphere are easy to see, as are many of the rifts on the surface of our celestial companions.
Rich features
A 9x50 finder scope is included in the standard package, making it easy to focus on fainter objects. Superb imaging is provided by 25mm and 10mm eyepieces, offering magnification up to 40x and 100x, respectively. The optional Barlow lens gives additional magnifications of 60x, 80x, 150x and 200x, and the included T2 thread provides easy mounting for SLR cameras. A particularly precise 2" Crayford focuser allows easy focusing, which can be upgraded later to a two-speed version. A 2"/T2 adapter is included with the focuser.
Excellent photographic tool
The telescope is a serious instrument if astrophotography is your goal: the large diameter and brightness allow you to quickly capture the wonders of the sky, as you can see simply by looking at the Gallery. The 2" focuser can accommodate all the accessories you need for photography (e.g. a coma corrector). Those who have more serious astrophotographic goals with the telescope are advised to replace the prismatic lens with a solid version, which provides a more shake-free use.
Stable mounts for comfortable use
The telescope can be chosen with NEQ-5 mechanics, which provide stable support thanks to 4.5 cm steel feet and a central brace. The fine adjustment allows precise tracking of celestial bodies even by hand, but can also be equipped with motorised tracking. The computer-controlled NEQ-5 Pro version of the mount adjusts objects almost for you, so you can spend more time observing them instead of bothering to find them. The HEQ-5 Pro mount meets more demanding astrophotographic needs, while providing even more stable support. Both the NEQ-5 Pro and HEQ-5 Pro can be controlled from several metres away using a WIFI adapter on the base mount.
